NEW YORK (

TheStreet

) -- Department stores were struggling long before the recession began. Lagging when it came to customer service and trendy merchandise, these mall anchors were seeing an exodus from shoppers who were opting for specialty retailers instead.

But now, as the retail sector struggles as a whole, are department stores poised to regain their dominance?

Vote on which department store you think has the best chance of recovering -- and let the world know why you think so, by leaving a comment below.

-- Reported by Jeanine Poggi in New York.

Follow TheStreet.com on

Twitter

and become a fan on

Facebook.

Copyright 2009 TheStreet.com Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.