Now that we are done looking in the rearview mirror, it’s time to focus on the year ahead. Each year new ideas and businesses bloom while other find themselves caught in inescapable traps. Some fall prey to bad locations, others to market redundancy, poor product, or poor service. Others are just obsolete.

In 2012 there will be some surprising big box store closings. There has been a concerted effort in previous years to buy local and shun the big boxes. However in 2012, larger market forces instead of grassroots organizations will probably be what shuts the doors for some of these outlets.

Here is a look ahead at the list of retail and restaurant businesses that have an aura of danger according to this one man’s senses (in no particular order, and no wishes associated):

• Best Buy
• Kmart
• Salsarita’s
• Taco Bell
• Dillard’s
• A.C. Moore
• Jibarra or Cantina South
• OfficeMax and Office Depot
• Cinelli’s (North Hills)
• QShack (North Hills)
• Fresh Market (Cameron Village)
• Charlotte’s (North Hills)
• Fiesta Mexicana
• Applebee’s (A few locations)
• Nowell’s
• Sam Ash or Guitar Center
• McCormick and Schmick’s
• Barnes & Noble (not all locations)
• The news staff at NBC17

Any thoughts or additions?

1/5/12 – Here are some more for the list:

• Radio Shack
• Pronto Pasta
• Bear Rock (Lake Boone)

1/16/12 – I completely forgot to add this one, but the last time I was in there the store was about 70% empty:

• Blockbuster Video – Townridge Square

I don’t mean to pick on these merchants, but if I had a gift certificate or significant savings coupon for any of these, I would probably go ahead and use them sooner than later.