The pope doesn't even arrive until Saturday morning, but the lockdown starts Friday. Metal fences are already going up and some people are going through hoops to enter their offices.

"The only way you can possibly enter the building [Friday] is to get prior Secret Service clearance," says Ed Radetich, a partner at the accounting firm Heffler, Radetich & Saitta, which is located in the heart of Philly. Employees have been joking they are "in a DMZ (demilitarized) zone."

Starbucks (SBUX) is stockpiling supplies. Many of them have added two or more extra refrigerators in the stores. Why? Because there's no chance of getting deliveries when the thirsty crowds show up. Thursday night will be the last shipment until Monday. ...