Tag Archives: Gentrification

Business/Economics, Idaho

“We survived Target. We survived Walmart, but we couldn’t survive the road construction…”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, July 2018

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

WFMYNews2.com: These 11 retailers may not survive 2018

The Washington Post: Millions of educated, experienced workers have been tossed aside

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

ALABAMA: After 83 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Zoghby’s Department Store shutdown so the owners can focus on their more profitable commercial real estate business.  After 70 years Friedman’s Fine Jewelry shutdown.

ALASKA:  The last two Blockbuster video stores in the state shutdown.

ARKANSAS: 150 People Laid Off From the Walmart Optical Lab

CALIFORNIA: In San Louis Opisbo, after 45 years Betty’s Fabrics shutdown.  Alaska USA Federal Credit Union issued a shutdown WARN for its operations in Apple Valley, 135 jobs gone by the end of August!  Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo issued a shutdown WARN for its Irvine ops, 126 jobs gone in August!  Banc of California eliminated 45 jobs in Santa Ana.  Stearns Lending issued a shutdown WARN for its Santa Ana ops, 136 jobs gone in September!  Airlines Swissport South Africa issued a shutdown WARN for its LAX ops, 829 jobs gone in September! Best Buy issued a shutdown WARN for its Long Beach store, 68 jobs gone by October.   Selma Hote laying off 81 people in September. BMA Car Wash issued a shutdown WARN for its Canoga Park location, 47 jobs gone in September.  In Peteluma, property management company Pyramid Petaluma Management eliminating 89 jobs in September.

FLORIDA: After 30 years, Massachusetts based gas station operator shutdown the only two Cumberland Farms gas stations in Citrus County, as part of the company’s restructuring.  In Tampa Bay, employment agency CareerSource eliminating 130 jobs due to fraud investigation by the federal government!  Menzies Aviation eliminating 21 jobs at Tampa International Airport.

HAWAII: Jack’s Tours shutdown due to crashing tourism caused by the volcano.

IDAHO: In Twin Falls, Elite Health Club forced to shutdown because “The owner of the building was not willing to renew the lease with us.” 

ILLINOIS: New York owned Chicago stock exchange laid off 11 people.  In Rockford, after 48 years Fisher’s Ethan Allen furniture store shutdown. After 72 years, Curtis Brothers Furniture & Mattress shutting down when the inventory is gone.  Famous Footwear shutting down its store in Fairview Heights, at the Lincoln Place Shopping Center.  Graphic designer Schawk issued a layoff WARN, 55 jobs lost to crashing sales. Too Big to Jail JPMorgan Chase issued a shutdown WARN, 53 jobs in Downers Grove gone in September.

INDIANA:  Fleet Services eliminating 25 jobs in Fort Wayne, due to the city not renewing the taxpayer funded contract.   Walmart suddenly laid off 108 people from its Optical Lab in Crawfordsville, no warning!

KENTUCKY: After 119 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) furniture shop Alles Brothers shutdown by its new owner the Catholic Church.  The store founder died last month and willed the shop to the church.

LOUISIANA: In Baton Rouge, after 30 years Classic Jewelers shutdown so the owners can travel.

MICHIGAN: In Saint Johns, after 37 years Radio Shack-Clinton Electronics shutting down in August.  After seven decades Teboe Flourist shutdown due to increased competition.

MINNESOTA: AAA (American Automobile Association) shutdown its office in Mankato, because the lack of customer traffic didn’t “justify it”.  In Rochester, after more than 50 years The Barber’s Hut shutdown.  In Excelsior Mill, after 34 years gift store DB & Company shutdown.  In Alexandria, the owners of the 54 years old Ben Franklin Crafts remember when there was no such thing as minimum wage and they were paid only 25 cents per hour, now they’re forced to shutdown the store they’ve owned since the 1960s, not because of big box competition but because of taxpayer funded gentrification and online shopping: “We survived Target. We survived Walmart, but we couldn’t survive the road construction and we can’t survive the Internet.”-Judy Meyer, co-owner

MISSOURI: Law firm Lathrop Gage shutdown its Springfield office due to all the employees at that office being hired by a competitor!

