These three industries: neighborhood bookstores, family sit-down restaurants, and auto dealerships, have always been vulnerable to larger the economic and business trends of the last 20 years , so there has been a lot working against them. This recession just put the final nail in the coffin of an unsustainable business model where there is competition at every turn. I see small business advice eateries and bookstores ( and lots of small retail stores and services) failing around my (big) hometown too. Lots of vacant space at all those strip shopping centers in the close-in burbs, too. We may simply have too much commercial activity and excess capacity must be wrung out before any recovery takes place. A rising tide may raise all boats, but a falling tide means you will run aground.
My Take On “Recession Spells End for Many Family Businesses”
February 22nd, 2012 | Business
