In spite of our current economic boom which is dependent on visitors with more disposable income, we have seen the same so called boom the past 4+ years:
“the family businesses that closed are replaced by tattoo parlors, hair & nail salons, Latino fast food dives, and Laundromats.”
Discount chain stores like Walmart and Target are doing great. Other discount stores are in the process of having new buildings built in existing shopping centers. A couple of new ones will be free standing with rental spaces for small foodie and whatever shops in their new areas.
While Americans appreciate the low prices offered by discount stores, they don’t offer much in terms of meaningful employment. We had a new Dollar General store open nearby, and I’m shocked at how few people work there. There just isn’t a viable economy in many areas in the northeast anymore, and if it wasn’t for food stamps and welfare those discount stores wouldn’t even expand as they do.