11/21/08
Fry’s is a Silicon Valley phenomenon. It is the first US national electronic superstore. It started in the Silicon Valley, spread to Southern California and now has a foothold if a few other cities in the US.
In the Silicon Valley each store is finished off in a certain theme and has a near cult following. I go to the Store on Hamilton Blvd. in Campbell and it has an Egyptian theme. This store has 60 cash registers and around Christmas I have seen all of them open with a waiting line. Cars will be cruising in the parking lot waiting for a spot to open.
Yesterday, on Nov. 20 of 08, I went to the Campbell store at 4:00 PM and the parking lot was over 60% empty. When I got inside of the store it felt empty. I have never seen anything like this – even after the dot.com meltdown hit Silicon Valley shortly after the year 2000. After the dot.com meltdown the Fry’s stores seemed as busy as ever. And the dot.com debacle hit the Silicon Valley harder than anywhere else in the United States.
If anyone wonders how serious the present economic situation is let me tell them it is serious. If it is affecting Silicon Valley geeks it is serious.
