Category Archives: Business/Economics

“The thieves are….more bold.”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, March 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in March 2018:

Bermuda based Signet Jewelers shutting down 2-hundred Kay Jewelers, Zales and Jared The Galleria of Jewelry stores in malls across the U.S.

Alaska: Blockbuster shutting down its North Pole video store in April.  Thrift store Juneau Treasures shutdown due to skyrocketing crime, the owner blames local police for failing to do anything (even with his security camera video of the crimes) and the state’s new lax criminal laws: “The thieves are becoming more and more bold. They’re coming in groups of three and four and they’re intimidating my staff!”-Mark Dundore

 California: In Los Angeles, after 25 years Meltdown Comics shutdown.  In Santa Rosa, after 126 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) furniture store Pedersen’s shutting down in 2019, the owners saying “We are choosing to go out on our terms and our timing, rather than wait for a death, health event or financial stress to force a closing.” Santa Barbara based The Walking Company Holdings chapter 11 bankrupt busted for the second time in ten years, due to not being able to pay its shoe suppliers.  After 140 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) men’s clothier Bachrach now bankrupt and dead.  Jonathan Louis Furniture issued a shutdown WARN for its Gardena location, 1-hundred jobs gone by mid-May!  Bankrupt Toys R Us issued shutdown WARNs for four locations, more than 4-hundred jobs gone by  mid-May! What automotive industry recovery?  Melody Toyota issued a shutdown WARN for its San Bruno location, 52 jobs gone by June.

Connecticut: In Enfield, after about four decades Crown Furniture shutdown, blaming competition from both online and brick-n-mortar.  In Brookfield, after eight years LJ Edwards Furniture and Design Studio shutdown.

Florida: Xtra Airways eliminating 167 jobs in May, as it is put up for sale! Gibraltar Bank & Trust eliminating 124 jobs due to being taken over by Louisiana based IberiaBank!

Hawaii: After five years Lanikai General Store shutdown.

Idaho: In Boise, Tai Pan Trading shutdown.  After two years in Idaho Falls, home decor store Tai Pan Trading shutting down when the inventory is gone, inventory from shutdown stores in Boise and Utah is being transferred to Idaho Falls for clearance.  Also in Idaho Falls, after 18 years supporter of the proven to be a failure DARE program (in some cases actually increased drug use nationwideDr. Slaughter’s shutting down in April.

Illinois: In Clarendon Hills, after 40 years Ebenezer’s Gift House (formerly The Christmas Closet) shutting down.  Hoffman Estates based junk jewelry chain Claire’s now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Lillstreet Art Center bankrupt busted due to a lawsuit by a website designer. What housing market recovery? Chicago based mortgage company Guaranteed Rate suddenly laid off 180 people across the U.S., due to crashing mortgage approvals!  Alpine Shop shutting down its O’Fallon location in April.  Bankrupt Toys R Us issued shutdown WARNs for its distribution and regional offices, 180 jobs gone by mid-May!

Indiana: Mitt Romney co-founded wunderkind Staples shutting down its store in Fort Wayne.  In Anderson, after 53 years Mounds Mall is now dead.

Iowa: In Iowa City, after 34 years University Camera shutting down, the frustrated co-owner said “Black Friday was a non-event for us. In October, I looked at the books and we did one-third of the business we need to stay afloat. That’s when I turned to my wife and said, ‘It’s time.’…  …. walk away from it and we’re done!”  Children’s Place shutting down their Mall of the Bluffs store by mid-April.

Louisiana: Kids party/activity store Slinkee’s shutdown after more than ten years.

Maine: Freeport based LL Bean said 2017 holiday sales sucked so much they canceled bonuses and eliminated a net 4-hundred jobs! Too Big to Jail Bank of America suddenly laid off 30 people in Belfast, even though it is advertising to hire.

Maryland:  Princeton Sports shutting down its 36 years old Columbia location.

Massachusetts: In Marblehead, after 25 years Chet’s Video and Candy Shoppe shutdown. In New Bedford, after 62 years Fairhaven True Value Hardware shutdown.  In Framingham, after 49 years Walter Dyer Is Leather shutting down when the inventory is gone, the owners blame many things including crashing sales.

Michigan: Envoy Air halting ops at Detroit Metro Airport, 114 jobs gone by mid-May!

Minnesota: In Minneapolis, boutique Local Motion shutting down in April.  After 54 years Fabric and Textile Warehouse shutting down when the inventory is gone.  Bankrupt Toys R Us issued shutdown WARNs for five locations, at least 2-hundred jobs gone by the end of June!

Missouri: Saint Louis based online ‘investment’ Scottrade killing as many as 1-thousand jobs due to selling out to competitor TD Ameritrade for $4-billion USD!

Nebraska: Two former Super 8 Motel managers, who are also immigrants, sentenced to a year in federal prison and deportation after being convicted of enslaving and abusing their own relatives. 

Nevada: In Reno, toy store Happy Happy Joy Joy shutdown due to a death in the family.

New Jersey: In Hackensack, after 68 years Kazimir’s Pets shutting down in April.  Wayne based chapter 11 bankrupt busted Toys R Us shutting down all stores in United Kingdom, 735 stores in the United States being liquidated, Canadian stores up for sale.  Massive Toys R Us layoff WARNs issued; at least 1-thousand-6-hundred New Jersey jobs gone by mid-May!

New York:  Value City Furniture shutting down its store in Clay, 25 jobs gone by mid-April.  NYC based Foot Locker shutting down 110 stores in 2018, after shutting down 147 in 2017.  Bankrupt Toys R Us issued shutdown WARNs for eight locations, about 4-hundred jobs gone! 

Ohio: Lakewood record store Wax Bodega shutdown, apparently because of a greedy landlord because the owners said they are looking for a new location. Cincinnati based retailer Macy’s killed more jobs, this time an undisclosed number of human resource employees, apparently in addition to the 5-thousand job cuts announced earlier this year.  After more than 50 years Keith Saddle Shop shutting down when the inventory is gone.   New Albany based clothier Abercrombie & Fitch shutting down 60 stores across the U.S., due to continued crashing sales.  Since 2010 Abercrombie & Fitch shutdown 4-hundred stores.  In Canton, after 62 years Capestrain Jewelers shutting down, the building is for sale.

Oregon: In Portland, after 13 years Knit Purl shutting down when the inventory is gone.

South Carolina: Too Big to Jail California based Wells Fargo shutting down its money center in Greenville, 6-hundred jobs gone over the next 12 months!  In Florence, after 48 years Norman’s Gun Exchange shutdown because the owners wanted to retire.

Tennessee: In Nashville, Third Man Records suddenly laid off seven people.  Bankrupt iconic Gibson Guitar began eliminating dozens of jobs.  In Greeneville, after 29 years Paintin’ Place-Benjamin Moore Paint store shutdown after the owners got an offer for the property they couldn’t refuse.  After more than 80 years the Springfield Cinema shutdown.

Texas: Michaels owned, Irving based, Aaron Brothers shutting down all 94 stores, nearly 6-thousand jobs gone by the end of July!  The brand Aaron Brothers will now be used in Michaels stores in the custom framing section.   In Austin, after 38 years The Light Bulb Shop shutdown because the owners didn’t want to strangle “it to death slowly”.  Rent-a-Center eliminating 250 jobs at its Plano HQ!  Plano based retailer JCPenney suddenly eliminated 360 jobs across the country! In Burkburnett, after 27 years Hayes General Store, Hayes Hardware, and Hayes TV Repair  suddenly shutdown due to no more money (apparently employees were given final paychecks).

Utah: In Orem, home decor store Tai Pan Trading shutdown, reports say the Orem location, and the two Idaho locations, are the last of the Tai Pan Trading stores.  Loopnet.com lists several former Tai Pan Trading locations as now for sale. 

Virginia:  In Roanoke insurance company Allstate suddenly laid off employees and refused to say how many.

West Virginia: SunTrust Bank shutting down its remaining five branch offices in the state.

Wisconsin: JCPenney killing 520 warehouse jobs in Wauwatosa, starting in June!  In Manitowoc, after 67 years Lloyd’s Photo & Digital shutdown.  Bankrupt Toys R Us issued shutdown WARNs for eight locations, 326 jobs gone by mid-May!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, February 2018: “UNPRECEDENTED BRICK AND MORTAR RETAIL DISRUPTION”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, March 2018: 50-THOUSAND+ JOBS KILLED IN ONE YEAR!

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, March 2018: “THIS IS A SAD DAY…”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., March 2018: “A REFLECTION OF THE CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, March 2018: “HARD REALITIES”

U.S. government shenanigans, March 2018:“THEY GOT IT WRONG.”

U.S. food crisis, March 2018: “WE ARE LOSING CUSTOMERS EVERYDAY” MORE THAN 11-THOUSAND JOBS KILLED!

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, March 2018: “HEALTHCARE IS A TAPEWORM”

DRUGS, THE AMERICAN WAY, March 2018: ZOMBIES ARE FOR REAL! “THE FENTANYL…IS ENOUGH TO KILL EVERYONE…SEVERAL TIMES OVER.”

“This is a sad day…”: U.S. industrial/mining/logistics layoffs, March 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in March 2018.

Alabama: C&S WHOLESALE issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Montgomery, 45 jobs gone by June.  What automotive industry recovery? FEDERAL MOGUL issued a layoff WARN for its factory in Jacksonville, 65 jobs gone mid-April.

 California: Aircraft interior company C and D Zodiac issued a shutdown WARN for its Garden Grove ops, 46 jobs gone by mid-July.  Gayle Manufacturing issued a shutdown WARN for its operations in Yolo County, 76 jobs gone by the end of May. General Electric (GE) eliminating 170 jobs in San Ramon, by mid-May!  H and M International Transportation suddenly shutdown its ops in City of Commerce, 113 jobs suddenly gone!  Sandberg Furniture Manufacturing issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Vernon, 105 jobs gone by mid-May! Foothill Distributing issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Redding, 95 jobs gone by early May.  What automotive industry recovery? Gasket maker Zone Enterprises issued a shutdown WARN for its Anaheim factory, 216 jobs gone by the end of May!  PPG finally notified the state that it shutdown its factory in Irvine, 34 jobs gone back in January.

Colorado: After 40 years map maker MacVan Maps shutting down: “People are using their electronic devices more and so we just can’t sell enough maps.”-Bob Stanley, general manager

Florida: In Miami, Shuttle Services M.I.A. eliminating 95 jobs by May.  Jacksonville based railroad company CSX eliminating 6-thousand-2-hundred jobs over the next three years, after already killing 4-thousand-6-hundred jobs in 2017!  

Illinois: Nature’s Second Chance Hauling now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. What automotive industry recovery? Peoria based Caterpillar warning that it will shutdown factories in Illinois, Texas and the country of Panama, for a total of 9-hundred jobs lost!  It’s blamed on crashing sales which began back in 2012.  Truck maker Navistar (formerly International Harvester) issued a layoff WARN for its Melrose Park ops, 204 jobs gone by mid-May, no reason given!

Indiana: After 80 years and hundreds of layoffs, American Commercial Barge Lines suddenly announced it will shutdown its Jeffboat brand boat factory.  Book distributor ReaderLink shutting down its Indianapolis operation, 147 jobs gone by the end of August!

Kentucky: American Greetings shutting down its Bardstown factory due to the loss of a major contract, at least 450 jobs gone by February 2019!

Maryland:  Bankrupt Connecticut based paper products maker Cenveo shutting down its Port City Press factory, 113 jobs gone by May!

Michigan: What automotive industry recovery? Ford eliminating 2-thousand jobs in Wayne, supposedly to re-tool operations to make more gas guzzling pick-ups and SUVs, due to low sales of more fuel efficient cars!

Minnesota: Elkay Manufacturing eliminating 1-hundred jobs in New Ulm, starting mid-May!

New Jersey: Uniform maker Cintas eliminating 1-hundred jobs in Belleville, by the end of May! FMC eliminating 53 jobs in Philadelphia, by the end of September.  DuPont eliminating 103 jobs in Deepwater, by the end of May!

New York: Freeman Bus Corporation issued a WARN for its Watertown location, 28 jobs lost due to loss of contract. VWR issued a shutdown WARN for its Rouses Point location, 27 jobs gone by the end of May, due to being taken over by Avantor.

North Carolina: Rockwell Collins killing 119 jobs in Winston-Salem, offshoring them to Philippines!  British empire Coats & Clark shutting down its Westminster Lifestyle Fabrics ops in Charlotte, 18 jobs gone. 

Ohio: AES Ohio Generation-Dayton Power & Light shutting down two power plants and a training center, 370 jobs gone by June!

Oregon: What construction industry recovery? Pennsylvania based Armstrong World Industries shutting down its ceiling tile factory in Saint Helens, 136 jobs gone by the end of May!

Pennsylvania: First Energy shutting down Beaver Valley Power Station (nuke plant) by 2021, blaming low prices on crashing demand for electricity.  Schneider National Carriers eliminating 155 jobs in Bedford, by the end of April! Bankrupt Connecticut based paper products maker Cenveo shutting down its Altoona factory, 144 jobs gone by May!

South Carolina: British empire Coats & Clark shutting down its Westminster Lifestyle Fabrics ops in Greer, 61 jobs gone. 

Texas: GE Oil & Gas eliminating 78 jobs in Lufkin by the end of July, “The downturn in the oil and gas industry has forced us to review our operations to determine how we can best stay competitive…”

Virginia: Schneider National Carriers eliminating 181 jobs in Gordonsville, by the end of April!

Washington: In Seattle, after 104 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Kusak Cut Glass Works shutting down, greedy city leaders re-zoned (gentrified) the neighborhood where the factory is located, it will be replaced with apartments: “This is a sad day…”-Chuck Kusak, radio interview with KIRO

Wisconsin: Racine based cleaning products manufacturer S.C. Johnson eliminating as many as 4-hundred jobs “to maintain the company’s health and leadership.”  Hubbell Lighting issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Hudson, 54 jobs gone by the end of May.

Wyoming: According to the state Mine Inspector’s annual report the coal industry has stabilized after eliminating almost 1-thousand jobs within two years, however, in 2017 only a whopping five new coal industry jobs were created!  What construction industry recovery? The town of Jackson issued a 180 days construction moratorium due to  new stricter Teton County level employee housing rules, town leaders want new construction project applications to be filed after the new housing rules go into effect.  The new county housing rules will cost construction companies more money. 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, February 2018:“NO REASONABLE OPTION BUT….DEACTIVATION”

“too big for our needs.” Selling out Online!: Sears Kmart death spiral, April 2018

Employment terminations including your own are expected to commence on July 8, 2018″-Sears Holdings

Amazingly, despite years of store shutdowns, the typically ignorant Sears employee expressed shock when they got the layoff notice!

Citrus County Chronicle: A year after Kmart shutdown “Foot traffic inside the mall declined drastically and never really recovered.”

CNBC: Sears’ head of real estate is stepping down

ValueWalk: Sears Enters Final Stages

Sunbury Daily Item: Vacant Kmart to be used to grow ganja

myPalmBeachPost: Sears demands Palm Beach Garden taxpayers to fork over $2.1-million USD

Business Insider: Sears goes online to sell-off more stores

KPTV: Oregon Kmart manager sentenced to prison for attempted use of a child in a sex display

WREG: Workers find body in culvert underneath abandoned Utah Kmart

Reuters: tens of thousands of Sears-Kmart customer credit card info stolen in data hack

WITN: Jacksonville Kmart overcharging customers

WVEC: 51 dead chickens dumped at vacant Kmart

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, MARCH 2018: RAPING TAXPAYERS!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

  Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears-Kmart store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011, new shutdown announcements in bold:

Alabama: 35 years old Albertville Kmart, local news media reported it is the last Kmart in the entire state.  Tuscaloosa Sears, leaving only two full-sized Sears stores in the state.  Athens and Tuscaloosa Kmarts in October 2017. Dothan and Muscle Shoals Kmarts.  Taxpayers in the city of Oxford could become the new owners of the vacant Sears store in the Quintard Mall.  Oxford mayor Alton Craft loves the plan, but admitted to local news media “We don’t know exactly what the plan is yet.”  But wait there’s more!  Oxford city council already approved the purchase of the dead Sears, and then in anticipation of competition passed a new law restricting the number of yard sales cash strapped taxpaying residents can have (and requiring a yard sale permit)! Reports that the Pell City Kmart will shutdown.  Taxpayers in the city of Oxford forced to pay for the former Sears building at the Quintard Mall.  The mayor of Oxford recently announced that in an effort to save the local economy they’re willing to buy the property, which has been up for sale since November 2016.   38 years old Florence Sears store and Auto Center shutdown in April 2017.  Jasper Mall Kmart.  Phenix City Kmart on US 280. Sears Hometown Store in Prattville shutting down in January 2017.   The Madison Square Mall Sears store & Auto Center shutdown in January 2017, but only because the leaders of Huntsville want to redevelop the mall property. Supposedly a new, and much smaller, contractor operated Sears appliance only store will be part of the mall redevelopment.  Taxpayers of Huntsville are expected to spend at least $12-million USD on the redevelopment!  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Cullman is shutting down.   27 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  After 16 years the Troy Sears Hometown Store suddenly shutdown, the contracted owners said they couldn’t find anybody willing to take over the contract. Oxford Sears (local news reports said the Oxford Sears opened in 1985 with 225 employees!), Birmingham Kmart on Chalkville Mountain, Decatur Kmart on Beltline Road, Homewood Kmart, Mobile Kmart on Z Schillingers Road. The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost in June 2016. City leaders of Anniston have agreed to fork over $3-million precious local tax dollars to fund the re-development of an abandoned Kmart. Prattville Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 70 jobs lost. Florence Kmart in March, 64 jobs lost in 2016. A local news report said the employees knew nothing about it and were shocked to hear it from the news media! Dothan Kmart (south side of Ross Clark Circle) shutting down in March, 56 jobs lost in 2016. Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), Birmingham Eastwood Kmart (70 jobs lost), Decatur Mall Sears (91 jobs lost), Fort Payne Kmart, Northport Kmart (68 jobs lost), Dothan Sears (68 jobs lost), Huntsville Kmart (73 jobs lost), Sears Store and Auto Center at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile (more than 100 jobs lost).

Alaska: In Juneau, the Sears Hometown reverted to corporate ownership after the franchise owner quit, it’s now for sale.  The Anchorage Sears Store & Auto Center (67 jobs gone in April 2018), the Wasilla Sears Store, the Fairbanks Sears Store & Auto Center made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.

Arizona: 57 years old Sears operations at Park Place (aka Park Mall) shutting down in July, operations include Appliance Repair, Auto Center, Hair Salon, Optical, Watch Repair. Tolleson Kmart in April 2018. 27 years old Show Low Kmart (54 jobs gone in April 2018). Casa Grande Kmart.  Mesa Sears store and Auto Center at Fiesta Mall.  The Mesa Kmart shutting down in time for Thanksgiving.  Kingman Kmart and a Phoenix Kmart in October 2017.  Bullhead City Kmart. In Tucson, Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth says it will shutdown and lease out half of the floor space in the Park Place Sears store.   Sierra Vista Kmart shutting down in December 2016. 42 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Nogales Kmart shutdown by July 2016, despite the fact that it’s a profit making store (many of its cash paying customers cross the border from Mexico). The Prescott Valley Kmart shutdown April 2016, no word on how many jobs lost, but one employee was quoted by local news as saying “Walmart won.”  Glendale Kmart. Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors. Recently revealed Arrowhead Towne Center Sears sold-off then rented back! Chandler Fashion Center Sears sold-off then rented back!

