1952 Ford 8N farm tractor.
My walk-around video:
First ever Pine Ridge Mall Spring Auto-Fest in Chubbuck, Idaho, 20th-21st April 2024, and they are already planning a 1st ever Summer Auto-Fest!
My youtube ‘short’: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4OxQcIBpKwg
The farm tractor has left the building:
Pocatello SAC show, 2023: OLD FORDS (including the Ford V8 tractor)
Yellow Bird: 
1983 JEEP CJ7!
13 March 2023 (13:27-UTC-07 Tango 06) 22 Esfand 1401/20 Sha’ban 1444/22 Yi-Mao 4721/13 марта 2023 года
“The Biden rule would lead to sweeping changes to the federal government’s authority to regulate what is considered a navigable water, with enormous impacts on small businesses, manufacturers, farmers, home and infrastructure builders, local communities, water districts, and private property owners. Cloaked under the guise of clean water, all this rule does is expand the federal government’s control over states, localities, and private landowners, making it harder to farm, build, and generate economic prosperity. I encourage the Senate to pass this commonsense resolution to push back against onerous rules like this one.”–Sam Graves, U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
What is WOTUS? Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act (CWA), it determines which water, and water conveyances, fall under federal and state control.
WOTUS is also known as the Clean Water Rule (CWR-2015) of 2015. CWR-2015 is an attempt by both the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to clarify federal regulations regarding water usage by industry, academia and individual citizens. President Joseph Robinette Biden Junior altered the CWR-2015/WOTUS, the new rule goes into effect on 20MAR2023. However, on 09MAR2023 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to block (227 to 198) what is now called The Biden WOTUS Rule.
The U.S. Senate is also poised to block The Biden WOTUS Rule, but Biden has vowed he will veto any such blocks upon his version of WOTUS!
The Biden WOTUS Rule is the result of a more than a decade long federal lawsuit brought by an Idaho couple against the EPA and USACE, in 2008. In October 2022, the federal Supreme Court heard arguments, for a second time, concerning the lawsuit, the Court is supposed to make a decision in early 2023.
Biden’s WOTUS Rule was finalized on 30DEC2022. One controversial rule says that water ‘adjacent’ to ‘protected’ water is subject to the new WOTUS, there was no wording clarifying any amount of distance from such ‘protected’ water. Another rule states that ‘permanent’ flows of water in local ditches, waste water treatment ponds, artificially created lakes or ponds, are now under the control of the EPA! The new WOTUS uses ‘environmental justice’ as an excuse to take control of local water, restricting industries including food production!
Read the complicated U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Revised WOTUS, January 2023, for yourself.
11MAR2023, Representative Thomas Massie “If A Drop Of Rain Lands On Your Property… The Federal Government Is Going To Show Up!”:
IDAHO, 2023: The Gem State has joined Texas in its lawsuit against WOTUS!
JUST REVEALED, IDAHO GOT $26MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CLEAN-ER WATER?
KENTUCKY, 2023: Judge blocks environmentalists from intervening against the state of Kentucky’s lawsuit against WOTUS!
The Hill: Two dozen states join lawsuit against EPA and USACE!
Progressive Farmer: The EPA is preventing farmers from joining lawsuit against the EPA!
EPA Shenanigans, 2023: WHAT/WHO ARE THEY TRYING TO PROTECT? IT’S OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ENVIRONMENT!
U.S. Food Crisis: 
OHIO’S C-B-R-N EVENT TO DESTROY FOOD PRODUCTION ACROSS SEVERAL STATES?
Biden’s Borderland: 
TINY BOATS STEALING FROM THE U.S. FOOD SUPPLY!
27 October 2022 (02:00-UTC-07 Tango 06) 05 Aban 1401/01 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1444/03 Geng-Xu (10th month) 4720/27 октября 2022 года
“The government, in response to the fears of Bolivian families about the risk of a shortage of strategic food for the population, as a preventive measure… in order to ensure food security and sovereignty, temporarily suspends the export of the following products: soybean, soybean meal, whole grain soybean flour, sugar, oil and beef.”-Néstor Huanca, Ministry of Productive Development and Plural Economy
The South American country of Bolivia has halted food exports, officially blaming it on supply problems.
