<p>I would have thought fabric stores like JoAnn’s would be doing great right now since many Wal-marts have closed their fabric departments, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. Also, I’ve heard that there is a renewed interest in sewing with the popularity of Operation Runway.</p>
<p>^agreed ( and we don’t have Walmarts in this area)
[Sew</a> hip: ‘Project Runway’ helps create a hot new pattern for a fading craft](<a href=“http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/346712_sewing10.html]Sew”>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/346712_sewing10.html)</p>
<p>[Entertainment</a> | Seattle barista gets his shot at fashion big time on “Project Runway” | Seattle Times Newspaper](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2008052533_webprojectrunway15.html]Entertainment”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2008052533_webprojectrunway15.html)</p>
<p>One of the problems with sewing is that it can be very expensive. I used to make a lot of my own clothes, but I don’t much anymore, since by the time I buy the pattern, the fabric, the notions, I’ve spent as much as I would to just buy a dress. The exception would be specialty things, like drapes, or halloween costumes - I still sew those.</p>
<p>it can be really expensive- but what my D has been doing is buying " vintage" or used clothes and altering them rather than sewing from scratch.</p>
<p>( I never did sew halloween costumes- they would have been ready around easter 
)</p>
<p>Yeah, sewing is getting really popular now. Photography is, too. But i guess it’s always been popular.</p>
<p>Steve and Barry’s is closing. :'(</p>
<p>Oh-oh! One of the Starbucks that just opened here in November is closing.</p>
<p>Our Borders closed - it was a frequent family destination, a very pleasant place, and we were all sad about it.</p>
<p>This is NOT legal advice. </p>
<p>I just want to explain that there are different kinds of bankruptcy. Chapter 11 is a reorganization–the company does NOT go out of business. It tries to restructure things so it can once again become a going concern.</p>
<p>Chapter 11 is particularly attractive to retailers. In Chapter 11, the filer can choose which contracts it wants to continue and which it wants out of. So, a retailer with 100 stores with 40 being profitable and the rest not, can choose to close the unprofitable locations. This lets it get out of the leases for the 60 losing stores, despite the fact that there are many years left to run on the leases. </p>
<p>So, when you hear that a company is “in Chapter 11” it does NOT mean it is going out of business completely. Sometimes, the company cannot be successfully reorganized, and then it ends up filing for Chapter 7, which means “out of business.”</p>
<p>Of course, I’m simplifying and nobody should rely on this explanation to make any important decisions. Nobody should rely on Wikipedia for that purpose either, but here is its explanation:</p>
<p>[Chapter</a> 11, Title 11, United States Code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_11,_Title_11,_United_States_Code]Chapter”>Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Our closest blockbusters closed despite a convenient location with lots of parking. There were always people in it when I was there. After it closed we joined netflix.</p>
<p>I ran across this old thread, and it’s interesting to see which chains survived and which didn’t. Circuit City is gone, and Borders is apparently on the ropes. I know a lot of Blockbuster’s have closed, but not all.</p>
<p>Also, that local video chain in Seattle is still there–but they closed at least one store, and now have only two.</p>
<p>Oh yeah I forgot about the one in Fremont- it did close, but it was kinda redundant because not only are the two others in the chain within a mile or so, there are also other video stores in the neighborhood.</p>
<p>My H’s employer doesn’t give bonuses for individual employees, so he gets " points to buy crap at the company store"- which is counted as cash for his income on W-2 forms.
The only things that are even worth getting IMO, are gift certificate cards- because then at least you are getting a dollar/dollar exchange, the other merchandise offered is overpriced- even if the gift cards are not stores that I would normally frequent.
( Willams-Sonoma, Barnes & Noble, Lowes ( I prefer Home Depot)- there *is *Nordstroms, but I really don’t go there either 
- )</p>
<p>Just curious… are there any big chains not on that list?</p>
<p>JoAnn’s closed 2 Northern VA stores and opened up a JoAnn’s Etc. in their place. I now have to drive a major distance just to buy notions and other non-quilting sewing items.</p>
<p>Just curious… are there any big chains not on that list?</p>
<p>I’m assuming you are asking me?</p>
<p>There are several restaurant chains- Applebys, & a couple theatre chains, but we really don’t go anyplace like that- what I really could use, would be air miles ( or gas cards) - ironic that they don’t offer that , considering… ;)</p>
<p>EK–it was more of a rhetorical question. It was such a long list of big chains that it seemed to me that all the article really was saying was that if you bought a gift card, you should use it soon because the economy is still shaky and you don’t want to lose that money if the company goes bankrupt. Of course, saying that doesn’t have nearly the news drama value of a scare story about chains going out of business that lists chain stores.</p>
<p>Both Borders and Barnes and Noble has closed their stores in our city in the last couple of months. The nearest Barnes and Noble is now 45 minutes away. The remaining Borders is at the far north end of our area. A 15/20 minute drive for most people. It doesn’t effect me much since I prefer to shop the local independent bookstore which is more in my neighborhood. It is a bummer for my kids who get bookstore gift cards from my family.</p>
<p>Watch out for electronics retailer, HH Gregg…I think their time is limited…</p>
<p>Of course, saying that doesn’t have nearly the news drama value of a scare story about chains going out of business that lists chain stores.</p>
<p>I guess I will remind my kids to use their gift cards!</p>
<p>They closed my local Sam’s Club a month after I renewed my membership. Now the closest one is about an hour away. Just as well, I go to Costco most of the time. Seeing a closed business makes me sad…</p>
<p>I have a Borders less than 5 minutes from my house and I live in fear of it closing!</p>