Arkansas: Cabot Kmart in April 2018. Sears operations in Fayetteville and Fort Smith.  The Jonesboro Sears Auto Center suddenly shutdown on 14 OCT 2017, without warning.  Sears Holdings stated they were not willing to renew the lease.  The Jonesboro Sears store shutdown earlier this year, but at that time Sears Holdings claimed they had no intentions of shutting down the Auto Center.   Little Rock Kmart. Jonesboro Sears store. 17 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Sears store and Auto Center in Pine Bluff shutting down in August 2016. Little Rock Sears shutdown in July 2016.

California: Citrus Heights Sears & Auto Center (76 jobs gone by June 2018), Roseville Westfield Galleria-Sears (64 jobs gone by June 2018), Fairfield Sears & Auto Center (89 jobs gone by June 2018), El Cajon Sears & Auto Center (115 jobs gone by June 2018)!  In Redding, the owner of Mount Shasta Mall (Rouse Properties) got approval from the city council to shutdown the Sears store and Auto Center (which is also owned by Rouse Properties) and split it up into six smaller store spaces, 50 jobs lost in April 2018.  Ontario Kmart (79 jobs gone), Redding Kmart (72 jobs gone), Cudahy Kmart (117 jobs gone), Taft Kmart and Arroyo Grande Kmart, all shutdown by April 2018! Westminster Sears (88 jobs gone in April 2018), Brea Sears (72 jobs gone in April 2018), Santa Clarita Sears (67 jobs gone in March 2018), San Jose Sears (76 jobs gone in March 2018). Sears locations in Hanford and  San Rafael in April 2018.  Taxpayers of Humboldt County could become the new owners of the abandoned (and increasingly vandalized) Kmart property in Eureka.  Local news reports say the county wants to make it the new home for Planning and Building Department, the Public Works Department and the Division of Environmental Health, yet there was no indication as to how much taxpayer funding the county was willing to spend on the proposal.   The Santa Rosa Kmart was shutdown by being burned down during the recent wildfires.   Kmarts in Valencia, Jackson/Martell, Bellflower and Hesperia (where I attended junior and senior high school) shutting down mid-November.   Sears Holdings sold its store and Auto Center at the northeast end of South Coast Plaza to the owners of the plaza.  the selling price was not disclosed. When asked if the Sears store and Auto Center were shutting down South Coast Plaza owners stated “We look forward to continuing that relationship with Sears…”  It’s been revealed that Sears Holdings notified Bishop Police that local Kmart employees had stolen at least $50-thousand USD worth of merchandise in the past few months.  After police investigated six people were arrested.   In Costa Mesa, the upscale South Coast Plaza mall bought the 50 years old Sears store for $187-million USD, local news media said the mall owners refused to say what their plans are for the still active store.  More proof the shutdowns are part of a REIT conspiracy; the new property owner of the land currently occupied by the Santa Rosa Kmart revealed plans to city officials to force the still active Kmart to shutdown!  Eureka Kmart and a Riverside Kmart, 116 jobs lost in October 2017!   By September 2017 the 29 years old Chico Sears store, Blyth Kmart, a Sacramento Kmart, Manteca Kmart, the Sears store on La Jolla Village Drive in San Diego, the Sears Hometown Store in Oroville, all resulting in at least 4-hundred jobs lost!  San Louis Obispo Sears shutting down in July, after 89 years of local sales. Local news media asked one resident why she thought they were shutting down and she replied “I just went in there and they don’t have crap!”  The Chico Sears Auto Center shutdown in May 2017.  When asked about Sears Holdings’ claim that displaced workers can get work at other Sears-Kmarts, Rhonda Shaffer, the manager of the Chico location, told local news media “The other stores are full up. There’s nowhere for them to go.”  The last Kmart in Anaheim (home city to Disneyland) is shutdown.  The Westfield University Towne Center Sears in San Diego shutdown.  WARN filings revealed the Sears Hometown store in San Leandro shutdown at the end of December 2016, and the historic Santa Monica Sears shutdown, 80 jobs lost in April 2017.  In North Hollywood, local news media reporting that a very profitable Sears store suddenly began a ‘remodeling’ project by ripping up the flooring.  Loyal, and apparently plentiful, customers were afraid the store was being shutdown.  But Sears reps told the local press that they are making improvements as the store because “This store is a very successful store for Sears. We are very busy and very profitable.”  In Carson, the Southbay Pavillion Sears shutting down, 105 jobs lost by July 2017! Santa Cruz Sears Auto Center. The old Santa Monica Sears store on Colorado Boulevard shutdown in April 2017 due to the property being sold to a developer. Carson Town Center Kmart (supposedly the last Kmart in the South Bay area), local news reports say the building is being chopped up into smaller retail shops, one third of which has already been leased to a restaurant.  Bakersfield Kmart, Coalinga Kmart, Kingsburg Kmart. Taxpayers in the city of Covina forced to pay to re-develop a former Kmart property into a housing project and bus terminal!  A Kmart near the UC-Riverside campus shutdown in March 2017.   The Town & Country Center Kmart in Indio shutdown right before Xmas 2016. The GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Bakersfield Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  Fontana Kmart, 133 jobs gone before Xmas 2016!  Another Los Angeles Kmart, 234 jobs gone right before Xmas 2016!  233 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!!!  Sears Holdings shutdown a Los Angeles Kmart, 132 jobs lost in May 2016! Dinuba Kmart 68 jobs lost, Lodi Kmart, Tulare Kmart, Wasco Kmart. Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is renting out half of three Sears stores; one in Roseville, one in Citrus Heights and one in Sacramento. Supposedly Sears will continue its operations in the other half of the buildings. On 10 March the Garden Center roof of the Santa Rosa Kmart collapsed during a rain storm. Fire inspectors said the roof was already compromised due to dry rot before the rain storm, a local news reporter said managers knew about the condition of the roof because it was sagging, and they called in contractors. The contractors tried to prop up the roof before the rain storm hit. Anaheim Kmart on Katella Avenue shutdown, 107 jobs lost in March 2016! The Chula Vista Kmart, San Mateo Sears and Citrus Heights Kmart shutdown between March and April 2016, a total of 3-hundred jobs lost! El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”

Two San Diego Sears (more than 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart, Fairfield Kmart in 2013 (63 jobs lost), Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!), Rancho Cordova Kmart (97 jobs lost), San Clemente Kmart/Sears/Kmart on Camino de Estrella (58 jobs lost), placed on an official hit list in 2011 the Oceanside Kmart on College Boulevard finally being shut down, Banning Kmart (91 jobs lost) recently revealed that Sears Holdings is still paying rent on the abandoned property, Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears repair center (75 jobs lost), San Mateo Kmart (82 jobs lost to an apartment building connected to public transportation), Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT, no word on if the Kmart will be shutdown. Customers complain that the Kmart employees have a bad attitude, gee I wonder why? Yuba City Kmart (63 jobs lost), Rocklin Kmart (at least 63 jobs lost, the store had just posted “Now Hiring” signs), San Leandro Kmart (102 jobs lost), San Jose Mercury News says the El Centro Kmart to shutdown in January, the website Foursquare says the Covina Kmart is now shutdown (other sources say it will shutdown in December), Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (98 jobs lost), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers), Westfield Topanga Sears (122 jobs lost), it looks like the Blythe Kmart is being slowly shutdown despite denial by Sears Holdings. San Mateo Kmart being demolished to make room for 599 unit apartment complex, as part of the the Hayward Park Caltrain Station project. Atwater Kmart (74 jobs lost), Los Banos Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Colorado: Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Aurora , with plans for redevelopment. Colorado Springs Kmart on North Nevada Street in April 2018.  In Denver, local news media revealed that Sears Holdings is refusing to sell a vacant Kmart building, it is now a illegal trash dump according to city leaders.  Council woman Kendra Black questions the reports that Sears Holdings is in financial trouble because “Kmart, which is now owned by Sears, is continuing to pay the rent on it, even though they’re in financial trouble. Go figure.”  This isn’t the first time Sears-Kmart was paying rent on vacant properties (see Banning Kmart in California section, Chubbuck Sears in Idaho section, a North Shores Kmart in Michigan, Columbus Westland Mall Sears in Ohio). Greeley Sears.  The Aurora and Englewood Kmarts shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The last Denver Kmart. Grand Junction Kmart. The Craig Kmart shutdown, about 30 jobs lost a couple weeks before Xmas 2016.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Thornton is shutting down. 40 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost), Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost), Denver-Cherry Creek North Sears store & Auto Center (66 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Employees of the Sears Appliance & Hardware in Shelton told customers the store was being shutdown right after Xmas.  Local news media confirmed when a hand written sign appeared at the entrance of the store a week later, but no comment from store management.  The Southbury Kmart by thanksgiving 2017.  Enfield Sears store. Cromwell Kmart shutdown by April 2017. 113 jobs lost as the West Hartford GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Sears store and Auto Center shutdown by the end of January 2017!  Local news media pointed out that every remaining Sears and Kmart store in the state is on the new Sears Holdings Real Estate “opportunities” list! Putnam Kmart. Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (employees say the shutdown was a surprise, I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (at least 13 jobs lost).

Delaware: The 54 years old Sears store and Auto Center in Wilmington, in April 2018.  Seven Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), Claymont Kmart (87 jobs lost).

Florida: Plantation Sears & Auto Center (81 jobs gone by the end of June 2018), it’s part of a $20-million USD plan to turn the 55-thousand square meters (180-thousand square feet) store into smaller retail and restaurant spaces.  Countryside Mall Sears shutting down in July, including Appliance Repair, Hair Salon, Hearing Aid, Optical, Parts & Repair Center, Watch, Avis-Budget Car Rental.  After 51 years Sears operations in The Oaks Mall shutting down in July, operations include Appliance Repair, Auto Center, Hair Salon, Hearing Aid Center, Optical, Watch Repair. The Brandon Kmart shutdown was pushed back from April to June 2018, a WARN was originally issued in January for an April shutdown, but a new WARN says the shutdown will take place June 29th. RD Management-University Mall is the new owner of the still active 43 years old Sears store, which sold for $7-million USD.  Local news media says RD Management has plans to ‘revamp’ the building.  Clermont Kmart in March 2018. Ocala Kmart (64 jobs gone) in April 2018.   Boca Raton Sears store and Auto Center (82 jobs gone in April 2018).  Kmarts in Clearwater, Milton and Sebring.  Local taxpayers in Titusville getting stuck with the redevelopment bill for a vacant Kmart. The property has been vacant since 2009, a property developer told the North Brevard Economic Development Zone that the only way it would take on the job of redeveloping the vacant Kmart was if it got ten years worth of tax breaks!  North Miami Beach Kmart shutting down right before Xmas.  A Kmart in Miami, Tampa, Hudson and Lakeland by October 2017. Sears Outlet in East Naples suddenly shutdown at the end of June 2017: “That’s the end of the game. I’m out of work.”-Allan Stearns, former employee

Sears store on South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota by September 2017.    Sears will not renew the lease on a massive warehouse in Jacksonville.  The lease expires at the beginning of 2018, the $28.8-million USD warehouse was built specifically for Sears in 2008, it’s considered the largest warehouse in Florida.  Hialeah Kmart shutting down, about 67 jobs lost by mid-July.  Aventura Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth, who owns the property.  Seritage Growth will re-develop the property into smaller retail spaces, 118 jobs lost by the end of July 2017!  The property that the Milton Kmart (on US90) sits on is now for sale. The California based owner says he is not going to wait for Sears Holdings to shut the Kmart down, he’s selling the property while there is still an active Kmart on it.   Volusia Mall Sears Auto Center sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years. Lake Wales Sears store. Fort Myers McGregor Point Shopping Center Kmart.  Fort Pierce Kmart on Federal Highway. Sarasota Kmart on North Beneva Road. Port Charlotte Kmart on Cochran. Jacksonville Kmart on Normandy Village Parkway (local news reports say it’s the last Kmart in the city). Kissimmee Kmart on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. Naples Kmart on Golden Gate Highway. Palatka Kmart on Town & Country Drive.  It’s been revealed that Santa Rosa County School District is spending $1.45-million tax dollars to buy a property now owned by Sears Holdings (via Kmart)! The sale of the property is delayed because only now has it been revealed that Kmart is the new owner of the former Food World property!   The GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Pembroke Pines Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  WARNs issued for the Saint Petersburg Sears store and Auto Center, 126 jobs gone by the end of January 2017!  173 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!!   In Orlando, the 50 years old Fashion Square Mall Sears & Auto Center shutting down, 101 jobs lost by mid-November! Inverness Sears Hometown suddenly shutdown due to disagreements with the landlord. Jacksonville Sears. Mandarin (Jacksonville) Kmart, Neptune Beach Kmart and Perry Kmart shutting down between July-September. The Lutz Kmart shutdown March 2016, 62 jobs lost. The 46 years old Daytona Beach Kmart, on International Speedway Boulevard, is shutdown mid-March 2016, 86 jobs lost. Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart, Panama City Beach Kmart (54 jobs lost), Winter Park Kmart (100 jobs lost), Niceville Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winter Haven Kmart (92 jobs lost), Palm Bay Kmart, Oakland Park Kmart (112 jobs lost), Clearwater Sears Auto Center (21 jobs lost), Zephyrhills Kmart (70 jobs lost), Winter Springs Kmart (69 jobs lost), Naples Kmart (72 jobs lost), New Port Richey Kmart (58 jobs lost), ‘redevelopment’ of Aventura Sears & Auto Center into an “open-air village” (unknown how many jobs affected), Kmart on Northeast 108 Street annexed by Miami Shores, Sears Holdings threatens to shutdown Kmart as a result of higher local taxes. The property that’s home to an operating Kmart, on South Green Bay Road in Racine, was foreclosed by the local Sheriff and sold-off for $2.5-million, no word on what the new property owner will do with it. Fort Myers Kmart (67 jobs lost). Dicks Sportings Goods subleasing space in an existing Sears store in Palm Beach Gardens. Jacksonville Kmart on Beach and University in 2012.

Georgia:   Kmarts in Statesboro, Albany and Jesup, in April 2018.  Centerville Sears in April 2018. The Kmart on West Walnut Avenue in Dalton shutdown by March 2018, making it the last Dalton Kmart to go down.  And for more proof that the excuse that brick-n-mortar stores are being killed by online retail, it was revealed that the property owner of the West Walnut Avenue Kmart location had worked for two and a half years to create a plan to replace the Kmart with more smaller retail stores!  Kmart on Glenwood Avenue in Dalton shutting down in January 2018.  Kmarts in Macon and Tifton.  Sears operations in Lithonia and Valdosta (ending 76 years of Sears ops in Valdosta).  The Mableton Kmart, 90 jobs gone right before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, 2017.  Columbus and Douglas Kmarts in October 2017.   The Dalton Sears store, Fort Oglethorpe Kmart, Calhoun Kmart by September 2017.  Local news media reported that the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority essentially said the state’s bad economy is to blame.  A Savannah Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Cornelia Kmart, Kingsland Kmart, Albany Sears, Columbus Sears. Yet another Augusta Kmart shutting down, this time the one on Deans Bridge Road.  63 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! The 23 years old Rome Kmart shutdown in August 2016, 1-hundred jobs lost! Administrators say employees can apply at other Sears Holdings stores, but local news reports say the Rome Kmart is the last Sears Holdings store in the area! The 37 years old Carrollton Kmart shutdown April 2016. Dublin Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 71 jobs lost. Milledgeville Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 60+ jobs lost. Mount Berry Square Mall (Rome) Sears and Auto Center shutting down in March 2016, 86 jobs lost. Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost), one of the last two North Augusta Kmart to be torn down by new property owner from Canada, Sears Holdings denies the Kmart will shutdown.

Guam: Tamuning Kmart made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Local news media reporting that the last remaining Kmart on Oahu will shutdown in October.  Officially the Kapolei Kmart is shutting down because it’s “unprofitable” but KHON interviewed a real estate analysts who confirmed what I’ve been saying since 2012, it’s a REIT conspiracy“Smaller stores will be coming and the bigger stores will go away…”-Stephany Sofos

Kahului Kmart shutting down, 125 jobs lost by mid-June!  Don’t blame the internet, the store manager told local news media that ever since a Target opened nearby sales have declined by 50%.  Honolulu Kmart near Aloha Stadium (on Salt Lake Boulevard) shutdown mid-March 2017.  14 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Iconic 25 years old Nimitz HWY Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart shutdown in March 2016, 141 jobs lost! Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost! GGP spending $573-million chopping it up into smaller store spaces), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Idaho: Twin Falls Sears and Coeur d’Alene Sears in April 2018. The Ammon Kmart. In Lewiston, the Sears Hometown is for sale because the franchise owners say they can’t afford to renew the license to operate it.  Coeur d’Alene Kmart in October 2017.  Lewiston Kmart, Boise Town Square Mall Sears Store & Auto Center, Boise Kmart Auto Center, the Nampa Kmart Store & Auto Center, the Coeur d’Alene Sears Store & Auto Center, the Twin Falls Sears Store & Auto Center and Kmart, the Ammon Kmart, the Idaho Falls Sears Store & Auto Center, the abandoned but still owned by Sears Holdings Chubbuck (the“opportunities” listing incorrectly says Pocatello) Sears Store (esentially all remaining Sears & Kmarts in Idaho) made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Boise Kmart on Fairview shutdown mid-March 2016, 56 jobs lost. Pocatello Kmart shutdown April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears shutdown by the end of October/beginning of November 2014 (the remaining 28 jobs lost).

