Let's see...we've lost CompUSA & Linens-N-Things...who is the next retailer to die in the credit crisis? Did I miss any?

There are so many stores out there that have more employees than customers.

A couple of retailers to watch:

- Steve & Barry (not sure that there are any in FXCO)
- KB Toys
- Circuit City
- Foot Locker
- Zales
- Ann Taylor

The first two are on their way out and the others are closing stores, but I would not be surprised if CC and Foot Locker go under in the next 12-18 months.

Did anyone shop at LNT before they closed? We got some great deals right after Thanksgiving when they still had a lot of merchandise, but it was odd when we went last week. All of the employees were gone and it seemed like they liquidator brought in a bunch of miscellaneous stuff. Plus, whatever inventory was left was marked up a ton before applying the discount. We saw a cool print that was probably $25-30 originally marked as $150 with a 70% discount.

Eddie Bauer

Once a store gets those black and yellow signs up it's a waste of time to go to the store. They mark everything up to maximum retail and then say it's x% off. If you paid attention you'd notice the 'original' prices are higher than the store sold the items for in the first place. The first markdowns usually get the price down to the regular price for that store. You can go to a competitor's and get it on sale for less, and sometimes even their regular price is less. By the time the prices actually get low enough the merchandise has been trashed by shoppers digging through it all.

I bet Bath & Body works closes in the next year or so. Why pay $7 for a bottle of soap when you can get it for half that at Target or some other place?

Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn
Michael's or Moore's (one will bite it)
K-MArt
Baja Fresh
Caribou Coffee
Rite Aid
Toy's R Us
Babies R Us
Build a Bear
Jared's (what a celebration that will be to not have to listen to their lousy commercials anymore)
Brookstone
The Body Shop
Mattress Discounters
Cold Stone
Cartoon Cuts
The Gap
Fossil
Harry and David
Lord and Taylor
Talbots
The Picture People

Sears, K-Mart and any specialty store based in an indoor mall.

When all is said and done, you will have a few Big Box stores, Target and Walmart. Virtually everything else will be sold online.

Look at the bright side, more jobs are created for hispanic males to hold up signs at stoplights.

Bate Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn
> Jared's (what a celebration that will be to not
> have to listen to their lousy commercials
> anymore)

Amen to that. Although I'd prefer it to be any of the Koons dealerships or any Chevy/GMC/Toyota dealership as I am constantly bombarded by radio ads containing screaming announcers, loud base music, and the 5000 word disclaimer being read off in 3.3 seconds.

Thank god for Sirius.

Sirius

Alto Plaza!

FCPS

Just to note....Sears bought K Mart a few years ago. That's why you can buy Kenmore, Craftman, etc stuff at K Mart now.

I guess they both go if Sears does.

K Mart has been a goner for years and Sears only bought them for their real estate holdings....which will be worth a LOT less when Depression 2.0 hits.

Tweeter is gone, and i think mattress discounters is in bankruptcy.

Looks like a lot of stores are going out of business. What about food stores? If this keeps up, then what? Is this what we call the Depression?

Looking like it.

I don't get how some of the stores located in houses in Falls Church manage to stay in business. They are essentially in downtown FC, right on Broad St., sitting on what must be very expensive property. I've never seen a single person walk into Hole in the Wall Books, and I'd be scared to go inside after dark:

http://www.holeintheweb.com/

Dominoes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looks like a lot of stores are going out of
> business. What about food stores? If this keeps
> up, then what? Is this what we call the
> Depression?


If we end up with unemployment in the 15 to 20 percent range and an annual deflation rate - as opposed to an inflation rate - that would be a Depression.

As for all the retailers falling by the wayside, some of this is house cleaning that has been long overdue. For instance, is anyone going to miss Circuit City with its antiquated delivery system? And Tweeter is a hold-over from those car audio places from the 70s and has been obsolete for quite some time. Sears and K-Mart probably should have gone out of business years ago.

The weird thing about circuit city is that they just moved the store that used to be at 50 and jermantown rd down the street to where tower records used to be.

