Things We Won't See In 2009

as stolen from walletpop (even though, I only posted the ones I found interesting... Plus, you get my commentary on some of them.)

· Tom Mathison, Inventor of Produce Stickers
The next time you peel one of those tiny stickers off a fruit purchase, you can remember Tom Mathison, founder of Stemilt Growers and the first man to use produce stickers on a commercial scale, who died December 26.

· Polaroid Traditional Instant Film
Polaroid introduced its first instant camera in 1948. Its revenue peaked in 1991 at nearly $3 billion. But by 2001, the company had gone into bankruptcy. It was bought four years later by Petters Group Worldwide. The increased popularity of digital cameras led Polaroid to plan for the exit of traditional film in all formats and sizes. It will halt production in 2008. (Editor's Note: Polaroid filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 18, 2008, saying allegations of fraud at its parent company are to blame.)

· Zima
In Oct. 2008, MillerCoors LLC announced it will discontinue the clear malt beverage Zima, introduced by Coors Brewing Co. in 1992, due to "challenging malternative segment sales and declining consumer interest." Production of Zima ceased Oct. 10 with remaining orders to be filled on a first-come, first-served basis using available inventory. The last orders are expected to be filled in December. MillerCoors is asking distributors to replace Zima on store shelves with its Sparks malt beverage brand.

Ever had one? I think I did when they first came out and then forgot about them until just now.

· Bill Blass
The company that bears the name of designer Bill Bass is closing its doors according to an announcement on December 17. Blass retired a decade ago and the latest company designer departed in October.The label was put up for sale earlier this year by its parent company, NexCen Brands Inc., which announced in May that it was facing a severe cash squeeze. NexCen is still trying to sell the brand.
Has anyone worn Bill Blass in this millenium?

· Arena Football League (AFL)
Founded in 1987 as an American Football indoor league, the league grew in popularity through the years, but the increase was accompanied by greatly increased expenses and debt that led to the league to announce in December that it was suspending operations for 2009. The future of the AFL is questionable.

Poor Bon Jovi. Didn’t he own a team?

· Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr Pepper
Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr Pepper was introduced as a limited edition flavor on November 21, 2007. Although it had its fans, and was credited as tasting exactly like you would think it would, the flavor was discontinued in April 2008.

This doesn’t surprise me. This drink was TERRIBLE. I literally puked a little when I tried my try me for $1.00 promo can.

· Taco Bell’s Volcano Taco
According to Rob Poetsch at Taco Bell, the Volcano Taco was a limited time offer which is a common way Taco Bell markets new products. Taco Bell customers loved the Volcano Taco so much that it was one of its best selling limited time offer products. Alas, all good things must come to an end and the fast-food industry’s spiciest taco has been discontinued.

Seems stupid to me. Discontinue something that is popular. Especially in a recesssion.

· Smokey Chipotle Crispy Fried Chicken
In May 2008, KFC added its third fried chicken flavor to the menu -- Smoky Chipotle Crispy. The new flavor joined Colonel Sanders' Original Recipe as well as the Extra Crispy flavor. At the time, KFC said, "We've worked tirelessly to develop this new flavor. We don't take fried chicken flavor introductions lightly at KFC, and we took our time to painstakingly perfect this new recipe." It was discontinued in August.

· Linens 'n Things
In October, the bankrupt retailer said it plans to close all of its 317 remaining store nationwide. The New Jersey-based company had already closed 218 stores earlier this year. The closure notice came after the retailer was unable to find a buyer for the remaining stores.

· Sharper Image Stores
Sharper Image filed for bankruptcy protection in February, with plans to shut about half of its 184 stores and reorganize. The company put itself up for sale in April. The new owners announced in June that they plan to close all of its remaining stores. It has instead developed a licensing strategy for wholesale, retail, direct-to-retail, e-commerce and catalog businesses.

This one makes me sad. Even though I only ever bought one thing in that store, I love window-shopping in it.

· Steve & Barry's
At the end of November, this casual apparel shop announced it will be closing all remaining 173 of its stores across the country. The action follows an initial closing of 97 stores after the chain was acquired in August by two investment firms. At that time, the company announced "go-forward" plans for its existing stores, but it decided to close remaining locations.

Wow. My “city” friends loved this store.

· Lehman Brothers & Bear Stearns
Founded in 1850 by Henry Lehman, the firm was one the leading names on Wall Street until its amazing collapse in 2008. The company got caught up in the subprime mortgage mess and was unable to recover.Investor confidence eroded quickly in September and on the 14th, the company filed for bankrupcy and ceased operations. Many experts say Lehman's collapse is what triggered Wall Street's amazing downward spiral this fall. Earlier in the year Bear Stearns met a similar fate

· Bye-Bye to 25 Banks
According to the FDIC's Failed Bank List, there were 25 bank failures in 2008, as of Dec. 12. Washington Mutual and IndyMac Bank were two of the biggest banks to go under. For comparison, there were 3 bank failures in 2007, and none in 2006 and 2005.

· DHL in the U.S.
DHL, the German global shipping giant, will stop shipping within the United States on the ground and in the air, effective Jan. 30, 2009. All of DHL's 18 U.S. hubs will close.

· Cars
A few cars that have recently been shutdown globally include the Yugo, Dodge Durango Hybrid, Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Mercury Sable, and Ford Taurus X.

· Stadium Shutdowns
Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium are two sports grounds that have closed down in 2008 along with Texas Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys played for almost 40 years.After this year's baseball season, Shea Stadium shut down in order to move to a new field next year. Though the same thing happened to the 86 year old Yankee Stadium, officials chose the new Yankee Stadium for the All-Star Game site, believing it to be an appropriate way to usher out the historic building