The food export ban includes soy, sugar, cooking oil and beef. While the official reason is to avoid massive food shortages domestically, this follows deadly protests over across-the-board cuts in government funding for public services. It should be noted that while the government blames supply problems for the food export halt, government officials also stated that the export ban would end once the people stopped their protests against the government! A local newspapers quoted Néstor Huanca, Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy, as blaming the protesters for “million in damages and losses” to the Bolivian economy, and that food exports will only resume once “normal supply conditions are restored”!
These protest also follow Bolivia’s Ministry of Productive Development and Plural Economy attempt to control inflation by capping domestic beef prices. In April of this year, there was also protests by retailers, over price increases by beef suppliers/producers. The beef producers blamed their raising of beef prices on new government regulations and ‘illegal’ competition from Brazil and Peru. And, ironically, a beef worker’s union went on strike to protest the government’s plan to actually increase beef exports!
There have also been protests in the capital city of La Paz, over gold mining restrictions and taxation (which apparently have been resolved).
It looks more like Bolivia’s supply problems are a direct result of government over-reach.
Hunger Games: 
WHY ARE U.S. TAXPAYER FUNDED RATIONS BEING SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER?
Incomplete (tip-o-the iceberg) list of main stream news links announcing United States food supply shutdowns, emergencies, outbreaks and recalls as of 23 April 2022:
Hungry U.S. Sailors onboard USS Ross (DDG 71) go through a pallet of food delivered by the French ship FS Marne (A 630) on 02APR2022. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Claire DuBois.
It was revealed, on 14APR2022, that the U.S. military is now spending U.S. taxpayers’ money on purchasing food directly from European NATO members! It is known as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), and the first deliveries of food went to the Sailors and Marines onboard the USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). The ACSA began in March, U.S. Navy officials blame it on government Pandemic Mandates which are interfering with globalized supply systems: “Due to time constraints and unique global supply chain challenges, the ACSAs to procure food entirely through our NATO Allies were crucial to our acquisition strategy to keep our ships in foreign waters at an optimal fill levels to maintain readiness and the health and well-being of personnel.”-Captain Douglas S. MacKenzie, U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella
Massive Bird Flu epidemic causes egg prices to skyrocket:
ALABAMA: People are getting sick from E.Coli, but the source is a mystery!
CALIFORNIA: World Variety Produce recalling ‘organic’ zucchini due to infection with salmonella!
Ironically, in the drought stricken Golden State flood insurance rates for farmers are going up!
Local zoos in fear of Bird Flu:
COLORADO: Bird Flu hits Pitkin County, entire flock dies:
Florida based Alpine Fresh recalls its ‘Hippie Organic’ green beans due to listeria infection!
IDAHO: Drought already severely affecting local farmers, disaster declarations issued!
Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 23APR2022.
This can of mixed vegetables was handed out at a food pantry in Bannock County. It is part of food provided to food pantries by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is distributed by a company in Texas but is made in Communist China!
The last Quiznos franchise restaurant in Idaho shutdown!
Bird Flu fear mongering spreads to local zoos:
Jefferson County poultry farm kills-off just under 3-million chickens due to Bird Flu, now using them as plant food:
Five wild elk killed after entering a domestic elk farm, in an attempt to stop the spread of disease:
IOWA: For some reason Communist China’s Ambassador to the U.S. visited a soybean farm in Iowa!
NEW YORK: Bird lovers being told to stop feeding the birds in an attempt to stop Bird Flu, eggs hit $6 per dozen:
NORTH CAROLINA: $18-million is being spent to build a farming laboratory to investigate ways to control insects and increase the global food supply!
OHIO: Bird Flu hits Franklin County:
PENNSYLVANIA: Increasing cases of Bird Flu hitting the poultry industry, yet state officials claim they are not worried!
SOUTH CAROLINA:
U.S. Army photo by Corporal Amber Cobena, 19APR2022.
The U.S. Army claims to be improving its food offerings to Soldiers (I’m a Cold War veteran and I’ve been hearing that since 1982!). The latest incarnation of said food improvement is the U.S. Army’s Commitment to Improving Overall Nutrition (ACTION) so-called Go For Green Food. On 18-19APR2022, Fort Sumter Soldiers got to try out, and rate, the new ‘Green’ food provided by several contacted food vendors.
