Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of July, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.
Alabama: In Tuscaloosa, the manager of a Bruno’s grocery store went public and warned that the store will be shutdown. No comment from the owners.
Arizona: Phoenix based Peter Piper Pizza chain now up for auction. The restaurant chain was taken over seven years ago by an international ‘investment’ company headquartered in Washington DC. Some restaurant industry analysts say there’s just too many restaurants out there.
Arkansas: Springdale based Tyson Foods killing off three major chicken processing factories in Iowa, New Mexico and New York! The processing plants will close between September and sometime in 2015, at least 950 jobs lost! Tyson Foods officials blame the rising prices of chickens, and reduced demand from chicken eaters. However, the true reason could be because Tyson Foods is taking over Hillshire for $8.5-billion USD, by the end of September!
California: In Sunnyvale, Idaho based SummerWinds Nursery shutdown, but only because the greedy Californian property owner sold the land to a hotel developer (for $5-million)! In Sacramento, the Starbucks coffee house on 15th & H streets shutdown. It’s blamed on low sales. In San Diego, TGI Friday’s warned it is shutting down a restaurant in September, 56 jobs lost. In San Francisco, after almost 60 years Villa Romana restaurant shutdown. The owners want to retire, and their two adult children say the economy doesn’t make it worthwhile for them to give up their current careers to continue the family business. The Grand Cafe warned that at least three employees will be let go in September. In Porterville, Foster Poultry Farms announced 60 chicken pluckers will be laid off come September. In Los Angeles, Wolfgang Pucks shutting down their restaurant at LAX Terminal 2 in September, 24 jobs lost. Also at Terminal 1 LAX, Delaware North Companies (DNC) Travel Hospitality Services shutting down their Back Lot Deli in September, 25 jobs lost. Another LA McDonald’s announced it is shutting down a restaurant in August, 55 jobs lost. In Ballico, Sierra-Cascade Nursery announced it is shutting down (supposedly temporarily) in September, 544 jobs lost! In Irvine, Buca Restaurants announced they’re shutting down in September, 87 jobs lost. In Fresno, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries announced they are laying off 73 employees in September.
Colorado: A Pueblo Jack in the Box restaurant shutdown, 50 jobs lost. In Loveland, the Family Tree Restaurant shutdown and the owners are pissed about the bad economy saying “We don’t have enough customers to pay our bills, so we’re closing our doors! ….it’s stupid…..We did our crying….” Also, it was discovered that the Red Dragon restaurant shutdown in June, the property was sold off back in May. Also, the Great Wall Chinese Buffet could be shutting down due to the fact the greedy property owner is trying to sell off the building. However, the restaurant owner swears “We’re not going anywhere!” Three Bella’s Markets grocery stores shutting down! There are reports of complaints from customers about the produce, but the store owner blames the landlord for forcing them to shutdown three of their eight stores. The current owner of Bella’s took over in 2006, and it sounds like he regrets it. In Broomfield, Safeway grocery store announced it will shutdown in August, 54 jobs lost. Company officials said the economy sucks: “At a certain point, it doesn’t make sense to keep it open.”-Kris Staaf
Connecticut: In Torrington, after eight years Bogey’s Restaurant shutdown. The restaurant owner says it is “…time to exit out.”
Florida: In Brickell, after eight years Finnegan’s River bar being shutdown by greedy property developers. The owners of the bar sold out to a New York company for $15-million. 40 years old homosexual bar Parliament House chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to $15.5-million in debt! The owners say their business crashed in 2009 and they’re still trying to recover. Unilever killing 210 jobs by shutting down their Pinellas Park ice cream factory! The company is consolidating operations to Tennessee and Missouri. Glades Brewery Partners and Palm Beach Brewery Associates now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. They own a restaurant chain called Brewzii, and recently a judge actually shutdown one of the restaurants for failure to pay rent. In Miami, after 60 years iconic Jumbo’s restaurant shutdown. It was the area’s first ‘white’ owned restaurant to serve ‘black’ customers. Despite surviving years of riots, bad weather and even drunk drivers, the owner says the bad economy finally did him in: “I thought I could get the neighborhood redeveloped, and I couldn’t. I thought because I knew politicians, I thought I could be an influencing factor in getting this neighborhood to turn. It might, now that I sold. I’ve worked seven days a week for 47 years. It’s time.”-Bobby Flam, second generation owner
Georgia: In Augusta, after 25 years Thai Jong restaurant shutdown. After more than 42 years cereal maker Kellogg announced they’re shutting down their Columbus factory in 2015, at least 325 jobs lost! Employees were pissed: “The way they went about it is pretty bad. They did the people wrong! A lot of these people been here 30, 40 years.”-Eugene Gilmore
Hawaii: In Honolulu, after only five years Cake Couture shutdown, not surprising when they were charging $3.50 for a little cupcake.
