Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of June, 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.
Alaska: The Kake Gunnuk Creek hatchery shutdown.
Arizona: In Tempe, after almost 20 years Big Fish Pub shutdown. Local news reports say it is the result of years of disputes between the Pub owners and the property owners. The Pub owners stated in a long letter to their customers that the property owners finally jacked up the rent so high, it was impossible to pay. It’s been revealed that Nellis Management will be shutting down Long John Silver’s restaurants in Arizona. California based Mimi’s Cafe shutdown.
California: Despite being a major agricultural center, El Centro has the second highest rate of unemployment in the U.S., at 21.1%! In Modesto, cereal maker Post announced they’re shutting down in September, 58 jobs lost. In Oakland, Dobake Bakeries announced they will shutdown in August, 221 jobs lost! In Los Angeles, Wolfgang Puck announced it will kill 76 jobs in July. In Palo Alto, a California Pizza Kitchen announced it will shutdown in August, 52 jobs lost. In Beverly Hills, after 27 years the upscale snooty Kate Mantilini restaurant shutdown. In Costa Mesa, S.B. Restaurant revealed they have already shutdown 16 Elephant Bar Global Grill/Wok Kitchen restaurants across the country. The company is bankrupt and hopes somebody can buyout the rest of the restaurants soon, or they’ll all be shutdown. In Lake Forest, dairy flavorings provider Kerry Flavor Systems revealed they will shutdown in September, 85 jobs lost. It might be connected to Kerry’s takeover of Wynnstar Flavors. In Laguna Niguel, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store shutting down in July. In Newport Beach, after ten years successful Z Pizza shutdown by the landlord. The property owner refused to renew the lease. In Irvine, Red Brick Pizza forced to shutdown by the same property owners that shutdown Z Pizza. A Denny’s restaurant is being shutdown because the property owner (apparently the same one who shutdown the two pizza joints) refuses to renew the lease.
Florida: After 28 years, Grandy’s restaurant announced they’re shutting down in August. In Broward County the company that runs the local Five Guys burger joints, ASCI Broward, is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, 120 jobs threatened! It’s blamed on a lawsuit filed by investors. In Orlando and Fort Myers, The Elephant Bar Global Grill shutdown (see California). In Sarasota, upscale golf themed Sam Snead’s American Grill shutting down. Employees were given two weeks notice, but were also “ordered” not to talk to the news media. Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s Bongos Cuban Cafe shutdown. They could not renew the lease.
Georgia: After 27 years upscale snooty elitist Vinings Club restaurant shutdown. The shutdown was revealed by one of the 871 exclusive members. 40 jobs lost, it’s being blamed on financial reasons which forced the sale of the restaurant.
Hawaii: In Kauai, after 98 years the Kojima grocery store shutdown. The family owners blamed decreasing sales and increasing costs of operations. In Maui, after 47 years Buzz’s Wharf restaurant shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy.
Idaho: In Twin Falls, after only two years of production at the World’s largest yogurt factory Chobani laid off an undisclosed number of employees. Officials say the layoffs are because production quotas were reached (in other words the former employees did their jobs well)! But wait, more layoffs could be in the planning! Chobani officials told local news media that the factory was still using hundreds more employees than they really need. The new factory was designed for 400 employees, but state employment officials estimate there are between 500 and 1-thousand people working the successful operation.
Illinois: In Galesburg, the Long John Silver’s fast fish food joint shutdown without notice, 10 jobs lost. Employees were officially notified the same morning that the restaurant was shutdown. The franchise owner, Nellis Management, said the store was losing money big time. Nellis Management also said sales at their other 31 Long John Silver’s (across four states) began crashing in 2013, and they plan on shutting more stores down as a result. In Northbrook, Swizterland based Nestle’s shutdown their DiGiorno pizza and Jack’s Frozen Pies factory, 66 jobs lost. They are consolidating operations. In Quincy, after 134 years (surviving dozens of recessions and the Great Depression) farm supply store Geo. Keller & Sons shutdown, 21 jobs lost. Family owners said their sales have been crashing for too many years in a row. In Alton, after 37 years White’s Greenhouse and Seasons Garden Center shutdown. In Lakeview, after ten years the Pie Hole Pizza Joint shutdown. The owner blames it on a combination of the purchase of faulty kitchen equipment and the crashing economy: “The last two years have just been really hard.”-Doug Brandt
Iowa: Another Long John Silver’s franchise going down, this time in The Hawkeye State. After 42 years Nellis Management announced they are shutting down at least eight of their Iowa stores (as well as their Illinois stores, reported in a prior Job Losses report). As in Illinois, news reports said Iowa employees were given no notice. Nellis Management claims they’ve suffered as much as 50% drop in sales! They blame a scientific report which dubbed Long John Silver’s the “worst restaurant” in the U.S.
Kansas: In Kansas City, after 58 years Lipari Brothers Thriftway grocery store shutdown. They blame competition from bigger grocery stores. In Leawood, a Hy-Vee grocery store shutdown, however the pharmacy is still open. Company officials wanted to remodel the store but blame city officials for playing games with permits and/or zoning laws.
Louisiana: After 55 years the Piccadilly Cafeteria in the Westmoreland Village Shopping Center shutdown. Does it have something to do with the new Catholic owners of the shopping center, or the new New York based owners of the Piccadilly chain? In New Orleans, gelato shop La Divina Gelateria shutdown. The owners say they are focusing on wholesale ops only.
