Signs of our local economic downturn

[CatholicEdHead]

What are some signs of our local economic downturn? One of the most obvious one have been the increased ad runs by tech colleges (e.g. Everest Institute, Rassmassun College, etc...). These are usually confined to daytime TV (e.g. Ch 45), but now I am seeing more of them in the nightly local newscasts on most of the stations (KARE 11 for sure). I have never seen them run during prime time news slots before. That is one eye opening change that reflects the local economy.

[kickysnana]

1. Strip mall put up right off I694 goes unlet

They started building last October and it has done for a few weeks. There was an invoice in a window for the Subway that was said to be going in but that disappeared last week. Looks to be about 8 units. No activity around it at all.

Menard's ran out of bags of topsoil on Saturday in Maplewood and Fridley. Lots of gardens, I imagine.

I stocked up on Eggo Waffles in February but ran out. The 24 count at Target which was about $1 cheaper than Cub or Rainbow is up 25% since then. One lady was talking to her young son about it and decided that for this, she, like me would have to take the cost increase rather than switch to another brand.

Good news is that everyone in my immediate family is still employed and medically stable.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. What I've seen and heard

1. A couple of restaurants in Uptown were displaced because of the supposed remodeling of Calhoun Square. However, I can count three others in the area that have just plain closed.

2. Lots of For Rent signs along Hennepin Avenue south of Uptown.

3. As many of you know, I volunteer Monday nights at a meal program for homeless and working poor youth. This evening, I ended up at a table with, among other people, four young men whom I judged (with the practiced eye of an ex-college professor) to be summer between 18 and 21. It turned out that they were housemates. One was unemployed, one had a job as a parking lot attendant, and the others had half-time jobs. No wonder they come to our meal program.

4. I am getting nearly spammed with notices of big sales by every online retailer I've ever bought from, as well as e-mails from performing arts organizations offering great deals on performances (this includes the Guthrie and the Minnesota Orchestra).

5. I've heard some personal stories that I won't share for fear of violating people's privacy.

[Love Bug]

3. There are several 'property for auction' signs in my neighborhood

I've lived in the same house since 1991 and that's the first time I've ever seen that. I've also noticed in driving in the boonies partially-completed subdivisions with empty mcmansions and For Sale signs.

[CatholicEdHead]

4. More to report in the greater Highway 10 corridor this weekend

While traveling for the holiday weekend, I saw 3 car dealerships recently out of business, many SUVs and trucks sitting on the lot in the Highway 10 Corridor between Fargo and Anoka. There were few boats being towed and lots of small cars on the road with gas around $3.85/gal.

[dflprincess]

5. Last time "Spamalot" was in town, it sold out fast.

It's opening here Tuesday for 7 shows. One of my friends walked over to the Orpheum on Friday and was able to get us good seats for next Thursday's show.

Not as serious a sign as foreclosures and businesses closing - but a sign that people may be spending lesds money on fun.

[loveable liberal]

6. Everything gas related "for sale"

Especially the big cars: I went biking out on a county road near our house and the cadillacs and pickup trucks were everywhere for sale. Big boats too. Everybody is selling their junk they cant use now.