They did it AFTER all the other cc closings were announced. I guess they feel pretty confident that one will not be closed.

Blue Tulip in Fair Lakes (by Whole Foods) has bit the dust :( I loved that store.

I was wondering how long that would take. That whole shopping center must be hurting. As much as I love the Whole Foods there it's clear they aren't doing the kind of business they need to be...

SE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Blue Tulip in Fair Lakes (by Whole Foods) has bit
> the dust :( I loved that store.

SE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Blue Tulip in Fair Lakes (by Whole Foods) has bit
> the dust :( I loved that store.


Sadly, this is the type of under the radar retail event that will be most commonplace and it is very sad. Small, locally-owned or boutique businesses will come back, but it will take a long time. The impact on the overall economy and unemployment level is not that large. However, they are an integral part choice for consumers, even if they only contribute a fraction of the gross retail sales of a Walmart.

Walk around Fair Oaks Mall and count the number of stores which are really busy or sell stuff you have to have. I see Victoria's Secret having a very hard time when private label with similar style can be had a Kohl's. The stores that I see having sales growth will be places like TJ Maxx, Ross and Marshall's.

Fairfax22032 Wrote:

> I see Victoria's Secret having a
> very hard time when private label with similar
> style can be had a Kohl's.

Maybe if VS' bras weren't fifty dollars... WashingTone Locian is right, this retail adjustment is long overdue. High Unemployment or not, at some point the gilded lined bras have to peak in price. If Target or Walmart sets the bar, then hurray for us. If VS wants to stay in business they can go back to making basic bras that more consumers can afford.

CliftonResident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was wondering how long that would take. That
> whole shopping center must be hurting. As much as
> I love the Whole Foods there it's clear they
> aren't doing the kind of business they need to
> be..

Yeah. Whole Foods should watch their back
. Too expensive and too limited a selection. Everytime I think about going there, I go to Wegmans instead.

Always a bitter pill when you walk into Whole Paycheck and they insist on charging you $5.50 for Tropicana OJ.

ITRADE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Always a bitter pill when you walk into Whole
> Paycheck and they insist on charging you $5.50 for
> Tropicana OJ.


Ah Haa, Haa. The only thing I buy there are their recycled shopping bags. Empty, of course. They do have the best bags and they only charge a $1 just like everyone else.

FYI, here is another list:

http://www.destinationcrmblog.com/2008/11/24/the-litany-of-retail-woe-30-chains-shutting-stores/#more-760

A lot of interesting names here, some regional and some national.

Talbots is *not* going out of business. It was an e-mail hoax.

Eastsider Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Talbots is *not* going out of business. It was an
> e-mail hoax.


It should.

Golf Galaxy in Fairlakes is not doing well.

Braless Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fairfax22032 Wrote:
>
> > I see Victoria's Secret having a
> > very hard time when private label with similar
> > style can be had a Kohl's.
>
> Maybe if VS' bras weren't fifty dollars...
> WashingTone Locian is right, this retail
> adjustment is long overdue. High Unemployment or
> not, at some point the gilded lined bras have to
> peak in price. If Target or Walmart sets the bar,
> then hurray for us. If VS wants to stay in
> business they can go back to making basic bras
> that more consumers can afford.


Part of the problem is that high end merchandise is now being manufactured in the same shitty Chinese factories as the low-end stuff.

A year or so ago, I bought an expensive Cuisinart coffee maker at Bed, Bath and Beyond. After a year, the fucking thing stopped working! I then went to Target and bought a deluxe Mr. Coffee, which is essentially the same damn thing, for about 1/3 of the price.

Yes, the Mr. Coffee is probably a piece of shit that will be dead in a year as well. At least I didn't pay through the nose for it.

If these fuckers are going to charge high-quality prices for shit, they deserve to be out of business.

ITRADE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Always a bitter pill when you walk into Whole
> Paycheck and they insist on charging you $5.50 for
> Tropicana OJ.


My wife used to shop there all of the time. The cost was outrageous!

She now gets most of the organic stuff from Shoppers, Giant or Trader Joe's. Only in a pinch will she venture to Whole Paycheck for food.