NEW JERSEY: In Trenton, after 110 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Perlstein Plumbing shutdown blaming online competition, however local news media says the owners of the old-school plumbing store can find plumbing parts faster than a search on Google!  The saddest shopping mall in America, Burlington Center, shutting down by September (when the last store, a Sears, shutdown).  Natirar Resort Development eliminating 160 jobs in September! Toys R Us eliminating 212 jobs in Wayne!

NEW YORK: Islamic State supporting Hobby Lobby shutdown its store in Depew, local news media pointed out that a year ago the ‘christian’ owner of Hobby Lobby swore he was not going to shutdown stores!  NYC based JetBlue warning of mass layoffs due to restructuring.  In Upper West Side-NYC, after 57 years Laytner’s Linen & Home shutdown because in the past few years “business was not good.”  In Gates, after 72 years Becker’s Furniture shutdown so the tired third gen owner can focus on being an author.  Walmart issued a shutdown WARN for its White Plains store, 396 jobs gone by November! Sterling National Bank issued shutdown WARNs for its Melville Financial Center and East Rockaway Financial Center.  Canandaigua Hotel Corporation-Inn on the Lake issued a shutdown warn, 202 jobs gone, supposedly temporarily, due to remodeling!  In Ithica, Vanguard Printing issued a shutdown WARN, 120 jobs gone by the end of October!  Spa Bliss World issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC Lexington Avenue location, 89 jobs gone in September.

NORTH CAROLINA: In Winston-Salem, after 26 years Long Jewelers shutdown due to increasing online competition. Gildan Activewear shutting down its ops in Hildebran, at least 1-hundred jobs gone by mid-September!  It’s blamed on “changes in the marketplace.”

OHIO: DTV-Danny Vegh’s Home Entertainment retailer now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to a lawsuit saying it hasn’t paid back-due rent on stores that were shutdown.  PNC Bank issued a shutdown WARN for its call center, 96 jobs gone by the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.  In Cincinnati, after 80 years Greenhills Barber Shop shutdown due to years of crashing sales, with the final nail being the landlord jacked up the rent.  In Zanesville, after 25 years Then & Now Antiques shutdown, the owner blames gentrification: “…Zanesville needs to save some of its history. People in Ohio and the United States go to Europe to see the old past – we’ve got it here, but we’re tearing it down.”-Shirley Labaki

PENNSYLVANIA: FYE (For Your Entertainment) shutdown its store at the Lycoming Mall.  Battlespace Flight Services suddenly shutdown.  In Greensburg, after more than 30 years Patty Weir’s Paperbacks shutting down in August after failed attempts to sell it, local news media said it was the only book store in town.    Bling Bridal now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and being liquidated, people who had paid for orders were told no orders will be delivered.  After 67 years the Erie Sport Store shutting down when the inventory is gone.  In Wilkes-Barre, British empire Canada owned clothing retailer Lord & Taylor laid off 83 ‘fulfillment center’ workers, this is apparently in addition to the 202 jobs eliminated in April!  In Locust, Palachick’s General Store sold-off due to the owner’s bad health, one loyal customer is old enough to remember when there were no credit cards and credit was based on the honor system, and it obviously worked: “There were times when they would write down what we owed them. We could come and pay them later.”-Cynthia Raugh

SOUTH CAROLINA: In Bennetsville, after 25 years close-out clothier Hi-Lites shutdown with no explanation from the corporate owners.  Jewelry Warehouse shutting down its Harbison location due to not being able to renew the lease.

SOUTH DAKOTA: In Watertown, after 114 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Mahowald’s Hardware is for sale and will shutdown if a buyer is not found soon.

TENNESSEE: Bad health forcing the owner of four years old Clementine’s Women’s Boutique to shut it down.

