Candle in the Wind

From Redding, CA: Weak economy rams stores.

Rachel Carrino knows that when times are tough, specialty retailers are the first to feel the budget crunch.

"We are a want' store, not a need' store, so we are kind of the last place on everyone's list," said Carrino, whose Candle Connection in the Mt. Shasta Mall has seen declining sales since the fall.

Carrino isn't going out of business, but this year, holiday sales at Candle Connection were down about 35 percent from 2006.

Candle decline? California is obviously in recession!