Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of June, 2015: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, and spread of disease.
A recently published study in Mexico says H5N2 has been present in that country for the past 15 years. One of the conclusions of the controlled study (involving the intentional infection of chickens and ducks with the 2007 strain of H5N2) was that domestic Peking ducks seem to be carriers of the virus, showing no signs of infection. Also, duck embryos are more susceptible to infection than chicken embryos.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms more than 49-million poultry have been terminated due to infection or exposure to H5N2 influenza virus! The USDA is now allowing eggs to be shipped in from some European countries, after the American Bakers Association stated they’re being forced “…to shut down lines or shut down production altogether…Or two, find a substitute for eggs.” The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service admitted that they don’t know how poultry, and now wild birds, are getting sick: “…cannot…associate HPAI transmission with one factor or group of factors in a statistically significant way at this time……a likely cause….sharing of equipment between an infected and noninfected farm, employees moving between infected and noninfected farms, lack of cleaning and disinfection of vehicles moving between farms, and reports of rodents or small wild birds inside poultry houses….”
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning saying the H5N2 outbreak “may increase the likelihood of human infection in the United States”.
Chinese border administrators reporting that frozen meat as old as 40 years is being smuggled into their country through the new U.S. ally Vietnam. Chinese administrators did not openly blame the United States, but pointed out that some of the meat was sold by websites claiming that the meat is coming from the U.S. China banned U.S. beef in 2003 due to mad cow disease outbreaks. Border agents told news media it was easy to find the illegal meat (including beef, pork & poultry): “It was too smelly. A truck full of it. I almost threw up when the door opened.”– Zhang Tao
Arkansas: Switzerland based Nestlé laid off 75 people at its Gerber Fort Smith baby food factory. Administrators claim its because they switched to using plastic baby food containers.
Arizona: Five Coco’s Bakery Restaurants shutdown; one in Sun City and four in Phoenix! Coco’s was sold to a competitor. In Phoenix yet another restaurant shutdown, this time Kincaid’s Classic American Dining closing in July after 14 years. The owners blamed years of city construction work which put their sales into a death spiral by blocking customer access to their establishment. In Scottsdale, the Bamboo Club shutdown as well as Frasher’s Steakhouse and Lounge (it’s supposedly moving to Phoenix). Also in Scottsdale, after 19 years restaurant Los Olivos shutdown its Sonora Village Shopping Center, due to the new property owner. The shopping center was sold for $2-million USD, and the new owner signed a new lease with an as yet undisclosed tenant to move into the Los Olivos space. In Arcadia, the Milagro Grill shutdown. In Tucson, after 13 years the Chantilly Tea Room and Gift Boutique shutdown. The owner is hoping the sale of the building will get her enough cash to open a new establishment. State Department of Agriculture investigating reports that chicken, quail and partridge eggs in Pinal, Mohave, Santa Cruz and Yavapai counties tested positive for H5N2. State inspectors blame ignorant farmers and the internet for the spread of H5N2 to The Grand Canyon State: “Bird enthusiasts and breeders who are shopping on the Internet need to take care when ordering. These birds and eggs came from a state where avian influenza is rampant, responsible for the loss of millions of turkeys and hens. If you are importing birds or eggs into the state, check the list of states with avian influenza, and do not bring birds or eggs from them to protect your flock and others.”-Perry Durham, state veterinarian
California: Due to the ongoing drought, the state Water Resources Control Board is drastically cutting access to water for Golden State farmers. The latest water cuts affect 300-thousand acres (121-thousand hectares) of farmland! Los Angeles County has banned the planting of new grape vineyards, and the expansion of existing vineyards, in the Santa Monica Mountains North Area. County administrators blame the drought. In Los Angeles, King Meat issued a shutdown WARN for August, 227 jobs lost! In Harbor City, Flying Food Group issued a layoff WARN for August, 121 jobs lost! Great Harvest Bread shutdown its 11 years old Folsom store. In San Francisco, after six years Wexler’s upscale BBQ restaurant shutting down and being sold-off. The owner said the timing is right to get out and spend more time with his family. Staying in San Francisco, Starbucks announced it is shutting down its recently acquired La Boulange bakery operations, which includes 23 stores! Starbucks also announced it will shutdown its