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ATLANTA — As a byproduct of the recession, The Home Depot will close 34 EXPO Design Center stores in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia and other nationwide locations during the next 2 months. In addition, the company will shutter five YardBIRDS stores, two Design Center stores and seven HD Bath locations. The closures will affect 5,000 workers. This decision does not apply to traditional “orange box” stores.