UTAH:
Volunteers load vehicles with food, and even gun-locks, during a Nourish the Service event on Hill AFB, Utah. U.S. Air Force photo by Ronald Nial Bradshaw, 01APR2022.
On 01APR2022, Blue Star Families of Utah sponsored and organized a food hand-out (“Nourish the Service” event) to military families on Hill Air Force Base, who recently had babies. According to a press release from the U.S. Air Force (by Ronald Nial Bradshaw), the food/baby supplies hand-out even included gun-locks: “We targeted families who are expecting or who have welcomed a new child recently for this event.”-Emily Harrison, Blue Star Families of Utah
WASHINGTON: Soul Cedar Farms recalling its sweet peppers due to being infected with Clostridium botulinum!
‘Backyard’ chicken farmer is amazed how many people think Bird Flu is not real, and believes the Bird Flu epidemic is a excuse/scam by corporate chicken farms to raise prices and shutdown small independent/mom & pop chicken farmers. Is the Bird Flu epidemic actually caused by the massive corporate poultry industry that crams millions of birds into small living spaces in proven to be unhealthy environments?
Washington DC: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) investigating the cereal Lucky Charms after dozens of people get sick!
U.S. Food Crisis: “..FOOD SHORTAGES….IT’S GONNA BE REAL.”-JOE BIDEN. HELL, THE PEOPLE OF THE U.S. HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH FOOD SHORTAGES FOR MORE THAN 2 DECADES!!!
U.S. Pandemic Logistics (supply chain) Shenanigans, August 2021: HOLY CRAP BATMAN, ANOTHER BUTT-WIPER & FOOD SHORTAGE!?!
Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of June, 2018: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease, extreme weather, gentrification and government shenanigans.
The Spokesman-Review: Low returns for Northwest farmers may reflect a larger trends in international policy
Bumblebee blues: Pacific Northwest pollinator in trouble
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
ALASKA: 
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, homeported in Washington state, patrols off the coast of Alaska in search of illegal fishing by foreigners: “The numbers for Alaskan fisheries as a whole for crab, pollock, Pacific Cod, halibut, Black Cod – all of it – is valued at about $6 billion, so it’s a very substantial amount of money. It is a massive food supply for the U.S. and the globe to some degree. It makes up a majority of seafood produce at the grocery stores today.“-Leutenant Gregory Mitchell, operations officer
Deadly M. ovi bacteria found in Alaska moose, caribou for first time
ARIZONA: In Tucson, after more than 20 years popular Luke’s on Grant sandwich shop forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord. Also in Tucson, admittedly leftist-liberal Revolutionary Grounds Books & Coffee forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord who wanted “…more rent. Lots more rent.”
CALIFORNIA: It cost $14-million USD to build and now just four years later upscale Singapore owned restaurant Crystal Jade Jiang Nan (opened in San Francisco’s elitist Financial District) is dead due to lousy tasting food and outrageous prices! Kings Fish House Calabasas is shutting down (supposedly temporarily), 89 people jobless by September. Rexam Beverage Can Company issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Chatsworth, 107 jobs killed in August! Minnesota based Land O Lakes issued a layoff WARN for its dairy ops in Tulare, 84 jobs gone in August. In San Diego, after 60 years Nati’s Mexican Restaurant shutdown, local news media pointed out that the property is one of the last of the largest privately owned pieces of land in the area. In Oakland, after 91 years Mexicali Rose shutdown, the owner retired to take care of her sick mother, local news media said loyal customers ordered extra meals so they could savor the flavors unique to Oakland’s oldest Mexican eatery. In Bakersfield, TL Maxwell’s suddenly shutdown after 18 years, the owner’s wife says he needs more family time. Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown its Oroweat Bakery Outlet, in Santa Maria, without warning thus pissing-off local customers: “I walked up to the building and there were little signs on the door saying they were closed. No reason.”-Tammy Manson Pardo (Bimbo Bakeries told local news media they shut it down because they’ve become more efficient at making baked goods, meaning no excess for the outlet stores)
COLORADO: Denver based Chipotle announced plans to shutdown 55 more restaurants across the U.S., most to shutdown in July, the company has been in financial and health code trouble for the past few years.
FLORIDA: Caledon Concepts shutdown its Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant in South Tampa, claiming to be looking for a new cheaper to lease location. Also in South Tampa, Carmel Kitchen and Wine Bar shutdown, the property is for sale. FDC Vitamins issued a WARN, 225 jobs in Miami Lakes gone by mid-August!