San Francisco Evolution Fresh juice store. After three years 4505 Meats Butcher Shop shutting down in July, it’s blamed on problems with the company’s commissary kitchen which directly impacts the butcher shop. Sandwich shop Giordano Brothers shutdown their 11 years old North Beach location. Administrators say the lease expired and the location just isn’t big enough. In Chatsworth, Warren Buffet owned Heinz food processor announced they’re shutting down in July, 144 jobs lost! Rio Mesa shutting down two farms in July, one in Santa Paula the other in Somis, 135 jobs lost! In Reedely, fruit packer Ito Packing Company issued a shutdown WARN for July, 197 jobs lost! Kroger announced it will shutdown its Mission Hills Ralph’s grocery store in July, 70 jobs lost. In Newport Beach, after 25 years restaurant Jackshrimp shutdown. The owner did not renew the lease and implied he was being pushed out by greedy property developers. In Costa Mesa, after 18 years restaurant Pinot Provence shutdown. Recently the city of Fresno learned it would lose at least two Vons grocery stores, now Save Mart announced it to is shutting down. They will shutdown before the end of the month, and company administrators claim all 62 employees will be moved to other Save Marts (which doesn’t make sense because Save Mart will then have a lot of redundant employees). Officially administrators blame competition (really, with Vons getting outta town?), but it turns out that Save Mart owns the property, where they’re closing down their Clinton and Blackstone avenues grocery store, and they’ve decided to play the Sears Holdings game and make more money by leasing it out to their ‘competition’! In West Sacramento, Raley’s shutdown their Mack Road grocery store saying “We made several operational changes in an effort to help the struggling store. We modified the store hours…and implemented several cost-control measures in order to drive sales. Unfortunately, these efforts have been unsuccessful in increasing the store’s performance.” Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another WARN saying eight more employees will be let go from Safeway‘s Pleasanton HQ, in August. In San Diego, after 19 years the Great News Cookware Store and Cooking School shutting down by July. After 36 years, the owners of popular Lunch Bag Deli say their landlord is forcing them to shutdown. They say they got a 26 day eviction notice with no explanation. An employee of the real estate company that manages the property would only say, to local news media, that the lease was up and they didn’t want to renew. In Turlock, the owner of Ann’s Fish and Chips reports that the greedy landlord has forced her to go elsewhere, due to jacking up the rent. The restaurant must shutdown by the 4th of July. Food producer Genreal Mills confirmed their Lodi factory will shutdown by the end of the year, 430 jobs lost! This is not part of General Mills’ recent announcement that they’re culling 7-hundred more jobs, the Lodi shutdown was planned in 2014! Administrators of the city of Lodi say the General Mills shutdown will impact other businesses, netting more than 1-thousand 2-hundred jobs lost for the city!
Colorado: In Denver, the owners of two years old Session Kitchen say they must shutdown in July. Despite rave reviews sales were never high enough to cover costs of operations.
Florida: Upscale grocer Epicure Gourmet Market & Cafe shutdown its one and a half years old Coral Gables store. Local news said employees reported that maybe 50 customers visit the store per day. Miami-Dade based Burger King canceled their contract with Irish meat supplier Silvercrest Foods because they were using horse meat instead of cow! Customers in Ireland are now facing a Whopper of a burger shortage, at least until Burger King can find a new Irish meat supplier. Despite this latest beef scandal taking place in Ireland, the Clearwater Burger King on US19 and Sunset Point Road shutdown for failing health inspections. In Tampa, the Tampa Tap Room shutdown for 30 health code violations. The Paradise Biryani Pointe shutdown for 41 health code violations. In Fort Walton Beach, after 40 years Mama Rosa’s Pizza shutdown and for sale despite the owners claim that business is good. The owners said they’re moving to Georgia. In Orlando, award winning Wolfie’s Pizzamia shutting down next month. The landlord signed a new lease with a gourmet dessert restaurant. In Largo, Thai Basil Westbay restaurant shutdown, yet again, by health inspectors. News reports say the restaurant has been accused of recurring problems with roaches, rodents, ants and improper food temperatures. After three years Korean restaurant OTC shutdown, the owner says he wants to try something new. In Fort Lauderdale, after 25 years the pissed-off owners of Thai restaurant Sukhothai announced it will shutdown at a time of their choosing, they blame the lack of economic recovery for not being able to break even: “My heart is broken. Not only will I lose my business, I will miss my customers.”-Susie Komolsane, co-owner
Georgia: After six years the Little Wine Shop shutdown.
