BIZ BUZZ: Saying Goodbye To Old Faces & Hello To New Places

I'm sad to report that CIRCUIT CITY has decided to close it's doors. What started with a file for bankruptcy and a choice to downsize, has spiralled into a complete liquidation of all merchandise and the firing of more than 30,000 workers nationwide.

The news came yesterday ... with the electronic giant becoming the latest casualty of the devastated economy.

Many retailers like KB Toys, Mervyn's, Linens N' Things (pictured above) and even Macy's have been hard-hit by the sluggish economy and diminishing sales. Many blame the inability to compete with Best Buy as the main reason for Circuit City's demise.

It's the THIRD business in that very strip to shut down. Specialty goods store BOMBAY closed last fall and our LINENS N' THINGS location closed just before the end of the year.

According to their web page (I say that because the SITE has been shut down as well), all Circuit City stores will be liquidating all merchandise as soon as TODAY and will remain open to sell off EVERYTHING until it's gone or until March, whichever comes first. ALL SALES WILL BE FINAL.

If you bought something before January 16th, you can still exchange it, and gift cards will be accepted until the final day. But beware that if you buy something large, the STORE's warranty may not be valid.

I'm sad to see Circuit City go :( Where else will I get DVD's for $4.99 and 7.99? And where else will find a gaggle of cute guys to talk electronics with me? (LOL). Farewell CC .. we'll miss ya!

• Go HERE for more information on the liquidation and closing ...

Another business I'm sad to say goodbye to this New Year is WET WILLIE's. (*sigh*).


I walked through the Red River Entertainment District on New Year's Eve to find my favorite summer hang out dismantled and deserted.

According to a story by the Shreveport Times, the daiquiri bar closed in early December, but I passed by on Christmas night as well and don't remember seeing it gone ...


Now where will I sit and sip a Peach Bellini and crack on the passersby? Where will I laugh at drunk people singing tacky karaoke before I hit Jazz Night at GiGi's??? (*sigh*)


Of course the reason for the closing was that the bar made only about 10% of its rent and was losing money like crazy. People were coming to sit, but not to buy a drink.


Wet Willie's was the last of the original tenants of the RRED to close or move away. Funny Bone has relocated to the Boardwalk across the river, and two other restaurants have closed. But Mexican restaurant Nicky's, and Bourbon Street-like bar Fatty Arbuckle's are still around.

• Also .. look for a new spot to show up before summer ... I'mma keep that on the hush for now though :)

What else am I sad to see go??? Those super-cheap gas prices from the holidays!!! :(

Gas prices are looking more like THIS nowadays, but it's still FAR better than nearly 4 bucks a gallon. So I won't complain too much. I can still full up for around $20. (Let's keep this going oil companies! lol)

NOW THAT WE'RE DONE WITH THE OLD ... LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEW:

One part of Youree Drive (i.e. Circuit City) may be losing businesses, but the other side is gaining them. A new strip has popped up right near TGI Friday's and Buffalo Wild Wings (in front of JC Penney) ...

In it is a BASKIN ROBBINS (which makes up for the one that shut down in the South Park area) ... and a few doors down from it (as if to tempt or torture you) is:

JENNY CRAIG ... yes ... The WEIGHT LOSS center. Thas just WRONG to have this place near an ice cream shop and several restaurants PLUS a Krispy Kreme ... (shaking my head)

Also in the strip/center is a new AT&T retail store (as if they needed another ... with one right down the street near Kinko's).

There's also a Nail shop, Jewelry store and what appears to be a Cafe' (under construction; pictured above) .. plus a VITAMIN SHOPPE (also by the ice cream shop; pictured below)

So there are a LOT of new places to check out ... while you're saying goodbye to others ...

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER ..

Bossier's TARGET Shopping Center has expanded as well. There's a brand new ACADEMY SPORTS, a BED BATH & BEYOND, LANE BRYANT, BELK, SHOE CARNIVAL, ROSS FOR LESS, CATHERINE'S and several specialty shops like:

• TUX (formal wear shop by Men's Warehouse)

• CACIQUE (Lane Bryant's Plus Size Lingerie Store - they sell Spanx ladies!), AND
  
  

• JUSTICE (a 'tween store for girls -- think Limited Too)

The area added a PETSMART and KINKOS just before the holidays (and some of those listed above probably made their debut then, but I'm just NOW seeing them lol) ... A Spa & Nails shop has also been added along with another Baskin Robbins and a Quizno's ... That area is DEFINITELY booming!

So check out the new businesses in the SBC ... Take a pause and remember the old ... and spend some money at the new! ... Let's get the economy back going!!!

Peace ... m

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