Pearlridge Center gets new retailers

Pearlridge Center is welcoming several new merchants in upcoming months.

In My Closet, a women's clothing boutique, is opening in late September in Pearlridge Uptown, while Vans is opening in Pearlridge Downtown in November.

As previously announced, Kazu Couture, Yogo Krazy, Blazin Steaks and Clearwire will open later this year.

Airfare sales more attractive

MINNEAPOLIS » Airlines are cutting fares deeper than usual this fall in an effort to fill seats.

American and Southwest both launched fare sales last week, and United is running several sales, too.

While it's common for airlines to use discounts to fill planes during the slower fall travel months, the discounts this year are deeper and more widely available than last fall, said FareCompare.com Chief Executive Officer Rick Seaney.

Business travelers, the most profitable for airlines, have been staying home for months as companies cut travel back to only the most essential flying. Steep discounts kept leisure travelers in the air through the summer, though at prices that often don't cover the cost of the flight.

Some spouses view layoffs as beneficial

Could that layoff be a blessing in disguise? Your husband or wife might think so.

Of those who've had a spouse or significant other lose a job in 2008 or 2009, roughly 40 percent said they saw it that way, according to a poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Meanwhile, an additional 26 percent of those who do not yet see it as a blessing expect that the layoff will eventually become one.

Thinking back to when they were first informed about the layoff, 35 percent of those who lost their jobs reported having felt worried, about a quarter were angry or upset and 17 percent said they felt depressed.

Total recall

» About 9,800 Black & Decker thermal coffee makers, made in China and distributed by Applica Consumer Products Inc. of Miramar, Fla., because the coffee makers can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard. The company has received one report of a coffee maker melting. The recall involves Black & Decker 8-cup programmable thermal coffee makers. They were sold at Wal-Mart and small retail stores nationwide from April 2008 through last month. Details: (866) 699-4595; http://www.acprecall. com; http://www.cpsc.gov.

Coming up

» Tomorrow: The Conference Board releases the Consumer Confidence Index for August.

» Wednesday: Commerce Department releases durable goods for July. Commerce Department releases new home sales for July.

» Thursday: Commerce Department releases second-quarter gross domestic product.

» Friday: Commerce Department releases personal income and spending for July.