Hawaii: After 49 years the owner of two iconic restaurants is shutting them down due to health problems. The restaurant Kenny’s will shutdown by 05 July, and Kenny’s Express will shutdown 04 July.
Idaho: Twice in one week masses of pollenating bees escaped after the trucks transporting them crashed. Near Coeur d’Alene about 2-million bees were lost after the trailer tipped over. Apparently those bees were on their way to Montana farms. On state highway 33, near the nuclear INL site, 20-million bees heading to North Dakota farms were lost when the truck and trailer tipped over while trying to avoid hitting a car. One news report says firefighters killed the bees with foam. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared Clark and Jefferson counties drought disaster areas. There are now 15 Idaho counties qualifying for drought disaster loan assistance programs. Last month the state Department of Agriculture denied H5N2 was in The Gem State (at least since January when the last flock of infected chickens were killed off), but now they’ve banned ducks and other waterbirds from county fairs. KPVI reports that Franklin County farmers, who rely on irrigation, are struggling with invasive mussels. The foreign quagga mussels are clogging the irrigation pipes, cutting off precious water for the crops (Idaho is in the grips of a 15 years long drought). Franklin County, working with state ag administrators, has begun boat inspection at local reservoirs. In southwestern Idaho, state health and wildlife administrators are warning of the plague as many dead voles and ground squirrels have tested positive for Yersinia pestis bacteria, so far one human and one dog are being treated for the disease. More trouble for southeast Idaho wheat growers. The University of Idaho reports that a difficult to diagnose blight called Leaf Spot is reducing wheat yields by 10%. Leaf Spot prevents the plants from absorbing nutrients. UoI ag experts working in Arbon Valley say most farmers do not know about it, and when they see crop damage they assume it’s a fungus and spray fungicides, instead they should treat the soil with chloride. In Boise, the Chili’s restaurant on West Franklin Road (near Boise Towne Square mall) shutting down. The Montana based franchise owner says they are getting outta Boise and moving to Nampa. The Boise Co-Op voluntarily shutdown after 30 people tested positive for salmonella after eating food from the store’s delicatessen. State inspectors said the grocery store has not violated any health codes.
Illinois: In Pilsen, after six years restaurant Nightwood shutting down in July. Another food bank going down, this time in Cahokia, and this time it’s purely political. Christina Walker, director of the Cahokia Community Basket, says they’re being shutdown because they opposed the election of the current mayor, but admitted “I’ve not been given a reason. I spoke with Curtis McCall yesterday in his office personally and asked why am I being put on administrative leave and the purpose of us vacating the building and he told me ‘Due to future litigation I cannot comment at this time.’” The food bank feeds 1-thousand 2-hundred people every month! Local news reports say representatives of other food banks told them that somebody was making threatening phone calls to them, implying they were with the Cahokia Community Basket. After 65 years the Indiana Harbor Dairy Queen shutdown. City administrators said the Dairy Queen corporation demanded the franchise owners pay to upgrade the restaurant, but the franchise owners didn’t have the money. The owner of Eric’s Restaurant gave up and shutdown after he lost his booze license: “He is closed and is thinking about keeping it closed and moving to a different location because he’s completely worn out.”-Hal Jennings, attorney
Indiana: Bloomingfoods Co-op is eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs, blaming a 20% crash in sales on “competition”. But is the real reason because employees tried to unionize? Proof the economy is only getting worse; Lafayette Transitional Housing Center shutting down their meal service. Operators say they are “overcrowded” and have decided to focus their service only on providing a place to live for people who’re homeless. Operators say they are working to find a charity who can take over their meal service. Over the past few years Lafayette Transitional Housing Center has become the largest food provider in a 16-county region! The Oliver Winery Downtown, restaurant Max’s Place, and restaurant El Norteño all shutdown in Bloomington’s town square. It’s blamed on massive competition for “entertainment dollars”.