That is the business model of Brookstone...and Starbucks. One of their founders said in the first mall he was in, they made sure their prices were above those of every other coffee place in the mall. People "had to know" they were getting good coffee. (of course, it worked)


WashingTone Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> If these fuckers are going to charge high-quality
> prices for shit, they deserve to be out of
> business.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/05/2009 01:12PM by Eastsider.

Eastsider Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That is the business model of Brookstone...and
> Starbucks. One of their founders said in the
> first mall he was in, they made sure their prices
> were above those of every other coffee place in
> the mall. People "had to know" they were getting
> good coffee. (of course, it worked)
>
>
> WashingTone Locian Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > If these fuckers are going to charge
> high-quality
> > prices for shit, they deserve to be out of
> > business.


Brookstone sells shit just like Sharper Image. Sharper Image is done, and Brookstone will follow.

I like Starbuck's coffee. However, I just get the coffee for like $1.50. Getting a Latte takes too long, costs too much and is too fattening.

WashingTone Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eastsider Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That is the business model of Brookstone...and
> > Starbucks. One of their founders said in the
> > first mall he was in, they made sure their
> prices
> > were above those of every other coffee place in
> > the mall. People "had to know" they were
> getting
> > good coffee. (of course, it worked)
> >
> >
> > WashingTone Locian Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > >
> > > If these fuckers are going to charge
> > high-quality
> > > prices for shit, they deserve to be out of
> > > business.
>
>
> Brookstone sells shit just like Sharper Image.
> Sharper Image is done, and Brookstone will
> follow.
>
> I like Starbuck's coffee. However, I just get the
> coffee for like $1.50. Getting a Latte takes too
> long, costs too much and is too fattening.

And you can't beat the Iced Venti Americano -- 4 shots of espresso (sometimes 5 if the barrista likes you or forgets how many corporate dictates) for $2.50. Good caffeine that lasts at least half a day and if left black is not fattening either.

At this point who really needs anything more than Walmart or Target? Since everything is going disposable (like the coffee pot above) everyone will eventually be reduced to the same common denominator when shopping for most goods.

Coupon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> At this point who really needs anything more than
> Walmart or Target? Since everything is going
> disposable (like the coffee pot above) everyone
> will eventually be reduced to the same common
> denominator when shopping for most goods.


I've thought of that. We went from Department Stores, to Malls, to Big Box Stores, to Specialty Stores and basically back to Department Stores (with a better check-out system). For most things, I agree.

WashingTone Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ITRADE Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Always a bitter pill when you walk into Whole
> > Paycheck and they insist on charging you $5.50
> for
> > Tropicana OJ.
>
>
> My wife used to shop there all of the time. The
> cost was outrageous!
>
> She now gets most of the organic stuff from
> Shoppers, Giant or Trader Joe's. Only in a pinch
> will she venture to Whole Paycheck for food.


In the long run, I think Whole Paycheck will survive. In the places where the nouveau riche began spreading (Ashburn, Springfield), you'll see some departures.

Fairfax22032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
... Walk around Fair Oaks Mall and count the number of
> stores which are really busy or sell stuff you
> have to have. ...

Amazingly, that is EXACTLY what I was doing this weekend. I was walking through Fair Oaks Mall, and stopped and said to my wife "you know, there is almost NOTHING in this mall that you must have to survive." It's all fashion, hype, stoked up demand.

They do have Sears so I'll give them points for kitchen appliances, washing machines, tools, etc. But if Depression 2.0 hits hard, Fair Oaks will be a ghost town since most of us can do just fine without almost everything they sell.

Frank Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fairfax22032 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> ... Walk around Fair Oaks Mall and count the
> number of
> > stores which are really busy or sell stuff you
> > have to have. ...
>
> Amazingly, that is EXACTLY what I was doing this
> weekend. I was walking through Fair Oaks Mall,
> and stopped and said to my wife "you know, there
> is almost NOTHING in this mall that you must have
> to survive." It's all fashion, hype, stoked up
> demand.
>
> They do have Sears so I'll give them points for
> kitchen appliances, washing machines, tools, etc.
> But if Depression 2.0 hits hard, Fair Oaks will be
> a ghost town since most of us can do just fine
> without almost everything they sell.



