In the last couple of years, I’ve bought furniture for my house and an engagement ring for my fiancee.  Fortunately for me, both of the stores that I bought the goods from are still around.  But I swear that furniture and jewelry stores just open up to close one day.

I also happen to live near the mall in Columbia, and usually walk or run by it each day.  Almost every night - especially on the weekends - I see some dude standing outside with a sign that tells me EVERYTHING MUST F’N GO!  AT 50% SAVINGS*!!!

And it’s always a jewelry or furniture store.

I mean, really, how often do you buy those things?  Unless you’re loaded, not too often.  You get engaged once - well, about half of the time.  You usually take furniture with you, unless it’s from IKEA.  But there is always a steady stream of people moving (foreclosure) and marrying (divorce).  So why do these places close all of the time?