Iowa: The state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reports the 75th outbreak of H5N2. So far 29-million poultry infected, all turkeys and 26.3-million laying chickens have been terminated as a result! State ‘lawmakers’ say more than 1-thousand 5-hundred jobs will be lost by August if the H5N2 outbreak doesn’t stop, and they’re asking the Obama regime to declare affected counties as FEMA disaster areas! In Mason City, after 30 years the Bonanza steak restaurant shutdown. The property owner swears another restaurant is moving in. In Cedar Rapids, Smuggler’s Warf Big Bam Boo Bar shutdown. The owner blames crashing business for causing him to lose his booze license and for preventing him from paying rent, plus health problems: “I am 60 years old, got some health issues, and couldn’t take it anymore.”-Al Zindrick
Williamsburg based Kinze Manufacturing has become the latest farm equipment maker to go down. Months after cutting work hours to 30 hours per week (in-line with avoiding ObamaCare mandated benefits, but of course they didn’t say that) administrators announced they must eliminate 215 jobs across the U.S.! Employees say administrators gave them no warning (which is typical and I’m still amazed how many sheeple workers in the U.S. are shocked that their employers can kill their jobs without warning). As with other farm equipment makers, it’s blamed on crashing sales: “Despite our efforts, the current demand does not support our present staffing level.”-Kinze Manufacturing news release
Kansas: The state Department of Agriculture has banned poultry shows at county fairs, due to H5N2. In Topeka, after more than 40 years the owners of Grover’s Smokehouse announced they must shutdown in July, due to the landlord kicking them out. It sounds like the property has been sold to some evil property developers.
Kentucky: After eight years the owner of My Old Kentucky Homebrew announced he’s shutting it down in July. State Health Department is shutting down three Women’s Infant & Children offices, 12 jobs lost. Administrators blame lack of taxpayer funding and lack of people signing up for the measly $40 per month in food assistance. Price Less IGA shutdown one of their Bowling Green grocery stores. The store was only two years old, and local news reports say administrators refused to explain the shutdown.
Louisiana: In New Orleans, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville shutdown. News reports say it’s being replaced with B.B. King’s Blue Club. You could say “nothing lost”, but a lot of money is going to be spent on nothing gained either, the new food-night club venue is supposedly going to do the same thing the old venue did. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shutdown shrimp harvest in most inshore areas “…to protect these developing shrimp and provide opportunity for growth to larger and more marketable sizes.”
Main: In Bath, after 57 years Gilmore Seafood shutting down at the beginning of July. The owner said he was made an offer he couldn’t refuse by a property developer, allowing him to retire.
Maryland: US Foods shutting down its Anne Arundel County distribution warehouse, 350 jobs lost! Because of the bad economy US Foods is consolidating ops “serving the Washington DC metropolitan area”.
Massachusetts: In Springfield, non-profit New England Farm Workers Council laid off 40 people due to loss of state taxpayer funding.
Michigan: The new owner of Hiller’s Market grocery stores, Kroger, announced that Hiller’s stores in Ann Arbor, Plymouth and South Lyon will shutdown immediately! Hiller’s stores in West Bloomfield and Northville have already been shutdown! In Detroit, three baby wild geese tested positive for H5N2, making Michigan the 21st state to be hit by bird flu. Recently voted the second best coffee shop in Saginaw County, three years old ThunderBrew Coffee Company shutdown. Co-owner Dan Propp blamed crashing sales and Too Big to Jail banks who refused to debt finance their operation, his wife Elizabeth would only say “We tried, and if you don’t try, you never know. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you don’t win. Dan and I have poured our heart, soul, and life into building ThunderBrew. We are thankful for all of the support we have received over the last 3 years. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs….” In Ferndale, restaurant Torino suddenly shutdown. The owners claim that Health Department rules do not allow them to serve the type of food they offer where they are located: “This week we were visited by the Health Department and together we have determined that it is no longer possible to continue serving a menu of our caliber due to the current size of our facility.”