Illinois: Tax payers in Lake Zurich being screwed over as exalted city officials create new taxes (known as TIF or tax increment financing district) to fund the redevelopment of a vacant Kmart.  The last Sears store and Auto Center in Chicago shutting down, 113 jobs gone between May and July, it’s been in operation for 80 years!  Mount Vernon Kmart shutdown, 58 jobs lost in April 2018.  The Rockford Kmart and the 37 years old West Franklin Kmart in April 2018. Sears locations in Bourbonnais, Marion and Orland Park, in April 2018.  Taxpayers of Lake Zurich Unit District 95 forced to pay for an abandoned Sears Hardware store as the school district wants to use the building to consolidate its administrative offices, IT operation and teacher training spaces.  Effingham Kmart, 33 jobs gone by February 2018.  The Pekin Sears Hometown Store shutting down before Xmas. The city of Pekin has convinced the state to include the vacant Kmart property in the taxpayer funded Southern Tazewell County Enterprise Zone, which gives businesses a five years tax break for setting up shop ‘in the zone’.   Kmarts in Oaklawn, Elmhurst and Belleville right before Thanksgiving 2017.  Sears operations in Peru between July and October 2017.  The Peoria Oakbrook Center Sears store shutting down in September 2017.  It will be reduced in size to about 30% of its current proportions, the remaining space will be leased out.  Then the Oakbrook Center Sears Auto Center will shutdown in March 2018.  Bloomingdale Kmart, 96 jobs lost in July 2017.  The Sears store on North Harlem Avenue in Chicago.   Associated Press reporting that Sears Holdings eliminated 4-hundred corporate level jobs!  Local news media reminded local taxpayers about the massive 2011 tax break deal ‘lawmakers’ gave Sears Holdings in order to prevent layoffs.  Chicago Sears store on West Irving Park Road listed as available for lease by Sears Holdings’ evil spawn Seritage Growth Properties.   Alton Kmart, Granite City Kmart.  $1-million USD loss as Mount Vernon Sears Hometown Store mysteriously burns to the ground.  The nine years old Sears Hometown Store in Beloit shutting down in January 2017. Du Quoin Sears Hometown Store shutting down in January 2017.  Another update for the abandoned Rock Island Kmart; looks like Augustana College found a fool to buy the Kmart property that was dumped on the college (in the form of a tax avoiding donation) and then vacated in July 2016, it was sold to a company called Rock Island KM.   The GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Oak Brook Sears store being reduced by half and the Auto Center being shutdown between 2017 & 2018.  Sears Hardware in Edwardsville shutting down right before Thanksgiving, 21 jobs lost. A local TV station reported that Sears Hardware in Collinsville is shutting down, no comment from store management.  Shutdown WARNs issued for Kmarts in Tinley Park and South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, 275 jobs gone by Xmas! News reports out of Tinley say a total of six Kmarts will shutdown by Xmas! Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties confirmed that two ‘Sears’ properties, in Chicago and Springfield, are shutting down. 116 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!!  An update for the abandoned Rock Island Kmart; the recently vacated property was ‘donated’ to Augustana College, but now college administrators are looking to sell the property to anybody foolish enough to buy it. The real reason the college is trying to dump the vacant Kmart is that the property tax is about $92-thousand per year, indicating the ‘donation’ was actually a screw-job (lets not forget that local news media pointed out that city officials spent $15-million tax dollars attracting Walmart to town, but spent zilch on trying to keep Kmart from leaving!). The Kmart Super Center in Bradley shutdown, 125 jobs lost! Sears Holdings sold the building to Meijer, unconfirmed reports say the Bradley Kmart Super Center (which has a full grocery op) was actually making money. After 90 years Chicago Sears on Lawrence Avenue shutting down by August 2016, local news says its the oldest Sears store still operating. The last Decatur Kmart shutting down by August 2016, 61 jobs lost, administrators say employees can apply at other Sears Holdings stores, but local news reports say there are no more Sears Holdings stores in the immediate area! Chicago Kmart on South Pulaski. Danville Kmart, Galesburg Kmart, Lansing Kmart, Pekin Kmart, Eddie Lampert eliminated 401 Hoffman Estates HQ jobs due to crappy 2015 holiday sales! 151 of those jobs were already vacant. Morton ‘green’ Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Canton Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 38 jobs lost. Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost?) revealed is now a perpetual closing sale Kmart At A Discount store, Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost), White Lake Township Kmart (42 jobs lost), Orland Park Sears Appliance, Collinsville Kmart (84 jobs lost), Crystal Lake Kmart (at least 77 jobs lost), Danville Sears store & Auto Center (63 jobs lost), Forsyth Sears store & Auto Center (45 jobs lost), Peoria Kmart (73 jobs lost), Forest Park Kmart (107 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North and Harlem avenues, supposedly it’s being replaced (most likely at taxpayer expense) with a new building and it will become a Sears-Mariano’s store, Bloomington Kmart (79 jobs lost), Hoffman Estates Headquarters 100 jobs eliminated, another 15 corporate jobs eliminated elsewhere, Chicago-Wicker Park Kmart (106 jobs lost), abandoned Market Place Mall Sears location to be occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. North Mayfair Kmart (99 jobs lost), Chicago Kmart at 5033 North Elston Avenue (99 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state. The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Indiana: Indianapolis Sears at Castleton Square Mall, Merrillville Sears at Southlake Mall, Mishawaka Sears at University Park Mall, all now for sale online.  Indianapolis Kmart on East Thompson Road (44 jobs gone in April 2018), Bloomington Kmart in April 2018.  Evansville Sears & Auto Center in April 2018.  After 20 years the owner of the Sears Hometown Store in Linton says every effort he made to keep the store open failed, without elaborating Vic Brown stated “I want to announce that Dec. 30 will end my partnership with Sears Hometown Stores. This decision is mine…..it is one I have to do.”  Anderson Kmart in October 2017.  Sears operations in Clarksville, Elkhart and Schererville between July and October 2017.  Mishawaka Kmart. Sears Auto Centers at the Honey Creek Mall and the Green Tree Mall shutdown at the end of May 2017.  Chesterton Kmart, La Porte Kmart, Kokomo Sears (the planned re-opening of the Auto Center was canceled in 2018, no reason given). In Indianapolis, Sears Home Appliance Showroom on North Michigan Road and Sears Appliance & Hardware on Thompson Road shutdown in January 2017. Sears Appliance & Hardware in Fishers shutdown in January 2017.  Local news media discovered that a Sears Appliance & Hardware store in Avon quietly shutdown in October 2016.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ properties in Elkhart and Merrillville are shutting down.  A WARN revealed that 99 Kmart employees in Merrillville will lose their jobs right before Xmas.   67 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Bloomington Kmart, New Albany Kmart. Bloomington’s College Mall Sears & Auto Center shutdown mid-June 2016, at least 52 jobs lost. In Schererville, Sears Hardware shutdown in April 2016. Terre Haute Kmart April 2016, 62 jobs lost. Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost), South Anthony Kmart (70 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on South Anthony Boulevard (70 jobs lost), FairOaks Mall Kmart, Logansport Sears (43 jobs lost), Muncie Kmart (59 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on Coliseum Boulevard North (69 jobs lost), Decatur Kmart (49 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Madison Avenue (131 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Washington Street (139 jobs lost), Bedford Kmart (62 jobs lost), Indianapolis (Evansville) Sears & Auto Center at Washington Square Mall (91 jobs lost), Greenwood Kmart (78 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (68 jobs lost), Bloomington Sears to be replaced by Whole Foods grocery store.

Iowa: Lindale Mall Sears shutting down, 51 jobs gone in July 2018 as part of a “recapture” agreement signed in 2015, local news media says it’s the last Sears store in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.    Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Sioux City, with plans for redevelopment.  Red Oak Kmart. Urbandale (Des Moines) Kmart (59 jobs gone by April 2018).  Waterloo Sears in April 2018.  Iowa City and Marshalltown Kmarts, at least 99 jobs lost by September 2017.  In Storm Lake, Sears Hometown Store shutting down by the end of July 2017. The Le Mars Sears Hometown Store shutting down by the end of July, the franchise owners said the shutdown was unexplainedly ordered by Sears Holdings: “We have downsized to no employees. We gave it the best shot… …Their [Sears Holdings] reasoning [for the shutdown], I don’t know.”-Deb Fuller, co-owner

Carroll Kmart shutting down, 46 jobs lost in July 2017.  The Council Bluffs Sears Auto Center shutdown on 27 May 2017.   In Waterloo the 48 years old Sears Auto Center shutting down by the end of May.  A Dubuque Kmart, Sioux City Kmart, Waterloo Kmart.  22 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Des Moines Southridge Mall Sears shutdown in August 2016, the store was in the process of dying anyway, only 37 employees left. Sears Holdings shutdown their West Des Moines call center in June 2016, 162 jobs lost! Ottumwa Kmart shutdown April 2016, 38 jobs lost. Cedar Rapids Kmart on 16th Ave (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year), Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost), Mason City Kmart (50 jobs lost), Clive Kmart (at least 49 jobs lost), Council Bluffs Sears store in 2012, Ames Kmart (44 jobs lost), Fort Dodge Sears (no job loss numbers made public, yet. The Auto Center was secretly shutdown in September), 56 years old Mason City Sears & Auto Center (more than 100 jobs lost). Davenport Kmart (59 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Kansas: Local news media discovered that the Lenexa Point Sears Outlet store will shutdown before July 2018. Wichita Kmart on South Broadway Street in April 2018. Topeka Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.  Garden City Sears by October 2017.  Sears store on Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park.  Topeka Kmart suddenly shutdown its pharmacy ops, it was revealed by an unnamed Kmart employee who called local news media.  Topeka Sears Auto Center shutting down by the end of May.  A Wichita Kmart, Leavenworth Kmart, Salina Sears. 18 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  In El Dorado, a contracted Sears store suddenly shutdown due to Sears Holdings continually changing the contract: “We had a contract that we had to follow to a ‘T’ while they changed it at will. They changed our commission bonuses and percentages and that hurt us.”-Russ Christy, contracted Sears store operator

Hutchison Kmart. North Topeka Kmart shutting down in 2016, 49 jobs lost. Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 jobs lost), Manhattan Sears & Auto Center (number of jobs lost were never revealed).

Kentucky: Paducah Kmart in April 2018.  Kmarts in Henderson, Glasgow, Versailles and Frankfort. In Louisville, the Sears store in the Oxmoor Center shutting down by mid-January 2018.  Lexington and Owensboro Kmarts in October 2017.  Glascow Kmart suddenly shutdown its pharmacy,  Sears Holdings’ communications director Howard Riefs stated “prescription files and the inventory will be sold to another pharmacy”.   Jefferson Mall Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years. Corbin Kmart.  London Kmart. Hopkinsville Kmart. Bowling Green Kmart. The Georgetown BigKmart shutting down  by mid-April 2017.  Paducah Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by mid-March 2017. In Owensboro, the Kmart on West Parrish Avenue shutting down by mid-March 2017. Pikeville Kmart shutting down right before Xmas. 31 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Two Kmarts in Louisville. Elizabethtown Kmart, Maysville Kmart, Paintsville Kmart. Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart, Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!), Newport Kmart (81 jobs lost), Cannonsburg Sears and Sears Auto Center (no employee info given), Louisville Dixie Highway Kmart/Sears/Kmart shutdown and now being taken over by Kroger basically to sell the same crap the old Kmart did! Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

Louisiana: Mandeville Kmart in April 2018. Sears operations on Johnston Street in Lafayette between mid-July and mid-September 2017.  Gonzales Kmart, a New Orleans Kmart on South Clearview Parkway, the Cortana Mall Sears, Gretna Sears. The New Iberia Kmart shutdown on 11 December 2016.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Houma shutting down. 36 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! The Bossier Kmart shutting down by August 2016. Houma Sears, Pineville Kmart. Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown, Laplace Sears Hometown Store.

Maine:  Bangor Sears in April 2018. Augusta Sears shutting down. Bangor Kmart shutdown in mid-April 2017.  13 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list. Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Kmart shutting down by August 2016, more than 50 jobs lost. Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost), Aroostook Centre Mall Sears Auto Center leased out to VIP Tires & Service.

Maryland:  After more than 80 years Sears operations at GGP owned The Mall in Columbia will be reduced from two levels to just one.  Crofton Kmart and Salisbury Kmart in April 2018.  The Baltimore-Dundalk Sears at Eastpoint Mall. Elkton Kmart.  Sears stores in Cockeysville and Hagerstown.  Sears Holdings sold its Bethesda Sears store to Montgomery Mall owner Westfield in a package deal worth $105-million USD. Westfield claims the Bethesda Sears will remain open. Two other Sears stores, in California, were sold to Westfield in the package deal.  Baltimore Kmart on North Point Boulevard. Eastpoint Mall Kmart, in Dundalk, shutdown mid-April 2017.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Columbia Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  54 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears rebuild & call center (115 jobs lost), Baltimore Kmart on Wabash Avenue (107 jobs lost), Parkville Kmart (102 jobs lost), California Kmart (71 jobs lost), Sears Hometown Store in Perryville.

Massachusetts: Saugus BigKmart shutting down 27MAY2018.  The owner of Cape Cod Mall, Simon Property Group, announced plans to tear down the still active Sears store and Auto Center sometime next year, despite Sears Holdings stating the lease was good for “a few” more years.  The Sears store will be replaced with two new buildings and the Auto Center will be turned into a parking lot.  Burlington Sears on Middlesex Turnpike in April 2018. Sears in Lanesboro-Pittsfield’s Berkshire Mall.  The operator of the nine years old Hadley Sears Hometown Store laid off his two employees and put the store, and the land, up-for-sale.  Local news reports say the franchise owner/operator once had ten Sears Hometown stores across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, but the Hadley location is his last one.   After less than seven years the Sears Hometown Store in Gloucester suddenly shutdown, however, the new owner is blaming the shutdown on the landlord who wants to jack up the rent.   Fitchburg and Springfield Kmarts in October 2017. Newburyport Kmart.  Local news media warned of the eventual shutdown of the Sears in in Springfield’s Eastfield Mall, as the mall is officially dead, the mall’s owner confirmed what I’ve been writing about (that these brick-n-mortar shutdowns are part of a REIT conspiracy) by revealing their plans to “de-mall” the mall!  Dedham Sears store paid for newspaper “store closing” advertising revealing they are shutting down, local news media pointed out there was no other announcement or notification.  South Attleboro Kmart.  The Enfield Square Mall Sears store shutdown mid-April 2017 (supposedly the Auto Center will remain open).  The Sears store and Auto Center in Swansea shutdown by mid-April 2017.  In Fairhaven, the Shaw’s Plaza BigKmart shutdown by mid-April 2017.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Natick Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  64 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Tewksbury Kmart. Fairhaven Sears Appliance & Hardware shutdown mid-April 2016. Local news reports said the ignorant employees actually thought the shutdown notice was a joke! I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News. 79 jobs lost as the Fall River Kmart shutdown in May 2016. North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost). Braintree Kmart on Grossman Drive shutdown. Also, the Braintree South Shore Plaza Sears store is renting out an entire floor to Ireland based Primark. Even with the lease to Primark there is still 4-thousand square feet of vacant space in the Sears store. The Sears at the Auburn Mall shutdown on Black Friday due to electrical fire. The store was experiencing electrical problems, an investigation is underway.

Michigan: Novi Sears at Twelve Oaks Mall available for purchase online. Richmond Kmart and Greenville Kmart in April 2018.  Saint Clair Shores Kmart shutting down, 127 jobs gone in January 2018, after the lease was transferred to grocery store operator Kroger, who plans on redeveloping the property!  Kmarts in Battle Creek, Clinton and Mount Pleasant.  Kmarts in Utica/Shelby, Bay City and Sandusky.  Escanaba and Monroe Kmarts in October 2017. Traverse City, West Branch and Cheboygan Kmarts. Macomb Mall Sears store in Roseville.  Livonia Kmart was shutdown by mid-April 2017.  Gaylord Sears Hometown Store suddenly shutdown.  26 years old Detroit Lakes Kmart shutdown by April 2017, despite still posting a “Now Hiring” sign!   In Garden City, the iconic first ever Kmart store in the World is shutting down on its 55th birthday, by the end of March 2017.  Lansing Kmart, Muskegon Kmart, Plymouth Kmart, Roseville Kmart, Waterford Kmart, Westland Kmart, Acme Kmart. 48 years old Grand Rapids Woodland Mall Sears, 84 jobs lost in March 2017: “We figured we were safe, so yeah, it was kind of a shock to everybody today. One guy’s been there for 20 years-plus and that’s what he knows best, hard to change from there, so I feel sorry for him.”-Marty Kruizenga, Sears Auto Center employee

Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ properties in Alpena, Manistee and Sault Saint Marie are shutting down.  WARNs filed with the state revealed that on top of the Seritage Growth shutdowns the Kmarts in Jackson, Grand Rapids, Byron Center and Fenton will also shutdown. A total of 390 Kmart jobs will be killed right before Xmas!  113 Sears and Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! The Holland Sears Appliance & Hardware shutdown, the manager of the francise store refused to say why. Plymouth Township Super Kmart shutting down in November 2017 (that’s when the lease expires), according to Plymouth’s Planning Commission, Sears Holdings is selling the property to a developer.   A Kmart on Groesbeck Highway, Clinton Township, shutdown, 82 jobs lost in October 2016. The Farmington Hills Kmart shutdown mid-July 2016, 61 jobs lost. Midland Sears, Houghton Lake Kmart, Taylor Kmart. The new owner of the Bradley Kmart shut it down in 2016. Retailer Meijer bought the Kmart property for $5-million USD. The Kmart shutdown in May, but the new Meijer store won’t be ready until 2018. The Sears and Auto Center in Fort Gratiot shutdown in mid-March, 48 jobs lost. Ironwood Kmart in mid-April, 47 jobs lost. Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials, Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Saginaw Kmart on Bay Road, Flint Kmart on Dort Highway (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (58 jobs lost), Bloomfield Township Kmart and Sears, Bad Axe Kmart (61 jobs lost), Ypsilanti Township Kmart (83 jobs lost), Petoskey Kmart (45 jobs lost), Saint John’s Kmart (48 jobs lost), White Lake Township “Store of the Future” Kmart (42 jobs lost), Grand Blanc Kmart (49 jobs lost), Lapeer Kmart (56 jobs lost), Southgate Kmart (155 jobs lost), Detroit’s Telegraph Road Kmart (115 jobs lost), Waterford Township Sears (no word on how many jobs lost), Rochester Hills Kmart (77 jobs lost), ‘perfect Kmart town’ of Port Huron Kmart (188 jobs lost), Flint Kmart on Miller Road (81 jobs lost), Burton Kmart (85 jobs lost), Madison Heights Kmart (179 jobs lost), it’s now official the last remaining Saginaw Kmart (on Gratiot Road) will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014 (Sears Holdings claims only 18 people worked there at the time of the collapse!), Ann Arbor Kmart (59 jobs lost), Iron Mountain Kmart (54 jobs lost), Bangor Township Sears aka Bay City Mall Sears, the Auto Center was already secretly shutdown some time ago (at least 47 jobs lost), Big Rapids Kmart (about 50 jobs lost). Vacant Wyandotte Sears Auto Center is being renovated at a cost to taxpayers of $1-million & 20-thousand, plus 15 years worth of tax breaks valued at $2-million! Shakopee Kmart distribution center shutdown and sold-off for $17-million in 2013, now it’s finally getting a new tenant; snowmobile and electric cart maker Polaris Industries will rent out a fraction of the building to use as their new parts warehouse. The Kmart Plaza in Sandusky sold to “A group of investors”, no word on what will happen to the Kmart store.

Minnesota:  Sears shutting down its Maplewood Mall operations in July, including Appliance Repair, Auto Center, Optical, Avis-Budget Car Rental.  It’s now official, the taxpayers of Minneapolis are the new owners of an active Kmart for $8-million USD, on top of about $8-million tax dollars already spent on the Nicollet Avenue South at Lake Street road project. The city decided that the only way they can create a true intersection is to force Kmart to move, and the only way they can do that is to buy the property the Kmart sits on.   Thief River Falls Kmart. The 50 years old Sears store in the Crossroads Center shutting down by mid-January 2018, ending 90 years of Sears in Saint Cloud.  Sears store in Burnsville and a franchised Sears in Fairmont shutdown.  The franchise owners of the Fairmont Sears warned that other franchise stores are on the growing hit list: “Every six months, they review stores. Over the last 12 months, my store had lost too much money. They even took into consideration that before I bought the store, it wasn’t making any money at all…..”-Jennifer Bolden, co-owner

47 years old Med City Kmart is shutdown its pharmacy operations.  The Crossroads Center Sears Auto Center in Saint Cloud shutdown.  Local news media reporting that the city of Minneapolis is about to become the new landlord of the Kmart on Nicolette Avenue, at taxpayer expense of course.  It’s being blamed on the ‘re-connect’ scandal.  The $7-million USD proposal will be discussed in June.  Local news media also revealed the city made an $8-million offer to buy the Kmart on West Lake Street, last year.  Coon Rapids Sears, Mankato Sears, Detroit Lakes Kmart on Highway 10 West. After 14 years the Montevideo Sears Hometown Store shutdown by the end of January 2017.  The local owners of the franchise store says the decision by Sears Holdings to shutdown the store is also forcing them to sell their property.   GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Minnetonka Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  The Dundas Planning Commission met with CJB II Real Estate to discuss the future of the abandoned Kmart.  ‘Elected’ leaders expressed a willingness to throw $100-thousand tax dollars at the redevelopment project. The Dundas Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 32 jobs lost.   West Saint Paul Kmart shutting down by Xmas.  32 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  The 40 years old Eden Prairie Center Sears store shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Eddie Lampert sold the store to the mall owner for $16-million! The owner of the mall wants to carve up the Sears into smaller stores. Thunderbird Mall Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 48 jobs lost. Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost), the entire Sears store in the Apache Mall being sold off, Fergus Falls Kmart (40 jobs lost), Fergus Falls Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Alexandria Kmart (46 jobs lost), Grand Rapids Kmart (61 jobs lost), Seritage is selling off three Sears Auto Centers in Minnetonka, Brooklyn Center and Saint Paul, Marshall Kmart (57 jobs lost), Oakdale Kmart (77 hourly wage employees losing their jobs, unknown how many salaried employees will become unemployed), Winona Kmart (67 jobs lost), Minneapolis city officials trying to shutdown profit making Nicollet Avenue Kmart, to make way for a new road. Anoka Kmart (47 jobs lost), Blaine Kmart (60 jobs lost), Burnsville Kmart (62 jobs lost), Waite Park Kmart (57 jobs lost), Northeast Minneapolis Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale, Coon Rapids Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale.