TEXAS: In El Paso, after 58 years Holland’s Department Store shutdown, the owner said in the 1960s the cost of living was so low, and the economy so good, that his father started the store with only $1-thousand USD, however James Holland said “Business has been tough the last five years…With the internet going on, you have to reinvent the business…Sometimes to reinvent, you have to start from scratch.”  Too Big to Jail Bank of America shutting down its office on Midwestern Parkway, in Wichita Falls, by the end of October.  In Midland, after several decades Terry’s Kids Shoes shutdown due to not being able to compete, even after spending $20-thousand USD remodeling the shop. The owners blamed ‘big box’, online, and even the city of Midland: “…it’s just too hard for a small shop, like us, family-owned, to compete with the big stores and online shopping….The location wasn’t great back here. The city wouldn’t let us put signs up without fining us a ton.”-Marcella Cato, co-owner

VERMONT: In Danby, White’s Fuel Stop now up for sale, asking $175-thousand USD.

VIRGINIA: After more than 97 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Bluefield based Magic Mart  shutting down all 16 stores between now and September, saying “… the difficult economic conditions that continue to persist in the markets we operate in have left the company no other choice.”  In Lynchburg, after four years comic book seller Star Port shutting down in August, blaming online competition.

WASHINGTON: In West Seattle, after 50 years Terjung’s Studio of Gifts shutdown, the owner blames his 88 years of age and crashing sales for his decisions to retire.  What housing market recovery? Kent based online mortgage company The Money Store suddenly laid off 60 people, without warning, executives claim the layoffs are part of their ‘growth’ plan.

WISCONSIN: In Milwaukee, after five years Rusty Sprockets Antiques shutting down in August so the owners can focus on their more profitable coffee shop.  In Superior, Engwall Florists shutdown due to the decision to consolidate stores into fewer locations. In Lake Geneva, after seven years second hand store Chris Ann’s Helping Hands shutdown.  In Madison, after 18 years Capitol Kids shutting down in August, the owner blames the anti-mom & pop attitudes of toy and kids clothing makers/suppliers.  Gold’s Gym shutdown its Waukesha location due to “unsuccessful negotiations regarding its rent structure.”

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, JUNE 2018: “ANEMIC”

U.S. FOOD CRISIS, JULY 2018: “THE RISE OF BIG BOX STORES”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, JULY 2018: “THIS WAS THE SLOWEST ICEBERG HIT.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, JULY 2018: “WE NEED TO GET THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OUT OF THEM.”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS layoffs, JULY 2018: “GET YOUR STUFF IT’S TIME TO LEAVE.”

U.S. GOVERNMENT SHENANIGANS, JULY 2018: TAXES & NEW LAWS PROVE IT’S NO LAND OF THE FREE!

DUMBING DOWN THE U.S.A., JULY 2018: SCHOOL CRIMES SKYROCKETING!

OBAMACARE ACA DEATH SPIRAL, JULY 2018: ‘PHANTOM MEDICAL’ CLAIMS

DRUGS, THE AMERICAN WAY, JULY 2018: “A STATE OF NEAR DEATH.”

Business/Economics

“anemic”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, June 2018

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

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Switzerland based Too Big to Jail UBS suddenly laid off hundreds of bank asset management employees around the world, including in the United States (mainly in NYC)!

ALABAMA: In Tuscaloosa, after at least 91 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Union Furniture shutdown, the family owners blame ‘big box’ and online competition: “It’s just the result of a bad retail environment. The last 10 years haven’t been good, and it’s been a really, really tough five years.”-Aaron Christian Junior

CALIFORNIA: Finance of America killing 43 U.S. jobs in Roseville, shipping many jobs to an office in Philippines, by August. Banc of California suddenly shutdown three offices, 13 jobs gone without warning.  Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo issued shutdown WARNs for a San Francisco office, and its Irvine office, 163 jobs gone between August and the end of September!  USBank also issued a shutdown WARN for its Irvine office, 60 jobs gone by August.  Community Bank eliminating 37 jobs in Pasadena, by August. Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions issued a shutdown WARN for its Anaheim location, 68 jobs gone by August.   JCPenney issued a shutdown WARN for its Buena Park location, 98 jobs gone by August. What automotive industry recovery?  Robertson Honda issued a shutdown WARN for its North Hollywood location, 119 jobs gone in July!