Minnesota: Like your Cheerios, Yoplait and Progresso? Minneapolis based food maker General Mills announced 725 jobs eliminated globally! Administrators continue to blame crashing sales and say the restructuring, known as Project Catalyst, will continue into 2017 (showing you how little faith in any ‘recovery’ General Mills has). In the past 12+ months General Mills has shutdown two dough factories, and with the latest job culling announcement, eliminated at least 2,125 food producing jobs! The state Board of Animal Health reported the 40th H5N2 outbreak to hit the same county, which also happens to be the country’s largest turkey producing county of Kandiyohi. In Bloomington, after more than 30 years the owners of Cub Foods grocery store announced it will shutdown by the end of July. Owner Niemann Foods stated “This is the last Cub Foods operated by NFI, and with our lease expiring, we decided to retire the format…”, 75 jobs lost. Minnetonka based food processor Cargill laid off 45 more IT (information technology) employees, blaming the not recovered economy. In Saint Paul, the Four Inns diner shutdown after 45 years. The operators blamed crashing sales on fast food joints and lunch trucks. Also in Saint Paul, iconic Italian American Romolo’s drive in restaurant shutdown. The owners said “it’s kind of complicated” but they’ve been forced to sell the property. The Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock and Dam shutdown in an effort to stop the spread of invasive carp. After less than one year beer seller Four Firkins shutdown. The owner blames competition and new anti-beer laws. The Saint Louis Park Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill shutdown without warning. A now unemployed server who didn’t know her employer shutdown told local news media “They didn’t pay their liquor taxes, we ran out of beer and liquor last weekend, and I was here Monday working and nobody has told me anything.” Across the country Toby Keith’s have been shutting down without warning since 2014.
Mississippi: The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources shutting down shrimp harvest on the Intracoastal Waterway, due to catches being under the legal size minimum of 68 per pound. Shrimpers agree with the shutdown because they aren’t getting very much money for their catches. Piccadilly Cafeteria in Edgewater Mall shutdown. The manager of the mall would only say “This is part of a bigger plan.”
Missouri: After only two years the Edwardsville Robust Wine Bar shutdown. The owners said they have plans to expand but their Edwardsville location was actually preventing that.
Montana: In Helena, a kitchen fire has permanently shutdown Louie’s Casa Diego restaurant. The owner says the cost to repair the damage is too high, especially after his insurance provider claimed they never got any of his premium payments: “I’ve put in a lot of money and I’m strapped now. So I can’t get no farther.”-Luis Lopez
Nebraska: H5N2 causing mass layoffs at Michael Foods Egg Products. The food factory is shutting down and more than 1-hundred people will be “temporarily” unemployed! The Knolls golf, tennis and swimming Country Club & Restaurant shutting down in November. Locals claim a lot of people use the facility, but the owners say otherwise. Membership crashed to only 70 at the beginning of the year.
New Jersey: Stop & Shop announced they’re shutting down their Manalapan grocery store in July, 80 jobs affected. A local grocery store analyst says profits for food stores has become “very, very, tight”. Another analyst blames the grocery store shutdowns on ShopRite, who is now “dominating the supermarket landscape in New Jersey.” The Route 33 Foodtown grocery store shutting down. Local news reports say company administrators refused to explain, but a local grocery store analyst said there was too much competition. In Long Branch, after 85 years pizza joint Tony’s Tomato Pies shutdown. The owner said they never recovered after Hurricane Sandy: “Basically, times have changed after 85 years….after Sandy a lot of businesses got hit hard.”-Gina Chiafullo
New York: In Buffalo, restaurant Nektar Ambrosia shutdown, the immigrant owner sold the building and is moving back to economically failed Greece rather than stay in the United States! In Albany, after 35 years the owner of Dean’s Natural Foods announced it will shutdown in July, more than 20 jobs lost. Nirvana Spring Water now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down their Oneida County bottling factory, 70 jobs lost by September. The company owes millions of dollars to the New York Business Development Corporation. Eight years old bakery Sherry Lynn’s Gluten Free shutdown. The owners blamed “struggles keeping this store open”. In NYC, restaurant Ouest shutdown due to the greedy landlord jacking up the rent. The New York Times said one loyal customer was so upset she said “I feel there’s no reason to stay in New York anymore.” After almost 50 years the Candle Bar shutting down due to the fact the owner has sold off the building. In Canandaigua, news reports say Wade’s Market Center will shutdown, 133 grocery jobs lost! The property was sold-off without warning. Local residents say they will now have to drive 20 miles to shop for food. Food service company Sodexo issued yet another shutdown WARN, this time they lost their contract with Colgate University, 99 jobs lost by July. Durso Lefferts Boulevard Foods issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down their Richmond Hill grocery store in September, 83 jobs lost. They blame crashing sales.
