CHICAGO – A few stats from Mintel’sl research reports on food and drink markets that are actually being improved by recessionary woes. “Over the past year, we’ve seen people trying to save money on food by either dining out less, cutting supermarket bills, or both. More people cook at homeMORE HERE

I’d like to send a warning to those cities that are looking at putting up a new venue for their local ball clubs: The era of “retro” parks could end soon. (Quite an upbeat theme for baseball’s Opening Day, eh?) This also dovetails into a recent post on the theMORE HERE

NEW YORK – We need to end this crap right now. Does everything have to be torn down, rebuilt, and then torn down again. So we are reading an AP story about Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs. It reads: Standing in the plush visitors’ clubhouse of Yankee Stadium, Carlos ZambranoMORE HERE

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Unilever said will be closing its ice cream plant in Framingham, Massachusetts. “Unilever continually looks for ways to achieve greater efficiencies across our Supply Chain network,” said Steve Rosemary, director of manufacturing, Unilever Ice Cream. “After a long and careful analysis, we have determined that greater efficienciesMORE HERE

FRESNO, Calif.- After 105 years in business, renowned department store chain Gottschalks Inc. (Pink Sheets: GOTT.PK) began liquidation today. The going out of business sale will include all 58 Gottschalks locations in California (38), Washington (7), Alaska (5), Oregon (5), Nevada (1) and Idaho (2). Founded in 1904, Gottschalks becameMORE HERE