RECESSION WATCH: No downturn in evidence at West Town Mall today. It was packed, and looked like Christmas. Not sure why — there were a lot of spring sales, and the new Sephora had opened, but none of that should have accounted for the crowds. Go figure.

UPDATE: Reader Michael Smith emails:

Q. “Not sure why — there were a lot of spring sales, and the new Sephora had opened, but none of that should have accounted for the crowds. Go figure.”

A. Debit cards and the direct deposit of federal tax return refunds.

After the last of the 1099’s and W-2’s showed up, people finally got around to filing their tax returns and based on this chart, Friday was a direct deposit day (and the paper checks from the previous week had just arrived to be cashed.).

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2043.pdf

I know, my deposit came in on 2/22 and I spent last Saturday paying off some credit card balances.. When a ‘stimulus’ check/deposit happens, I’ll pay down some more…

So it’s just a little dose of Keynesian stimulus. Certainly made it hard to find a parking place.