North Carolina: In Raleigh, after five years Natty Green’s Pub & Brewing shutting down by August because of its greedy landlord. Apparently the landlord suddenly backed out of a recent lease agreement and jacked up the rent so high that the pub owners can’t pay! The pub owners say on their last day of operations all sales will go to the employees. In Durham, Gregoria’s Cuban Steakhouse being shutdown and replaced. In Washington, after 24 years The Moss House bed & breakfast shutdown. It has been sold to a buyer that will make it their private residence. In Elkin, Heaven’s Scent Restaurant shutting down, the owners would only say that “…our journey is coming to an end…”. They will continue catering, but only until the end of the year. In Mount Airy, after 25 years Pandowdy restaurant shutdown and sold-off. After 58 years restaurant Bonnie Kay Seafood shutdown in Greensboro. The owners blamed the rising cost of food: “Basically it’s economics, trying to maintain a model of a seafood camp which means bringing a lot of people, putting a lot of food on the plate at a reasonable price; with seafood that’s getting harder and harder to do.”-Tina Oliver, co-owner
North Dakota: In the U.S. state of North Dakota bacillus anthracis (anthrax) has hit the cattle industry. The state Department of Agriculture blames unusually abundant rain. In 2005, anthrax killed more than 1-thousand cattle, bison, horses, sheep, llamas and farmed deer and elk.
Ohio: State Fair administrators have banned poultry competitions due to H5N2. After 17 years Medina Steak & Seafood shutdown. The owner blames competition. Nightly Business Report stated that Columbus based chain restaurant Bob Evans is now playing the Sears Holdings game; becoming a real estate investment trust (REIT) to sell their restaurants and then rent them back! In Lyndhurst, after less than four years high priced cookware store Le Creuset announced it is shutting down in July. In Coshocton, the Cheez-Kake Bake Shop shutdown. The owner is selling his assets and moving to Florida. Jamboree Foods shutting down their Pierpoint grocery store by the end of the week: “It’s just getting to the point where all the Wal-Marts and drug stores kept nickel and diming us. It finally got to the point where it’s time. It’s hard. I’m not going to be able to retire, I’m just going to close the store. My whole life savings is tied into the store!”-Dan Swift, owner
Oregon: The owner of the 5 years old gluten free Dallas Health & Vitality Center says she’s shutting down by the end of the month. She says for the amount of work she puts into the business, and the amount of time lost with her family, she gets very little out of it. In other words it’s not worth it anymore. In Portland, after 36 years Martinotti’s Cafe & Deli was killed off by the greedy landlord jacking up the rent: “Rent has raised considerably! It’s more than what’s doable for us which is why we aren’t staying.”– Martina Martinotti, granddaughter of owner
In Hillsboro, after 80 years the Hank’s Thriftway grocery store shutting down, after a surprise announcement: “Starting Monday June 15th, we will be open short hours 10am to 7pm to liquidate the inventory. During this time we will be offering a 25% discount on all items other than lottery, money orders and postage stamps. All sales will be final and we will not be able to accept checks.”