Idaho: In Boise, Italy owned highway and airport food service company HMS Host (Host Marriott Services Corporation-Autogrill S.p.A.) issued a WARN saying they will kill 79 jobs by the end of September.
Illinois: After 94 years (surviving several recessions and the Great Depression) Gayety’s Chocolates & Ice Cream stores now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. In Chicago, the Taste of Chicago fair now dead. Yearly attendance has crashed since 2007, and this year the show was cancelled on the last day! Interestingly, Obama regime city officials claim the food fair was finally making a profit, despite declining attendance. In Oak Park, after 19 years Marion Street Grille shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy saying “We’re just not getting enough coming through the door.” In Deerfield, God refuses to stop the shutdown of the Stained Glass Coffeehouse, located in the Congregational Church. Should churches be running retail operations? “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”-1 Timothy 6:10 King James Bible
Kansas: In Wichita, Kroger owned Dillions shutdown two stores, at least 100 jobs lost! The Red Beans Bayou Grill shutdown without notice. The owner is now focusing on catering only.
Maine: In Waterville, after 30 years Bolley’s Famous Franks restaurant shutdown: “I just want less stress.”-Zena McFadden, co-owner
Maryland: In Frederick, Texas based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit shutdown without notice, and without paying its employees! Company officials simply said “It was not meeting our standards”, but local circuit court officials revealed that the restaurant failed to get a required business license. Most former employees claim they are still owed about $600. After 36 years of selling food, Stop Shop Save announced it is shutting down all its Baltimore grocery stores! At one time there were 16 Stop Shop Save stores. Company officials say their sales have crashed from $69.4-million in 2004 to $28.1-million in 2013! Despite several dozen gorcery stores in the city, The Balitmore Sun says 1 in 5 residents lack easy access to food shopping, as 40% of the city’s poor have no means of transportation. “It all started so good, was so convenient…..You’re shocked at how things just ended.”-Yvonne Epps, loyal customer
Massachusetts: In Brighton, after 41 years Imperial Pizza shutdown. In Woburn, the Sea Dog Brew Pub now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, and shutdown without notice. In Foxborogh, after six years Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro now chapter 7 bankrupt and deceased. The owners blame the suck ass economy: “The combination of a weak economy, high and persistent unemployment, and high staff turnover has led us to this difficult decision.”
Michigan: In Pittsfield Township, they put up the sign then changed their mind. Texas based Carrabba’s Italian Grill has backed out of their plans to open a restaurant, citing the suck ass economy. Florida based LongHorn Steakhouse also backed out. In Failed State Detroit, the Comet Bar threatened with being forced to shutdown by a desperate baseball team. Apparently the popular local bar might be in the way of the new stadium for the Detroit Red Wings. After 125 years the building housing the iconic and elitist Detroit Club now up for auction only seven months after the new owner spent more than a million dollars buying and renovating the building. The starting bid is less than a million! In Saginaw, after only eight months the Lettuce Lounge Eatery shutdown. It’s just more proof humans aren’t rabbits, however the operators of the veg restaurant blame it on the greedy owners of the shopping plaza where they’re located. In East Lansing, after 50 years Goodrich’s Shop Rite grocery store shutdown. The owners said their lease expired and the property owners wanted mo money. In the Failed State of Flint, Kroger shutting down their Pierson Road grocery store in August. Company officials say sales have dropped so much they can’t pay the rent: “…it was determined during our evaluation that we were unable to continue operating at the 2629 Pierson Road, Flint location and made the decision to not renew our lease…”
Retail store owners are going public, saying the WIC (Women Infants Children) taxpayer funded food program is killing their business. Apparently state Department of Community Health (DCH) is now limiting reimbursements for rural WIC sales, based on postal zip code. And in urban areas DCH will allow only 175 WIC customers per store. Roy Rabban, the owner of a Save-A-Lot, is pissed: “Not having WIC is like taking 10% of your business out of your pocket. I’m getting penalized…”
Minnesota: In Twin Cities, nine Roundy owned Rainbow Foods grocery stores shutdown, with little notice! Officials from Roundy said the economy is so bad it can’t support all the grocery stores that are out there. In Minneapolis, after nine years Social House restaurant shutdown, the operators blame the property owner for kicking them out, saying “We had absolutely no control over this situation…” In Austin, after 10 years Quizno’s sandwich shop shutting down due to nobody wanting to takeover the store. The franchise owners simply said “It doesn’t look good.” In Mankato, after 20 years Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant announced they will shutdown in August. The local franchise owner blames “circumstances beyond my control.”
