Dec. 12--Four more stores are closing at popular shopping sites in the region -- a result of national store closings trickling down to Hampton Roads. The latest ones to go out of business are two jewelry stores and B. Moss at Patrick Henry Mall, as well as Big Dog Sportswear at Prime Outlets Williamsburg.

But at the same time, the area will see some new store openings. Two new stores are expected to open at the mall in the spring, and two stores at Port Warwick could open as early as this month. And The Fresh Market gourmet grocery chain announced this week that it would open a store in a space, across from the mall, vacated by troubled electronics retailer CompUSA.

"We're fortunate enough that we can still get leases signed with the economy the way it is," said Mikia Ross, Patrick Henry Mall marketing director.

Shoppers have tightened their purse strings in recent months in light of economic uncertainty, and retailers nationally have been feeling the pinch. Many national retailers are closing some locations or shutting their doors for good.

This year, Starbucks announced that it would close two Peninsula locations. A few local restaurants have shuttered, and last month, Linens 'n Things in Newport News started liquidating its merchandise in a going-out-of-business sale.

B. Moss, a women's clothing store, announced on Black Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving -- that it would be shutting its doors at Patrick Henry. After 69 years, the national chain is closing up shop nationwide.

"People are just trying to be smart with their money," said Regina Kocher, assistant manager. "They're not being frivolous. They're saying, 'Do I need this, or do I want this?' They're just spending less. They've got to be careful because of the economy."

The store will be around for as long as it takes to get rid of its merchandise. The store isn't accepting checks or gift cards, so anyone who has a gift card or merchandise credit must fill out paperwork to reclaim the money through U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Kocher said.

"Unfortunately, it's terrible that it's happening that way, but it's good the company is providing a way for people to get their money back through bankruptcy court," Kocher said.

Whitehall Jewelers and Lundstrom Jewelers are also going out of business nationally. The local stores referred questions to corporate officers, who didn't return phone calls.

The good news is that two new stores -- Buckle, which sells men's and women's fashions, and Zumiez, a store for skateboarders and snowboarders -- are expected to open at Patrick Henry this spring, Ross said.