Cave News

New toy in time for Christmas based on inner city rioting

Report: Consumer Confidence Surges Past Expectations as the Economy Marches Forward

More good news for the economy.

Consumer confidence has risen to its highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic started, completely trouncing predictions for the month of September.

According to Reuters, Economists thought confidence would only increase around three points. Instead, it rebounded a whopping 15.5.

U.S. consumer confidence rebounded more than expected in September as households’ views of the labor market improved.

The Conference Board said on Tuesday its consumer confidence index increased to a reading of 101.8 this month from 86.3 in August. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index edging up to a reading of 89.5 in September.

Full report here.

I just figured out what the Plexiglass shield at my bank really does.

That big sneeze guard shield at the bank protected me from the cashier who just touched everything I will be taking home with me.

Discount retailer Century 21 files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy closing all of its 13 stores after nearly 60 years in business

Century 21 Stores — a destination for bargain hunters looking for fat deals on designer dresses and shoes, cosmetics and housewares for nearly 60 years — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is winding down its business, shutting all 13 stores across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Century 21 joins more than two dozen retailers who have filed for bankruptcy since the pandemic which forced non-essential stores to temporarily close.

Century 21 store in Lincoln Square, Manhattan, NY ___________________________________

Sob story by Century 21 co-CEO Raymond Gind: “We now have no viable alternative but to begin the closure of our beloved family business because our insurers, to whom we have paid significant premiums every year for protection against unforeseen circumstances like we are experiencing today, have turned their backs on us at this most critical time."

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Among the companies that have filed for bankruptcy during the pandemic are J.C. Penney, Loft owner Ascena Retail Group, True Religion and Lucky Brand.

Link

Small businesses struggle to survive

Vote Tump display in Hobby Lobby store drives liberals crazy

Many liberals still haven’t gotten over the arts & crafts chain’s 2014 U.S. Supreme Court victory that challenged the Obamacare contraception mandate on grounds of religious freedom. They called for a consumer embargo back then as well.

It’s an open question as to whether any of its critics actually ever patronized the store outlets in the first place.

It would be interesting to know just how many heads are exploding over this. How many would depend on how many hard-core liberals even set foot in in a Hobby Lobby store and saw the display.

Link

All Maryland Businesses to Reopen on Friday

Maryland’s Republican Governor Larry Hogan will give businesses in Maryland the green light to reopen on Friday with some capacity restrictions, as the state moves into the third phase of reopening.

The order will include movie theaters and indoor concert venues, which will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity or 100 people, whichever is lower.

Outdoor venues can allow up to 200 people and places of worship will be able to open at 75%.

"Moving into stage three does not mean this crisis is behind us, and we must remain vigilant so we can keep Maryland open for business," Hogan said.

Link

New Yorkers moving out of the city

The New York Post cover shown above tells the story of New Yorkers leaving showing pics of moving trucks on the UWS (Upper west side) as New Yorkers escape.

Below are enlarged pics of the moving trucs on the Post cover.

Coin Shortage Hits Retailers, Laundromats, Tooth Fairy

A convenience store chain is offering a free beverage or sandwich in exchange for them. A laundromat owner drove 4 hours across state lines to get $8,000 worth. A young girl in Illinois wrote the tooth fairy saying she’ll gladly take dollars as a substitute if it helps.

There is a shortage of coins across the U.S., yet another odd side effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Quarters, dimes and nickels aren’t circulating as freely as they usually do because many businesses have been closed and consumers aren’t out spending as much.

There is a shortage of coins across the U.S., yet another odd side effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Quarters, dimes and nickels aren’t circulating as freely as they usually do because many businesses have been closed and consumers aren’t out spending as much.

Link

The move is on — to leave New York City

New Yorkers keep moving out of the city to suburbs, other states

The exodus that began at the start of the coronavirus outbreak, with many New Yorkers departing to their beach and country homes, has continued unabated as more leave for good, according to city moving companies overwhelmed by the avalanche of ex-pats.

“People are fleeing the city in droves,” says Moon Salahie, owner of Elite Moving & Storing in Yonkers, who has been working nonstop since the city began Phase 1 of its reopening in June.

Salahie said 90 percent of the moves are to the suburbs and mostly families with kids worried about the school year. He’s packed people out of neighborhoods all over Manhattan.

“The least movement would be the Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue crowds,” he said. “Those people don’t have to leave because they have second homes.”

Full report here.