Wall Street and WalMart could be all that is left when the recession recedes.  With fewer people going to the malls these days… they don’t have the money to spend at the mall or the money to spend on gas to get there… it seems some of us may wake up to something akin to the Twilight Zone when the recession comes to an end.

We all knew last fall that things were getting tight.  Most of us cut back on spending.  But, what is the impact?  Well, not only are everyday citizens being forced out of our homes.  Our retails stores are in deep trouble, too.  Levitz, the furniture store chain, the Sharper Image, are now under bankruptcy protection.  Linens’n'Things may file for bankruptcy this week or early next week. 

Some are treading water, not ready for bankruptcy courts but trimming the fat where they can…. such as closing stores.  In the coming year Foot Locker plans to close 140 stores across the nation.  At the same time Ann Taylor is planning to close 117.  And, Zales will close 100. 

What’s happening?  Americans have decided that it is more important to eat and to get to work… those of us who have still have a job.  The truth is that we don’t have extra money to spend at the mall or in major chain stores.  We have all been forced into the WalMart.

So, when the dust clears Wall Street and WalMart could be all that remains.