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Uncommon Economic Indicators

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

Search Marketing and Law--Still Stable

Story submitted by: Ethan Stanislawski

Thursday, January 29 2009

121 Chanlon Road New Providence, NJ

My office at Lexis Nexis is still hiring people rapidly to assist in SEO for Lawyers websites. Lawyers are still giving us multiple contracts. Combine law being relatively recession proof and people still looking for new means to reach potential clients, SEO for law firms is actually going through a relative boom period.

Brew Your Own

Story submitted by: Sonal Batra

Thursday, January 29 2009

As stated on facebook I said that my home smells like a cafe now that I am brewing my own COFFEE, rather than buy it from outside.

I'll Keep my Old Coat

Story submitted by: Rylee

Thursday, January 29 2009

Much like an injured athlete who is afraid of open field running and tackles, shopping which used to be sport/entertainment is no longer of interest,even scary. Can't buy that, mustn't look at those, even for items which I wouldn't have given a second thought before. I have watched a coat which I fell in love with in November linger on the rack while markdown upon markdown gets recorded. Which calls to my mind "why did I ever think I needed it?" I don't. Maybe this redirecting of energy away from consumption will be filled with something more fruitful--volunteering, writing letters to relatives long out of contact, cleaning out the cluttered closets in my house and in my mind. [photo by SabineNadineMelanie]

Fruit Shop Shuttered

Story submitted by: rose

Thursday, January 29 2009

56th st, 8th ave

Walked by a fruit/veg store in my neighborhood and noticed a sign on the window:Store Closing, Everything Half Price.
The next week the store was closed. The neighborhood doesn't feel the same without that store.

Economic Relief

Story submitted by: Kevin Lahoda

Thursday, January 29 2009

352 Greenwich St. New York, NY

Duane Reade has been working the recession angle with its "Economic Relief Package" sales event. The January circular, complete with rugged, militaristic type and art depicting air drop packages looks to be an attempt at pointing out similarities between the current economic climate in the city with that of war torn areas. Or, maybe, it's their way of saying - "hey it could be worse!" Either way, what economic relief package is complete without pain medicine, beauty products for that interview, and mega discounts for restocking your Christmas product supply?

Local Library

Story submitted by: Susan Brand

Wednesday, January 28 2009

51 Baker Street Maplwood, NJ 07040

The library here in Maplewood, NJ has 8% more traffic in the last year. People are gathering there and using the internet access and computers to look for work. They are also checking out a lot more books instead of automatically visiting Amazon or big box stores. They are also taking advantage of the free children's story times and crafts and other programming. It's pretty amazing to see people actually utilizing the library for all the things it has provided all along. (This would be filed under "Bright Spot" except that the funding for the library will probably be slashed soon.)

Pawn Shop Replaces Bagel Shop

Story submitted by: Monika Fabian

Wednesday, January 28 2009

33-1 queens boulevard queens, ny

A pawnshop opened where a bagel shop once was on Queens Blvd in Sunnyside.

Lower Rents in North Jersey

Story submitted by: Eiman Elnahrawy

Wednesday, January 28 2009

200 central avenue weehawken, nj

apartments' rent in north jersey (weehawken, edgewater, fort lee, etc) is down at at least 30% because apparently wall street people who used to live here got laid off and are renting out their apartments.