After sitting at home for a few days, believing I was saving gas, today I ran a flurry of errands. In doing so, I drove by a Bakers Square only to note that it has taken its signage down and closed its doors. Sitting across the street from a Marie Callendars who sells the same sweet pies, I am not surprised it could not make it in this struggling economy. People are not eating out in this neck of the woods. Even the popular, crowded places have gaps and it’s easier to get a table and they send you coupons for lower priced meals.
Since I had to grocery shop, I decided to dash into the Talbot’s store which is in the same shopping center as Whole Foods. Sale tags were everywhere and I was promised an additional 20 percent discount on my total if I would spend over $100. Oh, that is so easy for me! This store, unlike the restaurants, had many customers and they were buying. I found a whole bunch of pants that would be perfect to see me through the summer and maybe even good for the those first days back to school when all we do is sit in meetings and make plans for a wonderful year and anything seems possible…oh don’t get me started on that rabbit trail.
Moving on, to Whole Foods, that is. It too was very busy with people shopping and many picking up their lunches at the sandwich bar. So, that’s why people aren’t in the restaurants, they’re getting their meals to go from the grocery store.
But Baker’s Square has the BEST apple pie. Far better than Marie Callender’s. And yes, there are other, more significant things that I miss about California, but that pie…mmm.
I loved an apple/caramel dessert they had. It was apple pie filling on top of ice cream with caramel sauce. Truly decadent.
I saw a blog entry from betty this morning that should interest you. http://bettyb.teacherlingo.com/archive/2008/07/04/50-things-blamed-on-the-cost-of-oil.aspx –Pretty interesting stuff! Enjoy, and have a Happy 4th!