GEORGIA: Waffle House suddenly shutdown its highly popular 50 years old restaurant in Athens, blaming it on the greedy landlord who wants to redevelop the property.
IDAHO: How Will Mexico Tariffs Impact Idaho?
A farm worker was found dead, yet still standing, leaning against fence post.
Pocatello family sues after child wounded by USDA anti-wolf cyanide land mine, family dog killed
Anti-dairy activists target Meridian Dairy Days
Dairy industry dwindling in Meridian
Keep agricultural land zoned agricultural
ILLINOIS: Illinois Newsroom: Shortage Of Rural Veterinarians Puts Farmers, Food Supply At Risk
In Libertyville, after 24 years Bagels by the Book forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord. Dean Illinois Dairy issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Huntley, 131 jobs lost by the end of September!
INDIANA: Monarch Beverage issued a layoff WARN, 76 jobs gone by the end of August. The global dairy collapse hitting even Andrews University, which decided to shutdown its 111 years old dairy school in 2019. The shutdown will not only affect students and employees, but 1-thousand-2-hundred cows: “In the last two to three years, we have lost between $750,000 and $900,000 a year!”-Stephen Payne, VP of integrated marketing & communication
IOWA: NuWorld Foods suddenly laid off 20 people in Dyersville.
KANSAS: In Wichita, Jerry’s Bar & Grill shutdown, the owners saying “It’s been 15 years, and we’re not as young as we used to be.”
KENTUCKY: In Lexington, after four years Ruby Jean’s Cafe shutdown, the owners saying only that it’s “the best decision for our family at this time.”
LOUISIANA: Louisiana cotton, corn hurt by drought
MAINE: Drug convicts Still Face Lifetime Ban from SNAP (food stamps) even after completing their prison/probation time, end up back in prison for stealing food!
Climate Change Brought a Lobster Boom. Now It Could Cause a Bust.
MARYLAND: Bill Bateman’s Bistro shutdown because “The construction next door is keeping a lot of the regular people away, and I don’t want to stand in the way of progress.”
MASSACHUSETTS: Restaurant Spud’s (named after the family’s patriarch, not the potato) shutdown it’s almost 30 years old Saugus location. The owners blame it on crashing sales and skyrocketing costs in that area, they’re now trying to sell the building. In Lynnfield, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese suddenly shutdown its MarketStreet location in Lynnfield, saying in an email “We were not able to make a profit at this location.” In Longmeadow, after more than 41 years Rinaldi’s Italian Specialties shutdown so the owners can retire.
MICHIGAN: Dean Foods laid off 103 people at its Country Fresh dairy ops in Livonia, because its main buyer Walmart decided to build its own dairy! Minnesota based General Mills laying off 53 people at its Yoplait yogurt factory in Reed City. Indiana based Garden’s Alive! Farms-Berry Family Nurseries shutting down ops in Grand Haven, 3-hundred jobs gone by August!
MINNESOTA: General Mills suddenly laid off 625 people as part of its new “global cost savings initiatives”! Dean Foods shutting down dairy ops in Thief River Falls, more than 50 jobs killed because its main buyer, Walmart, decided to build its own dairy! In Fergus Falls, the SpartanNash owned Sun Mart grocery store shutting down, 50 jobs soon to be lost. In Hermantown, after less than eight years Farley’s Family Restaurant shutdown, the owners are focusing on catering only. In Minneapolis, Grumpy’s Bar & Dining shutdown its Washington Avenue South location: “There’s been a thousand paper cuts like a few hundred food trucks roaming downtown daily, property taxes being ten times what they were when we opened, a building in need of overwhelming repair, etc. etc. etc. and it is what it is.”-facebook post
NEBRASKA: Akin’s Natural Foods shutdown its 40 years old Lincoln store. Applebee’s suddenly shutdown their restaurant in Hastings, with only a weeks notice.
NEW JERSEY: In Morristown, wine shop The Grapeful Palate shutdown so the owners can pursue “new ventures”. Food service contractor Aramark suddenly laid off 13 people in Plainfield. British empire United Kingdom based Restaurant Associates-Compass Group issued a layoff WARN for ops in East Rutherford, 73 jobs gone by the end of July.
