Sometimes, when I stroll around downtown Rye, I get very sad.

Is this because of the lack of diversity among our businesses? Or did I confuse my anti-depressants with the Flintstone vitamins again?

Still, there are just too many banks downtown and not enough fun places to hang out. Of course, compared to a bank, a fun place could be almost anything. We could start with a driving school and negotiate upwards.

Now, by my count, there are six banks in a two block radius in Rye. Which is roughly twice as many as in all the Northern Plains states. On one hand, this should inspire confidence in America's banking system. Still, I should mention, that three of these institutions have offered me a credit card. Even though my FICO score is on about the same level as Boxcar Willie. More than likely, this should undermine your confidence in America's banking system.

Such are the daffy enterprises currently monopolizing Rye's downtown.

Now, if you're anything like me, well first let me say, I'm terribly sorry. But you've also probably noticed that empty storefront on Purchase Street. It use to belong to the record store, Sam Goody. Some say they closed due to corporate mismanagement. Others claim that the employees simply left rather than answer another question about the new Guns 'N' Roses album. In any case, the place has stood empty for years now. Couldn't we put some kind of enjoyable establishment in there? Hey, even another record store could move in without experiencing any of the previous problems. I'm not sure, but I think that Guns 'N' Roses record was released a while back. Although, getting corroborative testimony has been tough.

Obviously, the reason that Rye is becoming the banking center of the Northeast is due to astronomical rents. No one can afford them. Except for banks. As we've seen, a rental agreement for a new bank is quickly and easily approved by one of the other pre-existing banks. Who, in turn, have been approved by still other banks.

There are clearly any number of existential questions pertaining to this hopeless scenario. Such as, how can so many of these institutions actually be flourishing? Especially since they are no longer giving away a water pick when you open an account?

Still, there is a smidgen of light in this particular darkness. The economy is clearly not recovering. Which is bad for the average citizen (no, I don't mean you), but may prove to be a tonic for our real estate market. One or two of these banks is bound to fail in the next year. I don't think the government is going to give any more bailouts without most of our citizens forming some sort of para-military group and taking hostages.

So, when the banks close, the City of Rye will have to relent and make the empty spots available to anyone who makes a good offer to move in. Hey, what about a family of gypsies? It's been known to happen. And frankly, I think the town would benefit from the change of pace.

Peter Gerstenzang is a freelance videographer and entertainment and humor writer based in Rye. His humor column about life in the city, "Wry Observations about Rye," will appear every other week on Rye Patch.