Don't know, not sure we can live without our Build-A-Bears. LOL

And to think, none of these stores sell burlap. This is what we'll be wearing soon, right? Maybe B-A-B could become Build-A-Burlap. Everyone could sew their own heart of voice box on their own Burlap shirt or dress.

scurry

Washington said:

“I like Starbuck's coffee. However, I just get the coffee for like $1.50. Getting a Latte takes too long, costs too much and is too fattening.”
_________________

B-A-B Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Don't know, not sure we can live without our
> Build-A-Bears. LOL
>
> And to think, none of these stores sell burlap.
> This is what we'll be wearing soon, right? Maybe
> B-A-B could become Build-A-Burlap. Everyone could
> sew their own heart of voice box on their own
> Burlap shirt or dress.



Sounds great! How do I hop on this great new franchising opportunity?

B-A-B Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
>
> Don't know, not sure we can live without our
> Build-A-Bears. LOL
>

Every goddamn girl under the age of 12 has at least one birthday party there. What a scam.

Frank Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> B-A-B Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > Don't know, not sure we can live without our
> > Build-A-Bears. LOL
> >
> > And to think, none of these stores sell burlap.
>
> > This is what we'll be wearing soon, right?
> Maybe
> > B-A-B could become Build-A-Burlap. Everyone
> could
> > sew their own heart of voice box on their own
> > Burlap shirt or dress.
>
>
>
> Sounds great! How do I hop on this great new
> franchising opportunity?


I know, really! I guess to start...where do you get burlap?

Champion Billards is holding bankruptcy/going out of business sales for their five area stores.

Dude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Champion Billards is holding bankruptcy/going out
> of business sales for their five area stores.


As of last week there were only two stores still open...Fairfax and Rockville (somewhere in MoCo). We went in there looking for some bar stools for our recently remodeled basement and it quickly became clear why they were going out of business. Decent, not extravagant, bar stools had a retail price of $595-1195, so even at 60% off they were way too expensive. We needed six with a budget of $1500 and we got exactly what we wanted from Overstock.com for less than $1200 with free shipping and no sales tax.

Champion is one of those specialty retailers that no one really needs...nice to have during flush times, but with a lot of alternatives offering similar products at much better prices.

Hmm.. someone above mentioned Brookstone. That's a very good guess.. that store sucks and everything is way too expensive.

--------------------------------------------
Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn -- Nah, they will be ok
Michael's or Moore's -- I agree with this.. one will tank
K-MArt -- I hope so
Baja Fresh -- They may hurt, but I think they will make it through
Caribou Coffee -- Nah, they'll stay
Rite Aid -- They will stay.. this type of store is always popular
Toy's R Us -- Online is better.. these guys better watch themselves
Babies R Us -- Really useless. I haven't seen a Babies R Us store in FFX though..
Build a Bear -- Nah. Every damn little kid hosts a party here. They have a good revenue stream.
Jared's -- Maybe not Jared's, but one of the national chains would probably end up going.
Brookstone -- Yes. This place sucks.
The Body Shop -- Maybe. Above poster mentioned that you can get a bottle of shampoo to last six months for 3 bucks at Wal Mart compared to 20 bucks at this store.
Mattress Discounters -- I hope so. FFX has too many mattress stores.
Cold Stone -- Maybe. I don't go here... but any type of ice cream store can only really sell during a certain time window (spring-summer) and they always manage to survive.
Cartoon Cuts -- Don't know much about these guys
The Gap -- No way. They will be fine.
Fossil -- Ehh.. they will probably make it.
Harry and David -- Never heard of.
Lord and Taylor -- Nah.
Talbots -- I hope they close because I don't like the name.
The Picture People -- Never heard of.

To make one observation to the poster above. While you have never seen a Babies'R'Us in FFX don't think they are useless.

