NaBloPoMo: Economic "Slowdown"

Obviously, everyone knows we're in a recession slowdown. Our dollars don't stretch as far as they used to, groceries are more and more expensive (have you looked at your grocery bill lately?!?), and gas prices are high (though, admittedly, not as high as they were-- I don't think any of us misses paying $4 a gallon for gas). But what's so weird here in Gainesville-- and maybe it's the same elsewhere, I'm not sure-- is that chain stores are going out of business. It's the strangest sight. The Wendy's down the road closed a few months ago because they couldn't afford the rent anymore. Albertson's grocery store, across from Wendy's (hmm...) closed about a month ago. And just today we found out that Linens N' Things is going out of business, even though it's only been open for about two years! I always thought that a recession slowdown would put small, locally-owned establishments out of business first and not nationwide chains, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Is it the same where you are?