NEW YORK: Seneca Foods issued a shutdown WARN for food processing ops in Marion, 45 jobs gone by Xmas. British empire United Kingdom based Restaurant Associates-Compass Group lost its U.S. funded contract with the Federal Reserve Bank, 65 jobs gone by the end of July. New York Yankees Steakhouse issued a shutdown WARN for its Manhattan-NYC location, 75 jobs gone by September. Restaurant Chevy’s shutting down its NYC location, 134 jobs gone by September! Online food ordering service Munchery finally issued layoff WARNs for several locations, revealing that 80 New Yorkers were suddenly laid off last month. In Latham, after four years Bull & Barrel Smokehouse Grill suddenly shutdown, no official reason given but local news media speculates it’s a bad location as it has a history of short lived eateries. In Port Chester, after eight years ‘gourmet’ Tarry Market shutdown so the building can be redeveloped. In Clifton Park, after 30 years Ferretti’s Family Restaurant shutdown, the owners saying they had agreed to keep the restaurant going for 30 years and it’s been 30 years. In Rego Park-Queens-NYC, after 73 years Ben’s Best Delicatessen shutdown, the pissed owner blames leftist-liberal mayor Bill de Blasio for imposing a new bike lane that killed at least 25% of customer traffic: “I have had customers have their cars towed out of here, so you come for a really nice pastrami sandwich and you end up with a $115 ticket! The concept of neighborhood seems to elude this mayor. You know, like what’s good for Long Island City, isn’t good for Rego Park.”-Jay Parker
NORTH CAROLINA: Employee at Fayetteville pizzeria put rat poison in cheese
In Durham, restaurant Nana’s shutdown supposedly because it was no longer worth the effort to keep it open. Kroger announced it will shutdown its remaining 14 grocery stores in the Raleigh-Durham market, 1-thousand-5-hundred jobs gone! It was also revealed that Germany based Lidl canceled plans to build a new grocery store in Cary. Grocery store operators are saying there’s just too many grocery stores in North Carolina, meaning they can’t make a profit because of the competition.
OHIO: In Springfield, Bada Bing Pizzeria shutdown after six years. In Dayton, De’Lish Cafe shutting down by the end of July, the owner saying the past eight years has stressed her out. After 44 years Geyer’s Fresh Market shutdown “Due to circumstances in the delay of the sale of the Galion store…”
OREGON: Oregon revokes permit for mega-dairy Lost Valley Farm
Cooking oil recycler accused by police of dumping
Sunshine Dairy suddenly laid off 46 people at its Portland location, due to the sudden sale of the business as a result of bankruptcy.
PENNSYLVANIA: In Manheim, Molly’s Convenience Store suddenly shutdown, unknown number of layoffs. Dean Dairy Holdings issued a shutdown WARN for its Meadow Brook Dairy, in Erie, 71 jobs gone by October. In Statington, after almost 90 years Galio’s Market-Slatington Beverage shutdown because of skyrocketing competition. In Harrisburg, god’s own Orthodox Christian Charities-Agia Sophia Coffee & Books shutdown because “sales have declined significantly” despite efforts to make “innovative” meals. In Gilbertsville, after 92 years Zerns Farmers Market shutdown due to not being able to find a buyer, and the costs of operation are now too high: “After much prayer, deliberation and financial analysis, we recognize that the current situation is not sustainable.”
RHODE ISLAND: Chow Fun Food Group shutdown its 21 years old XO Cafe, loyal customers were given coupons to other Chow Fun Food Group restaurants.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Anthrax strikes another cattle herd in South Dakota
TENNESSEE: In Knoxville, after 15 years Turkey Creek Wine and Spirits shutdown due to skyrocketing competition expected from a new booze ‘superstore’ moving into the area.
TEXAS: Is the Great Drought of 2018 Underway?
Texas Natural Meats Recalls Frozen Raw Ground Beef Products
TGI Fridays shutting down it’s restaurant in Tyler, “Due to business reasons”. In Austin, popular Conan’s Pizza shutdown after 42 years, the owner bemoaned “The property taxes going up, the rent’s going up, the parking problem….” Also in Austin, after 25 years Hoeks Death Metal Pizza shutdown, the owners promised “we’ll be back.”
