In Chelsea, one of Manhattan's most affluent neighborhoods, the signs of the economic times are everywhere. The polarizing effects of a downturn in business and skyrocketing rents is forcing stores and restaurants big and small to shut down, and the retail spaces left behind are proving hard to lease. Within a few blocks of my apartment,in an area between 14th and 23rd Streets and 8th Avenue and Union Square here are some examples.

2. Maroons Restaurant, a highly Sagat rated Caribben/Cajun cuisine place on my block, 16th Street right off 8th Avenue. 3. A newstand on 18th and 8th 4.A DVD store catering to the porn market 5. Galaxy Diner. a Chelsea institution, across the street from the Joyce Theatre. 6. All Burritoville's in Manhattan, like this one on 23rd Street. 7.One of the largest Barnes and Noble bookstores, on 21st street and 6th Avenue, the giant space (8) has been empty for almost a year. 9. Of course, the flagship Circuit City on Union Square is going out of business, and back on my block, 10. Mr Pink, a small business specializing in glassware and antiques, just closed two weeks ago.