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Uncommon Economic Indicators

The Brian Lehrer Show's online and on air collaborative project on the economy

Commerce

Ice cream

Story submitted by: Jennifer Melick

Monday, November 16 2009

32 Main Street, Millburn, NJ

Last winter (2008-09) the Cold Stone Creamery closed for a "winter break" with a sign on the window that they would reopen in March. They didn't reopen in the spring, and soon an eviction notice appeared on the door. I figured if Americans can't keep an ice cream shop open, we're doomed. But then this fall, a new coffee/lunch place, Cafe Luna, is announced to be opening soon at the same spot. So... things may be looking up!

Fairway Freebee

Story submitted by: Nancy Sheldon

Wednesday, November 11 2009

Broadway and 74th Street

Received a flyer in the mail yesterday from Fairway offering $10 off any purchase over $75. In over 20 years on the westside I think this is a first.

Pens Get Downsized

Story submitted by: Frances White

Wednesday, November 4 2009

Albuquerque, NM

I noticed the uncommon economic indicators when my bank changed its free pens from its groovy turquoise and white "click" roller ball type pen imprinted with its logo and website to a basic off-the-shelf (with NO imprinting) garden variety basic pen with a cap.

More shops closed

Story submitted by: Gaye Leslie

Monday, October 26 2009

106 Seventh Avenue, 11215 806 Union St 11215

Two stores I've seen recently are closed, in the busiest part of 7th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. A deli-grocery which included an organic section, and a frozen yogurt store, both closed within the past 2 weeks.
(a) 2 doors from Union Sreet, the deli-grocery, don't remember the name;
(b) a TastiDelite right on Union St, just around the corner from the deli above.

Banks coming to me

Story submitted by: Anu Prestonia

Friday, October 23 2009

327 Gold Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

I'm starting a new business and recently registered for a corporate license. A week later a Business Banker showed up at my current place of business to introduce himself and to see if I would consider opening my new business account with his bank (Chase Bank). He went on to say that his bank is not the big, impersonal bank I may think that it is (really now). Not to mention his bank is right across the way from my business.

Well this is a first for me. In all the years I've been in business (19 yrs), I've never had a banker show up and ask me to open an account with his bank. This is an uncommon economic indicator.

A free children's dinner.

Story submitted by: Paula Beckenstein

Tuesday, October 13 2009

I took my young grandsons for dinner last Tuesday evening, in Mt. Kisco, to Applebys, and after ordering dinners for all, I saw a clipping that said children's dinners on Tuesday evening are free!

Door to Door Bond Salesman

Story submitted by: Scott Gurian

Monday, October 12 2009

Bloomfield, nj

A financial advisor from a well-known investment company rang my bell early this morning and gave me a flier about a municipal bond with a yield of 5%. I'm 30 years old. The catch is that I'd need to invest $100K and that it wouldn't mature until years after I myself start receiving Modern Maturity! Since when did they start selling bonds door to door like girl scout cookies?

Ups and Downs

Story submitted by: Kathryn Krase

Sunday, October 11 2009

I reverse commute from Brooklyn to Mahwah, NJ three times a week. I was pleased to see that commercial construction on Route 17 is still happening. Then I realized something: The construction is limited to two luxury car showrooms (Porsche and BMW) and a Gas station! That's depressing, and more in line with my recent craigslist experiences. I couldn't sell a $400 tv stand for $5, listed for almost a month. Put on the free stuff list I got 20 emails in 24 hours!

Condo Developer Gets Creative, Collaborates with Students

Story submitted by: AN

Friday, October 9 2009

111 Third St, brooklyn ny

Condos are a tough sell these days -- it takes something special. Hudson, the developer of a 44 unit condo in Carroll Gardens, hired Pratt Institute to outfit two model apartments with designs by Pratt students and faculty. Two years ago, buyers didn't need to see a sales model to sign a contract. Now they demand it and time to mull the purchase over.

Editor's note: While the original submission was added by an employee at the Hudson group, and this site does not exist to market condo sales, we have left the interesting content that shows an uncommon economic indicator: how one business is looking for unique partnerships to weather a tough market.

Hot Deal on Fancy-ish Ice Cream

Story submitted by: Ciesse

Friday, October 9 2009

1074 Lexington Ave And other D'Agostino stores.

A chain supermarket in NYC (and not your usual discounter like Key Foods or C-Town) was selling Haagen Dazs 'pints' this week 2 for $3 -- as part of an unusually deal-filled sale. A vigilant tracker of supermarket circulars (and happy hoarder of icy treats), I have never seen HD priced lower than $2.50. At most Manhattan stores, including this one, they run about $5 each. The rusty lining on this silver cloud is of course that Haagen Dazs downsized its 'pints' from 16 to to 14 ounces a while back.

