We’ve all heard that phrase kicked about over the past six months, regarding the effect that the financial crisis and economic recession has had on the vast majority of people. I decided to take a drive over to a local Main Street (actually called Broad Street, in Bloomfield NJ), to see how it was doing. Here’s what I saw:

A nice old card store, calling it quits.

Chinese food and bankruptcy appear to be doing well.

Looks like Maria is hanging up the tape measure.

Prayers for downtown.

How much is that doggie in the window . . .

Bill, Mike and Ariel still have their parking spots.

Lots of space available.

Protecting our way of life.

And everything looks worse in black and white . . . or does it?