THE WHOLE BIZ

State Street is in the midst of a mass retail
exodus. Stores looking for greener pastures –  or at least
lighter rents – include Pep Boys, Copeland Sports, As Seen on TV,
Santa Barbara Sandwich Company, and Marlena’s Finery, not to
mention the already relocated Alpha Thrift. No word yet on what
will take their places.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein – along with Republican Senator
Olympia Snowe from Maine – sent an official letter last week to the
commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding
further investigation into whether or not Santa Barbara-based
silicone breast manufacturer Mentor purposely
withheld information about the health risks
associated with its implants. Last month the FDA cleared Mentor of
any criminal wrongdoing, following accusations from a former
employee that the company deliberately distorted data about the
durability of its products.