What automotive industry recovery? Georgia based lead acid battery maker, Exide, bankrupt. Company officials blame higher production costs, increased competition and a crashing market in Europe.
Texas based National Envelope (aka NE Opco) went through on their threat of bankruptcy. They blame crashing envelope sales on electronic communications. In Dallas, the 100 years old non-profit, Camp Fire Lone Star, shut down operations! It’s blamed on increased competition for decreasing donations, due to the bad economy.
In Pennsylvania, the Allentown School District laid off 99 teachers, with the goal of eliminating 132 teaching positions! It’s blamed on reduced state and federal funding. In Philadelphia, Boeing laid off 41 employees. Company officials say it’s necessary to remain competitive. Bethlehem’s Supermercado Mi Terra grocery store closed after 55 years of business. It’s being replaced with a C-Town grocery store. And the Home and Planet home decor store shut down. The owner said he has to sell the building.
The Hummel Gift Shop closed in Ohio. The owners retired. Bradley Caldwell closing their distribution center in August. 81 people out-o-work.
In Minnesota, Nordic Home Interiors shut down their retail operation. They will focus on internet sales.
Su Casa II Mexican Grill shut down in Wisconsin. The owners blame skyrocketing increases in all costs, the final straw being a new lease.
Schwan Foods shut down their distribution centers in Oakes, North Dakota, and Faulkton, South Dakota. The mayors of the two towns complained that the closings will greatly impact their small towns. The door to door food service is consolidating distribution into a new $1 million USD center in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
In Washington, after failed attempts to sell it off, the owners of Junction Bakery and Café gave up.
In California, the only medical supply store in Lompoc, Valley Medical, shut down. Management referred local news media to corporate HQ for details of the closing, but corporate officials are apparently ignoring inquiries. Local news media say 4000 elderly will be affected by the closing.