Jay-Z: The Only Person Still Makin' Money in a Drought.

This assignment has been informative, nerve racking and for the most part, panic stricken. Over the past few years we have all come accustomed to the fact that our economy is in financial despair. The price of products continues to rise as we, hard working Americans continue to receive less and less. In this time of monetary turmoil; businesses close, houses are foreclosed on, and our society feels a frantic pressure to make, and keep stability.

There's a bookstore on Whitney Avenue called Sleeping Giant Book and Toy Company that is preparing for their grand closing in over a month. I spoke to Tippy, the store manager to gain a little knowledge as to why the going out of business sale. Just as I suspected, their business is 'unsustainable' because of the lack of sales on books and toys, and that more money is being pumped into this establishment to keep it open, rather than selling to create a profit.

Further down the road towards New Haven is a smaller bookstore and cafe called Books and Company. I spoke to Linda, the store owner about the struggles of maintaining a business during economic downfall. Linda has expanded her store to a cafe, art gallery and unique gift boutique as well, to appeal to all members of her community. Linda's creation of diversity has kept her business steady for well over ten years. However, the element of struggle is still abundantly clear.

Anyway, per usual I experienced technical difficulties because in light of the fact that it is 2011, Tessa still struggles with simplistic materials. The idea of an ipod still pisses me off, by the way.

It was a beautifully dreary, cold and rainy morning when I decided, "hey what a great day for filming". Everyone on this newscast looks a healthy shade of grey though. I felt it really complimented the theme of the story, "the great depression: part deux".

Here we go...

{ANCHRO INTRO}

It’s no surprise that our society is suffering through a time of economic despair. The price of food and gas are at an all time high, the abundance of unemployment leaves citizens without job security, and small businesses are experiencing a bit of desperation to make ends meet. A well respected book and toy company in Hamden, CT advertises up to 60% off all merchandise in their store closing and going out of business sale.