I notice as I drive away from the city a certain highway eventually becomes 100% for lease signs (one per building and none without.)
Meanwhile in the news:
Coney Island Boardwalk Businesses Surprised by ‘For Lease’ Signs
by Linda Collins (linda -at -brooklyneagle.net), published online 12-31-2008
... In the two days before Christmas, Coney Island Boardwalk businesses were shocked to find “Space for Lease” banners tacked to their storefronts by the owner, Thor Equities. ...
Commercial Real Estate Market Cools
KITV.com
POSTED: 9:02 pm HST December 31, 2008
UPDATED: 5:56 am HST January 1, 2009
... Drive though Honolulu and the "for lease" signs are visible all over. What used to be local businesses are now gone, having left behind empty spaces. ...
In Los Angeles, downtown is on an upswing
By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
December 25, 2008
Updated Dec 29, 2008
...skip...
The economic crisis hasn't spared this area, however. Loft conversions and new condos once intended for sale are for rent instead. Judging from the profusion of "For Lease" signs, there's plenty of availability.
...snip...
Retail closures start to hit home
By SANDRA BAKER
Star-Telegram.com
Thursday, Jan 1, 2009
Retailers are already starting to topple in North Texas.
Linens 'n Things, KB Toys and some Steve & Barry’s have closed their doors in North Texas as the grimmest retail season on record comes to a close.
More closings are on the way for 2009, with a number of retailers already in bankruptcy court or headed there. Many retailers are closing stores, including electronics giant Circuit City. Mervyn’s and Whitehall Jewelers are going out of business.
Bad news ahead
Apparel stores led the way in store closings in 2008 and that will likely continue in 2009, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. The council projected that about 148,000 retail establishments would close in 2008. In the first half of 2009, the organization predicts about 73,000 store closings.
Several big-name stores are being watched closely as the new year begins. The New York-based financial-news Web site 247wallst.com has released its list of 10 companies that it says could file for bankruptcy protection in 2009, resulting in store closures or liquidations: Bon-Ton Stores, Dillard’s, Talbots, Pier 1 Imports, Cost Plus, Williams-Sonoma, Chico’s, Saks, Eddie Bauer and Rite Aid.
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