Mississippi: Biloxi Sears.  14 Kmart & Sears properties made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Corinth Kmart. The 44 years old Greenville Kmart shutdown in April, no word on job losses. Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Gulfport Kmart (32 jobs lost), Pass Road Gulfport Kmart (52 jobs lost), Pascagoula Sears at the Singing River Mall, Olive Branch distribution center (unknown how many jobs lost).

Missouri:  The Chesterfield Mall Sears operations have just been sold as part of “the first step in the redevelopment process” for the entire mall, Sears Holdings is now paying rent on the store and the mall is for sale.  Columbia Mall Sears shutting down in July. Cape Girardeau Sears, Mehlville Sears, Cottleville Sears and Springfield Sears at Battlefield Mall, all for sale online.  Kmarts in Independence, Popular Bluff, Sedalia and Saint Louis. 44 years old Kansas City Sears store on Antioch Road shutting down in July 2017.  The Sears Auto Center in Cape Girardeau shutdown on 27 May 2017 (Happy B-day to me!). The 20 years old Independence Kmart on Noland Road shutdown.  Saint Joseph Sears, Branson Kmart, Jefferson Kmart & Sears, Rolla Kmart, a Springfield Kmart, a Saint Louis Kmart.  48 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Bridgeton Kmart, Springfield Kmart. Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost), Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost), Springfield Kmart on South Campbell Avenue (60 jobs lost), South Belt Kmart (64 jobs lost), Florissant Kmart (100 jobs lost), O’Fallon Kmart (76 jobs lost).

Montana: Helena Kmart and Butte Kmart in April 2018. The Sears Hometown Store in Great Falls suddenly shutdown, it was discovered by customers who tried to pick-up already paid for appliances, local news media has so far been unable to get a comment from the store manager or Sears Holdings, three days later the franchised store re-opened with the explanation that it was now being operated directly by Sears Holdings.   Glendive and Great Falls Kmarts in October 2017.  The Hamilton Kmart, Havre Kmart, Helena Kmart, Glendive Kmart, Billings Sears Store & Auto Center, Butte Kmart, Great Falls Kmart Store & Auto Center, Kalispell Kmart Store & Auto Center (essentially all remaining stores) made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Billings Kmart. Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost), Great Falls Kmart (closed “until further notice” due to fire, 63 jobs on hold), Great Falls Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost) due to great sales (ironically) the shutdown date has been moved from 07 December 2014 to 23 November, Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost), Missoula Sears store and Auto Center (57 jobs lost).

Nebraska:  Cedar Rapids Lindale Mall-Sears.   Local news media reporting that the franchise owner-operator of the North Platte Sears Hometown Store suddenly quit after the landlord refused to renew the lease, Sears Holdings took over the store and claims they will find a new location.  In Omaha, the Kmart on 50th and L Streets shutting down right after Xmas 2017, local news media say it’s the last Kmart in the city, and apparently there’s now only one other Kmart in the state.  Seritage Growth Properties says its Kmart property in Kearney is shutting down by Xmas.  Six Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  40 years old Hastings Kmart. Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost), Omaha Kmart near West Maple Road (50 jobs lost).

Nevada: In Reno, Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth Properties has submitted a plan to city administrators to have the existing Meadowood Mall Sears store shutdown and split-up into three smaller store spaces.  Las Vegas Kmart and North Las Vegas Kmart in April 2018.  Another Las Vegas Kmart (East Sahara Avenue) in October 2017.  Las Vegas (East Sunset Road), Henderson and Sparks Kmarts.  Henderson Kmart.  22 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Sparks Kmart distribution center (100 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Rochester Kmart in April 2018.  The West Lebanon Kmart suddenly shutdown its pharmacy, refuses to comment to local news media.  Claremont losing their Sears Hometown, not because it’s shutting down, it’s moving to the town of Newport! Upper Valley Mall Sears in West Lebanon.  23 Kmart & Sears properties made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost), Claremont Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey: It’s been confirmed, the Paramus Park Mall Sears store and Auto Center will shutdown by Spring 2019, to be redeveloped into a grocery store and movie theater. Without warning the Brick Big Kmart shutdown, it was revealed when Store Closing Sale signs were posted. Toms River Sears in April 2018, so the owners of Ocean County Mall can proceed with a massive redevelopment project. Kmarts in Moorestown and Parsippany shutting down mid-November.   Manahawkin and Mantua Kmarts, the Watchung (126 jobs lost) and Vineland Sears shutting down by September 2017.  Sears Holdings-Seritage Growth are tearing down the Watchung Sears store and Auto Center.  The Auto Center space has already been leased to Cinemark and the Sears store will be chopped up into smaller retail spaces.  Rio Grande Kmart, Clementon Kmart, East Brunswick Kmart, Pleasantville Kmart.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Paramus Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”. 53 Kmart and Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Nearly one acre of the Rockaway Townsquare Mall Sears (which is still in operation) is now rented out to a furniture dealer. Lodi Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 75 jobs lost. Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost), Randolf Kmart (91 jobs lost), Paramus Kmart (74 jobs lost), Closter Kmart (102 jobs lost), Vineland Kmart (74 jobs lost). After 18 years Sears Holdings shutdown their Roselle Sears Hardware store due to “landlord issues”.

New Mexico: Raton Kmart and Tucumcari Kmart in April 2018. Las Cruses and Alamogordo Kmarts.  Santa Fe Sears Auto Center shutting down in June and the Santa Fe Sears store shutting down in July 2017, local news media reported that employees were threatened by Sears Holdings not to talk to news media.  Alamogordo Sears shutting down by June 2017.  Roswell Sears shutting down.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Albuquerque Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Deming is shutting down.  21 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Back in May local news reports said the Artesia Kmart was shutting down, in July Sears Holdings finally confirmed it. Albuquerque’s Coronado Center Sears suddenly shutdown their Auto Center, and will reduce the size of the main store by 50% within two months. Sears goon Howard Riefs stated “We will rightsize the labor…”, but gave no numbers. The ‘rightsizing’ of the Coronado Center store is in partnership with one of my evil former employers, mall owner GGP. Sears Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Sears operations at The Mall at Greece Ridge shutting down in July, operations include Sears store, Auto Center, Appliance Repair, Avis-Budget Car Rental, at least 59 jobs gone.   Kingston Sears store and Auto Center shutdown, 49 jobs lost in April 2018. Plattsburg Kmart shutdown, 67 jobs lost in April 2018. Hicksville Sears store and Auto Center shutdown, 226 jobs lost in April 2018!  Taxpayers might be footing the bill for the redevelopment of the vacant East Greenbush Kmart, town leaders offering a Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes (PILOT) deal to a developer who hopes to hock it as a state taxpayer funded ‘training facility’, among other things.  In Johnson City the decades old Oakdale Mall Sears store shutdown (the Auto Center shutdown in July), 50 jobs lost in september 2017.   Kmarts in Rochester(Chili), Victor and Vails Gate(New Windsor) shutting down mid-November.  Herkimer Kmart, 46 jobs lost mid-October 2017. The Albany and East Northport Sears stores and Auto Centers, 210 jobs gone by September 2017!  Liverpool, Malone, Cortland, Olean and Watertown Kmarts, more than 300 jobs lost by September 2017! Webster Kmart, 62 jobs lost by the end of July 2017.  New Dorp-Staten Island Kmart (in the Hylan Plaza) shutting down, 164 jobs lost by mid-July!  Local news reports say the property is being redeveloped into a $150-million USD “multi-level shopping complex”. Gee, didn’t they used to call multi-level shopping complexes a ‘Mall’?  (in 2012 I warned that all these store shutdowns were part of a False Flag operation by Real Estate Investment Trusts: ALL PART OF REIT PLAN TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP, AND THEY BLAME YOU THE SHOPPER!)  The massive Rego Park Center Sears shutting down, 2-hundred jobs lost starting the first week of April 2017!  In Wallkill, the Galleria at Crystal Run Sears store and Auto Center shutting down, 96 jobs lost starting the first week of April 2017.  New Hartford Kmart. In Cheektowaga, the Walden Galleria Sears store and Auto Center shutting down, 76 jobs lost starting the first week of April 2017.  In Amherst, the Sears store and Auto Center shutting down, 105 jobs lost by April 2017! In Syracuse, after four years the Sears Outlet store in the Destiny USA mall is shutting down.  The Queensbury Super Kmart is being reduced to just a Kmart, ending 24 hour grocery sales by January 2017.  Shutdown WARN issued for the Binghamton Kmart, 69 jobs gone by Xmas. Shutdown WARN issued for the Cheektowaga Kmart, 101 jobs gone by Xmas!  The second level of the GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Staten Island Sears shutting down right before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, 44 jobs killed, it’s been leased to Ireland’s clothier Primark. 104 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! The 50 years old Sears Auto Center in the Colonie Center Mall shutdown by Sears Holdings subsidiary Seritage Growth Properties, so the space could be rented out to Avis-Budget Car Rental Group. In Brooklyn, the Kings Plaza Sears shutting down, 210 jobs gone by mid-September 2016! Eddie Lampert is renting the space to a couple of European clothing retailers. Sears Holdings issued a shutdown WARN for its Plattsburgh Sears store and Auto Center, 56 jobs lost by the end of July 2016. New York Post says Sears is shutting down their NYC clothing design office, 40 jobs moved to California, another 154 jobs gone by July! Rotterdam Mall Sears and Auto Center shutting down by August 2016 (67 jobs lost). Sears Holdings issued yet another WARN, this time 75 Rochester Kmart employees losing their jobs by mid-July 2016. Irondequoit Sears, Plattsburgh Sears, Poughkeepsie Kmart, Rochester Kmart. Staten Island Mall Sears Auto Center shutdown in February, 20 jobs lost. Lindenhurst Sears Hardware, North Babylon Sears Hardware, Hauppauge Sears Hardware, Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost) now revealed to be turned into a Town Center with more than 200 apartments at an estimated cost of $50-million, Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost), Tonawanda Sears Appliance and Hardware, Bronx Sears (91 jobs lost), BBN reader reported that the Ithaca Sears and Auto Center shutdown and one month later it’s been officially confirmed (at least 37 jobs lost), DeWitt Kmart (92 jobs lost), Auburn Sears (51 jobs lost), Massena Sears and Auto Center (51 jobs lost), Staten Island Mall Sears leased out to Ireland’s Primark, Bay Shore Sears and Sears Auto Center (144 jobs lost), New Hartford (Sangertown Mall) Sears & Auto Center (109 jobs lost), Lancaster Kmart sold for $1.7-million to Dave’s Christmas Wonderland. Herkimer Sears Hometown, Saranac Lake Sears Hometown the ‘independent’ co-owners said Sears Holdings forced them to shutdown. Melville Appliance Repair Division (31 jobs lost).

North Carolina: Local news media reporting the Asheville Mall Sears is shutting down in July 2018, due to the property owner’s redevelopment plans.  The Asheville Mall Sears includes Appliance Repair, Auto Center and Land’s End, at least 1-hundred jobs lost! The property owner refused comment. In Wilmington, Rouse Properties, the new owner of the Independence Mall (to be renamed The Collection at Independence), revealed their plan to demolish and redevelop the entire mall, including the still active Sears operation, the new mall plans do not include the Sears.  Kmarts in Franklin, Midway Park, Salisbury, Sanford and Shelby, in April 2018. Jacksonville Kmart. Asheboro Sears. 23 years old Sears Hometown Store on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.  Surry County condemned the now vacant Kmart building at the Mayberry Mall.  The condemnation prevents the property owner from finding a new tenant, until the structural problems are fixed.  On top of that, local news media report the property owner is back due on county level property taxes.  The action by the county opens the door for use of taxpayer funding to deal with the problem.  Monroe Sears shutting down by the end of June 2017.    Cross Creek Mall Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years. Concord Kmart, Fayetteville Kmart, Goldsboro Kmart, Madison Kmart, Wilmington Kmart. High Point Sears Hometown Store shutting down after four years, 325 jobs will be lost by February 2017!  Mount Airy Kmart (in the Mayberry Mall) shutdown right before Xmas 2016.  Burlington Kmart shutting down right before Xmas, local news reports said nobody was surprised.  71 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! 40 years old Thomasville Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Brevard Kmart, Gastonia Kmart, Lumberton Kmart, Pineville Kmart, Rocky Mount Kmart. Cary Kmart (71 jobs lost), High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost), West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road, Raleigh Kmart (88 jobs lost), Garner Super Kmart, Cleveland County mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Charlotte Kmart (89 jobs lost), Conover Kmart (74 jobs lost), Raleigh Kmart on Capital Boulevard (53 jobs lost), High Point Kmart (71 jobs lost), Boone Kmart (41 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart (96 jobs lost), Gastonia Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Kinston Kmart (64 jobs lost), Cary Sears (66 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart distribution center (130 jobs lost), Greenville Kmart (75 jobs lost), Kinston Sears Hometown Store shutdown with little notice, Lexington Sears Hometown Store.

North Dakota:  Devils Lake Kmart in April 2018.  Bismarck Sears store in April 2018.  Minot Sears.  Bismarck Sears Auto Center shutdown in May 2017.  South Fargo Sears shutting down. 18 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

Ohio: Youngstown Southern Park Mall Sears shutting down in July, including Appliance Repair, Auto Center, Hearing Center, Optical. North Olmsted Sears, Mansfield Sears, Strongsville Sears available to purchase online.  Boardman Sears (Southern Park Mall) shutting down in July 2018. Cincinnati Sears in April 2018. Columbus based mall owner-operator Washington Prime  bought the active Sears store and Auto Center in Columbus, to be redeveloped. Called the last SuperKmart in the U.S., Warren Kmart (more than 133 jobs gone in April 2018)!  Hermitage Kmart in April, 2018. Local news media confirmed that the Cambridge Kmart is shutting down in April (88 jobs gone), despite it not being on the official shutdown list. A local employee union revealed that the Kmart distribution warehouse in Bazetta Township has eliminated 150 jobs, or 50% of positions, as a result of ongoing store shutdowns!   Kmarts in Austintown, Cleveland (69 jobs gone), Hillsboro, Oregon and Saint Marys. Massilion Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.  A Kmart in Toledo, Dayton and Garfield Heights, more than 2-hundred jobs gone between September and October 2017!  Sears Hometown Store in the Salem Plaza, in Salem.  Wooster and Streetsboro Kmarts.  Sears operations in Mentor, Middleburg Heights and on Central Avenue in Toledo.  Toledo’s Westgate Village Sears shutting down.  Eastland Mall Sears locations in Columbus and one Sears & Auto Center in Elyria and one Sears in Franklin. Westland Mall Sears, Columbus news media reported that Sears Holdings was forcing the mall owner to payout an estimated $400-thousand USD per year in property taxes on an otherwise vacant mall.      Beavercreek (Dayton) Kmart shutting down by mid-July 2017.  Eastgate Mall Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years.  Akron Sears, Chillicothe Sears, Lancaster Sears, Richmond Heights Sears, Mount Vernon Kmart, Gallipolis Kmart, Kenton Kmart, New Boston Kmart, Clairsville Kmart, Zanesville Kmart, Reynoldsburg Kmart. The Fairborn and Springfield Kmart stores shutting down, 134 jobs gone right before Xmas!  Reports that a Knox County Kmart is shutting down its pharmacy operations.   Employees confirmed to local news media that the 21 years old Austintown Sears Appliance and Hardware will shutdown by Xmas.  Mentor Kmart shutting down by Xmas, local news reports say in the 1990s the store employed 2-hundred people!  124 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! 18 years old Defiance Sears shutting down by August 2016. Marion Sears store (the Auto Center was shutdown in 2014), Ashtabula Kmart, Eaton Kmart, Fremont Kmart, Lima Kmart, Lorain Kmart, Springboro Kmart. Englewood Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July 2016. Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June 2016. Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June 2016. 78 jobs lost as the Lancaster Kmart is shutdown in May 2016. 18 jobs lost as the Dixie Highway Sears Hardware shuts down this Friday. The 28 years old Sears and its Auto Center in New Philadelphia shutdown by mid-April 2016, 46 jobs lost. Without warning the Medina Sears Appliance & Hardware Store shutdown. Warren Kmart on Parkman Road NW shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. Zanesville Kmart shutdown mid-April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Steubenville Kmart shutdown by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Boardman Kmart by April 2016, 81 jobs lost. Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard, London Kmart (no word on number of jobs lost), Trotwood Sears (67 jobs lost), Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost), Xenia Kmart (at least 57 jobs lost), Norwalk Kmart (52 jobs lost), Blue Ash Kmart (77 jobs lost), Northwood Sears at Woodville Mall (36 jobs lost), Conneaut Kmart (43 jobs lost), Anderson Township Kmart (71 jobs lost), Brooklyn Kmart (200 jobs lost), Columbus Lockbourne Industrial Parkway Sears distribution center (200 jobs lost), also in Columbus, Sears Product Rebuild-Call Center (112 jobs lost), Marion Sears Auto Center (at least nine jobs lost), Springfield Kmart #3767 (68 jobs lost), Fairborn Kmart (66 jobs lost), Solon Sears & Auto Center (at least 53 jobs lost), Tiffin Sears Hometown Store. Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location. Fairlawn Sears Appliance & Hardware, Macedonia Sears Appliance & Hardware, Lorain Sears Appliance & Hardware, Elyria Sears Appliance & Hardware, North Olmsted Sears Appliance & Hardware, Sheffield Village Sears Appliance & Hardware, Akron Sears Appliance & Hardware.

Oklahoma:  Enid Kmart in April 2018.  Bartlesville and Shawnee Kmarts in October 2017,  local news media said store managers refused to say how many people will lose their jobs.  Midwest City Sears & Auto Center (according to local news reports the Heritage Park Mall, where Sears is located, is “already-dead” as it officially shutdown in 2010) and the last Kmart in Tulsa.   Muskogee Kmart, Lawton Sears.  In Tulsa the Sears store on 21st Street and Yale shutting down mid-April 2017, supposedly (according to news reports) the Auto Center will remain open.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Norman Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  23 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants), Shawnee Sears (31 jobs lost), Sand Springs Kmart (52 jobs lost), Muskogee Sears store and Auto Center (60 jobs lost in November 2014), Enid Sears and Auto Center (at least 38 jobs lost), Tulsa BigKmart (51 jobs lost).

