“The way it works is these holding companies come in, strip the company bare and leave us out in the cold. We went through bankruptcies in 2005 and again last May. Each time our pay gets cut……More and more they swoop into companies like this, take everything that’s valuable and shut it down.”-former Awrey Bakery employee
Awrey Bakeries closed down their Michigan factory and laid off all 200 employees. Company officials hope it’s temporary as they are trying to work a deal to restart production. In 1995 the factory employed 650 people.
Liberty Medical bankrupt. Liberty filed for bankruptcy protection after Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began seizing their revenue. Medicare/Medicaid says Liberty Medical has been ripping off the taxpayers.
In Washington, the Spokane Public Health Clinic closed down. District officials said they were short $275000 USD.
The Mayo Clinic closing its Healthy Living store in the Mall of America, in Minnesota. They did not want to renew the lease.
Mid America Brick & Structural Clay Products bankrupt. Company officials blame a bad housing market (despite recent main streamer media saying the housing market has improved). The company actually stopped production from December through January.
Media outlet, Washington Post, announced it laid off at least 40 employees. Company officials blame declining advertisers and sales.
In Utah, The Daily Herald of Provo lays off 10 people, including the executive editor. Company officials said they do not make public comment on Human Resource issues. There are reports that the Iowa based owner is losing money from declining advertising and sales.
In Louisiana, the St. Tammany News stopped publishing The News Banner and the Slidell Sentry News. At least 24 people out-o-work. Company officials blame the bad economy on declining advertising revenue, and they blame the changing demographics of New Orleans: “Since Hurricane Katrina there has been a fundamental change in the parish population and the residents’ desire for community news.”-Joy Kennon, publisher
In Wappingers Falls, New York, Cablevision laid off about 11 people, including news reporters and anchors, after merging two departments. Also, Kayex closing their North Chili factory in May. 57 jobs lost. They blame the declining solar power industry.
In Maine, the Marden’s surplus/salvage chain store layoffs 24 employees. Company officials the layoffs are normal, as they are mostly end of year holiday temp hires.
Illinois based Orbitz Worldwide travel agency laying off about 70 people. Orbitz has been losing millions of U.S. dollars, and company officials say the layoffs are part of efforts to become more efficient as part of a travel booking deal with American Express.
In Tennessee, Christian Bethel University admitted to laying off 19 people. This after an interview with the local media. University officials said it’s all about being efficient.
Connecticut based Affinion Group Holdings laid off more than 50 employees. The company is connected with Too Big to Jail banking scandals.
In Georgia, the Bibb County School District plans to layoff 53 people. School officials said most of those jobs were funded with grants that will not be available next school year.
The Paradise Unified School District, in California, planning to end 14 to 15 jobs. School officials blame the state’s education code, and shrinking state funding.
Also in California, the Automobile Association of America closed their Express office in El Cerrito Plaza. AAA blames lack of business. And in Fremont, yet another Hooters restaurant closed down. Owners blame it on the bad economy, however, Hooters are being shut down all over the U.S., including those that some local media have shown are actually making money.
In New Jersey, 384 people losing their jobs with Hudson City Savings! It’s the result of the takeover by M&T Bank.
Despite increase demand for childcare, the iCare Childcare Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota closed down. Owners would only say it was a “personal” issue.
In Pennsylvania, Ames True Temper announced it will close its lawn and garden product factory in Union City in Autumn. 30 jobs lost. The company plans to close other factories around the country.
After almost 70 years the Hodges Jewel Box in Virginia, out-o-business. The long time owner says the bad economy is a sign it’s time to retire.
In Florida, after 100 years J.C. Harris men’s clothing store closing. The owners blame the bad economy and the crashing interest in men’s ‘classic’ clothing: “It’s been a struggle the last couple of years. We wanted to make it to 100 years.”-Bob Harris
All you can eat Crystal’s Pizza & Spaghetti buffet closed in Texas. The Roaring 20s themed restaurant, with video games and theater, began auctioning off its unique signs, lights and art nouveau statuettes. Reports say it’s the last of the chain restaurants started 35 years ago. So far I can’t find an official reason why, but many fans have admitted the quality of the food was going downhill, so maybe the company just couldn’t maintain profits off increasing supply costs?