COLORADO: real estate scammer sentenced to 20 years in jail

Appeals court supports $1-million USD judgment against crooked foreclosure law firm

In Boulder, Fleet Feet Sports Boulder suddenly shutdown, the owner said in an email that he was not allowed to say why.

CONNECTICUT: Ann Taylor shutting down its store in Glastonbury by August, a local TV station said skyrocketing rent and internet competition are to blame.

GEORGIA: ‘Premier Sports Vacation Destination’ Lake Point Sporting Community now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, despite having ‘state-of-the-art’ entertainment venues and claiming that it has 1-million visitors every year.

ILLINOIS: Taxpayer investment (by City of Peoria) GEM Hospitality-Pere Marquette Hotel now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale, city leaders hope to make money on the bankruptcy auction (they obviously haven’t been paying attention to other bankruptcy auctions).  Quality Inn shutting down its Midway Airport motel, 46 jobs gone by September. Walmart issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Clinton, 80 jobs gone by the end of August.  Vantiv issued a shutdown WARN for ops in Tinley Park, 64 jobs gone by Halloween.  Itasca based Too Big to Jail First Midwest Bank shutting down at least 19 locations across Illinois and Indiana.  Honor Finance issued a shutdown WARN for its Evanston location, 70 jobs gone in August.  Libertyville True Hardware shutdown after 51 years, the owners blamed ‘big box’ competition. What automotive industry recovery? Clarendon Hills Auto Repair shutdown after 55 successful years, interestingly the owner says his father and uncle wisely ignored the advice of ‘expert’ analysts in choosing the shop’s location (which shows you how much ‘experts’ know).  The owner isn’t closing due to lack of work, it’s exactly the opposite: “…I don’t want to work 12 hours a day anymore.”-Scott Bonser

INDIANA: In Anderson, after 63 years Brauchla TV and Appliance shutdown, the owners blamed it on the price of steel and aluminum.  In Indianapolis, Game Paradise shutdown, the upset owners said they had just moved into a cheaper location but then sales unexpectedly crashed.

IOWA: French Way Cleaners shutdown all remaining eight stores, after more than a hundred years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) of operations.  In Altoona, Sports Page shutting down in August, the owners blaming competition from ‘big box’ and online. In Waterloo, after 45 years Ridgeway True Value Hardware shutdown.  Also in Waterloo (and also after 45 years), god’s own British empire based Salvation Army shutdown its Family Thrift Store.  In Fort Dodge, Zales shutdown its jewelry store in Crossroads Mall.  In Davenport, Salon Luce suddenly shutdown, 14 jobs gone without warning.

KENTUCKY: In Louisville, after 25 years of plays Alley Theater shutting down in August, due to two years of low ticket sales which the operators describe as “…anemic. That is the best word for the last two years.”  

MAINE:  In Houlton, after 110 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions, and the 1992 shutdown of Loring Air Force Base) Dunn Furniture finally shutdown.

MARYLAND: What housing market recovery? Too Big to Jail California based Wells Fargo eliminating 63 mortgage jobs in Frederick, by mid-August.

MASSACHUSETTS: In Arlington, after 64 years Balich 5&10 shutdown, the owner blames his retirement on internet competition, and the city’s gentrification of the area around his store, for causing a crash in sales. In North Andover, after 24 years Kids Karousel toys and clothing store shutdown, the owners saying they had to move-up their retirement plans because “…we definitely weren’t having enough sales to support the business anymore. We were seeing a huge decline.”  After seven decades Brown’s of Beverly Bicycles shutdown.