Oregon: Portland Sears and Springfield Sears in April 2018. Salem Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.   Roseburg Kmart shutting down in September 2017.  Local news reports revealed the Lloyd Center Sears store was sold and will shutdown sometime in the future, the space will be re-purposed into smaller storefronts.  23 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  A Blind Bat News reader warning that the Beaverton Kmart has replaced its permanent signage with temporary ones, and the store is looking empty. There’s been no public reports of the store shutting down. Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), Bend Sears (48 jobs lost), Klamath Falls Kmart (64 jobs lost), Albany Kmart (64 jobs lost), Portland Sears Homes Services (no notice), Albany Sears (57 jobs lost), in October a BBN reader warned that Oregon City Kmart was being quietly shutdown, confirmed on 06 November 2014 by Sears Holdings (70 jobs lost). Ontario Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Sears ops at the York Galleria shutting down in August 2018.  Sears operations at the Johnstown Galleria shutting down in August 2018.  Two Sears operated warehouses, Sugar Notch and Warrior Run, just sold to a California real estate company for more than $43-million USD, Sears Holdings-Innovel Solutions is now leasing the property it once owned!   Local news reporting the Wyoming Valley Mall Sears, in Wilkes Barre, will shutdown by July. Sears Holdings stated it’s “too big for our needs.” It houses the Appliance Repair Center and Auto Center, among other Sears ops, at least 1-hundred jobs gone!  Taxpayer funded MaST charter school is offering to buy the still active Middletown Sears store for $9.6-million USD.  MaST’s plan is to kick out Sears to make room for up to 1-thousand-275 students, if their plan is approved by the local school district and taxpayers. Franklin Kmart (79 jobs gone in April 2018).  Philadelphia Kmart on Aramingo Avenue (52 jobs gone in April 2018). Kmarts in Bridgeville, Enola, Harrisburg, Hazleton,  Hermitage, Honesdale, Pittson and Sayre, in April 2018. Philadelphia Sears on Bustleton Avenue (103 jobs gone in April 2018). Hanover and Pittsburgh Sears in April 2018. Kmarts in Clarion, Coraopolis-Moon, Moosic and Shamokin Dam.   Sears ops in Indiana, Muncy-Pennsdale and State College. The Whitehall Kmart in the MacArthur Towne Center shutdown right after after Thanksgiving 2017, the property was sold to a retailer called At Home Stores.  Kmarts in Allentown and Willow Grove shutting down mid-November.  Erie Kmart in October 2017.  Sears operations in Cranberry between July and October 2017.  Butler, Belle Vernon, Indiana and Springettsbury Township Kmarts.   The East End Centre Sears Outlet store in Wilkes-Barreand the Sears Outlet in Phoenixville, were both shutdown without warning on 23 JUN 2017.  Dickson City-Scranton Kmart shutting down by the end of July 2017.   Bensalem and Feasterville-Trevose (Lower Southampton) Kmarts are shutting down.  In Moon Township, local news media discovered the Moon Kmart property is under new management; Union Real Estate.  A Union Real Estate agent admitted that they are conducting “exploratory work” to sell the property for redevelopment, but insists that until then the Kmart will remain open.  Bald Eagle Township (Mill Hall) Kmart is shutting down by mid-June, when the lease expires. Local news reports say in 2003 a public campaign stopped plans to shutdown the Kmart then, but that was before Kmart and Sears were merged by Eddie Lampert.  Meadville Kmart is shutting down by mid-July 2017.  Kmart in East Stroudsburg shutting down by Summer, local shoppers say it was the last Kmart in the area and now the only retailer left is Walmart.  Selinsgrove Sears, Uniontown Sears, Lower Allen Township-Camp Hill Sears, Dubois Kmart, Erie Kmart, Lancaster Kmart, Hampden Township-Mechanicsburg Kmart, Monroeville Kmart,  Mount Pleasant Kmart. Shenango Valley Mall Sears store shutting down by mid-April, less than 1-hundred jobs affected.  168 Sears and Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! In July, Sears Holdings shutdown the Uniontown Kmart, killing at least 73 jobs. But the shutdown is also affecting a locally owned restaurant (Mark C’s Diner) still on the property, whose owners say their sales have crashed-n-burned since the shutdown. Now Sears Holdings say they are about to sell the Uniontown property in an effort to “realize shareholder value from the property”. Butler Sears, New Castle Sears, Beaver Falls Kmart, Philadelphia Kmart on Frankford Avenue. Two Pittsburgh Kmarts. Reading Kmart. Sears store in the Beaver Valley Mall, 62 jobs lost. Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July 2016. Reports that the Exton Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost), Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), Philadelphia Kmart on Orthodox Street and Castor Avenue (169 jobs lost), Levittown/Middle Township Kmart (87 jobs lost), Waynesboro Kmart (43 jobs lost), Sanatoga-Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 jobs lost, the store was also advertising for new hires!), West Mifflin Sears store & Auto Center (88 jobs lost), Rochester Kmart (78 jobs lost), Frazer (Pittsburg Mills Mall) Sears and Auto Center (97 jobs lost), Bloomsburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Frackville Sears and Auto Center (84 jobs lost), North Cornwall Township Sears (51 jobs lost), King of Prussia Sears and Auto Center (no word on number of jobs lost), Lebanon Sears (51 jobs lost), Scotland Chambersburg Mall Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost), the upper level of the Willow Grove Mall Sears store to be leased by Primark, King of Prussia Sears store leased out to clothing retailer Primark, East Towne Mall Kmart (51 jobs lost), Frackville Kmart in the Skuylkill Mall (80 jobs lost), Mount Pocono Kmart (66 jobs lost), Fairless Hills Sears Hardware. Granite Run Mall shutdown, meaning the Sears and Sears Auto Center now apparently on a month to month (possibly day to day) lease are soon to follow. Brookhaven Kmart (89 jobs lost).

Puerto Rico: 31 Sears & Kmart properties made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

Rhode Island: Cranston Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, it’s the last remaining Kmart in the state.  Middletown Sears Hometown by the end of July 2017. Warwick Sears by September 2017. Woonsocket Sears shutting down. Rhode Island Mall Sears Auto Center shutdown right before Thanksgiving.  Five Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.

South Carolina: Conway Kmart.  Florence Kmart in October 2017.   Sears & Auto Center in Columbia and the Seneca and Summerville Kmarts.  Northwoods Mall Sears in North Charleston shutting down by June 2017, Seritage Growth Properties has already submitted plans to chop up the store into smaller spaces starting in July.  The Auto Center will shutdown by the end of April, and the store will shutdown by mid-June 2017.  Local news media discovered the Auto Center is already scheduled for subdivision. The lease expired and Sears Holdings will not renew it, saying “…we are working to actively manage our real estate portfolio to identify additional opportunities for reconfiguration and reduction of capital obligations.”   Florence Sears, Anderson Kmart, Greenwood Kmart, North Charleston Kmart. The new owner of a Kmart on the boundaries of Anderson, Seritage KMT Finance, announced it will cut the Kmart store to half its size and is requesting the city of Anderson annex the land (probably in exchange for some taxpayer funded incentives for Seritage).  37 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! The 44 years old Orangeburg Kmart shutting down in August 2016. Camden Kmart. 61 jobs lost as the North Augusta Kmart is shutdown by May 2016. Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost), both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two), Mount Pleasant Kmart (43 jobs lost), Harbison Sears & Sears Auto Center in the Columbiana Centre mall (97 jobs lost), Aiken Sears & Sears Auto Center (at least 54 jobs lost), Inlet Square Mall Kmart (50 jobs lost), West Ashely Kmart (69 jobs lost), Myrtle Beach Kmart (59 jobs lost), Easley Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Dakota: Rapid City Sears in April 2018. Aberdeen Kmart. Sioux Falls Kmart. 11 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Huron Kmart, Yankton Kmart. The Pierre Kmart shutdown March 2016, 45 jobs lost. The Michell Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 52 jobs lost. Spearfish Kmart (51 jobs lost), Sturgis Kmart (57 jobs lost).  Marshall Kmart in 2014.

Tennessee: The Thompson Lane Sears Outlet/Home Services & Repair sold to C.B. Ragland for $13-million USD. Kmarts in Crossville, Greeneville and Goodlettsville, by April 2018. Kmarts in Cookeville (by mid-February 2018), Nashville and  Tullahoma. Taxpayers are being raped of $7.45-million USD as Nashville Metro is buying a vacant Kmart for the purpose of creating a massive police-state police precinct!  A Jackson Kmart in October 2017. Madison and Johnson City Kmarts. The city of Bristol officially condemned the vacant Kmart building (vacant since August 2016), opening up the use of taxpayer dollars to tear it down.  Hamilton Place Mall Sears store and the Northgate Mall Sears Auto Center were sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut them down in the next two to four years.  Morristown Kmart, Kingsport Sears. Sears Hometown Store in Columbia’s Campbell Shopping Plaza suddenly shutdown by the franchise owner who told local news media that he essentially saw the writing on the wall.  After 30 years the Sears Hometown Store in Dyersburg shutdown. Local news reports say the shutdown was no surprise to the store’s manager.  58 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!   Local news reports say Sears Holdings has posted “Going out of business!” signs on the North Knoxville Kmart, however they could not get any confirmation of shutdown from corporate administrators. Bristol Kmart shutdown in August 2016. Athens Kmart, Sweetwater Kmart, Maryville Kmart. The Murfreesboro Kmart shutdown April, 43 jobs lost. A Memphis Sears and Auto Center (on Poplar Avenue) shutdown in April, 109 jobs lost! Clarksville Kmart shutdown in April, 68 jobs lost. Cleveland Kmart shutdown by mid-March 2016, 67 jobs lost. Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart, Franklin Cool Springs Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed), 48 years old Nashville Kmart on Nolensville Pike to close by January 2014 (57 jobs lost), Franklin Kmart (33 jobs lost), Dickson Kmart (65 jobs lost), talks in progress to end lease for Bellevue (Nashville) Center Mall Sears, Nashville Bellevue Center Sears & Auto Center (at least 44 jobs lost).

Texas: Beaumont Sears, Humble Sears, Baytown Sears, San Antonio Sears at Rolling Oaks Mall, Pasadena Sears, all for sale online. Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime bought the active Sears store and Auto Center in Longview, to eventually be redeveloped. Portland Kmart in April 2018.  Sears locations in Austin, Houston and Midland, in April 2018.  In Dallas, taxpayers get to pay for a massive 23 acre redevelopment of land which includes a now vacant Sears store, and to prove that the claim that brick-n-mortar stores are a-thing-of-the-past is bullshit, the massively expensive development project will have even more brick-n-mortar stores than what was on the old Sears-Valley View Mall site!   The last Kmart in El Paso, on Sunland Park Drive, shutting down in January 2018 (apparently this store is not officially part of the latest round of mass shutdowns), at one time there were six Kmart stores in El Paso.  The Kmart in Texarkana.  Sears operations in Lufkin and San Angelo’s Sunset Mall.  Local news media reported earlier in the year that the Sunset Mall Sears store was actually experiencing increased sales: “Sales in tools have grown 5% year-over-year. Mattress sales have grown 34% year-over-year. We’re one of the best stores in our market!”-Anthony Rollwitz, Sears hardline supervisor

The active Richardson Square Sears store was just sold to re-developer ATRCorinth, who plans on shutting it down when the short-term lease expires.   In Houston, the iconic Sears at 4201 Main Street shutting down by the end of January 2018.  The Sears Home Appliance Showrooom in Flower Mound suddenly shutdown,  the confused manager saying “I’m not sure what we did wrong!”  Sears operations in Paris, more than 40 jobs lost between July and October 2017. Two Kmarts in El Paso, as well as the 39 years old Sears & Auto Center in Texarkana and Sears Auto Center in Sherman.   Baybrook Mall Sears stores in Freindswood and on Southwest Freeway in Houston.  Dallas ‘Midtown’ Valley View Mall Sears store and Auto Center shutting down between the end of May and July 2017.  The property is being redeveloped.  Taxpayers in the city of Abilene might be forced to pay for the abandoned Kmart as “…funds would be used to acquire, renovate and equip buildings for a new police station, municipal court, water utilities billing, collection and meter-reading offices, and record storage. The cost is estimated at $9 million.”  In Austin, Seritage Growth Properties just listed two Sears locations as available for lease; the Sears store at Barton Creek Square Mall, which is apparently co-owned by the mall’s owner Indiana based Simon Property Group, and the Sears Auto Center on North Interstate 35 are now available for lease.  Odessa Sears, two Kmarts in El Paso.  Kileen Kmart, Lufkin Kmart. GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Frisco Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.   Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Harlingen is shutting down.  Local news reports confirmed the Lubbock Kmart is shutting down right before Xmas. 134 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! Fort Stockton Sears Hometown Store was ‘re-branded’ the America’s Appliance Experts outlet. Sears Holdings revealed the Brownsville Kmart is shutting down by August. El Paso Kmart, Mission Kmart, Sweetwater Kmart. Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors, Dallas Sears home appliance parts distribution center (77 jobs lost), Simon Property Group owned McAllen Sears store & Auto Center (so far no word on how many jobs will be lost), recently revealed Palestine Sears Hometown (franchise owner quit to work as assistant manager at a local Dollar General). Wichita Falls Sikes Senter Mall Sears (56 jobs lost).

Utah: Ogden Sears in April 2018. A Salt Lake City Sears store and Auto Center on State Street.  The Cedar City Sears Hardware and Appliance Store suddenly shutdown, local news media indicated it was the fault of Sears Holdings, not the franchise owner.  A Salt Lake City Kmart in October 2017.  Saint George Sears & Auto Center and Spanish Fork Kmart.  Provo Towne Centre Sears store shutting down by the end of July, the Auto Center shutdown by the end of May 2017.  The owner of the mall, Brixton Capitol, admitted that Sears shutdowns were part of the REIT plan to change the way you shop (which I first warned about in 2012).  It has nothing to do with internet competition as Brixton Capitol stated “…150 planned Sears/K-Mart closures nationwide, Brixton Capital has already begun plans to redevelop the store as part of a larger vision to reposition Provo Towne Centre as a premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination.”  Vernal Kmart, Layton Kmart. 16 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Draper Kmart, Price Kmart, West Jordan Kmart. West Valley City Kmart in 2016. 35 years old Richfield Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. North Logan Kmart shutdown April 2016, 58 jobs lost. Murray Sears (local news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they reported that the building was demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported), Woods Cross Kmart (54 jobs lost), Provo Kmart demolished in anticipation of yet another AtHome furniture store.

Vermont:  Rutland Kmart in April 2018. The small Milton Sears shutdown.  Five Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  The Bennington Sears Hometown Store shutdown. Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), South Burlington Kmart (66 jobs lost).

Virgin Islands: Three Kmarts  made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.

Virginia: Sears operations in Warrenton Village Center shutting down in July, local news media revealed that Sears Holdings-Seritage had met with reps from the town council to discuss options for the property, two months ago.  In Richmond the Kmart on Nine Mile Road shutdown in January 2018. Kmarts in Abingdon, Danville and Lynchburg.  Colonial Heights Sears. A Roanoke Kmart in October 2017.  Sears & Auto Center in Richmond and two Virginia Beach Kmarts.  The South Boston Sears Hometown Store.  50 years old Charlottesville Kmart shutting down, 62 jobs lost in July 2017.  Local news media reporting that the Herndon Kmart suddenly displayed “store closing” signs.  Mall developer Core Property Capital is demanding taxpayers pay-up to fund the redevelopment of the vacant Christiansburg Kmart property!  They want Montgomery County to declare a special property tax district to raise taxes to pay for the redevelopment of privately owned commercial property!   Bristol Sears, Roanoke Kmart, Fredericksburg Kmart, Norfolk Kmart, Salem Kmart. 63 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Christiansburg Kmart and the Hampton Kmart shutting down by August 2016. Chester Kmart, 76 jobs gone by mid-July 2016. The Cedar Bluff (50 jobs lost), Covington (36 jobs lost) and Virginia Beach on General Booth Boulevard (no job numbers reported) Kmarts shutdown between March and April 2016! The Sears Hometown Store in Culpeper. Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost), Stafford Sears Hometown, Newport News-Denbigh Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Winchester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost), Pembroke Mall Sears renting out part of their store to DSW & Nordstrom Rack, Sears Holdings say they’re still looking for a “third tenant” for their occupied space. The current nearby Sears Auto Center will be rented out to REI. Colonial Heights Kmart (113 jobs lost), Virginia Beach Hilltop Square Shopping Center Kmart (82 jobs lost).

