Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of December, 2015: 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, spread of disease and extreme weather.
Prestigious France based Le Cordon Bleu shutting down all 16 schools in the United States! In the past decade graduates have been accusing the 115 years old cooking school of ripping them off, saying school recruiters lied about how much a cook can be paid after graduating. The U.S. Department of Education agrees and is ending federal student loan funding for Julia Child’s alma mater.
Winter Storm Goliath: Record flooding along the Mississippi River will result in higher winter crop prices as farm land is destroyed. Weather forecasts warn the flooding will continue well into January 2016. In Texas reports that the storm killed 5% of the area’s dairy cows.
Alabama: In Opelika, cafe The Overall Company shutdown, word is that a temporary coffee shop will take its place while the building is being re-purposed.
Alaska: Snow Goose Restaurant and Sleeping Lady Brewery shutting down after being sold to a competitor.
Arizona: American Meat Company shutdown their 62 years old Tucson store, administrators blamed a “combination” of issues. In Phoenix, restaurant operator Gallagher’s now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, five restaurants threatened. In Prescott, Hooligan’s Pub and the bar Swagger shutting down after Gregorian New Year’s Eve. The owners blame health problems for forcing them to retire early. In Sierra Vista, after 20 years Peacock Restaurant and Z Bar shutdown, the owners blaming many things but especially a crazy hike in rent.
Arkansas: In North Little Rock, after only 11 months Sassy Cake Lady bakery shutdown without warning. The owner said the rent is too high and she will return to operating a bakery out of her house. In Little Rock, the Brown Sugar Bakery shutdown, the owners said brick-n-mortar stores don’t work anymore and will try running a bakery out of a food truck. After 30 years Silvek’s European Bakery shutting down in March 2016. Sweet Love Bakery shutting down in January 2016, the owner blames lack of holiday sales: “Normally December we make enough money to float us through that slow time. This year we just weren’t seeing the same orders.”-Kelli Marks (normally they have 6-hundred cookie/cupcake orders for December, but this year only about 1-hundred orders were placed!)
California: Emeryville based Jamba Juice announced it is shutting down 30 stores in Illinois and New York, 104 jobs lost! Administrators said the stores “are cash flow negative”. San Francisco’s iconic Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. The dip noodle administrators blame it on their expansion creating the Magnolia Dogpatch & Smokestack BBQ restaurant. Gee if only individuals could file bankruptcy on the grounds of being stupid. Also in San Fran, Roosevelt Tamale Parlor shutdown due to the owner’s “health issues”. In Mission Viejo, five years after making a “comeback” Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour shutting down after the Gregorian New Year’s Day. In City of Industry, Bay Valley Foods issued a shutdown WARN, 62 jobs lost in February 2016. In Los Angeles, P.F. Chang’s Bistro issued a shutdown WARN, 86 jobs lost in January 2016. In Laguna Woods, the Albertsons-Safeway owned Vons grocery store shutting down in January 2016, officially blaming the greedy landlord. In Sonoma, El Darado Hotel & Kitchen issued a shutdown WARN, 113 employees will become unemployed in February 2016! In San Francisco, 1960s iconic patty melt maker Lucky Penny Coffee Shop shutdown because of a greedy property developer. In Pleasanton, Albertsons-Safeway continues with the layoffs, this time 66 people unemployed by February 2016. Morrison Healthcare Food Service ended their Chico operations, 87 jobs lost. Failing to prove its graduated students can find good paying jobs France based Le Cordon Bleu shutting down its Pasadena cooking school in February, 126 jobs lost! TGI Friday’s shutting down their Carlsbad restaurant, 45 jobs lost by the end of February 2016. In Kerman, massive farm layoffs as Gerawan Farming-Prima issued a shutdown WARN for February, 2-thousand 551 jobs lost due to the ongoing drought! More proof internet based businesses are not recession resistant; grocery delivery service Instacart (once valued at $2-billion USD) laid off 12 employees and jacked up delivery fees by 50%! Administrators also stated they “no longer need to maintain such an aggressive hiring pace” in 2016. In San Diego, after 38 years Pacific Beach Community Garden shutdown after selling out to a property developer.
Colorado: In Colorado Springs, after three years Lucha Cantina shutdown. The operators are consolidating their food ops to fewer restaurants.
Florida: Fast food chain Bojangles shutdown all eight Sunshine State locations! Local news reports say the franchise owner suddenly ‘bailed’! In Tallahassee, Proof Brewing shutting down their Tennessee Street location, the owners want to focus on just one brewing operation at a time.