VERMONT: After 25 years Junior’s Italian shutdown without warning in Colchester: “We have been working extremely hard over the past few years to make day-to-day adjustments and financial investments to improve our operations and maintain a financially sustainable business, however, our efforts were ultimately not enough.”-facebook post
VIRGINIA: Invasive plant with sap that can cause blindness found
WASHINGTON: 25,000 chickens die in blaze south of Olympia
Immigration puts hop growers in a pinch
Seattle based Starbucks announced plans to shutdown at least 150 locations by the end of 2019, blaming “the more rapidly changing preferences and needs of our customers”, but also admitting it’s really about creating “long-term shareholder value.” Without warning online food delivery company Zaycon Fresh shutdown without a detailed explanation. Its website was replaced by a notice of suspension of operations.
WISCONSIN: Daniels shutting down its grocery store in Janesville, 49 jobs gone in August. Piggly Wiggly issued a shutdown WARN for its grocery store in Menasha, 69 jobs gone in August. In Algoma-Kodan, after 53 years Koenig’s Bar shutdown because the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection told the restaurant-bar owner she had to spend big bucks on upgrades that would have radically changed the way pizzas were made: “They wanted me to put a little pizza oven on the back bar and sell frozen pizzas instead of homemade. Well, people don’t want frozen pizzas, they want the homemade pizza!”-La Verle Koenig, feisty 81 years old owner (who also spent 50 years as the town clerk for Ahnapee while running the bar)
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
U.S. Food Crisis, May 2018: “THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT”
Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of December, 2016: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.
Arizona: In Phoenix, Jobot Coffee & Dining shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.
California: Gourmet grocery store Bristol Farms notified the state that it will shutdown its San Francisco location, 82 jobs gone by the end of January 2017. Also in San Francisco, after 30 years popular restaurant Kuleto’s issued a shutdown WARN, 103 jobs lost by January 2017 due to a “management decision”! Restaurant Ozumo finally notified the state that it shutdown its Oakland restaurant, 45 jobs lost back in November. Bacon-n-beef burger joint Slater’s 50/50-24356 Swartz Burgers- 8009 Day Burgers-61 N Raymond issued mass shutdown WARNs for several locations, 698 jobs gone by February 2017! In Lodi, School Street Bistro shutdown after 15 years so the family owners can take care of their parents. After 47 years in Los Angeles, iconic Norm’s restaurant on Pico Boulevard shutdown by the property’s new owners. In San Diego, after 70 years Anthony’s Fish Groto shutdown due to the landlord refusing to renew the lease. In Berkeley, after 20 years upscale Cafe Rouge shutdown, the owners claimed they couldn’t find enough competent employees.
Colorado: In Glenwood Springs, Big Daddy’s Sports Bar shutting down the day after New Year’s Day, the owners said the number one reason was “family”.
Connecticut: After seven years La Petite France shutting down by mid January 2017, the owners saying “it’s time for us to move on.” After 30 years Lincoln Culinary Institute-Connecticut Culinary Institute shutdown due to failing to meet tougher U.S. Department of Education rules demanding proof that graduates actually find decent paying jobs. The Roger Sherman Inn and restaurant shutdown by the new owner, a property developer.
Delaware: Restaurant Lula Brazil shutdown due to the owner’s health problems.
Florida: Poultry processor and shipper Wayne Farms issued a layoff WARN for 13 employees. Interestingly the state lists the food logistics company as “manufacturing”. In Lake Worth, Hoffman’s Chocolates shutdown due to “…sales have been down 50% the past four years…”, six jobs lost.
Georgia: Buffalo’s shutdown their 19 years old restaurant in Athens. The restaurant was for sale but the landlord suddenly banned anymore restaurants from setting up shop in that location.
Hawaii: After less than a year the Magnolia Bakery suddenly shutdown it’s location in the General Growth Properties (GGP) owned Ala Moana Center mall.
Illinois: In Buckstown, the new owners of iconic Feast restaurant shut it down so they can chop-up the building into smaller retail spaces. Hershey’s announced it will shutdown it’s Chocolate World store off of North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. In Galesburg, after 88 years New China Cafe shutdown. The second owners claim they’ve the menu has been unchanged since the 1940s, maybe that’s why sales have crashed: “We’ve been hanging by a thread for the past three years. The city’s trying to bring the economy back, but there are no factories; it’s mostly retail and chain restaurants, and we can’t compete.”-Melinda Kilgore, co-owner
Indiana: In Indianapolis, after 82 years Italian joint Milano Inn shutdown, 65 jobs lost due to the owners wanting to retire. The owners say they’re trying to sell the property and hope any new owner will re-open the restaurant.