While it may be a speciality store, it is very popular with people from all cultures and has many products that you are unable to find in retail stores like Target or Wal-Mart.

The Babies'R'Us located in Bailies Crossroad on Route 7 is always busy and while some products are way to expensive, most of their products are reasonably priced and they have WONDERFUL sales!

FFX Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To make one observation to the poster above. While
> you have never seen a Babies'R'Us in FFX don't
> think they are useless.
>
> While it may be a speciality store, it is very
> popular with people from all cultures and has many
> products that you are unable to find in retail
> stores like Target or Wal-Mart.
>
> The Babies'R'Us located in Bailies Crossroad on
> Route 7 is always busy and while some products are
> way to expensive, most of their products are
> reasonably priced and they have WONDERFUL sales!


Sorry baby mommy, it is going down the tubes.

I never said it wasn't going down the tubes. I think it probably will. I was however stating it was not useless. Just because a store is useless to me doesn't me it is not useless to you.

FFX Mom Wrote:
> The Babies'R'Us located in Bailies Crossroad on
> Route 7 is always busy and while some products are
> way to expensive, most of their products are
> reasonably priced and they have WONDERFUL sales!


There's also one in the Sully Place Shopping Center in Chantilly.

The judge rules on Circuit City tomorrow.

I got 5 bucks says he/she will order LIQUIDATION.

RIP, Circuit City.
1949-2009

tubby Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The judge rules on Circuit City tomorrow.
>
> I got 5 bucks says he/she will order LIQUIDATION.
>
> RIP, Circuit City.
> 1949-2009


Good riddance. Circuit City sucks. I have a Circuit City not too far from my house. I would have to say that in ten years, I must have gone in it three or four times. I think I bought something maybe twice. Best Buy, on the other hand, is my second home.

Looks like Christian Bernard jewelers has gone bankrupt. Their Fair Oaks store has been closed for weeks.


http://blogs.courant.com/george_gombossy/2009/01/christian-bernard-jewelers-ban.html


http://www.christianbernardusa.com/ (404?)

It's official. Circuit City is being liquidated.

Goodbye crappy service and over-priced electronics!

Circuit CIty announced today it is liquidating 567 stores as part of its bankruptcy

I think you are right to point out that Circuit City has long had a poor service and merchandising model. Even making a simple purchase from them - a present the ticket for payment and then wait (often interminably) - was challenging and made them difficult to do business with.

Query what standalone box and mortar consumer choice will remain with CC absent from the market/ I am not much of an electronics buyer, but for the middle range customer, there is Best Buy and then there are the Wal Marts, Targets and Sears types stores which do not inculcate a lot confidence in electronics purchases.

tone locian is right Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think you are right to point out that Circuit
> City has long had a poor service and merchandising
> model. Even making a simple purchase from them -
> a present the ticket for payment and then wait
> (often interminably) - was challenging and made
> them difficult to do business with.
>
> Query what standalone box and mortar consumer
> choice will remain with CC absent from the market/
> I am not much of an electronics buyer, but for the
> middle range customer, there is Best Buy and then
> there are the Wal Marts, Targets and Sears types
> stores which do not inculcate a lot confidence in
> electronics purchases.


I think you are going to see more specialty retailers, along the lines of the Apple stores. I think that is a great model. Not sure it would work for people trying to buy a cheap eMachine, but for higher end stuff, it could work.

"I think you are going to see more specialty retailers, along the lines of the Apple stores. I think that is a great model. Not sure it would work for people trying to buy a cheap eMachine, but for higher end stuff, it could work."


You mean like CompUSA?

I think the Apple concept will prosper for premium brands.

But for items like a digital video camera, or a middle of the road large screen tv, or a computer peripheral here and there, it really would be helpful to the consumer to have a solid competitor to Best Buy, who really will take advantage of CC's demise, unless they don't manage their cash well (2009 is going to be an awful year for business for most everyone). In theory, Target, Wal-Mart and Sears can offer this, but they mostly sell the items they can score great volume pricing deals on, and don't have the capacity for service (frustrating as it can be) of a Best Buy.