Georgia: In Decatur, after two years Sobban restaurant shutting down so the owner can focus on his restaurant in Atlanta. In Jonesboro, after 68 years Dean’s Barbeque shutdown due to skyrocketing pig meat prices and a family feud. In Atlanta, Manuel’s Tavern shutting down after being sold-off to a property developer. After five years Cafe Jonah and the Magical Attic shutting down by the end of February 2016: “Our landlord is not renewing our lease and intends to sell the property. I have been searching for the past year for a comparable space that we could call home, but have not found anything…”
Hawaii: The Fresh Cafe Downtown and Fresh Cafe Kakaako shutdown with little warning. It’s blamed on a dispute between the co-owners.
Idaho: Pay too much for your holiday turkey? Producers blame a shortage of the big birds (due to Bird Flu) for high store prices but the state Department of Fish and Game claims there are so many wild turkeys in eastern Idaho that they’re asking for a special “expanded” hunting season. Turkeys are not native to Idaho and their growing population is considered a threat to native game birds. A man in Idaho Falls has pled guilty to ripping off potato supplier Idaho Select-Select Express. His guilty plea requires him to payback $1.7-million USD to his former employer (I’d like to know how he’s gonna do that) and in exchange prosecutors dropped 70 other charges of forgery! Some good news that’s actually bad news; Corporation for National and Community Service ranks Idaho in 2nd place in the country for volunteerism. Why is that bad? Because it’s a freakin’ sign of how many people are suffering you Gem State rock heads! 68% of Idahoans help their struggling neighbors, such as with food, through ‘informal volunteering’! Kevin Settles, the owner of three successful Bardenay restaurant and distillery operations, decided to exodus The Gem State with his fourth op. Why? “I would like to operate in a state that doesn’t have a state control system. I have three licenses in three areas and even then it isn’t a stable investment. There is always the chance you lose it to a violation and then who knows when you will get another.” Gee, and our exalted ‘conservative’ republican ‘lawmakers’ have always led us to believe they’re against such state controls. Settles is moving to Colorado. In Ammon, the optimistic city leaders went running to the local news media with “the biggest booming” business news ever! They’re getting a Kneaders cafe, Popeyes chicken (there’s already at least one nearby in next door Idaho Falls) and a Rita’s Custard and Ice. Yep, the same ol same ol, service sector jobs that are totally reliant on manufacturing sector jobs, which they don’t got.
A U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals court judge ruled that your ‘elected’ Idaho lawmakers act with extreme hatred (“animus”) regarding things like whistleblowers revealing how badly animals are treated in Idaho slaughterhouses: “The overwhelming evidence gleaned from the legislative history indicates that (the statute) was intended to silence animal welfare activists, or other whistleblowers, who seek to publish speech critical of the agricultural production industry….a review of the (statute’s) legislative history leads to the inevitable conclusion that the law’s primary purpose is to protect agricultural facility owners by, in effect, suppressing speech critical of animal-agriculture practices.”-B. Lynn Winmill
The evil and corrupt Idaho School District 25 (aka Pocatello/Chubbuck school district) fired a food service worker for giving a starving child a free lunch valued at a measly one dollar and 70 cents! On top of that the A-hole District 25 administrators sent the good samaritan (now former) employee a letter stating they consider her act of charity “theft”! 
The former food service employee told new sources she offered to pay for the meal herself but that offer was rejected by her supervisor: “…what are you supposed to do when the kids tell you they are hungry and they don’t have any money?”-Dalene Bowden, hero District 25 food service worker fired for trying to feed starving children
To make matters worse it turns out the Irving junior high School student had money in her school lunch account, but was told she didn’t have any money and was forced to throw away her food. Watch KPVI interview with student who said her school lunch account was good to go.
Illinois: In Quincy, after 12 years Roly Poly sandwich shop shutdown, no reason given. The Sugar Mama Bakery shutting down their Bloomington store, to “be more efficient”. Food giant General Mills shutting down their West Chicago factory, 444 jobs lost by Summer 2016! Gate Gourmet lost its contract with United Airlines at O’Hare International Airport, 821 jobs affected! In Bloomington, Kep’s Country Kitchen shutting down after selling out to a competitor.