Kansas: In Wichita, TLC Muffins shutdown after 30 years. One of the co-owners was hurt in an accident and they had to put everything up for sale, but only the equipment and property was sold, nobody wanted the bakery operation.
Maryland: In Bel Air, after 42 years Friendly’s Restaurant & Ice Cream shutdown “… effective immediately.”
Massachusetts: For the second time this year Boston based bar management software developer BevSpot laid off employees. Reports say BevSpot’s entire ‘outbound’ sales department was canned due to low sales to restaurants and bars. Boston’s Rattlesnake Bar & Grill went chapter 7 bankrupt busted, shutting down after 26 years. Friendly’s Restaurant shutdown their Chicopee distribution center, about 50 jobs lost to a contractor.
Michigan: In Port Huron, ThumbCoast Brewing Company shutdown blaming taxpayer funded city construction projects for creating “…challenges that we’ve faced throughout 2016, especially those which had (a) significant impact on revenue during the months of May and June, have finally caught up with us and we can no longer move forward.”
Minnesota: Sausage joint Prairie Dogs shutdown their Minneapolis location, on Lake Street, saying “Our demographic was not the Millennials that live around here.” Golden Valley based food producer General Mills announced it will eliminate 6-hundred jobs in 2017! It’s the result of ongoing restructuring of the company, local news media reported that since 2014 General Mills has eliminated 5-thousand jobs globally! Cookery seller Williams-Sonoma announced it will shutdown it’s store in the Mall of America, in early 2017.
Missouri: In Columbia, after 40 years Country Kitchen shutdown due to not being able to afford a new lease.
Montana: In Helena, after five years Fusion Grill shutdown with only three days official notice to employees, but then it suddenly shutdown one day early! The owners of the restaurant gave no reason for the shutdown and refused to talk to local news media.
New Jersey: Toms River Diner shutdown after 45 years. Panera Bread shutdown their Westfield location, apparently because the bakery didn’t meet the corporate “standards”.
New Mexico: Texas based RedBrick Pizza Kitchen Cafe warning they will shutdown their Farmington location if sales don’t pick up. The local franchise owners say they’ve pumped money into major repairs, then sales crashed. They blame it on a sudden explosion of new restaurants opening in the area. In Albuquerque, after 27 years Ko Palace shutdown so the owner can retire.
New York: JFK International Airport Terminal 7 food service company HMS Host issued a shutdown WARN, 122 jobs gone by March 2017 due to contract suddenly being canceled! Cafe Pushkin Central issued a shutdown WARN, 70 jobs gone by the New Gregorian Year. In Oneida, cookware and dinnerware maker EveryWare issued a shutdown WARN with periodic layoffs taking place between February and May 2017. In Brooklyn NYC, Gorilla Coffee shutting down its 97 5th Avenue location, local news reports say the company has been planning to shut it down since 2013. In Manhattan NYC, after 79 years Carnegie Deli shutdown despite public protests from customers and employees, and despite one former employee claiming to have made an offer to buy the restaurant, and despite a 2015 grand re-opening ceremony by NYC mayor Bill de Blasio. According to a statement by the owners it’s no longer worth it to run a business in The Big Apple. In NYC, after 18 months the Will Ferrell themed Stay Classy Bar shutdown due to being overly successful, the owners claiming that from now on they’ll run temporary “pop-up” operations across the country. After 11 years the Cake Shop music venue shutdown due to long term problems including not enough money to pay bills. In Watkins Glen, after 50 years Mister Chicken shutdown due to the owner’s health problems.
North Carolina: In Wake Forest, after 20 years the Old English Tea Room shutdown, the owners said they couldn’t make enough money to justify the amount of time they put into it. In Greensboro, after five years Beans Boro Coffeehouse shutdown on Xmas Eve, the owner said the stress of running a business outweighed his sales. Food & drink container maker Ball shutting down their factory in Reidsville, 150 jobs lost by mid-2017! In Winston-Salem, after 12 years Flashback Smoothies & Grill shutdown so the owner can focus on his marketing business.