Pennsylvania: In Hazelton, after less than ten years Heritage Fresh Food grocery store shutting down once everything is sold off, administrators saying they can no longer compete. In Philadelphia, Joe Varalli’s Italian seafood restaurant shutdown by property developers. Perch Pub shutting down in Spring 2016, due to property developers. Mama Angelina’s Pizza also shutting down. The building that houses all those eateries was sold to property developers who want to tear it down. Simply Shabu Chinese hot pot restaurant shutdown, fans blamed its location. The Wawa sandwich joint & fuel station shutdown their 11th and Arch Street store due to “circumstances beyond our control”. Chiarella’s Ristorante shutdown. The owner said “We’re not closing because we want to close” the greedy landlord was “pushing” them out. In Garfield, after five years restaurant Salt of the Earth to shutdown in August. The owners are going to focus on their other business, architecture. In Lower Township, the Mount Hill Tavern shutdown and up for sale. The owners implied it was too much work for what they got in return. In Kingston, after 24 years the Pizza Mill restaurant shutdown: “We’re moving onto other things. We want to have some time with our families and do some traveling and catch up on lost time.”-Mark Cardone, co-owner
Lancaster based chocolate maker Hershey Company (Hershey’s) announced it will eliminate at least 3-hundred jobs by the end of 2015! Administrators would not give details, but implied they don’t see any economic recovery taking place: “Removing cost and complexity from our business will make us more flexible to quickly react to changing consumer and competitive marketplace trends.”-John Bilbrey, CEO
After 89 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) The Red Rose restaurant shutdown: “Life is too short! We only have so many good years left and by the grace of God, we think we have enough resources to retire and what we want to do is just enjoy whatever years with have left with each other and our family.”-Nick Flouras
South Carolina: The South Carolina State Fair is banning most bird events due to H5N2.
Tennessee: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams joins Blue Bell Creameries in shutting down all their stores due to listeria contamination! Jeni’s has halted the grand opening of their latest store, because their ice cream has tested positive a second time for listeria.
Texas: San Antonio based Whataburger temporarily reduced its breakfast menu offerings, due to the H5N2 outbreak killing off the egg supply, for about three weeks. The iconic fast food joint was able to find a new supply of eggs, however I did not read where their new egg supply is coming from. In San Antonio, Arcade Midtown Kitchen shutdown so the owner could pursue other interests. In Austin, Freddie’s Place restaurant being shutdown, the property was sold to another restaurant. Gary Shelton, the owner of the Sack & Save grocery store on Interstate 35E, says “We stuck it out as long as we could, but there’s not a light at the end of the tunnel anymore.” Sack & Save will shutdown on 27 June, due to the landlord-owner selling the property to the University of North Texas for $6.25-million (almost three times the appraised value!). After ten years Yum Yum Cha Cafe shutdown in Houston because of the greedy landlord. After 24 years Martin’s Berry Patch shutdown: “It’s just gotten to be too much work and me and my wife’s health hasn’t been too good. I’m really going to miss the people. Berry pickers are the best people out there.”-Jack Martin
Virginia: In Chester, after 27 years the Weekend Brewer shutdown, the owners retired. In Staunton, a sign on the ABC booze store on Greenville Avenue said it was shutting down, however, when the property managers were approached by news media they said “They’re negotiating.” The Entenmann’s Bakery Outlet, on Peters Creek and Brandon in Roanoke, shutdown with no explanation. The iconic Virginia Beach 66 years old Oceanfront Dairy Queen shutting down due to greedy property developers. Property developers forced, I mean convinced family owners to sell it to them. It will be torn down in September to make room for two big hotel developments. In Norfolk, decades old O’Sullivan’s Wharf restaurant suddenly shutdown. The owners would only say “Friends, family, customers, neighbors it is with a heavy heart we announce that today will be our final day open for business.”
Washington: In Seattle, after 39 years restaurant Charlie’s shutdown. The owners have been trying to sell it since 2010.
Wisconsin: Aglio Ristorante in Janesville shutdown. It sounds like the property owner kicked them out in favor of another business. The state vetrenarian has banned the movement of poultry and pet birds across the state, due to H5N2, the order is in effect until December. Kodiak Jack’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant bankrupt busted and being evicted! In Mequon, the Centennial Bar & Grille shutdown, it was sold to Sobelman’s Pub & Grill. Golden County Foods revealed it went chapter 11 bankrupt busted back in May, and has been sold-off, threatening 432 jobs: “As a condition to the sale to Monogram, the company is required to terminate all employees’ employment with the company immediately prior to the closing of the sale…”-Tina Check, Golden County Foods
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
Major insurance company says prepare for World War over Food!
11 June 2015: Idaho wheat unfit for human consumption?!
10 June 2015: Albertsons Safeway shuts down forgotten Island store! Hospitals take over Safeway stores!
U.S. Food Crisis May 2015: “they treat you like a piece of trash!”
