In business school I learned that retail and restaurants were a very fickle business. Chances of running a successful restaurant were less than 20%, if I remember correctly.

However, I never thought it would be so difficult to keep a shop running in our neighborhood.

You can’t buy a single family home on our street for $2 million dollars, you’d think it with those sort of consumers, any shop you open would be successful.

I’ve been here 8 years now and already I feel like an old person when I start listing the turnover of retail shops and restaurants just off our street.

There are so many empty shops right now, more than I’ve ever seen before. I guess the recession is still on. Or maybe this area just doesn’t have the volume it needs for all the retail spaces available?

This used to be Ethel’s Chocolates.

Charlie Trotter chose to close after 25 years solid years.

Cynthia Rowley’s is now closed too.

This was an independent cosmetic jewelry store.

Shine Restaurant moved to a new location a few blocks away. It’s old space has been vacant for years.

The Rugby store closed at the beginning of this year.

So did the Twisted Lizard across the street.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Some shops closed and new tenants have taken over…

The old baptist church is torn down to make way for a Walgreens.

Glazed and Infused opens under the El.

David’s Tea takes over Johnny’s Rocket’s.

The Peruvian Connection rents part of Armitage Hardware’s space.

Guide Shops opens where Isabella Lingerie was.

Red Mango Frozen Yogurt takes over Stinky Pants kids boutique’s old location.

The Nike Training Store opens where Bennetton was.

I can’t wait to look back on this post a year from now to see who is still standing!