Washington: After 47 years Sears ops in Redmond shutting down, 68 jobs gone in July 2018.   The owner of Tacoma Mall, Simon Property Group, announced plans to tear down the still active Sears store and replace it with five new buildings, apparently the Sears Auto Center will continue operations. Sears Holdings suddenly selling off six active locations; the 48 years old Lacy Sears store, the 47 years old Tukwila Sears, Union Gap Sears, two Sears operations in the Spokane area, and the Spokane Kmart.  Chehalis Kmart in April 2018.  Sears locations in Chehalis, Federal Way and Shoreline, in April 2018.  The owner of the Sequim Sears Hometown Store wants to retire so he sold it off to rival Sears Hometown Store owners from another city, however, local news media report the Sequim store permanently shutdown on 30DEC2017.  Seattle news media reporting that two active Puget Sound area Sears stores have just been sold for $27-million USD.  Bellingham Sears Hometown & Outlet Store shutting down at the end of July, 2017, just months after a grand re-opening.   Tacoma Kmart, 67 jobs lost by September 2017.  Spanaway Kmart on Pacific Avenue South shutting down by mid-June 2017.  36 years old Lynnwood Sears shutdown by the end of March 2017, local news media reported access to the upper level of the store was already blocked.  Tacoma Kmart on 6th Avenue. GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Lynwood Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.   Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says a ‘Sears’ property in Yakima is shutting down. 46 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! After officially denying that their Marysville Kmart was shutting down, calling it a “a bad rumor” and swearing to local news media that “the store will remain open”, guess what? Local news media reporting that the Marysville Kmart is now plastered with “store closing” signs, 47 jobs lost by by mid-July. Arrogantly Sears Holdings said the employees can apply at other Sears/Kmart stores, however, local news reports say it’s the last Kmart in all of Snohomish County. Eatonville Sears Hometown store. Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost), Oak Harbor Kmart (68 jobs lost), Sodo Sears and Sears Auto Center (79 jobs lost), Everett Kmart (65 jobs lost), Marysville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Kmarts in Clarksburg, Huntington and Saint Albans, by April 2018. Kmarts in Beckley, Martinsburg and Vienna.  Lewisburg Kmart. The Hocking Mall Sears Hometown Store suddenly shutdown, with only a weeks notice to employees. The Charleston Town Center Mall Sears store and Auto Center shutting down mid-April 2017.  The Bridgeport Meadowbrook Mall Sears store shutting down “within the next 90 days”, supposedly the Auto center will remain open. The Elkins Kmart shutting down during the 1st quarter of 2017.  In Parkersburg, the Kmart on Division Street shutting down by mid-April 2017.  The Weirton BigKmart shutting down mid-April 2017.  34 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  The Bluefield Kmart shutting down by August 2016. Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: After being put up for a ‘redevelopment’ sale last year the still active Caledonia Kmart just sold for $2-million USD, however some village administrators claim the new owner “is interested in keeping Kmart at that location” Green Bay Sears (43 jobs gone in April 2018), Brookfield Sears (59 jobs gone in April 2018).  It’s now official, city taxpayers of Brookfield forced to shell out at least $6-million USD in grant money (meaning it won’t be paid back) to repurpose the now vacant Sears store at Brookfield Square.   Stevens Point Kmart, 45 jobs gone in January 2018, the city is considering plans to turn the property into student housing.  The Caledonia (Racine) Kmart made the ‘for sale’ list.  Local news media discovered the property is being offered at two-thirds less than the assessed value!  Sears operations in Kenosha between July and October 2017.    West Allis, La Crosse and Medford Kmarts shutdown, 239 jobs lost in September 2017!  The Greendale Sears in the Southridge Mall.  50+ years old Brookfield Sears Auto Center shutdown,  local news media revealed that Brookfield city administrators spent taxpayer money on a five years study to justify creating a taxpayer owned conference center near the Sears Auto Center location. In La Crosse, without warning the Sears Auto Center and the Kmart pharmacy were shutdown.   In Appleton, questions from frustrated residents to local news media about the Fox River Mall Sears Auto Center revealed that it was quietly and suddenly shutdown overnight.  Local news media confirmed it was open on 08 MAY 2017, but that according to the Sears it is now closed (except for warranty work)!   The Economic Development Commission of Fort Atkinson has revealed plans to spend taxpayer money on the now vacant Kmart property.  Local news media reported the city Fort Atkinson asked Sears Holdings how much they wanted to sell it for!  It’s been revealed that nearly 40 cities are pushing for a new state law that will prevent taxpayers from being forced to pay the property taxes on vacated stores like Target and Sears.  It’s a complicated mess, but because of current laws and recent court decisions local Wisconsin taxpayers are being forced to foot the property tax bill on vacated retail spaces!  This has led to municipalities using taxpayer funding to sue retailers (most recently Target and Sears) for creating what’s called Dark Stores.   Brookfield Square Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years.  Platteville Kmart, Racine Kmart. Oshkosh Sears Hometown Store on Witzel Avenue shutting down.  The city of Wausau just put the local taxpayers into debt by at least $650-thousand USD, buying the former Sears location at the Wausau Center. The Wausau Sears shutdown on June 2016. Sears Holdings administrators would only say “we are accelerating the closings of unprofitable stores.”  The Land’s End outlet in the Madison West Towne Mall Sears store suddenly shutdown.  It was also revealed that Sears connected Land’s End has shutdown at least five stores since 2015, due to crashing sales.  36 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Seritage Growth Properties is ‘downsizing’ the Sears store in the West Towne Mall, according to plans filed with the city of Madison. Those plans show a new restaurant taking up more than half of the space of the Sears store. Administrators refused to answer questions from the local news media.  Hartford Kmart. Superior Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 42 jobs lost. West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost), Brookfield Kmart (56 jobs lost), Racine’s Regency Mall Sears (52 jobs lost), Fort Atkinson Kmart (51 jobs lost), Greenfield Kmart (107 jobs lost), Portage Kmart (78 jobs lost) and Hales Corner (129 jobs lost), Chippewa Falls Kmart (79 jobs lost), Menomonie Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Ashwaubenon Kmart recently revealed now owned by Green Bay Packers, will be torn down (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (55 jobs lost), Fond du Lac Sears (42 jobs lost), Glendale Sears store & Auto Center (86 jobs lost), Janesville Kmart (70 jobs lost), Glendale Sears Rebuild center (67 jobs lost), Sheboygan Sears & Auto Center (at least 31 jobs lost), Eau Claire Kmart (93 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (59 jobs lost before Xmas), Sheboygan Sears Rebuild Center (30 jobs lost), Wauwatosa Kmart (103 jobs lost).

Wyoming: Cheyenne Sears in January 2018. Rock Springs Kmart in October 2017.  Sheridan Kmart.  Cheyenne Kmart shutting down.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties confirmed a ‘Sears’ property in Riverton is shutting down. Sheridan Kmart, Rock Springs Kmart, Riverton Kmart, Cody Kmart & Auto Center, Laramie Kmart, Jackson Kmart, Gillette Kmart, and in Casper and Cheyenne the Sears Stores & Auto Centers and Kmarts (essentially all remaining stores) made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!

“unprecedented brick and mortar retail disruption”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, February 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in February 2018:

British empire United Kingdom based luxury clothier Charlotte Olympia now chapter 11 bankrupt busted in the United States, blaming an “unprecedented brick and mortar retail disruption” affecting its stores in California, Nevada and New York.  But don’t blame online sales because there is an Official Charlotte Olympia Online Store.

Germany based Deutsche Bank suddenly began eliminating hundreds of jobs globally, including jobs in the United States, as part of a plan to impose ‘cost discipline’ due to crashing revenues.

Arizona: In Phoenix, antique store/vendor rental space Zinnias shutdown.

 California: In Modesto, after 23 years Buy Right shutdown for its second and possibly final time, and for the second time it’s because a greedy landlord kicked them out, this time the owners of the popular thrift store did not say they were looking for a new location. Local Modesto news media reported a sudden increase in landlords jacking up rent.  Prudential-Jackson National Life Insurance laid off 161 people in El Segundo, admitting the layoff was planned back in August 2017!  Los Angeles based retailer of those dumb-ass looking wide leg jeans, JNCO Jeans, shutting down all nationwide ops when the inventory is gone (the company actually died several years ago, but some idiot tried rebooting it in 2017). In San Diego, after 125 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) iconic Jessop Jewelers shutdown.  In San Francisco, after 28 years Costumes on Haight shutting down in March, the new manager blames increased operating costs.  Calexico JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.  WP Payroll Management issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles location, 113 jobs gone by May!  The Ritz-Carlton issued a temporary shutdown WARN for its Truckee location, 236 jobs gone mid-April!  In Anaheim, Gateway One Lending and Finance eliminating 24 jobs by April.  In the City of Industry, Artistree laying off 104 people by April!  What automotive industry recovery? Car dealer Infiniti of Riverside issued a shutdown WARN, 25 jobs gone by the end of March.   What housing market recovery?  Apartment manager Irvine Company suddenly laid off 63 employees, and reclassified 17 positions according to news reports (their official WARN says 80 jobs gone), as part of its plan to refine “long-term apartment communities”.

Colorado:  Prudential-Jackson National Life Insurance shutting down its 20 years old tech center in Denver, 370 jobs gone! 

Florida:  In Tampa, Prudential-Jackson National Life Insurance eliminating 41 jobs mid-March.  In Saint Petersburg, Transamerica Life Insurance eliminating 465 jobs by mid-April!

Georgia: In Macon, after 40 years Chi-chester’s Gifts shutdown due to crashing sales.

Idaho: After 40 years the owners of the two Porter’s Crafts & Frames stores (in Rexburg and Idaho Falls) forced to retire due to health problems, they’re trying to get a friend from New Jersey to buy the Rexburg property, the stores are shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Illinois: Lord & Taylor shutdown its clothing store in the Oakbrook Center, and is shutting down its store in Westfield Old Orchard Mall in April.  Sandburg Mall JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.  In Geneva, after ten years Antiques on State shutting down in April, due to crashing sales.  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down six of its Carson’s stores and one Bergner’s, in total 4-hundred jobs gone by May!  In Normal, after 47 years Guitar World shutdown, the owner saying even music lessons have been affected by the internet: “We went from over 105 lessons when we came here nine years ago, to 30 or less. So I mean, the market is changing, the people who are doing this have changed. So it’s what you have to do with all online, God bless the internet.”-Jim Bland

Indiana: Walmart issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Rushville, 95 jobs gone by mid-April.  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down five of its Carson’s stores, in total 306 jobs gone by the end of April!

Iowa: Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down two of its Younkers stores.  Too Big to Jail Goldman Sachs issued a shutdown WARN for its Cedar Rapids office, 39 jobs gone by May.  Also in Cedar Rapids, Transamerica Life Insurance eliminating 863 jobs by mid-April!   What housing market recovery?  In Des Moines, Nationwide-Mortgage eliminating 54 jobs by April.

Kentucky: Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down the Elder Beerman store in Paducah.  Also in Paducah, New York & Company Outlet shutdown.

Maryland:  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its store in Hagerstown.  In Baltimore, Transamerica Life Insurance eliminating 55 jobs by mid-April.

Massachusetts: Clothier Artwear shutting down in March, the owner stated “Retailers have been hit hard this year. I can’t predict what 2018 will bring and so I have decided that I cannot keep the store open any longer.”

Michigan:Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down the Elder Beerman store in Adrian, a Younkers in Marquette and a Carson’s in Benton Harbor (Bon-Ton did not indicate how many jobs lost in its official WARN).

Minnesota: Eagan based Sun Country Airlines suddenly eliminated 350 ground crew jobs by outsourcing them to a cheapo contractor, Sun Country workers had one week to beg the contractor to hire them (at less pay and probably no benefits, for the same work)!  Viking Plaza JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down the Herberger’s Clearance Center store in Maplewood, 20 jobs gone in April.  In West Duluth, after 35 years Video Vision shutdown.  Toys R Us issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Roseville, 30 jobs gone in April.

Missouri: Hampton Village Plaza JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.

Montana: In Billings, Big Bear Sports Center is now officially dead.  It’s been shutdown since November because a man drove his SUV into the store, then began trading gunshots with police.  Police used tear-gas, and water and gas lines in the store were damaged, the suspect was killed.  The store owners were hoping to repair the store but apparently it’s not going to happen.

New Hampshire: Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its store in Concord.

New Jersey: Hotel operator Wyndham Worldwide Operations eliminating 134 jobs in Parsippany, mid-April! Walmart shutting down its Route 22 Readington (Branchburg) store, 149 jobs gone by mid-April, due to “financial performance”!  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its store in Phillipsburg.  Garden State Plaza JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.  After more than 30 years the family owned gun shop known for supporting local charities, Sportsman’s Rendezvous, shutdown, the family is moving to Florida.   After 27 years, and three location changes, The Big Little Railroad Shop shutdown due to the sudden collapse of the sale of the store: “I had been working with someone for at least a year-and-a-half who was going to purchase the store. I’d work two days, he’d work three and vice versa, and all of the sudden on Memorial Day, he just walked out of here.”-Jen Lush, co-owner

New Mexico: Gertrude Zachary shutdown its antique store In Albuquerque, but the owners claim a new type of store will take its place.

New York: NYC based Barnes & Noble eliminating an undisclosed number of cashiers and digital product associates, due to crashing sales.  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its stores in Massena, Watertown and Queensbury.  In Brooklyn, Horseman Antiques shutting down due to the building being sold-off for $18-million USD.  Toys R Us-Babies R Us issued shutdown WARNs for six stores, at least 285 jobs gone between mid-March and mid-April!  Sterling National Bank issued mass-layoff WARN for multiple locations, at least 140 jobs lost between April and Xmas!  California based GAP shutting down its Banana Republic corporate operations in NYC,  112 jobs lost due to consolidation ops back to California!

North Carolina: Charlotte based Japanese Toyota NASCAR driving BK Racing now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to $8-million USD of debt. Charlotte based retailer Belk suddenly laid off 58 managers across the U.S.  In Durham, sexist female boutique Liberation Threads shutdown after a year, the owners saying “…as we move into 2018, there’s a sea change happening.” 

Ohio: Non-profit tenant advocate Cleveland Tenants Organization shutdown due to lack of funding.   In Greenville, after 25 years Club 7 Sports up for sale, the owners want to retire.  Knox Village Square JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.  In Columbus, after more than 40 years Romanoff’s Classic Tuxedos shutting down.  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its Elder Beerman store in Defiance, 41 jobs gone.  In Cleveland Heights, after 27 years toy and joke store Big Fun shutting down when the inventory is gone, the owner bemoaned “I call Amazon our kryptonite…. they need to shop local.”

Oklahoma:  Washington Park Mall JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.

Oregon: Nordstrom shutting down its 37 years old store in the Salem Center Mall, 130 jobs gone by April!

Pennsylvania: In Narberth, after 105 years (surviving The Great Depression and several recessions) Ricklin’s Hardware shutdown so the owners can retire.   Janitorial service company Compass Group eliminating six jobs in April.  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down eight of its stores!  Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Homestead store, 94 jobs gone by mid-April.  Limerick Furniture and Mattress shutting down its store in the Fairgrounds Square Mall, due to increased competition and increased operating costs.  After 40 years, Dave Phillips Music & Sound shutdown its Allentown location blaming internet shopping.  In Exton, Transamerica Life Insurance outsourcing 192 jobs by mid-April!  Administrators claim in-house employees were offered jobs with the contractor at the same pay, having personally experienced outsourcing of some of my past jobs I find that hard to believe.

South Carolina: What housing market recovery?  Created out of the 2008 financial meltdown Movement Mortgage suddenly laid off 75 people, administrators blamed the sudden layoffs on ‘improvements’ to their lending process.

Texas: In Houston, after 16 years music venue Walter’s Downtown suddenly shutdown.

Utah: Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its Herberger’s store in Logan.

Vermont: Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its store in South Burlington.

Virginia: Clothier PacSun shutting down its store in the River Ridge Mall, in May.  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down its Elder Beerman store in Vienna.

Washington:Cascade Mall JCPenney shutting down by mid-May.

West Virginia: Shoe seller Finish Line shutting down its store in the Charleston Town Center.   Speaking of Charleston Town Center, it is now under control of a real estate group after the original owners defaulted on a $100-million USD loan.

Wisconsin: Prudential-Jackson National Life Insurance laid off an additional 23 employees in Appleton.   In Manitowoc, after 67 years LLoyd’s Photo & Digital shutdown, the owner lamenting “…our bread and butter was prints.”  Chapter 11 bankrupt Bon-Ton shutting down six of its Younkers stores, two Boston Stores and an Elder Beerman! In Mequon, after 27 years Xenia Gallery shutting down in March.

Wyoming: in Cheyenne, after 49 years City News and Pipe Shop shutdown, the owners say the crash in magazine and newspaper sales is a final sign that it’s time to retire.  In Casper, Seconds on First Street shutdown after 16 years of consignments.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, January 2018: “THERE’S A FEELING OF LOSS…MAYBE I’LL GO GET A REAL JOB.”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, February 2018: “MONOTONOUS”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, February 2018: “NO REASONABLE OPTION BUT….DEACTIVATION”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., February 2018:“PORCH MONKEY”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, February 2018: “I DIDN’T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY….”

U.S. government shenanigans, February 2018: “I NEED TO PAY HIGHER TAXES.”

U.S. food crisis, February 2018: “I’M NOT SURE WE CAN SUPPORT ALL THESE STORES. OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN’T.”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, February 2018: “WE ARE IN VERY CHALLENGING TIMES.”

DRUGS, THE AMERICAN WAY, FEBRUARY 2018: “TEACHING KIDS ABOUT THE HARM OF DRUGS…DOESN’T REALLY WORK.” 

“no reasonable option but….deactivation”: U.S. industrial/mining/logistics layoffs, February 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in February 2018.

Alabama: Vogue International shutting down its Phenix City warehouse, 150 jobs gone by the end of April!

Alaska: In Prudhoe Bay, 261 unionized oil jobs lost as British empire British Petroleum suddenly switched to a non-union contractor!

 California:  MV Transportation issued a shutdown WARN for its operations in Stockton, 73 jobs gone in April.  Netherlands based CEVA Logistics eliminating 11 Stockton jobs in April.  Kane Warehousing eliminated 48 jobs in Oxnard.  Mining service company Broadspectrum Downstream Services issued a layoff WARN for its ops in Benicia, 92 jobs gone by April.  British empire based Rolls-Royce halting aircraft engine service ops in Oakland, at least ten jobs gone by April.  What automotive industry recovery? Zodiac Seats revealed it eliminated 279 jobs when it shutdown its factory in San Bernardino County, in January!  In Chino, furniture maker Elite Leather Company eliminating 88 jobs by April.  In Clovis, Schneider Electric eliminating 33 jobs by the end of march.

Connecticut: Stamford based envelope maker Cenveo now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Illinois: In Somonauk, Imperial Marble suddenly laid off 79 people due to loss of contract.  Japan based freight company MOL issued a layoff WARN, 89 jobs gone between March and Xmas.  Japan based freight company NYK eliminating 67 jobs in March.  Germany based Siemens issued a shutdown WARN for ops in West Chicago, 2-hundred jobs gone in April due to “relocation”!

Indiana: Germany based delivery/logistics company DHL eliminating 511 jobs in Greenfield! It’s due to Walmart taking over part of DHL’s ops in May.  AES-Indianapolis Power & Light eliminating 1-hundred jobs and asking for a rate increase, blaming the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act!  American Commercial Barge Lines-Jeffboat conducted a phase-2 layoff, 226 jobs suddenly gone, due to ongoing crashing sales!

Iowa:  Procter & Gamble shutting down its factory in Iowa City, at least 5-hundred jobs lost to a new factory in West Virginia!

Kansas: Procter & Gamble shutting down its 113 years old factory in Kansas City, at least 280 jobs lost to a new factory in West Virginia!

Maryland:  Janitorial service company Compass Group eliminating five jobs in April.

Michigan: In Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph, Whirlpool admitted it is eliminating jobs. One news report said the layoffs began in January, however, I did not find any official WARN on the state Workforce Development Agency website.  What automotive industry recovery?  Belgium based exhaust system maker Bosal Industries-Georgia issued a WARN, 77 jobs gone in April due to Fiat-Chrysler’s new Jeep design.  Local news reports indicated the company got local tax breaks.  Janitorial service company Compass Group eliminating 396 jobs due to the shutdown of a General Motors (GM) factory!

Minnesota: WestRock-Rochester notified the state that 28 jobs will be eliminated, date to be determined.

New York:  Texas based construction engineering company Flour eliminating 85 jobs in Poughkeepsie, in May, despite reporting increased revenues.  Also in Poughkeepsie, Plant Engineering Services blaming Flour for forcing it to eliminate 21 jobs Homer Logistics suddenly laid off 148 people in Albany and NYC! Germany based Siemens shutting down and selling off its Power Generation Service in Wellsville, 250 jobs gone by 2020!  Furniture maker Harden Furniture issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in McConnellsville, 172 employees affected!

North Carolina: Massachusetts based L.S. Starrett shutting down and selling off its tool factory in Mount Airy, 30 jobs gone as part of downsizing started two years ago, due to ongoing crashing sales.  Iconic gun maker Remington now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to crashing sales and a ass-hole lawsuit blaming it for school shootings.

Ohio: Fiat-Chrysler eliminating 852 jobs at its Jeep factory in Toledo, in preparation for retooling for a new pick-up version of the Jeep! In connection, Jeep body supplier KUKA shutdown factory ops as a result, killing 344 jobs!  Janitorial service company Compass Group eliminating 14 West Chester jobs due to the shutdown of a General Motors (GM) factory!  AES-Dayton Power & Light eliminating 60 jobs in April.  Fastener maker The Cold Heading eliminating 52 jobs in June.   Self-adhesive maker Ritrama eliminating 48 jobs in April.

