Disappearances at the Mall--or, I thought the recession ended in summer 2009

I went to the mall today for the first time since Xmas and found out that the following stores and restaurants have disappeared, poof! 

• Abercrombie and Fitch (and Abercrombie)
• Guess
• Restoration Hardware
• Godiva chocolates
• Ultimate Electronics
• Cinnabon
• Wetzel's Pretzels
• Panda Express
• McDonalds (yes, McDs!)
• the pet store (aka the puppy mill shop; good riddance)

There were others gone too, but I can't remember what was there before.

Depressing.  I was expecting this in 2009.  Not 2011.  Note that the stores are among the most expensive stores in the mall.  I guess the wealthier among us are cutting back. 

In the meantime, the Apple store was absolutely packed--really, really packed.