Columbia Citizens

I called the number posted here: http://www.thewellington.biz/
206.722.8571 has been disconnected.
:-(

I thought Trader Joe's WAS a boutique grocery.

Anonymous wrote: "I think the overall downturn in the economy is hurting business in general. We have not eaten out in months. I do try and shop in CC whenever I need to buy a gift (gallery, retrokids, andaluz, etc.). I don't always find what I'm looking for, but at least I look there first. This is going to be a tough time for small businesses, so everyone should make the effort to support them first."

Thanks for posting this. Yes, the USA is in recession, despite what the news media reports. Our standard of living is dropping like a rock. When annual inflation of the US dollar is at 16% and rising, when GDP is below 1% every year for 6 years, when gas, medical and food prices are skyrocketing and Medicare and social security have already been spent — you know something has to give. This means consumers are going to tighten their spending on a considerable scale.

Rainier businesses (and all uS businesses, for that matter) will feel the pinch. Empty Rainier storefronts may be the norm in the coming years. I say "years" because the cause of this inflation is primarily due to the US paying for endless war, through the dilution of the US dollar. And considering how the mainstream media is pumping the "top three" presidential candidates who are all ultimately supported by pro-war corporate interests, the inflation of the US dollar will likely continue to spiral out of control for years to come.

Business owners and communities would do well to understand how to position themselves accordingly. No one will be shopping locally to save money if they can't afford to. The consumer price breaks will be found at large corporate outlets. I predict that such consumer behavior will serve to invite big discount retail stores to the area, rather than small businesses that serve the local community. This has been happening across the US for years already. In a prolonged recession, this process will accelerate.

The idealistic, unorganized work of the few will not be enough to effectively reduce the tide of the masses. This is why pre-planning is so necessary. What can be done, and which groups are talking about these things?

According to the folks at the bakery, a new Caribbean restaurant is going into the Wellington's old site…they didn't know the name, but they did say it is a business that has at least one other location. Anyone know more?