Maryland: In Baltimore two restaurants, California based Pabu and Lamill, shutdown.
Massachusetts: In Springfield, after 79 years (and surviving the Great Depression) The Student Prince Café & Fort Dining Room shutdown. It was sold off. In Easton, after 60 years McMenamy’s Hamburger House shutdown. The building was sold. In Haverhill, Archie’s Little River Ale House shutdown. In Woburn, Kraft Foods announced they are shutting down a 95 years old food factory in 2016, at least 200 jobs will be lost! Company officials say it’s the only way they can remain “competitive” in the global market.
Michigan: At the Detroit Metro Airport a contract with Chili’s Too, Jose Cuervo Tequileria, Home Team Sports and Starbucks Fountain was ended. If a new contract is not signed 135 jobs will be lost in August!
Minnesota: There are reports that the international food giant General Mills has a secret cost cutting (job killing?) plan in the works, due to crashing sales. After more than 25 years Campus Pizza & Pasta now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. In Minneapolis, after 32 years Falafel King shutdown. The owner sold off the building because he was “tired” of playing the landlord game. Sky Ventures warning it will shutdown six Pizza Huts in June, if there are no buyers. Sky Ventures is bankrupt, the franchise company has already sold off 54 Pizza Huts.
Mississippi: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 20.9% of Mississippians are unable to buy enough food.
Missouri: In Saint Louis, after 12 years Lemmons Bar & Club shutdown, the owner Mike Gross explained that “When all you can see is the negatives and you can’t see the positives, it’s a good indication that it’s time to bail out!” In Clayton, Brazikat restaurant shutdown. The owner blames bad reviews, however, it turns out the owner is being sued for breach of contract. In Richmond Heights-Saint Louis, after 18 years the troubled Harvest Restaurant shutdown. The owner blamed competition, however, the restaurant had routinely changed ownership for some reason. In Saint Louis, food processor ConAgra killing 130 jobs! It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp. In Kansas City, after only four years Pandolfi’s Deli shutdown.
Nebraska: In Omaha, food processor ConAgra killing 100 jobs! It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.
Nevada: In Las Vegas, after only four years the West Sahara Firefly Tapas and Kitchen Bar shutdown. In Sparks, after 18 years Scolari’s Food & Drug shutdown, 50 jobs lost. Company officials say the shutdown is meant to “keep the company….viable”.
New Mexico: In Santa Fe, Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill shutdown. In Albuquerque, Maloney’s Tavern shutdown, 25 jobs lost. Apparently the property owner wants to sell off the building.
New York: In New Hyde Park, the Stop & Shop Supermarket announced they’re shutting down in September, 162 jobs lost! Stop & Shop Supermarkets also warned they’re shutting down their Mount Vernon warehouse ops, 239 jobs lost! Also in Mount Vernon, grocery delivery company Peapod killing 239 jobs in September, because they’re moving to New Jersey! In NYC, Rouge Tomate restaurant announced it will shutdown in August, 105 jobs lost! In Corning, World Kitchen warned of mass layoffs at its Pressware dinnerware factory. The Pressware factory started in 1938 making Pyrex, there are reports that this last U.S. owned dinnerware company is being sold off. In Rome, after 33 years B&L Italian Bakery shutdown. In Brooklyn, prepared meals provider Blue Apron laying off 82 people in September. Company officials announced they’re moving to New Jersey. In Yonkers, after only two years Brio Tuscan Grille announced they will shutdown in August, 78 jobs lost. Restaurant officials blame the suck-ass economy.
North Carolina: In Charlotte, after 15 years Miro Spanish Grille shutting down in July. The property owner refused to renew the restaurant’s lease.
North Dakota: What oil boom? In Fargo, after 34 years Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream shutdown. The owner blamed health problems and the bad economy saying his business was no longer “cutting it”.
Ohio: Food processor ConAgra killing 170 jobs! The company is shutting down two popcorn factories. It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.
Oregon: In Forest Grove, Izgara Middle Eastern Cuisine shutdown. The Jewish owners said they’ve already bought their airline tickets to Florida.
South Dakota: It’s been revealed that Nellis Management will be shutting down Long John Silver’s restaurants.
Tennessee: In Chattanooga, Farley’s & Sathers candy factory laid off 95 Umpa Lumpas, I mean employees. The Chicago based owners (Ferrara Candy) are moving production to candy factories in Illinois. News reports say that over the past five years Ferrara Candy has killed 200 jobs at their Farley’s & Sathers candy factory! In Oak Ridge, the Food Lion grocery store shutdown, 40 jobs lost.
Texas: Near Dallas, a six years old Jakes Hamburgers shutdown. The owners blame the location, and claim most of the employees were moved to other Jakes locations. 7-Eleven selling off 78 convenience stores across the U.S. It’s part of the Texas based company’s new “business model”. In Houston, one of three upscale Brio Tuscan Grille restaurants shutdown without notice. The Saint Genevieve bar was shutdown without notice. They’re reports that many eateries are being shutdown for property re-development. In Austin, Paggi House restaurant shutdown, the owner blames “progress”. Garrido’s restaurant shutdown, the owner wants to try something new.
Virginia: In Stauton, after 77 years Jimmy Anderson’s Food Mart shutdown.