Ohio: Cincinnati based grocery chain operator Kroger wants 2-thousand employees to voluntarily quit and is offering bribes (buyouts) to make it happen! It’s blamed on declining sales, which began at the end of 2015. Kroger also shutting down its money losing (for the past 20 years) Walnut Hills store on McMicken Street, 81 jobs gone by March 2017. In Steubenville, after 12 years Aubrey’s Bakery shutdown, the owners of the successful business said “We are feeling the wear and tear on our bodies. And we want to leave the bakery on a high note.” In Franklinton, after 71 years restaurant Florentine shutdown without explanation.
Oklahoma: After 33 years in OK City, Pioneer Pies shutdown due to the owners not willing to agree to the new lease.
Pennsylvania: Wolfgang Candy shutdown their North York retail sales outlet, blaming crashing sales ever since 2013. Erie County Farms grocery store shutdown after going chapter 7 bankrupt. In Erie, after 62 years Taki’s shutdown so the owner could retire. Despite being made famous by Barack Obama, Five Guy’s shutdown their York burger joint on Loucks Road, with no explanation. In Hopwood, after 68 years grocer Adrian’s Market shutdown so the owner can retire. One customer was quoted by local news as saying “It sucks!”
Rhode Island: Cafe-bakery Au Bon Pain shutdown, the owners blame crashing sales on the city of Providence for forcing potential customers to pay for parking! Local news reports say it was the third business to shutdown as a result of the new city parking meters!
South Carolina: In Columbia, Eric’s San Jose Restaurante Mexicano shutdown without warning to employees. Local news media say the owner refuses to comment about it. The Atlanta Bread Company shutdown one of three West Columbia locations and revealed they will eventually shutdown the other two locations in early 2017.
South Dakota: In Mitchell, CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bar shutdown due to lack of customers willing to serve themselves.
Tennessee: In Brentwood, bridal shop-bakery supply shop Sugar Drop shutdown, the owner is dedicating herself to the foundation she created after her son was killed in Afghanistan.
Texas: In Dallas, ice cream shop Cow Tipping Creamery shutdown after only nine months, the owners blame the location.
Virginia: In Waynesboro, after ten years Big Apple Bagels shutting down by the end of January 2017. The owners spent the last two years trying to sell their business but nobody was interested, and then the lease expired. Martin’s Food Markets announced they are shutting down four more grocery stores, at least 4-hundred jobs lost by February 2017! It’s blamed on the sale of the stores to a competitor.
Washington: In Spokane, Anthony’s Beach Café shutdown, apparently due to a failed marketing gimmick.
Washington DC: After four years Grassroots Gourmet shutdown their Bloomingdale bakery on Xmas Eve.
Wisconsin: In Brookfield, after nine years Joey’s Seafood and Grill shutdown, the owners said they couldn’t afford to renew the lease. In Milwaukee, Breugger’s shutdown their North Water Street bagel joint.
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
U.S. Food Crisis, November 2016: “…LEAN TIMES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD.”
FOOD CRISIS: UNIVERSITY STUDY PROVES FREE RANGE EGGS SAFE?
“We’ve had a lot of scrap metal stolen. This is totally off the wall here.”– Jackie Morris, Power County Chief Deputy Sheriff
A farmer in American Falls, Idaho, had two old International tractors stolen right off his farm, in broad daylight. Witnesses say they saw the tractors being hauled away on trailers pulled by pick up trucks.
The drivers of the pick ups were recognized as individuals who’re recently asking locals if they had any scrap metal they wanted to get rid of.
Farmers are being warned by law enforcement to inventory their farm equipment at least once per week.
Voice of America reporting that farms along the Mississippi flood zones are destroyed. Some farmers were able to harvest some of their crops before the flooding.
Many farmers did not have crops to harvest, but were about to plant, and now that’s not going to happen: “…this is unprecedented because of the amount of water that is backed up and out over areas that normally do not flood.”–Randy Ouzts, Horizon Ag
One of the biggest U.S. exports are crops. The harvest is shipped to New Orleans, on barges that sail the Mississippi river. Ouzts says getting the harvested crops out could be a problem: “The issue we are having at the moment is wheat delivery, and also fertilizer and fuel deliveries, and the problem is loading. The facilities were not built to accommodate this much water.”