Oklahoma: SandRidge Energy suddenly laid off 80 people, “As part of the company’s previously announced commitment to reduce go-forward costs…”  Shale oil driller Ascent Resources Marcellus Holdings now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Pennsylvania:  Luxembourg based ArcelorMittal eliminating 125 jobs in Conshohocken, by mid-April, due to crashing demand for U.S. made steel!  In Pittson, Kane Warehousing eliminating 89 jobs by May.  Dover Corporation-Pump Solutions Group issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in North Wales, 63 jobs gone between April and Xmas. Clothing maker Global Brands Group issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Plymouth Meeting, various layoffs taking place between April and Xmas.  Heat resistant products (refractories) maker Harbison Walker International issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Claysburg, 88 jobs gone in April.

Texas:  Lone Star State based Direct Energy, WTU Retail Energy and CPL Retail Energy being affected by its British empire based parent company’s (Centrica) plan to eliminate 4-thousand jobs by 2020!  Centrica blames it on “weak” financial results in United States.  Fieldwood Energy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, yet interestingly, on the same day of its bankruptcy filing it made a $700-million USD purchase.  France based Vallourec Drilling Products eliminating 150 jobs! 

Virginia: What housing market recovery? After 25 years MGT Construction Management now chapter 7 bankrupt and “transferring projects to other construction firms for completion.”  GE Power eliminating 42 jobs at its Salem train factory, in March. This follows two years of getting employees to retire early.  It’s blamed on crashing sales.

Washington:  In Kent, bankrupt Connecticut based envelope maker Cenveo suddenly laid off 62 people. 

West Virginia: FirstEnergy selling off/shutting down its coal fired power plant, 190 jobs lost due to “…recent federal and West Virginia decisions leave FirstEnergy no reasonable option but to expeditiously move forward with deactivation…”

Wisconsin: Netherlands based cargo strap maker Cordstrap halting production in GrandView Business Park, 36 jobs gone by July, however, company administrators claim they’ll replace production with a distribution center.  Cable maker Southwire shutting down its customer service center in Pleasant Prairie, 80 jobs gone due to work being moved out-of-country to British empire Canada.  JCPenney shutting down its customer service and distribution center in Wauwatosa, 670 jobs gone by Summer!  Home decor maker Uniek issued a layoff WARN, 58 jobs gone by the end of April.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, January 2018: “MARKET CONDITIONS” BLAMED ON POPULATION DEATH SPIRAL!

50-thousand+ jobs killed in one year!: Sears Kmart death spiral, March 2018

Albany Business Review: Shopping mall ViaPort Rotterdam (Rotterdam Square) suing Sears for half-a-million in back due rent!

Hardware Retailing: Sears Continues to See Dropping Sales and Revenue

Kankakee Daily Journal: Sears Logistics now Innovel

Chicago Tribune: Sears slashed more than 50,000 jobs last year!

CNNMoney: Sears downgraded to default status

The Real Deal: Half of vacant Santa Monica Mega Sears store sold for $50-million USD, to pay off mortgage and fund redevelopment

Chief Investment Officer: Sears Holdings gets $440-million loan to pay employee retirement fund

Newsday: Local Business owner, forced out by Sears Auto Center closure

Chief Investment Officer: Court Orders Inquiry into Sears Canada Dividend Payment

Media Post Communications: Federal Trade Commission loosens terms of 2009 settlement that restricted Sears’ ability to sell products through mobile e-commerce apps

WLS-TV: Sears under scrutiny after customer complaints and product disputes

Alaska: In Juneau, the Sears Hometown reverted to corporate ownership after the franchise owner quit, it’s now for sale.

California: Taxpayers are the new owners of the vacant Highland Kmart as they will be funding the construction of a new high school on the property. The school will be operated by taxpayer funded San Bernardino Public Charter School, Real Journey Academies.

Colorado: Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Aurora (see Ohio below).

Florida:  RD Management-University Mall is the new owner of the still active 43 years old Sears store, which sold for $7-million USD.  Local news media says RD Management has plans to ‘revamp’ the building, marking “a significant milestone in the transformation of the entire University Mall site.”  The mall will be renamed Uptown.  Public feedback forces changes to redevelopment plans for vacant Neptune Beach Kmart.

Indiana: WFIE reporting that the Evansville Sears has been listed for sale, for a paltry $3-million USD. The store is shutting down in April.

Iowa: Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Sioux City (see Ohio below).

Kansas: Local news media discovered that the Lenexa Point Sears Outlet store will shutdown, local realtors announced that the store front will be “available” on 01JUL2018.   

New Jersey: It’s been confirmed, the Paramus Park Mall Sears store and Auto Center will shutdown by Spring 2019, to be redeveloped into a grocery store and movie theater (a smaller Sears Appliance store will remain).  Without warning the Brick Big Kmart is being shutdown, it was revealed when Store Closing Sale signs were posted.  Local news media reported that no official shutdown date was made public.

New York: A former Sears employee accused of stealing $8-thousand USD from the Arnot Mall Sears store.  State taxpayers are funding the demolition of the now city taxpayer owned vacant Kmart plaza in Binghamton, as part of the Restore NY taxpayer rip-off operation.  Three other cities are also getting millions in state taxpayer funding to demolish commercial properties now owned by city taxpayers. 

North Carolina: In Wilmington, the owners of the Independence Mall revealed their plan to demolish and redevelop the entire mall, including the still active Sears operation.  Local news reports stated that the planned The Collection at Independence shopping-“village lifestyle” plaza does not list the currently active Sears store and Auto Center as one of the future tenants.   In July 2017, Eddie Lampert sold the Independence Mall Sears store and Auto Center to New York based Rouse Properties for $10-million USD.

Ohio: Columbus based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just shelled out $28.5-million USD buying four Sears stores and their related Sears Auto Centers, including the Sears store and Auto Center in Columbus.  Local news media reported that the four stores and auto centers will be redeveloped, however, Washington Prime says it signed new leases with Sears worth $1.25-million which give Sears an easy out if it wants to shutdown; just give 30 days notice.

Pennsylvania: Taxpayer funded MaST charter school is offering to buy the still active Middletown Sears store for $9.6-million USD.  MaST’s plan is to kick out Sears to make room for up to 1-thousand-275 students, if their plan is approved by the local school district and taxpayers.

Tennessee: The Thompson Lane Sears Outlet/Home Services & Repair sold to C.B. Ragland for $13-million USD.

Texas: Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Longview (see Ohio above).

Virginia: Regency Mall owner The Rebkee Company, along with Thalhimer Realty Partners, just spent $3-million USD buying eight acres of the now vacant Sears store property in Richmond.  The mall owner claims it has new tenants lined up for the Sears store, which shutdown last year.  Local news media reports that a Sears “subsidiary” still owns three acres of the property, including the vacant Auto Center, but that it is currently under “negotiations”.

Washington: Sears Holdings suddenly selling off six active locations in The Evergreen State.  The 48 years old Lacy Sears store, the 47 years old Tukwila Sears, Union Gap Sears, two Sears operations in the Spokane area, and the Spokane Kmart.  

Wisconsin: Taxpayers of Greendale being raped of $2.2-million USD as their ‘elected’ leaders use taxpayer money to turn a former Southridge Mall Sears store into the unAmerican  anti-Constitution Dick’s Sporting Goods!  UnAmerican city leaders claim taxpayers will ‘recover’ the tax incremental financing by 2030, via increased property taxes on the property, but my lifetime of taxpayer experience shows your exalted leaders will find many other ways to jack-up your taxes between now and 2030.  Taxpayers in La Crosse might become the new owners of a vacant Kmart store, currently the property is valued at $4-million.  Apparently the plan is to turn the vacant lot in more residential housing, at taxpayer expense.

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, FEBRUARY 2018: “MONOTONOUS”

“market conditions” blamed on population Death Spiral! : U.S. Industrial/Mining/Logistics layoffs, January 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in January 2018.

Trulia reports that overall housing rents across the United States jumped an average of 19.6% since the end of 2012, even though the majority of working class people saw no increase in pay.

Alabama: Warren Buffet owned clothing maker Fruit of the Loom laid off 72 people at its Russell Brand’s factory in Alexander City.  Local news media reported that ever since Warren Buffet bought the operation (in 2006) there have been continuous layoffs, at one time there were more than 1-thousand people working at the factory, now there’s less than 5-hundred.

 California: Menasha Packaging shutting down its Bloomington location, 25 jobs gone in February.  Zodiac Pool Systems issued a shutdown WARN for its Vista location, 67 jobs gone in October.  Brinderson-Tesoro Martinez Refinery eliminating 94 jobs on March.  Brinderson also eliminating 256 jobs in Wilmington!

Colorado:  Boulder based Star Wars/robot toy maker Sphero eliminating 45 jobs, and shifting to educational products, due to lack of holiday sales of its robot toys.

Connecticut: Southport based Sturm-Ruger laid off 50 gun-making employees at undisclosed locations across the U.S.  It was blamed on a combination of low sales and “employee performance”.

Florida: Texas based ‘outdoor products’ maker Plano Synergy eliminating 104 jobs in Tarpon Springs, by the end of May!

Idaho: In Lewiston, Clearwater Paper announced it will layoff 1-hundred people in May, due to “market conditions”!

Illinois: The Plastics Group issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Willowbrook, 105 jobs gone starting in March!   Box maker Pactiv issued a shutdown WARN for its Bolingbrook factory, 101 jobs gone in March!  What automotive industry recovery? Germany based Daimler issued a shutdown WARN for its truck parts distribution center in Chicago, 52 jobs gone by the end of March.

Indiana: What automotive industry recovery?  Truck maker Autocar suddenly laid off 70 employees due to crashing sales.   MV Transportation issued a shutdown WARN, 142 jobs gone by the end of March!  Trump’s buddy Carrier continues killing jobs, this time 215!  Supposedly it’s the last round of layoffs connected to Carrier moving some production to Mexico.

Iowa: In Nevada, DuPont eliminating 28 jobs in March.  Germany based Siemens eliminating 202 jobs in Fort Madison, by the end of March!

Kentucky: Kentucky Electric Steel shutting down its factory in Ashland, 113 jobs gone in March!

Louisiana: State Department of Revenue accusing three companies of tax evasion; Elliott Roofing Services, Antunez Painting and Extreme Cars and Trucks.  The companies allegedly avoided payroll taxes by calling their in-house employees ‘independent contractors’.  Nuclear power plant pipe maker CB&I eliminating 163 jobs due to Entergy’s plan to eliminate 123 jobs at the Riverbend nuclear power plant!

Minnesota: Sweden based home appliance maker Electrolux shutting down its factory in Saint Cloud, about 9-hundred jobs gone in 2019, due to consolidation ops!

Mississippi: What construction industry recovery?  Nucor-Kirby Building Systems eliminating 1-hundred jobs due to consolidation of some production to Tennessee!

Missouri: What automotive industry recovery?  Harley Davidson shutting down its factory in Kansas City, 8-hundred jobs gone in Spring 2019!

Nevada: What construction industry recovery? Finished steel products maker Nucor shutting down its American Buildings factory, at least 1-hundred jobs lost to operations in Utah!

New Jersey: Japan owner shipping company MOL eliminating 32 jobs in Woodbridge.  What automotive industry recovery?  Japan owned Toyota-NYK eliminating 75 jobs in Secaucus.

New York:  General Electric (GE) laid off 130 people as part of the larger plan to kill 12-thousand jobs globally!

North Carolina: After getting $475-thousand local tax dollars in incentives Absolute Plastics issued a layoff WARN eliminating 1-hundred of its 150 jobs due to crashing sales!  PRC Industries issued a layoff WARN for its Spruce Pine location, 1-hundred jobs gone by March!  In Indian Trail, RSC Chemical Solutions eliminating 65 jobs between March and the end of June.

Ohio:  Deutschland (Germany) based delivery service DHL outsourcing 229 jobs in Lima, by March!  Fremont Plastic Products shutting down its factory, 185 jobs gone starting in March! What automotive industry recovery?  Chrysler-Fiat-Jeep parts maker Toledo Molding & Die shutting down its North Toledo factory, 120 jobs gone by Spring 2019, due to the shutdown of Jeep Wrangler production!  Korea based Hyundai-Mobis eliminating 572 jobs at its Toledo/Lucas factory, between April 2018 and April 2019!

Oklahoma: More layoffs from oil company Chesapeake Energy, in a surprise announcement 4-hundred employees learned they are soon to be jobless!  Company administrators also revealed they’ve sold-off 25% of its oil wells in an attempt to pay-down debt.

Oregon: General Distributors shutting down its ops in Oregon City, 165 jobs gone!

Pennsylvania: MEPCO issued shutdown WARNs for its coal mines in Green County, 370 jobs gone starting in March!  The largest east coast refinery, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, now bankrupt busted due to federal government imposed Renewable Energy Credit (RIN) which cost the refinery $217-million USD in 2017.  Dover Corporation-Pump Solutions Group issued a shutdown WARN for its North Wales ops, 63 jobs gone between April and December.  Denmark based climate control parts maker Danfoss shutting down its factory in Chambersburg, 70 jobs gone right before Xmas 2018!  Johnson & Johnson issued a ‘phase 2’ shutdown WARN, 34 jobs gone in March.  Pittsburgh Glass Works issued a shutdown WARN for its Creighton location, 61 jobs gone by the end of June.  John Middleton Company issued a shutdown WARN for its tobacco factory in Limerick, 118 jobs gone in April!  Ryder Integrated Logistics eliminating 136 jobs in February!

Texas: Irving based toilet paper and disposable diaper maker Kimberly Clark announced plans to shutdown ten factories worldwide, killing-off 5-thousand jobs over the next year-and-a-half!  Kimberly Clark administrators blame their efforts to reduce costs by $550-million USD, by 2022, on the U.S. population Death Spiral (not enough babies being born).  Offshore rig operator Maersk Drilling laying off 84 people in March, due to loss of contract.  Oil transporter First River Energy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  New York based petroleum company Hess eliminating 3-hundred jobs in Texas, in an attempt to make a profit for the first time since 2014!

Virginia:  Railroad company Norfolk Southern shutting down its Roanoke dispatch center, 56 jobs affected by consolidation ops.

Washington:   Paper and wood construction products maker Georgia Pacific shutting down its ops in Camas, 243 jobs gone by May!  Tacoma experienced the highest rent increases of any U.S. city in 2017, by 8.8%.  

Wisconsin: Texas based toilet paper and disposable diaper maker Kimberly Clark shutting down two factories, 610 jobs gone by Spring 2019!  Family run Flambeau River Papers suddenly laid off 82 people saying “Paper prices in the commodity grades have really gone down while pulp prices have gone up.”  Bankrupt busted Real Alloy Recycling shutting down its aluminum melting factory in Mount Pleasant, 40 jobs gone.  Illinois based ACCO Brands shutting down its Pleasant Prairie distribution center, 26 jobs gone by the end of May due to a 35% crash in net income.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, December 2017:NEVERENDING “BUSINESS SLOWDOWN”

“There’s a feeling of loss…Maybe I’ll go get a real job.”: U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector collaspe, January 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in January 2018:

Trulia reports that overall housing rents across the United States jumped an average of 19.6% since the end of 2012, even though the majority of working class people saw no increase in pay.

Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart revealed the truth behind their pay raises and bonuses, by suddenly shutting down dozens of Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts killing thousand of jobs, plus announcing intentions to layoff 1-thousand corporate level employees between now and the end of 2019!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

 California: Building maintenance contractor ABM Industry issued several shutdown WARNs, 365 jobs gone by the end of March!  Absolute Screenprint shutting down its ops in Brea, 170 jobs gone in March!  In Fresno, after 68 years Herb Bauer Sporting Goods shutting down when the inventory is gone, due to increased competition from ‘big-box’ national chain stores.  Too Big to Jail San Francisco based Wells Fargo shutting down an additional 8-hundred offices across the U.S. by 2020.  Bank execs officially blaming it on ‘Americans’ reducing the use of banking services, but analysts believe it’s blow-back for the bank getting caught massively ripping off its customers.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down stores in Emeryville and San Jose, 113 jobs gone by April!  It should be noted the stores were not listed on the recent nationwide shutdown list.  Dollar Loan Center eliminating 41 jobs by the end of March.  Montage Hotels and Resorts temporarily shutting down its Beverly Hills ops, 54 jobs gone by the end of March.   StandardAero Business Aviation Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles ops, 63 jobs suddenly gone.  Accounting company Vasquez issued a shutdown WARN for its Corona office, 53 jobs gone in March.  Market research company Ipsos Interactive Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Fresno office, 88 jobs gone in March.  Macy’s issued shutdown WARNs for stores in Fresno, Laguna Hills and Los Angeles, at least 436 jobs gone by mid-March! In Orangevale, iconic Wild Sports shutting down, the owners forced to retire due to ‘big box’ and online competition coupled with California’s police-state anti-gun laws.   In Moraga, after eight years New Rheem Theatre shutdown due to increasing costs to maintain the 61 years old building, plus undisclosed rent which is more than $5-thousand per month, plus utilities averaging $5-thousand per month: “It’s tough to run a building of that age on the amount of people that come through the theater. The numbers don’t work.”-Derek Zemrak, theater operator

Colorado: In Denver, after 16 years Mile High Doggie Daycare shutdown and unable to refund money to customers who ‘pre-paid’ for services, the owners blame the lack of sales on the city’s gentrification of the area.

Connecticut:  Retail service company Daymond Worldwide suddenly shutdown its Stamford ops, more than 50 jobs gone. After 19 years industry recognized RR Model and Hobby Supply shutting down so the owner can retire.

Delaware: Too Big to Jail Capital One sold 1-million retail brokerage accounts to E-Trade, and will eliminate an undisclosed number of jobs in Wilmington as a result.

Florida: Jackson National Life Insurance-National Planning Holdings eliminating 60 jobs by the end of 2018.  Along with several Sears, Kmart and Sam’s Club shutdowns, Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its store in downtown Miami, 161 jobs gone by the end of March!  In Jupiter, after 33 years Kretzer Piano shutting down in February, the owner lamenting “It’s iPads and kids doing techy things…..the days of gathering around the piano and singing are kind of gone.”  Harbor Community Bank eliminating 1-hundred jobs due to being taken over by CenterState Bank!  Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services eliminating 117 jobs at the end of March!

Georgia: In LaGrange, after 45 years Crockett Brothers towing shutdown due to the 70 years old owner’s health problems.  In Athens, for a second time Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother eclectic junk store shutting down, this time due to the rent being jacked-up by 56%, and the property being secretly listed as for sale.  The owner said he isn’t going to look for another location, he’s taking it as a sign to retire.

Hawaii: After nine years Central Guns and Ammo shutdown its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales. Monthly gun classes will continue.

Idaho: California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown its store in Nampa.  Bon Ton owned Herberger’s announced it will exit its Pine Ridge Mall location, in Chubbuck, when the inventory runs out. It’s part of Bon Ton’s plan to shutdown dozens of stores in 2018.

Illinois: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down seven stores statewide.  Champaign based Hobbico (formerly Don Anderson’s Great Planes Model Distributors and Bruce Holecek’s Tower Hobbies, and current owner of the iconic Revell brand) laying off 332 people, and is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale, blaming “an increasingly competitive industry, market headwinds and a series of one-off events with key suppliers.”  In Wheaton, after five years women’s clothier Bella Roba shutting down at the end of February, due to owner getting married.  In Barrington, after 29 years Pasquesi Home and Garden suddenly shutdown.  Ascena Retail Group owned Loft shutdown its Champaign’s Market Place Mall store, as part of a plan to shutdown  hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores stores across the U.S.   At the O’Hare Airport, ABM Aviation issued a mass layoff WARN, 481 jobs gone by March! Just Ducky shutdown its five years old Plainfield store, local news media say at one time there were several Just Ducky stores across the state.  California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown two  stores in the Chicago area.