Kids Day weekend postponed

Story submitted by: Abhijit

Friday, October 9 2009

Exit 116 Garden State Parkway Holmdel, NJ 07733

Kids Day weekend was to be held at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on Oct 11th and 12th this year. Now due to budget cuts its been postponed until next year.

Desperation

Story submitted by: Upper West Sider

Tuesday, October 6 2009

West 72nd Street

Walking to my office on West 72nd Street, I was greeted by a neighbor on the street, a chiropractor, who was handing out flyers advertising his services for a deep discount.

On Columbus Avenue and 74th Street a New Jersey tourism office opened and offered giveaways: fresh scones from a NJ bakery, luggage tags, scented candles, thermal bottle covers, and the piece de resistance: a drawing with the grand prize of an all-expenses-paid weekend in Atlantic City. The rationale? People want to vacation closer to home in these tough economic times.

Downturn in Street Fair Vendors

Story submitted by: Upper West Sider

Tuesday, October 6 2009

Upper West Side

Last Sunday, a beautiful summerlike day, I walked near my apartment on Broadway in a couple of street fairs. To my surprise, where there are usually back-to-back vendors with no empty spaces, this time there were many empty spaces and much fewer vendors. Signs of the times?

Chase bank desperate for customers

Story submitted by: John LaVallee

Thursday, October 1 2009

Chase Bank 405 Lexington Ave

I was at the Chase ATM in the Chrysler building on Wednesday and the "customer service" reps were staking out the lobby for potential customers. There was a woman next to me using the ATM with a non Chase card and the rep approached her in mid transaction to pitch her into opening a new account. He was standing over her shoulder pointing at the screen telling her she could save the $3 service fee AND give her $100. Clearly an invasion of personal space. She declined saying she had to be somewhere but he persisted almost dragging her into the office. I know that retail banking is getting competitive but these tactics are more aggressive than charity workers on the streets. This makes me want to change my bank to a credit union.

Rail Freight

Story submitted by: drew harris

Tuesday, September 29 2009

Rahway Ave & Lamberts Mill road westfield, nj

Every day on my way to work I cross a railroad grade crossing. The line only carries freight. Starting in 2007, I spent less time waiting for trains to pass. The trains were shorter with many open box cars and empty container carriers. I could only assume that this was an indication of less manufacturing and wholesale sales.

Recently, the number and length of the trains that I'm waiting to pass have increased. Good news I hope.

Where's the eggplant?

Story submitted by: Michael Shamoon

Monday, September 28 2009

Columbia University 116th & Amsterdam Ave

After recently eating two of my favorite sandwiches from one of my favorite cafes it finally occurred to me what was off about them: where the sandwich used to feature a few plump and meaty slices of fried eggplant there are now only pathetic wafers of eggplant-like remnants between two hefty fried layers! (Note the distinct lack of a downsizing in price...)

There can be only one culprit for this downsizing—darn you o global economic recession. I want my sandwich back!

The "Wheat Back" is back

Story submitted by: Häsh reichardt

Monday, September 28 2009

16 E 40TH St 10016

I am a collector of old coins and I have found more "Wheat Back" pennies in the past 6 months, in general circulation (in change from supermarket, restaurants, variety stores, etc.), then I have in the past 5 years. I guess people are cashing in their change from piggy banks and water bottles.

uncommon drinking habit indicators

Story submitted by: Nell

Thursday, September 24 2009

538 East 14th Street, NY NY 10009

I live in Brooklyn and own a rock and roll tiki bar in the East Village (Otto's Shrunken Head). Traditionally people went to bars as a meeting place, a kind of town hall. Today people are still coming in to celebrate and commiserate, however the purchasing is different. Top shelf whiskey, tequila, vodka... and imported beer sales are down. And the sale of cheaper domestic (ie $3 PBR) beer and well drinks is quite noticeably on the rise. Also, bartenders will tell you that regulars are still tipping, but the weekend warriors that only come in occasionally are either not tipping or tipping less.

hard to tell through just observation

Story submitted by: tom

Thursday, September 24 2009

i know the economy is bad, but something like the store "life is good" in Hoboken, never did well and failed to 'not belonging in Hoboken' . the store was an outcast from the beginning and never did well. point being, some of these places were going to close in the first place.

Police Called over Costco Food Coupon Fight

Story submitted by: Professor Frederick Douglass Opie

Sunday, September 20 2009

20 Stew Leonard Dr, Yonkers

I am a regular Saturday morning grocery shopper at the Costco in Yonkers. I inquired at the entrance about if the store had the coupons that they mail out to all members. An employee said yes, “they are like gold man!” He repeated the phrase emphatically, “they are like gold!”
[Editor's note: you can read about the arrest incident on his blog: http://frederickdouglassopie.blogspot.com/]