NotAnMBA Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I think you are going to see more specialty
> retailers, along the lines of the Apple stores. I
> think that is a great model. Not sure it would
> work for people trying to buy a cheap eMachine,
> but for higher end stuff, it could work."
>
>
> You mean like CompUSA?


CompUSA was never like the Apple store. It was a fucking dump. It was a throw-back to the computer hobbyist stores I used to go to as a kid.

tone locian is right Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think the Apple concept will prosper for premium
> brands.
>
> But for items like a digital video camera, or a
> middle of the road large screen tv, or a computer
> peripheral here and there, it really would be
> helpful to the consumer to have a solid competitor
> to Best Buy, who really will take advantage of
> CC's demise, unless they don't manage their cash
> well (2009 is going to be an awful year for
> business for most everyone). In theory, Target,
> Wal-Mart and Sears can offer this, but they mostly
> sell the items they can score great volume pricing
> deals on, and don't have the capacity for service
> (frustrating as it can be) of a Best Buy.

Unfortunately Ward's tried that strategy with "Electric Avenue." Look how it worked out for them.

"I think you are going to see more specialty retailers, along the lines of the Apple stores. I think that is a great model. Not sure it would work for people trying to buy a cheap eMachine, but for higher end stuff, it could work."


You mean like CompUSA?

Haha, personally, I was going to say Tweeter...

MBF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I think you are going to see more specialty
> retailers, along the lines of the Apple stores. I
> think that is a great model. Not sure it would
> work for people trying to buy a cheap eMachine,
> but for higher end stuff, it could work."
>
>
> You mean like CompUSA?
>
> Haha, personally, I was going to say Tweeter...


Seriously, have any of you guys spent any time in an Apple store?

I used to hate Apple. But since I have owned a Mac I have been to the Apple store many times. The level of service is amazing compared to most retail outlets.

someday apple stores will also go out of business

Now that Circuit City is gone, Best Buy is going to really suck. Remember when Hechinger's closed? Home Depot went to crap. Remember when Petworld or whatever that huge pet store was closed and PetSmart went to crap. Now that Linen's and Things is gone, Bed Bath and Beyond is gonna suck. With no competition, they have no reason to provide good service.

The Time Store at Springfield Mall

WashingTone Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tone locian is right Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I think you are right to point out that Circuit
> > City has long had a poor service and
> merchandising
> > model. Even making a simple purchase from them
> -
> > a present the ticket for payment and then wait
> > (often interminably) - was challenging and made

> > them difficult to do business with.

Reminds me of the old BEST stores http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Products ....they died a long time ago. CC's death was a long time in coming.


> I think you are going to see more specialty
> retailers, along the lines of the Apple stores. I

I think high-end speciality retailers like Apple are going to be disproportionally affected by this economic downturn. Mainly because as the money dries up, people are going to see what Apple sells as something 'nice to have...if we had more money'.

Look for high end fashion stores to die off quickly too. Think Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, J Crew.....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2009 08:47PM by trogdor!.

shopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now that Circuit City is gone, Best Buy is going
> to really suck.

That certainly used to be true, but now we have Amazon and Newgg.com which will continue to prove (too much?) competition for BestBuy.

The "liquidation" sign holders for Christian Bernard are out in Fair Lakes today. Also see that Blue Tulip has their liquidation signs up now.

I heard Williams Sonoma is laying off 1,500 people and closing a bunch of stores. I guess the market for $140 frying pans must be weak.

Eggs taste just the same fried in a $140 frying pan as they do fried in a $14 one.

It isn't about how the egg tastes when it's done. I have several of those $140 pans and they're worth every penny.

Og Ogelby Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eggs taste just the same fried in a $140 frying
> pan as they do fried in a $14 one.

I agree. Those 14 dollar ones eventually fall apart. I have a set of those anodized Calphalon pots and pans, they weren't cheap, but this stuff is heavy-duty cookware and they'll probably last forever.


