In this difficult economy, many will find themselves spending petty cash on the essentials: cosmetics, candy and contraceptives. Apparently those items are considered must-have buys in hard times. But in addition, so are designer clothes, high end accessories, alcohol and cigarettes, not to mention a legion of "brestaurants."

So to be recession proof should a business peddle stuff that makes you feel good or feeds your vices? To answer that question, Eight Forty-Eight spoke to the Chicago News Cooperative's David Greising about other industries weathering the economic storm.

Music Button: Stan Killian, "Elvin's Sight", from the CD Unified, (Sunnyside)