Indiana: In Bloomington, after 12 years award winning Restaurant Tallent shutting down, the owner wants more time with his family. Michigan based Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern shutting down seven restaurants due to lack of sales. Only one Bagger Dave’s will remain in Indiana. In South Bend, Yummy Cupcakes shutting down Gregorian New Year’s Eve: “Unfortunately traffic hasn’t been….what we hoped it would be. It just came to the point where there’s not enough coming in.”-Larry Katz, owner
Iowa: In Shell Rock, farm equipment maker Unverferth Manufacturing conducting another round of layoffs, this time an undisclosed number of employees will become unemployed in January 2016. Last month Unverferth laid off about 48 people, blaming crashing sales. In Cedar Rapids, a 30 years old Burger King fast food joint shutting down in January 2016, because of the greedy property owner: “The lease came up and our rates went up. We wanted to do a scrape and rebuild, but we just couldn’t do it economically on a leased piece of ground. It just doesn’t make sense.”-Perry Beaton, franchise owner
Kansas: In Topeka, Mad Eliza’s Cakes & Confections shutting down their brick-n-mortar store and focusing on catering only: “The many extra expenses and workload of keeping and stocking a storefront can only be justified when there is a line at the counter a large portion of the time…”-Mark and Peggy Murnahan, owners
Kentucky: In Bowling Green, after 25 years the Shake Rag Restaurant shutting down after Gregorian New Year’s Day. In Saint Matthews, The Feed Bag shutdown after 28 years of yummy Reubens. The property was sold, the owner said it was time to try something new. A building collapse has shutdown several businesses in Brooksville. Local news reports say the vacant building along Miami Street had a history of problems, and was last listed as being worth a piddly $1-thousand USD. City administrators are working with the current owners of the building to figure out what to do. The owner of next door Carota’s Pizza says “This is devastating to us and other businesses. I hate being closed. We have been trying to shift around employees, but I may lose some employees because they need the work.”
Louisiana: More proof the internet is not recession resistant; newly created New Orleans based “pop-up” elitist events dining sensation Dinner Lab already eliminating jobs. 30 employees let go as company administrators shift to contracted workers. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ended deer hunting season early due to massive flooding caused by Winter Storm Goliath.
Maryland: Giant Food shutting down their prescription drugs distribution center, 90 jobs being lost to a contractor.
Massachusetts: After 40 years popular Yenching restaurant shutdown without warning, no explanation just a ‘thank you’ note taped to the door. The Hadley KFC (aka Kentucky Fried Chicken) shutdown due to low sales and higher labor costs: “We just can’t make money here anymore with the minimum wage increase and new part-time sick leave. Things weren’t that great anymore, but those things were the final nail.”-Mike Houston, franchise owner
Michigan: In Grand Rapids, Montello Meat Market shutting down their two years old Downtown location. No reason given. After 14 years Monte’s Lounge shutdown, the property is being re-purposed. Farm industry company GSI Manufacturing announced they will shutdown their Calhoun County factory in March 2016, the new owners are moving operations to Illinois, 70 jobs lost. Restaurant Taylor Amigo’s shutdown, the owner said the lease was up and the building was too big for the amount of business he does. In Detroit, after 35 years The Lark restaurant shutdown on Xmas Eve. Seven years old Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern chain shutting down a restaurant in Detroit, blaming lack of sales.
Minnesota: In Minneapolis, after 26 years Origami restaurant shutdown. After six years Loring Kitchen & Bar shutdown. After 11 years Franklin Street Bakery shutdown. In Aurora, Zup’s Food Market forced to shutdown in January 2016, the owner Jim Zupancich bemoaned the crashing mining industry “We did everything we could. We’ve really been fighting this since May….. ……a bundle of things that led to the closing, including LTV Mining near Hoyt Lakes shutting down in 2000/2001, with 1,500 employees losing their jobs. Then about a year ago, Mesabi Nugget shuttered for at least two years if not permanently. Meanwhile, now only half of the six taconite mines on the Range are operating, and about 2,000 mine workers are unemployed!”
Mississippi: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks ending deer hunting season early due to record flooding from the Mississippi River caused by Winter Storm Goliath.
Montana: A guest writer (and dairy producer) in The Missoulian has revealed that a state regulation is forcing local dairy producers to shutdown. It’s called Amended Rule for Milk Inspection Fees. The writer warns even more dairy ops, like his, are about to be shutdown and he wants the public to take action.