Cook Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It isn't about how the egg tastes when it's done.
> I have several of those $140 pans and they're
> worth every penny.

everyone at Springfield mall

shopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now that Circuit City is gone, Best Buy is going
> to really suck. Remember when Hechinger's closed?
> Home Depot went to crap. Remember when Petworld
> or whatever that huge pet store was closed and
> PetSmart went to crap. Now that Linen's and
> Things is gone, Bed Bath and Beyond is gonna suck.
> With no competition, they have no reason to
> provide good service.


I remember when the Hechinger's in Fair Lakes was closing, there was one screw out of the pack, the only one of that size, and the manager wouldn't sell it to me. After that, I said good riddance.

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I agree. Those 14 dollar ones eventually fall
> apart. I have a set of those anodized Calphalon
> pots and pans, they weren't cheap, but this stuff
> is heavy-duty cookware and they'll probably last
> forever.

Cast iron is the best..and it's cheap....and they never fall apart.

http://www.lodgemfg.com/Logic-skillets.asp

Speaking of Home Depot, they announced big layoffs today.

I do a lot of shopping in FFX Co, so this forum is very interesting to me.

That may change, however, if all the stores (Wal-Mart, Target, Lowes, etc) allegedly coming to Route 50 west of the Loudoun County Pkwy actually get built in the next two years. Thanks to the weekend traffic on Route 50, our motto/goal is "No shopping east of 28!"

Two more for the list: Borders Books and Barnes and Noble. Borders is definitely in the crapper, while B&N has put off (for how long, who knows) a new store at Brambleton Town Center, which would have been really nice to have.

Most of those Home Depot layoffs are due to HD pulling the plug on all 34 Expo Design Centers.

Oh no, where am I going get a fucking 800 dollar area rug now?

Bob in Southeast Loudoun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Speaking of Home Depot, they announced big layoffs
> today.

Including closing all of the Expo stores! Did anyone actually buy their $1000+ toilets and $600+ kitchen faucets?

I know that some people really get off on having ultra high end appliances as status symbols, but why does it seem like everyone I know with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Viking range and Bosch dishwasher get half their meals from McDonald's, Subway and Pizza Hut?

Our neighbor next door spent $35K on a kitchen upgrade, sourced mainly from Expo, a little over a year ago and is now wondering why it did not do much for the home's value. It looks beautiful, but not something that I would do in a Ryan home. We spent about $12K for a remodel that looks nearly as nice with LG and GE appliances.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2009 12:00PM by TomMadison.

The World Market in Tysons is closing.

ITRADE Wrote:
>> The World Market in Tysons is closing.


Haha, that place was a waste. I remember thinking how odd it was when they put that and the Linens & Things over there. And it's only been about 2 years and now they've both bit the dust.

Ever since Hechinger's moved out of that space, that place has been like a curse for business.

Blue Tulip is completely empty now...

trogdor! Wrote:
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> The "liquidation" sign holders for Christian
> Bernard are out in Fair Lakes today. Also see
> that Blue Tulip has their liquidation signs up
> now.

"The World Market in Tysons is closing."

So the store in Fair Lakes is not closing? Not that it matters; I never go in there.

I never got that place. Seemed like a bigger version of the food sections at Marshall's or TJ Maxx. Prices were ok but nothing special. Wine selection like what you'd see at Giant. The rest of the store is a bunch of schlock.

shopper Wrote:
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> Now that Circuit City is gone, Best Buy is going
> to really suck. Remember when Hechinger's closed?
> Home Depot went to crap. Remember when Petworld
> or whatever that huge pet store was closed and
> PetSmart went to crap. Now that Linen's and
> Things is gone, Bed Bath and Beyond is gonna suck.
> With no competition, they have no reason to
> provide good service.

Or good prices. It's been proven that when a town has two big competitors, such as Office Depot and Staples, or Petco and PetSmart, or Lowes and Home Depot, the prices are considerably lower at both stores than in nearby towns that have just one or the other.

World Market is the kind of a place you might wander into while you're out shopping, but that's about it. The one at Pentagon Row seems to do OK, because it's right next to other stores, where people can drift in. But it seemed totally stupid to me to put one in Tysons at that location. Maybe at the mall it would do OK, but when it's only sharing a building with one other (worthless) store, it just seemed like a bad idea. I mean, who the heck hops in the car to make a special trip just to go to a World Market?

