Two more small businesses closed / closing.

Yesterday, on my way to try the China King Restaurant in the Winn Dixie shopping center (the one that had their menu inserted into Friday's T&G), I noticed that the Merle Norman Studio is having a "closing sale." Moreover, the guy who used to sell storage sheds off the end of the strip that houses T&C Pawn has already closed up and gone. The latter was, of course, directly related to the downturn in home sales/construction. The former tells me that a lot of gals who formerly indulged themselves with the personal fawning and higher priced make-up at Merle Norman are now buying at Walmart. Now is not a good time to own a boutique type of retail outlet. Oh, by the way, I had the lunch-sized kung pao chicken with white rice and egg roll. It was all quite good, reasonably priced, and quick (< 10 minutes.) The amount was adequate for any two skinny folks. I can't imagine how many the higher priced dinner sized entrees would serve. China King is primarily a take-out restaurant: there are four, four-top tables in the small dining area.