Indiana: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.  In Lafayette, after 60 years Trader Horn Boot Center shutdown, blaming internet competition.  (when it comes to shoes I don’t understand the internet excuse, because shoe sizes have changed so much over the decades, even between manufacturers, that the only way I can buy shoes is by trying them on in a old fashioned store)

Iowa: Washington based investment company CUNA Mutual Group outsourcing 35 jobs in Waverly in an attempt to reduce operating costs. In Mason City, after 50 years the Hallmark gift shop shutting down by the end of February.  Tradehome Shoes shutdown its Mason City, Southbridge Mall location due to crashing sales over the past few years.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

Kentucky: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Simpsonville location.  In Bardstown, American Greetings eliminating 150 jobs in March, due to lack of demand for greetings cards!

Louisiana: In Shreveport, after 68 years Sun Furniture shutdown so the owner can retire.

Maine: In Lewiston, the 50 years old Goodwill thrift store shutdown because sales are too low.

Maryland:  Ascena Retail Group owned Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Towson Town Center store as part of a plan to shutdown  hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S.  Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service.  Urban Outfitters suddenly shutdown its Harborplace location, no explanation.  Local news media reported that there are only two Urban Outfitter locations left in the state.  In Bel Air, after 15 years Two Sisters Gallery American Fine Craft & Jewelry shutdown so the owners can retire.

Massachusetts: In Needham, after 46 years Taylor’s stationery and party supply store shutting down by March, so the owners can retire. In Attleboro, after 117 years  (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Highland Country Club now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, being liquidated to pay the debts. ‘Off price’ retailer Stein Mart shutting down its Westboro store as soon as the inventory is gone, due to crashing sales in 2017.  Zoots Dry Cleaning chain suddenly shutdown and went chapter 7 bankrupt dead, the bankruptcy judge ordered the chain to re-open 18 locations so customers can get their clothing.  The owners of Zoots said efforts to sell the dry cleaning service failed.

Michigan: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down six stores statewide.  In Muskegon, after 24 years Carol’s Bridal and Tuxedo shutdown due to family health problems.  In Detroit, after 70 years iconic Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop shutdown, the owners admitting that even though they beat-out the ‘big-box’ competition they just couldn’t “adapt” to online competition.

Minnesota:  In Duluth, after 35 years the last Video Visions shutdown, news media say at one time there were six stores, the owners proudly stated “We were the first video rental store in Duluth and we’re the last.”  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  Edna based Regis owned SmartStyle Salons shutting down 6-hundred stores located inside Walmarts across the U.S.

Missouri: In Normandy, after 113 years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Schulte Hardware & Supply shutdown, the owner blamed internet competition.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  American Girl shutdown its doll store in the Chesterfield Mall, due to financial problems.  To prove to you how many customers still shop the old fashioned way, and refuse to shop online, they started a petition to keep the store open because they didn’t want to drive three hours to the nearest American Girl store! 

Nebraska: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Omaha location.  What housing market recovery? In Lincoln, after five years low cost second-hand building material seller Eco Store shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.  The owner hopes to find another location.

Nevada: No luck as Lucky Dragon suddenly began halting casino and restaurant ops in Las Vegas, hundreds of jobs suddenly gone!  Apparently Lucky Dragon is now focusing on hotel ops only.

New Jersey: What housing market recovery? Mortgage company PHH Home Loans eliminating 78 jobs by mid-March, due to a venture deal with a competitor, and a $45-million USD settlement concerning fraudulent foreclosures.   JCPenney  shutting down its 60 years old Westfield Garden State Plaza location by March, 144 jobs gone!  In Lodi, iconic Party Box shutting down so the owners can retire.   Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down three stores statewide.   Hollywood Speedway & Hobbies shutdown by a mysterious fire, which also damaged next door Sharp Elevator and Atlantic Protective Pouches.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, House of Football shutdown, the owner said it was due to sales taking a huge dump after NFL players began protesting the National Anthem! In Nob Hill, gift shop Beeps shutdown, the 70 years old owner said sales are still good but she wants to retire.   New Jersey based Bed, Bath & Beyond shutting down its store in Paseo by the end of February.  Its part of a Bed, Bath & Beyond plan to shutdown stores as their leases expire.

New York: Clothier Zara shutdown its first flagship store in NYC, as a result of a $15-million USD lawsuit by the greedy landlord against Zara.  After only ten months kids clothier MMKidz shutting down its Great Neck location when the inventory is gone, the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District admitted the local economy is in the dumps by saying “it would have been a surprise if they made it.”   In Greece, Alfred Angelo wedding store suddenly shutdown, the money made from the two day going out of business sales was donated to charity. Also in Greece, after 91 years Blanchard Florist shutdown, with the owners blaming the internet.  In Clay, children’s clothier Justice shutdown its Great Northern Mall store.  In East Syracuse, utility service Osmose moving work to other locations, affecting 101 jobs!  In Amherst, Dave’s All-Season Store forced to shutdown by the landlord who revoked the lease.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide, at least 250 jobs gone by mid-April!  Sterling National Bank eliminating more than 1-hundred jobs across the state by the end of 2018!  Contract manager Sykes Enterprises issued a shutdown WARN for its Amherst location, 89 jobs gone by the end of March.  Payment processor First Data Remitco issued a shutdown WARN for its Staten Island location, 64 jobs gone in September. Blue Ridge Capital issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC ops, 55 job gone by the end of March.

North Carolina: California based background check company HireRight shutting down its Charlotte location, 93 jobs gone in September.  After ten years Ciel Gallery shutting down by the end of February.  After 21 years the Charlotte Art League being forced to move due to a greedy property developer.  British empire United Kingdom based ‘professional services’ Aon Hewitt issued a layoff WARN for its Charlotte location, 76 jobs gone by March.

Ohio: In Cleveland Heights, after 27 years Big Fun Toys announced on facebook that it will shutdown this Summer.   After 69 years specialty shop The Villager (formerly Mariemont 5 Cents to $1) shutdown due to the owner not being able to renew the lease.  In Rocky River, after eight years Local Artistree shutdown blaming a shift in the maker community.  Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Cincinnati/Hamilton store, 104 jobs gone by the end of March!  On top of that, Cincinnati based Macy’s announced it will continue shutting down stores through 2018, plus eliminate 5-thousand jobs!  End of year holiday sales rose by a piddly 1.1%, including Macy’s online sales!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  In Boardman, after 62 years Adamas Jewelry and Gifts shutdown so the owner can retire.    Dover Business Services eliminating 48 jobs by June.

Oklahoma:  Ascena Retail Group-Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Tulsa store as part of a plan to shutdown hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S.  Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

Pennsylvania: New York based, but British empire Canada owned,  department store Lord & Taylor suddenly killed 202 e-commerce fulfillment jobs in Wilkes Barre, due to e-commerce ops being moved elsewhere!  In York, after 20 years “the biggest O gauge dealer in Pennsylvania” B&E Junction Electric Trains shutting down in February so the owner can retire, don’t know if you can blame the internet because the owner has his own website (www.stevenheffnerart.com).  In Titusville, after more than 45 years Tarr’s Country Store and Florist shutting down mid-February.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Erie location.    In Honesdale, after three decades Country Dawn shutdown, the owners lamenting “It’s different times, different times than it was.”

South Carolina: Burlington (formerly Burlington Coat Factory) shutting down its Columbia Place Mall store in March.  The Tanger Outlets Eddie Bauer in North Charleston shutdown.   Banana Republic in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre shutdown.  Mister Don Shoes and Dance in South Windermere Shopping Center shutdown.  Antiques Market suddenly shutdown its Mount Pleasant location due to the landlord refusing to renew the lease.

South Dakota: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Rapid City location.  Clothier Glik’s suddenly shutdown its Northridge Plaza store due to lack of sales, the landlord was shocked saying “It was very sudden. We had no idea.”  Family Dollar shutdown its store in Brookings, the district manager told local news media “We are just told that that store is closing, and we just oversee that. This is one of several that are closing, but there are so many that open and close. They relocate them, close them.”

Tennessee: In Franklin, after more than ten years ThriftSmart shutdown as part of consolidation plans that the operators hope will provide better funding for charities.  Hallmark shutdown its 43 years old gift shop in the Northgate Mall, and its gift store at the Hamilton Place Mall.

Texas: In Amarillo, after 51 years Duncan & Boyd Jewelers shutting down so the 70 years old owner can retire.  Blockbuster shutdown its last video store in The Lone Star State, in Edinburg.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide.  After spending big bucks the past two years building 21 new stores, women’s clothier A’gaci now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down 49 stores, admitting it “spread the organization too thin”.  What automotive industry recovery?  After almost 24 years the Honda of Houston motorcycle dealership shutdown, with no explanation.  However, weeks after the shutdown announcement it was revealed that Honda of Houston was sold to Drake Powersports, who will supposedly continue operations  in that location as Honda of Houston.  In Corpus Christi, Cinemark Dollar Cinema shutdown, local news media say the owner Cinemark refused to respond to their questions.  In Austin, Bobalu Cigar Company suddenly shutdown, the owner blaming “deteriorating situation and terrible neglect by the City of Austin”.

Virginia:  After less than two years Todd’s Hobbies shutdown, the owner saying “The clientele that I have are predominantly in the retired community. They appreciate having a store handy. The younger segment of the population that are into model railroading I think are much more comfortable with buying online.”  In Gretna, Nett’s Nest thrift store shutting down by March, due to the owner’s health problems.  Ocracoke Station, the only fuel station on Ocracoke Island, suddenly shutdown because the owner was unable to pay a back due fuel bill due to health problems that resulted in hospitalization.  Hallmark gift shops in the Towers Shopping Center, the Tanglewood Mall and the Valley View Mall all suddenly shutdown, one local news source said inquiries as to why they shutdown were not answered.   In Richmond, after 41 years  W. Hirsch Oriental Rugs shutdown, so the owner can go to Puerto Rico to help relatives deal with hurricane recovery.  In Lynchburg, after more than 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Sheard’s Beauty Shop shutdown due to new city parking rules which drive away customers: “Why would they pay to park here when they can go to the mall?”-Mamie Branham, owner

Washington: In Seattle, after 42 years Zanadu Comics shutdown its last store, at one time there were three, the upset owner blames the un-recovered recession saying “There’s a feeling of loss……Maybe I’ll go get a real job.”  State Farm shutting down two call centers in Tacoma, 8-hundred jobs gone by the end of 2018!  Tacoma experienced the highest rent increases of any U.S. city in 2017, by 8.8%.

Washington DC: After 84 years iconic Johnson’s Florists and Garden Center shutdown: “This closure is a direct result of the significant increase in rent and other related fees of occupancy imposed upon us by the building’s owner. Despite months of earnest negotiation we have been unable to arrive at a mutual understanding with our landlord.”

Wisconsin: Department store Younkers issued shutdown WARNs for its stores in Appleton and Wausau, 138 jobs gone in March!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.  France based ‘body care’ store L’Occitane en Provence suddenly shutdown its seven years old Hilldale Shopping Center location.  Local news reports say L’Occitane en Provence began shutting down its U.S. locations in 2017.  Olympia Resort and Conference Center shutdown without warning, causing more than 60 people to become jobless and organizations scrambling to find a new place to hold their events.  Local news reports say organizations found out about the shutdown from laid-off employees.  It turns out the Conference Center is part of a lawsuit and has been up-for-sale for some time.    In Milwaukee, after ten years Jokerz Comedy Club suddenly shutdown.  In Delafield, after eight years Bittersweet Gifts and Accessories shutdown, the owners saying “Retail is quickly changing, and we feel it is time for us to change as well.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, December 2017: “DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, JANUARY 2018: 103+ NEW STORE SHUTDOWNS ANNOUNCED! 

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, January 2018: “MARKET CONDITIONS” BLAMED ON POPULATION DEATH SPIRAL!

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., January 2018:“LET’S PISS IN HIS MOUTH.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, January 2018: “TOUGH CHALLENGES THAT WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE”

U.S. government shenanigans, January 2018:SEX & DRUGS = THE AMERICAN WAY!

U.S. food crisis, January 2018: “IT’S TIME TO ADAPT OR DIE”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, January 2018:“INADEQUATE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES”

Walmart, Bloody Walmart!

Incomplete list of Walmart-Sam’s Club notices of store shutdowns and job slaughtering, most taking place between January and mid-April 2018, note that not all closing stores reported job loss numbers:

Alaska: Two Anchorage Sam’s Clubs, 348 jobs gone! Fairbanks Sam’s Club, 177 jobs gone! 

Alabama: Irondale Sam’s Club, 136 jobs gone!

Arkansas:  Bentonville based Walmart eliminating at least 1-thousand corporate level jobs between now and the end of 2019!

Arizona: Casa Grande Sam’s Club.  Chandler Sam’s Club.  Scottsdale Sam’s Club. Prescott Valley Walmart.

 California: City of Industry Sam’s Club.  Rowland Heights Sam’s Club, 158 jobs gone! San Fernando Sam’s Club, 178 jobs gone! Stanton Sam’s Club, 158 jobs gone! Sylmar Sam’s Club.  Sacramento Sam’s Club and Walmart, 521 jobs gone!

Connecticut:  Orange Sam’s Club, 155 jobs gone! Manchester Sam’s Club, 151 jobs gone!

Florida: Fern Park Sam’s Club, 173 jobs gone! Lantana Sam’s Club, 191 jobs gone! Tampa Sam’s Club, 148 jobs gone!

Georgia: Marietta Walmart, 69 jobs gone. Lithonia Walmart, 83 jobs gone. Dekalb Sam’s Club, 196 jobs gone!

Illinois: Batavia Sam’s Club, 150 jobs gone! Matteson Sam’s Club, 166 jobs gone! Moline Sam’s Club, 155 jobs gone! Naperville Sam’s Club, 170 jobs gone! Romeoville Sam’s Club, 167 jobs gone! Streamwood Sam’s Club, 191 jobs gone! Wheeling Sam’s Club, 138 jobs gone! 

Indiana: Rushville Walmart, 95 jobs gone. Goshen Sam’s Club, 110 jobs gone! Two Indianapolis Sam’s Clubs, 309 jobs gone! 

Kansas: Walmart shutting down its ‘health and wellness’ service center in Derby, 104 jobs gone by August!

Louisiana: Baton Rouge Sam’s Club.

Maryland: Owings Mills Sam’s Club, 169 jobs gone! 

Massachusetts: Worcester Sam’s Club.

Michigan: Farmington Hills Sam’s Club, 158 jobs gone! Lansing Sam’s Club, 172 jobs gone!

Minnesota: Moorhead Sam’s Club. Saint Louis Park Sam’s Club.   Edna based Regis owned SmartStyle Salons shutting down 6-hundred stores located inside Walmarts across the U.S.

New Hampshire: Seabrook Sam’s Club.

New Jersey: Budd Lake Sam’s Club,144 jobs gone! Linden Sam’s Club, 187 jobs gone!  Princeton Sam’s Club, 196 jobs gone!  Branchburg Walmart, 149 jobs gone by April!

New York:  Jamestown Sam’s Club, 114 jobs gone! Two Rochester Sam’s Clubs, 292 jobs gone! Syracuse Sam’s Club, 151 jobs gone! 

North Carolina: Lumberton Sam’s Club, 149 jobs gone!  Morrisville Sam’s Club, 187 jobs gone! 

Ohio:Cincinnati/Hamilton Sam’s Club, 143 jobs gone! Loveland/Clermont Sam’s Club, 142 jobs gone! 

Puerto Rico: Barceloneta Sam’s Club.  Bayamón Sam’s Club. Humacao Sam’s Club.

Tennessee: Memphis Sam’s Club, 162 jobs gone!  Nashville Sam’s Club, 132 jobs gone!  

Texas: Two Houston Sam’s Clubs.  New Caney Sam’s Club.  San Antonio Sam’s Club.

Virginia:  Norfolk Sam’s Club, 140 jobs gone!  Richmond Sam’s Club, 163 jobs gone! Roanoke Walmart Neighborhood Market , 72 jobs gone. 

Washington: Auburn Sam’s Club, 168 jobs gone! Renton Sam’s Club, 179 jobs gone! Seattle Sam’s Club, 148 jobs gone!

Wisconsin: Madison Sam’s Club, 129 jobs gone!  West Allis Sam’s Club, 165 jobs gone!

“monotonous”: Sears Kmart death spiral, February 2018

Sears Hometown/Appliance and Outlet stores got a $40-million USD loan from Gordon Brothers Finance Company.

ABC Action News: 5 months later family still waiting for their new Sears installed bathroom.

Chicago Tribune: Sears threatened to sue state over tax credit dispute

USA Today: Trump tax cut boosts Sears to profit, but sales slide continues

Finally, a mainstream news media source realizes that the excuse of blaming brick-n-mortar store shutdowns on internet competition might be bullshit, blame “the poverty rate”.

Canadian creditors demand to know what Eddie Lampert did with huge sums of money he got right before Sears Canada went bankrupt!

Yet again, Sears Holdings borrowed money from it’s leader, Eddie Lampert; $210-million USD this time. 

Arizona: The Show Low Kmart shutting down its pharmacy operations by the 12th of February, as part of the plan to shutdown the Show Low Kmart by April.

California: In Redding, the owner of Mount Shasta Mall (Rouse Properties) got approval from the city council to shutdown the Sears store (which is also owned by Rouse Properties) and split it up into six smaller store spaces.   

Florida: An Ocala Kmart employee was caught stealing $6-thousand USD in cash over several months.  She said she did it to feed her child.  The judge must’ve had sympathy because her bond was set lower than the amount of cash she stole, cops say she had a grand total of 70-dollars in her possession.

Idaho: It was revealed to me that Sears Holdings was still paying rent on its vacant (shutdown at the end of 2014) Pine Ridge Mall location, in Chubbuck.  However, the lease finally expired at the end of 2017 and now the mall owners are renting the huge space as a temporary storage unit for Walmart’s store remodeling ops taking place across eastern idaho.

Illinois: Despite never ending shutdowns and layoffs, Sears Holdings claims it is still eligible for $14.8-million USD in state taxpayer credits.  A fine example of corporate welfare!  As Catholic schools across the U.S. continue to be shutdown, the Catholic Church is doing something radical; they’re moving one of their existing schools inside a vacant Waukegan Kmart!  The Catholic school was slated to shutdown due to not being able to repair its crumbling building, but a local fundraiser generated $17-million USD to pay to move the school into the Kmart building.  To show you how miraculous that is, the residents of Waukegan make up 75% of Lake County’s poverty level population!

Indiana: The planned re-opening of the Kokomo Sears Auto Center is now canceled, local news media reported that no reason was given.

Nevada: In Reno, Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth Properties has submitted a plan to city administrators to have the existing Meadowood Mall Sears store shutdown and split-up into three smaller store spaces.  The only reason given for the impending shutdown of the Sears store is that it is “monotonous”!

Utah: Taxpaying residents are pissed about what the West Valley City leadership want to do with the abandoned Kmart property; turn it into yet another apartment/housing development: “We have so many apartments already in the area. It feels like West Valley wants to see if they can pack more people in…  It’s hard to even get out of the neighborhood.”-Brittani Martin

Sears Kmart death spiral, January 2018: 103+ NEW STORE SHUTDOWNS ANNOUNCED!