Bob in Southeast Loudoun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "The World Market in Tysons is closing."
>

> I never got that place.


I agree. It's like one day someone said, "Let's do a Pier 1 for food!"

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> World Market is the kind of a place you might
> wander into while you're out shopping, but that's
> about it. The one at Pentagon Row seems to do OK,
> because it's right next to other stores, where
> people can drift in. But it seemed totally
> stupid to me to put one in Tysons at that
> location. Maybe at the mall it would do OK, but
> when it's only sharing a building with one other
> (worthless) store, it just seemed like a bad idea.
> I mean, who the heck hops in the car to make a
> special trip just to go to a World Market?

Actually, the wifey used to shop there for Xmas ornaments and stocking stuffers. But PIER 1 does that just fine. And most everything at World Market can be had at Trade Joes.

WashingTone Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bob in Southeast Loudoun Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > "The World Market in Tysons is closing."
> >
>
> > I never got that place.
>
>
> I agree. It's like one day someone said, "Let's do
> a Pier 1 for food!"

World Market has good deals on glassware. We purchased two boxes of champagne flutes, a dozen pint beer glasses and some highball glasses around Xmas and the quality is pretty good. The specialty food is fun when you are having a party, but I don't know how they survive most of the year.

Thats what Ikea is for. Too bad its in fucking Woodbridge (i.e., should not be part of NoVa).

I'll miss World Market if they go. I buy my Cadbury Digestive crackers there (those fuckers are GOOD!).

My wife, a Brit, turned me onto them along with some other British food products they sell at WM.

BTW, the Cadbury stuff sold everywhere here is made under license by Hershey's and therefore is SHIT compared to the REAL Cadbury stuff made in the UK.

Some are closing, but others remain open.

Anyone know what's going in where CompUSA used to be? The one near Macaroni Grill.
I saw a sign that said "coming soon" but no other signs.
I found this with a quick google search, looks like its still listed as "vacant":

Available: 24,560 SF of Retail, will not divide
Largest Space: 24,560 SF
Rent/SF/Yr: $22.00/nnn
Rent/Yr: $540,320
Exec Suite: No
Occupancy: Vacant
Type: Direct
Term: Negotiable

i also have a woman's phone number listed as the POC for the property, anyone brave enough to call & find out? PM me for it.

Another Alto Plaza?

I heard Alto Plaza might have to lay off another 400 workers next month.

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I heard Alto Plaza might have to lay off another
> 400 workers next month.

I heard they were going to remodel back to their old building design, remember the two-fire-escapes look, they were getting more interest from the general public then.

Rumor has it that its going to be turned into Centervilles 1st gay and transgender bar, renamed Alt. Plaza. The 3rd floor will be the leather room.

jimW Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anyone know what's going in where CompUSA used to
> be? The one near Macaroni Grill.
> I saw a sign that said "coming soon" but no other
> signs.
> I found this with a quick google search, looks

That sign has been up since CompUSA closed. I'm sure they just put that up when a store closes while they try to find someone to move in. Now that Linens N' Things is also OOB, I wonder if they'll put something up that just says "Coming as soon as Hell freezes over"?

That shopping center is on the verge of becoming a ghost town. All it would take is for B&N or Old Navy to go under. The vortex would be unstoppable.

trogdor! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jimW Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> That sign has been up since CompUSA closed. I'm
> sure they just put that up when a store closes
> while they try to find someone to move in.

good info, interesting sales tactic.

it was funny to see a bank being built in the middle of the financial meltdown last fall. funnier if that's the last business standing. that and the California Tortilla, that place is good.

if you ever have the time talk a walk through the manassas mall almost half of the stores there are closed

trogdor! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> That shopping center is on the verge of becoming a
> ghost town. All it would take is for B&N or Old
> Navy to go under. The vortex would be
> unstoppable.


The BBQ store there went out of business, too.