Good morning, shoppers. •  Check out <a href="http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2008/12/21/there-s-no-stopping-the-shopping-for-valley-latinos" target="_blank">Joseph Treviño’s story </a>on how the Valley’s Latino consumers are boosting holiday retail sales.  There are a number of reasons for the trend such as a still-thriving agriculture industry that has employed much of the Latino community, a cultural tendency to spend money day by day and a fascination with fancier department stores such as Macy’s. • As we inch closer to Christmas, the discounts keep on coming. Old Navy’s been broadcasting ads that say it’s selling flannel blankets for $3. Borders is offering a 40 percent off coupon for any item in the store today and tomorrow. Locally, Inklings Bookshop has been offering its 12 Days of Christmas Sale — a different Christmas-themed book has been on sale. Kristie Burrill’s Fine Clothing for Women is offering items for 50 percent off. Turns out it’s a national trend — The Associated Press has a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2008/12/22/business/AP-Holiday-Shopping.html?_r=2" target="_blank">story on other pre-Christmas discount mania. </a> These days, I guess, it pays to procrastinate on your Christmas shopping. I’m sure there’s more where that came from — where else have you seen some discounts? • Graffitibrad gets the prize for posting the most comments this week. Thanks for your input. He mentioned some restaurants he would like to see in the Valley. I can’t access the comment, but I remember two of his wishes — P.F. Chang’s and Famous Dave’s.  As always, you comment about your suggestions, tips and whatever else you desire in every entry. There’s just one me and 225,000 of you Yakima Valley shoppers and diners, so feel free to let me know what you see and notice. • Now that there’s an agreement to provide government loans to General Motors and Chrysler, developers are asking for a bailout too, according to <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122991429181825709.html?mod=djemalertNEWS" target="_blank">a story from The Wall Street Journal. </a> Developers are telling policy makers that if they don’t get help, a number of office buildings, shopping centers and hotels will go into foreclosure and bankruptcy. They are seeking to be included in an $200 billion loan program initially created to salvage the market for car loans, student loans and credit-card debt. The story is interesting, but for those who can access the paid content of the site, the discussion about the article is worth reading — there’s some <a href="http://community.wsj.com/community/groups/real-estate/topics/should-government-bail-out-property" target="_blank">interesting industry context there. </a> Have a comment, rant or newstip? Comment: In the box below the entry E-mail: At mhoang@yakimaherald.com Twitter: Too busy for the blog? Follow me at <a href="http://twitter.com/shoptalkexpress" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/shoptalkexpress</a> for quick retail and restaurant news hits. Check out Joseph Treviño’s story on how the Valley’s Latino consumers are boosting holiday retail sales. Shop Talk

2008-12-22T19:57:09Z

by Mai Hoang

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2008-12-23T19:57:10Z

Dec. 22 Morning roundup: Christmas discounts keep coming 10276 dec-22-morning-roundup-christmas-discounts-keep-coming Web Story

Yakima Herald-Republic

2008-12-22T19:57:10Z

Dec. 22 Morning roundup: Christmas discounts keep coming published WEB Edited

2008-12-22T19:57:11Z