MICHIGAN: In Ann Arbor, The M-Den suddenly shutdown the 103 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Moe Sport Shops without warning, blaming it on lack of sales (never mind that The M-Den is a competitor that bought-out Moe Sport Shops last year).  In Waterford, Airway Lanes shutdown, the property was purchased by the next-door business.

MISSOURI: In Warrensburg, Dean Williamson Furniture-Hursh Furniture shutdown after nearly seven decades.

MONTANA: Ronan Sports & Western shutdown after 61 years, the owners blaming low sales for forcing them to “…try retirement. And see how that works out.” In Great Falls, after 31 years Amazing Toys up for sale so the owner can hopefully retire.

NEW JERSEY: Dying Toys R Us eliminating 184 jobs at its Wayne HQ, by mid-August!  Disney Store shutdown its location in Monmouth Mall, blaming low sales on competition.  Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase eliminating 58 jobs in Jersey City.

NEW YORK: In Williamsville, Leelee’s Clothing shutting down after 20 years. NYC based (but owned by British empire Canada’s Hudson’s Bay Company) Lord & Taylor clothier shutting down ten stores to “allow new leadership to re-think the model”.   Online clothing seller Tahari issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC office, 137 jobs gone by the end of August!  Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo issued a shutdown WARN for its Pittsford Retail Fulfillment Unit, 48 jobs affected by the end of August. Toys R Us-Babies R Us suddenly shutdown multiple locations, at least 328 jobs gone with only days notice!

NORTH CAROLINA: In Greensboro, after three years PartyChick and Paper shutdown, the owners, who had three successful stores in Texas, saying “…we thought it would do well here, but the opposite has happened.  Greensboro is much more online shopping-centric than Dallas.”

NORTH DAKOTA: In Fargo, after 21 years Zimmerman’s Furniture shutdown because the building was sold.

OHIO: Toys R Us-Babies R Us suddenly shutdown stores across the state, 1-thousand-178 jobs gone with only a few days warning! In West Chester, after 86 years HRS Janitorial Service & Supplies shutting down when the inventory is gone, the property has already been sold, it’s blamed on crashing sales.  Yet more layoffs in the works at Fifth Third Bank, an undisclosed number of people in Cincinnati soon to be unemployed, even though the Too Big to Jail bank claims to have 561 open positions!  Cleveland/Crocker Park based American Greetings announced an undisclosed number of layoffs and early retirements “in an effort to ensure the ongoing success of the company.”  Family Video shutting down stores in Dayton and New Carlisle, when the inventory is gone. After 27 years Big Fun toy store, in Cleveland Heights, shutdown, the owner blamed internet competition.  In Mansfield, Diamond Street Pawn Shop shutting down so the gun toting owners can retire to Florida.  After almost 50 years the Village Bookshop, in Linworth, shutting down so the owners can retire. The f.y.e. music shop in River Valley Mall shutdown.   In Austintown, god’s own British empire based Salvation Army shutting down its Family Thrift Store by the end of August.

OREGON: Kah-Nee-Ta Resort issued a shutdown WARN, 146 jobs gone by September!

PENNSYLVANIA: Under Armour (note the evil British empire way of spelling armor) suddenly shutdown its two years old clothing store in Center City, without warning, saying it’s part of the plan to “optimize global operations”.  After 25 “really good years” Venture Investments Group suddenly shutdown its Burton’s Total Pet store in Greensburg (the third Burton’s Total Pet store to shutdown since January), blaming ‘big box’ and internet competition for crashing sales. Venture Investments Group-Burton’s Total Pet is also showing signs of going bankrupt.  Ranck Plumbing Heating & AC suddenly shutdown operations in Lancaster and Bowmansville.

