As an amateur, ancecdotal economist, always looking for signs how greater economy is doing.
It seems in Louisville, the restaurant business is doing fabulous judging by new places opening, steady crowds, etc., but my observations are admittedly limited. One thing I noticed walking down Bardstown Road yesterday was my wife commented how many new restaurants and stores there were, but how many of the antique stores were either closed or had changed (she does not go there frequently so she probably noticed more than I).
My question to Restaurant nation is whether these seem like best of times, business poor, or something in-between (for example, traffic strong, but customers cutting back on drinks, sharing meals, not having dessert, etc.).
Know this is pretty unscientific, but just curious.
thanks
Ron
p.s. I know housing market still poor, so do not need overall economic picture