Several of the local malls announced they were closing earlier to "limit the problems of the recession," as one manager put it, for their store owners. He didn't explain how limiting the number of hours people could shop would help the stores, but I imagine it reduces the mall's costs substantially.

The other mall said the early closing was "for your convenience." Why is it that something done for my convenience seldom benefits me at all, yet helps the doer significantly?

Whatsamatter, don't you speak Orwellian?

Yes, I agree that it's not really "for your convenience." They should have said, "for our convenience."

As far as I know, that hasn't come to the midwest yet. Things seem fairly normally around here...except for below zero weather, of course.

My local supermarket usually opens 24/7. A few months ago large signs appeared:

To improve your shopping experience with us
This store will close from 10 PM until 6 AM

It transpired that they were carrying out rebuilding work, but that was never stated.