I've noticed a lot of signs urging us consumers to "Shop Simi First" because "Shopping locally keeps our economy strong."

That's wonderful, but one look around Simi Valley tells us otherwise.

In Mountain Gate Plaza, there's nothing where the Edwards Seven Cinemas and its mini mall used to be. Crown Books, Play Co. Toys and Hancock Fabrics have vanished.

Across town, in the HollandGroves Plaza, Pier One Imports, Erica's Baby Buggy and Salvation Army have disappeared, only to be replaced briefly and disappear again.

In Sycamore Plaza, Wherehouse, Rebecca Louise, Miller's Outpost, A To Z Clothing and Susie's Deals are gone. Across the street and a little ways down, in the Ross/Mervyns center, Mervyns, Blockbuster Video, B. Dalton Books and Infusion are no more.

In Galt Center, Video Liquidators has been removed, as has Palm Center's Best Records. All three Alamo Videos are now extinct. Kmart has closed its doors to us.

Thank goodness we have the Simi Valley Town Center Mall. However, Macy's straddles both ends of the mall, blocking out other department stores such as Nordstrom, J.C. Penney and Sears.

This trend of evanescent businesses begs the question: "How can we shop Simi first if there's no place to shop?" Tiffany Wiseman Simi Valley