Financial crisis very visible in RI

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - The financial crisis has become very visible across Rhode Island.

Bald Hill Road in Warwick, a very busy shopping area in the Ocean State, is now littered with empty store fronts.

The emptiness is seen everywhere and some stores that are still open may not be for much longer.

Sleepworx, a furniture store is liquidating stock from two of its other locations. Lauren Butler a sales associate at the store says she is worried her store could be the next to close.

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian said he has another concern, lost property tax payments.

He blamed part of the situation on overly optimistic expansion plans.

"When times were good there was enough to go around for everybody. But, when times are bad and they start cutting back, some of those groups that expanded too quickly are the ones that we are seeing now closing," Avedisian said.

However, the mayor said in Warwick, when one retailer leaves, another typically takes its place. He pointed out the Trader Joe's that recently opened on Route 2  last month with hundreds of people lined up to get in.