Mississippi: In Greenville, Kroger announced it will shutdown a grocery store in August, 70 jobs lost.
New Mexico: In Albuquerque, after 11 years the Thai Crystal-Thai Saweiy restaurant shutdown.
New Jersey: In West Milford, after at least six decades Big John’s Pub shutting down in August. Tracey Bennett, the owner, said “It is time for me to have a normal life without stress.” In Montclair, Health, Love & Soul, Juice Bar & Grill shutdown. In Berkeley Heights, after only four months New York based Garden of Eden grocery store shutdown. Company officials said “…business needs dictate that we cut our losses.”
New York: In Batavia, after ten years the drive thru Hot Shots Caffé shutting down in August. The owners made it sound like they were forced to go somewhere else. After 77 years the Subway Inn announced it will shutdown in August. It’s being done in by a greedy property developer, the son of the bar owner said “It is upsetting but times have changed.” In Buffalo, after only two months the owners of Chef’s Garage Pizza announced they’re shutting down. The owner basically said there are too many pizza restaurants. In NYC, after seven years New Amsterdam Market shutdown. The owner of the popular market place said nobody was willing to continue debt financing the operation (which is actually how retail America works, not by actual sales). In Greenwich Village the Pink Elephant bar now chapter 7 bankrupt busted. It’s blamed on the greedy property owner. Crumbs Bake Shop shut down all 48 stores across several states, without notice! The cupcake store is now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, apparently the cupcake thing was just a fad, in the past year the company’s stock value fell from $13 per share to just 27 cents! In Rochester, Nick Tahou Hots restaurant shutdown.
North Carolina: In Greensboro, after 18 years Mahi’s Seafood Restaurant shutdown. The owner said he wanted to move to a cheaper location, but the economy is so bad he couldn’t pay for the move. In Raleigh, after 102 years ( and surviving the Great Depression & numerous recessions) the Cameron Park Inn shutdown. After 47 years the city’s first Dunkin’ Donuts shutdown. The owners said their franchise agreement expired in December 2013, and they just can’t afford to renew it. In Durham, the owners of the ‘private’ Whiskey bar announced it will shutdown by August. Charlotte based snack maker Snyder’s-Lance warned it will start killing jobs, after it sold off its private brands ops and took over Wisconsin based Baptista’s Bakery. In Havelock, an 18 years old Food Lion grocery store shutting down in October.
Ohio: In Massillon, Food4Less grocery store shutdown without notice! It was shutdown right in the middle of the afternoon while customers were shopping, about 15:00 hours according to local news reports. It’s the 3rd grocery store in the past six months to shutdown in the city of Massillon. Local news reports indicate that the owner of all three grocery stores had lost a major legal battle. One lawsuit claims the owner has yet to pay for store supplies she received as far back as 2011! Hundreds of jobs lost due to a incompetent or possibly deceitful store owner (kinda like a metaphor for those who’re running the United States)! In Dayton, after less than one year two Peet’s Coffee & Tea shops shutdown, and another five throughout Ohio will shutdown in August! At least 90 jobs will be lost, but company officials said their own surveys show the economy in Ohio is going down the shitter, saying their stores “…have not performed to our expectations and didn’t have a promising future outlook.” Springfield based Eby-Brown revealed it is shutting down their NewFreshCo Foods operations in August, 31 jobs lost. Eby-Brown claims to be the largest privately owned convenience store distributor in the U.S.
