Let's say you're in a large urban area with a depressed downtown area. There are MANY boarded-up storefronts. There are MANY small, failed restaurants.
Just a few blocks away from downtown, there are renovated warehouse/retail storefronts that have been magically transformed into "upscale" restaurants, and these are thriving despite the decay around them.
Context: this is in a deep blue area, politically speaking.
My question: who is keeping these "upscale" restaurants afloat when all other retail establishments around them are floundering or sinking?
Answer: Obama supporters and beneficiaries who still have credit card capacity. Union jobs, Government jobs, beneficiaries of Porkulus jobs and Wall Street jobs. Check out the number of restaurants closing in your town. Its bleak except for the elite. Just like Mexico and Europe. Them that has, has and them that don't have is finding it harder to bus tables...
Keep in mind, urban chic is "entertainment" and these days, entertainment is funded more and more by credit card debt. America has grown accustomed to dining out as relaxation. To them, its worth the price or added debt. Nothing wrong with this at all, if you can afford it. Problem is, 20% unemployed are not the folks supporting these establishments...