SOUTH CAROLINA: After 57 years, Bonnie Brae Golf Club shutdown, and possibly for sale, due to lack of participation ever since the 2008 Great Recession.  In North Charleston, InterContinental Hotels Group shutting down its 21 years old reservations call center, 630 jobs being killed by third party contractors!  Pier 1 shutting down one of its stores due to competition with itself (too many Pier 1 stores within 20 miles of each other)!   What housing market recovery?  Fort Mill based Movement Mortgage eliminating 1-hundred jobs across the U.S., admitting “…we are growing slower than we expected.”    And Too Big to Jail California based Wells Fargo eliminating 1-hundred mortgage jobs in Fort Mills, by mid-August, in order “to better align with current volumes.”

TEXAS: Fort Worth based American Airlines warning of massive layoffs of managers due to its merger with US Airways (which took place five years ago)!

WEST VIRGINIA: In Wheeling, Chris Miller Furniture shutdown so the widow of the store’s namesake can retire.  In Huntington, after 60 years Colonial Lanes shutdown and for sale.

WISCONSIN: Too Big to Jail California based Wells Fargo eliminating 46 jobs in Menomonee Falls, by October.

WYOMING: In Evanston, after 40 years Schofield Furniture and Appliance shutdown and for sale, due to family health problems.

Your leaders are lying to you, don’t forget to check out the thousands of layoffs in all these other U.S. industries.

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

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, May 2018: “WE’RE TOO BUSY, WE CAN’T KEEP UP”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, June 2018:“THEIR YEAR OF DEMISE.”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, June 2018:“GLOBAL RACE TO THE BOTTOM.”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., June 2018:“LOCKDOWN, LOCKDOWN”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, June 2018:“REDEPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES”

U.S. government shenanigans, June 2018:“THIS ISN’T FOSTER CARE, THIS IS STATE-SPONSORED KIDNAPPING!”

U.S. food crisis, June 2018:“A THOUSAND PAPER CUTS”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, June 2018:“…WE HAD THE WORST YEAR…EVER…”

DRUGS, THE AMERICAN WAY, June 2018:‘THE DREAM MARKET’

Business/Economics, Idaho

“accelerated the closing of unprofitable stores”: Sears Kmart death spiral, May 2018

“The stores are slowly closing and where am I going to go shopping. I don’t want to shop online.“-Loretta Olsen, pissed off loyal Kmart shopper in Minnesota

“We have been strategically and aggressively evaluating our store space and productivity, and have accelerated the closing of unprofitable stores.”-Howard Riefs, Sears Holdings

After losing $424-million USD in its first quarter of 2018, Sears Holdings announced 72 additional shutdowns by Summer, but that’s not all as those shutdowns are part of a new list which “identified approximately 100 non-profitable stores”, so potentially a total of 1-hundred additional stores will shutdown “as needed and as warranted.”

Just to remind you, in the 12 months leading up to February 2018, 303 Kmart and 123 Sears stores were shutdown and 50-thousand jobs killed!  Five years ago there were about 2-thousand Sears and Kmart stores, now there are less than 9-hundred.

USAToday: Sears gets $425M boost from Citi credit card deal 

CNBC: 125 years later, Sears looks a lot different

TheStreet: All the Warning Signs of a Company Nearing the End

CNNMoney: Sears moves to sell Kenmore

Hardware Retailing: Former Sears Brand Now Available at Lowe’s

KFSN: So much for California’s anti-gun laws as Kmart employee stabbed at Visalia store dies from his injuries

Visalia Times-Delta: Typical for leftist liberal California as Accused Kmart killer paroled 8 times before stabbing security guard

Arizona: Phoenix Sears on North  Metro Parkway West.