Nebraska: In Lincoln, the Russ’s Market (formerly Food-4-Less) at 70th and Van Dorn streets shutting down by the end of January 2016, the parent company is consolidating grocery ops into fewer stores.
Nevada: In Las Vegas, White Cross Market shutdown, the current owners said they tried to bring the iconic grocery store back from the dead, but the economy won’t allow it.
New Jersey: After 70 years Mattson’s Family Market shutdown, the owners blamed competition by corporate grocery stores. After 140 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Kirby Bros animal feed and supply store shutting down after Xmas. The owners blame ‘Global Warming’ saying the warmer weather allows farmers to graze their livestock longer, obviating the need for feed. After 33 years J&G Pet Food and Supply shutdown after the owner was kidnapped and beaten. To add insult to injury the owner wasn’t even the guy the retarded kidnappers wanted!
New Mexico: Kroger shutting down their Smith’s grocery store in Socorro, 66 jobs lost in January 2016.
New York: In Albany, after 56 years restaurant Justin’s being shutdown by the A-hole State Liquor Authority. In Soho, Italian steakhouse Costata shutdown and looking for a cheaper location. In Buffalo, Dog é Style hotdog joint shutting down by January 2016. In Glen Falls, after only one year Rare Earth Wine Bar shutdown because “…we have not made one penny of profit and it’s simply time to throw in the towel.” In Batavia, the Müller Quaker Dairy shutdown and sold-off, 2-hundred people laid off! Local news sources hope the new owner (Dairy Farmers of America) will get operations going again soon. In Syracuse, Danzer’s Restaurant shutdown, an employee said it’s because of the owners bad health. In New Dorp, a 16 years old Wendy’s burger joint shutdown without warning. News reports say employees were telling customers the greedy landlord would not agree to a new affordable lease. In Bronx, after 55 years Zaro’s Bakery shutdown, the owner blames the greedy property manager: “After almost 60 years, this is the notice we get? No chance to bid on the space, no chance to try to keep business?”-Michael Zaro
North Carolina: In Chalotte, after 18 years Cosmo Cafe shutting down in January 2016. The owner decided he could make more money renting out the property. The Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts shelling factory shutting down by February 2016, at least 81 jobs lost. The owner, Archer Daniel Midlands, blames “market conditions”. Morrison Healthcare Food Service shutting down their Pinevale operations, 80 jobs affected by February 2016. Morrison lost their contract with Carolinas Healthcare System. In Cary, Firewurst sausage joint shutting down: “After nearly 3 years of toil and sacrifice to build a local brand that could ultimately become a national franchise, we have come to the conclusion that our brand is…..not sustainable.”
Ohio: In Dayton, the Denny’s restaurant shutdown without warning, the administrators were not happy with the lack of sales. In Windham, after 35 years the Sparkle Market grocery store shutdown, the owner blamed declining local population for his declining sales. Forrester’s on the River shutdown after a quagmire of lost business and legal battles. In Findlay, the Brazier Dairy Queen on Lima Avenue shutdown. In Columbus, after 40 years Bernies Bagels & Deli shutdown due to property re-development in the University District.
Oregon: In Portland, after two years Levant restaurant shutting down after the Gregorian New Year’s. In Eugene, after 56 years Serv-U Market shutdown, the independent owners sold-out to a big grocery store chain and the sale forbids them from saying which chain.
Pennsylvania: The state Game Commission says not enough hunting licenses were sold and they must furlough two employees. After 43 years of feeding hundreds of hungry families every week the Chester County Food Kitchen shutdown. The operators blame crashing donations and skyrocketing costs of operation. Food maker J.M. Smucker shutting down their Pittsburgh pet food operations, 123 jobs lost by February 2016. Smucker is consolidating operations to Ohio. In Pottstown, after 94 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) The Very Best hot dogs-hamburgers-steaks joint shutdown. Illinois based food maker Mondelēz International issued a WARN for their Philadelphia ops, 251 jobs to be lost! Food maker Cargill issued shutdown WARNs for three operations in Lititz, 125 jobs lost in January 2016! Food service contractor Sodexo issued a WARN saying 72 people in Wilkes-Barre will become jobless by July 2016. In Duryea, Nanny Rose Day Care shutdown without warning. Local news media discovered that parents had filed a complaint with state regulators saying the day care op was not feeding their children! Employees said they were straight up threatened by an attorney: “The phone just rang and they stood there with the phone, and that was a lawyer, and they said that if we say anything this is going to go further. I was shaking. I really was. I’m just shaking.”-employee I won’t name
South Carolina: In Simpsonville, JB’s Barbeque forced to shutdown due to the owners head injuries.