Oklahoma: In Tulsa, World Quality Holdings-World Foods announced they will shutdown their frozen foods op in September, 70 jobs lost. Company officials blame global competition, however, it could be more about their upcoming sale to a Japanese company. The Gateway Market shutdown, way earlier than it was supposed to. Local news reports said it was the only grocery store for miles: “Everybody’s frustrated, the whole neighborhood. You know, I mean, they ain’t got no cars, no way of getting their groceries. What they going to do now?”-David Campbell, customer
Oregon: Texas based Berry Family of Nurseries announced they’re shutting down their Cornelius ops in September, at least 100 jobs lost! In Portland, after four years Mextiza restaurant shutdown. In Eugene, after 35 years Keystone Cafe shutdown, 17 jobs lost. The owners blame increasing costs of operation, including higher insurance rates caused by Obama Care, for forcing them to “regretfully retire”. In Forest Grove, controversial Dream Girls Espresso shutdown. Apparently the female employees wore bikinis and would flash their boobs at customers. Even though they were wearing pasties on their nipples, one man (who for some reason liked to go there and buy coffee and take pics with his cell phone) was outraged and complained so much to the landlord that the lease was not renewed. This sounds like a clear case of ‘christian/religious’ prudery gone wild and resulting in job destruction: “He has basically stalked the stand since we’ve been open and has made several attempts at sending my landlord pictures to the point where it’s affecting their livelihood!”-Leah Sizemore, store owner
Pennsylvania: Four Arby’s restaurants were shutdown, without warning! The owner was under pressure to find debt financing to continue operations. Apparently the economy in Pennsylvania can’t support Arby’s. In Lawrenceville, Paragon Foods canceled their plans to build a distribution center. The female president of the company said “It was unaffordable for us…” In Monaca, EveryWare Global (formerly Anchor Hocking) announced that the temporary shutdown of their kitchenware factory could become permanent, 450 jobs lost! It’s blamed on EveryWare not being able to pay its debts. The deadline to come up with a payment plan favorable to creditors is July 15. God refuses to stop the Franktuary hot dog restaurant at Trinity Cathedral from shutting down: “We’ve come to the end of an era. Franktuary will close its original set of doors on National Hot Dog Day, July 23rd, at 4 pm.”-owners
In Harrisburg, Zia’s at Red Door shutdown. The owner blames jacked up rent and the fact that the idiot A-hole city officials jacked up the cost of parking at the restaurant: “Parking definitely has a lot to do with it. We lost a lot of customers. A lot of customers won’t come down because of it.”-Rocco Rama
South Carolina: In Charleston, after six years the Vegetable Bin announced it is shutting down in August. The building failed a fire code inspection, and the owner says their sales aren’t enough to cover the cost of bringing it up to code. In Walterboro, after 12 years the local Arby’s restaurant shutdown without notice. Local news reports say the restaurant has two signs posted on the building, one saying “Now Hiring!” and the other saying “Sorry we’re close.” (yep, they actually forgot to put the ‘d’ on the end of “close”). Local news reports said no restaurant official would talk to them to explain why the restaurant shutdown.
Tennessee: In Chattanooga, after only two years wine bar Brix Nouveau shutdown. The owner blamed “several factors”. Sharky’s Gulf Grill shutdown. Apparently the property is under a U.S. Department of Justice forced sale, having something to due with the property owner being accused of Facebook scams. After four decades Vic and Bill’s Deli shutdown: “….it’s a part of home actually and it kinda feels that way closing it. But all good things have their time have their season and I guess our season is kind of ending.”-Angelia Captain Townsend, manager
Texas: In Dallas/Fort Worth, Bonchon Korean style chicken restaurant shutdown. Reports said it seems there aren’t enough fans of Korean style food in Texas. In Dallas (Oak Lawn), after 22 years Good Eats shutdown. The owners blame the greedy property owner saying “our landlord has refused to renew our lease”. In Austin, the Pour House Pub shutdown. The property is being demolished for a big retail development. In Houston, after less than nine months Trenza restaurant shutdown.
Utah: In Salt Lake City, after 13 years two Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill restaurants shutting down at the beginning of August. Company officials blame the bad economy and competition: “It’s based on more competition in the downtown area. We appreciate every one of our guests, but unfortunately over the past few years, there have been fewer and fewer.”-Kennedy Turner
Virginia: After 50 years Fresh Pride began shutting down the last of its grocery stores, without notice. An undisclosed number of employees laid off, in the hundreds at least! The owner of Fresh Pride, Camellia Food Stores, said they can no longer compete in this bad economy. Snack maker Prime Choice Foods now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.
Washington: In Seattle, after 20 years the owner of Hurricane Cafe announced he is forced to shutdown in January 2015. The restaurant owner blames the greedy property owner: “It’s not the way we wanted to go out for sure, losing a lease and getting torn down!”
Washington DC: Watergate Wine & Beverage store now bankrupt busted and shutting down. The owner, Joseph Park, said regarding the economy that since 2006 “It’s slowly dying…..the business is just not here.”
Wisconsin: In Stevens Point, Copps and Roundy’s grocery distribution center shutting down in August, 196 jobs lost! 27 Roundy’s grocery stores were sold off to SuperValu. The first Roundy’s was opened in 1872. Food producer Cargill suddenly shutdown their Milwaukee slaughterhouse, killing off 600 jobs! Company officials blame a lack of affordable cows: “The harsh reality is that the U.S. beef cattle herd is at its lowest level since 1951, with any significant herd expansion being years away.”-company statement