Tennessee: In Nashville, after 19 years Noshville Delicatessen shutdown. The entire city block has been taken over by an evil property developer. In Knoxville, after 34 years The Lunchbox restaurant shutdown. In Memphis, Kroger shutting down their Hickory Hill Road grocery store, blaming 10 years of low sales. Administrators say the 17 years old store has not made a profit since 2006.
Texas: In Austin, Mijos Tex-Mex Cantina shutdown without warning. According to the Star Telegram the following restaurants shutdown in 2015 in the Dallas Fort Worth area; AF+B, Bijoux, Bite City Grill, Buttons, Olen Jack’s Grille, Paco & John Mexican Diner, Tillman’s Roadhouse, Salsa Fuego, San Salvaje, Sera Dining & Wine, Sol de Luna, Spoon and Vance Godbey’s.
The Houston Press published a list of restaurants that shutdown in 2015, just in the city of Houston: 60 Degrees Mastercrafted,
Acacia Food Mart, Akamaru Japanese Restaurant,
Arturo’s Uptown Italiano, Berryhill, Big Woodrow’s, The Bird House, The Bird and The Bear, Bistro des Amis,
Bonnie’s Beef and Seafood, Brick & Spoon, Cafe Express, The Chicken Ranch, Chuanr/ Tree Tree Grill, Clutch City Squire,
Commonwealth, Dua, Dosi Restaurant + Soju Bar, Eatsie Boys Museum Park Cafe, Eleven:Eleven, Fire Station 11, Getto Burger,
Hollister Grill, I Love This Bar & Grill, Kahn’s Deli,
Lillo & Ella, Majorca Bistro & Tapas, Mezzanine Lounge,
Mia Bella Trattoria, Osteria Mazzantini,
Outlaw Dave’s Worldwide Headquarters, Piatto,
Preview Modern Seafood, Prince’s Hamburgers,
Radical Eats, Ragin’ Cajun, Roznovsky’s Hamburgers,
Ruggles Café Bakery, Ruggles Green, The Stag’s Head Pub,
Te House of Tea, Teala’s, Texadelphia, Texas Cafeteria,
Tipico Café, Tony’s Barbecue & Steak House, Überrito,
What’s Up Cupcake, Wunsche Bros. Café & Saloon,
Yapa Kitchen Fresh Take Away, Yum Yum Cha, Bizkit Junkie, Harwood Grill and Spring Water Cafe.
Utah: In Logan, the Golden Corral all you can eat buffet and a Dunkin Donuts shutdown. The city’s Economic Development office told local news sources that based on last year’s tax revenues the economy is still good there in Logan/Cache County!
Vermont: Waterbury based coffee roaster Keurig Green Mountain has been sold-off, for $13.9-billion USD. The new owner, JAB, could eliminate even more jobs.
Virginia: In Fredericksburg, after 11 years Hop & Wine shutting down in January 2016. The owner blamed many factors including state booze laws. In Alexandria, Mancini’s Cafe & Bakery shutdown.
Washington: In Bellingham, after 20 years Vis Seafoods shutdown its brick-n-mortar store and shifting to internet orders only.
Washington DC: After only one year Native Foods Cafe shutdown both their DC locations, administrators refused to say why. Maybe it’s ’cause they’re ‘vegan’. After eight years the Hello Cupcake shop in Dupont Circle shutting down. Restaurant Mio shutdown, supposedly a new “concept” will take its place.
West Virginia: In Charleston, after 51 years the Fas-Chek grocery store shutdown, blaming competition. Martin’s Food & Drugs shutting down three stores as soon as their leases expire sometime in 2016, 357 jobs lost! This is telling because local news reports says Martin’s is the top grocery store, for sales, in West Virginia. In Wierton, the Ponderosa Steakhouse shutdown, 30 jobs lost due to new property owners: “I love my job here, and I love my customers. Before Christmas, you know, we’re all going to lose our jobs!”-Shari Stillwagoner, employee
Wisconsin: After 55 years Edwardo’s Ristorante di Pizza shutdown. Pastiche Bistro and Wine Bar shutting down its Bay View location in favor of its Milwaukee location.
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
U.S. Food Crisis, November 2015: “I sit at night and I worry that…this time somebody got shot…”