California: City of Industry Puente Hills Mall Sears, 51 jobs gone by September.  Ridgecrest Kmart. In Mid City West (‘subregion’ of Los Angeles), the Jewish controlled owner of the Town & Country Shopping Center, ARBA Group, revealed plans to tear down an active Kmart, along with other retail operations like a grocery store, pharmacy and a bank.  ARBA Group also revealed that the active Kmart long term lease expired last year and that Sears Holdings has no plans to sign a new long term lease, so they want to go through with a massive gentrification project which will result in a 380 family apartment complex mixed with a new shopping center inside a 26 story tower! A detailed local news report stated that Mid City West leaders, as well as residents, were “stunned” at the scale of the redevelopment. However, ARBA Group originally planned for a tower that could hold 8-hundred families: “It’s a mash up of a downtown high rise building with a Woodland Hills-style shopping mall plunked into the middle of a dense, urban neighborhood.”-John Nahas, Recency Centers (one of the development ‘partners’ for the project)

Los Angeles Times revealed that Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is spending $60-million USD to redevelop the recently shuttered Santa Monica Sears into more brick-n-mortar spaces.  Seritage is also spending $97-million redeveloping a San Diego Sears location into more spaces for brick-n-mortar stores.   Sacramento Business Journal revealed the Roseville Sears is going to be redeveloped with $20-million to make more brick-n-mortar spaces.   As Blind Bat News said back in 2012, the brick-n-mortar shutdowns are not because of internet competition, its “ALL PART OF Real Estate Investment Trust PLAN TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP, AND THEY BLAME YOU THE SHOPPER!”

Colorado: Arvada Kmart.

Delaware: Local news media reporting the Dover Sears store is shutting down by mid-August, the Sears Auto Center will remain open.  After the Dover Sears store shuts down there will be only one Sears store in The First State.

Florida: Sanford Sears and Tampa Citrus Park Town Center Sears.  Tampa Kmart on East Busch Boulevard. Sears Town Mall store in Titusville shutting down in June 2018, a WARN indicating how many people will lose their jobs has yet to be made public.  The new owner of the University Mall Sears (RD Management) confirmed it will be shutdown.

Georgia: Three Sears operations in Atlanta, Morrow and Duluth.  In Alpharetta, the North Point Mall Sears shutting down.

Hawaii: Lihue Kmart.  After 24 years the Kailua-Kona Kmart shutting down in August, 2018.  No more Kmarts left in Hawaii.

Idaho:  State taxpayers forced to pay to turn a vacant Sears building into a charter K through 12 school in City of Chubbuck/Bannock County (school district 25)! Gem Prep Pocatello announced it plans on moving into the Chubbuck Sears building by 2019, a public hearing is scheduled in June at Chubbuck City Hall.   The state Department of Education says “Charter schools do not charge tuition. They receive state funding similar to school districts, however they do not receive additional funds from public levies or bonds.”  Nampa BigKmart shutting down in August.

Illinois: Four Sears ops in Aurora, Gurnee, Springfield and Vernon Hills.  Rockford Kmart. The Quincy Sears Auto Center shutting down immediately, and then after 90 years (90 years in Quincy, 40 years at the Quincy Mall) the Quincy Sears store shutting down, at least 23 remaining jobs gone by mid-August 2018.  The owner of the Quincy Mall, Cullinan Property, called bullshit on Sears Holdings’ reason for the store shutdown saying “the Quincy Mall Sears has been a well-performing store”.

Indiana: Three Sears ops in Indianapolis, Muncie and Lafayette (Tippecanoe Mall Sears), by September.  The Mishawaka Sears at University Park Mall going on the auction block on 22May2018. Taxpayers of Saint John being raped of more than $5-million USD for a commercial redevelopment project that will include a vacant Kmart, some residents are pissed saying “Why don’t we just build the buildings for them?”   A property developer has signed a lease with the owner of the vacant Bloomington Kmart property.  The developer wants to build a massive hotel complex and admittedly wants to ‘get the community involved’ in the deal (taxpayer funding?). City officials have not been officially informed of the project. 

Iowa: Davenport Sears (42 jobs gone by September). Des Moines Kmart (60 jobs gone by September) on Hubbell Avenue. Taxpayers being forced to turn a vacant Dubuque Kmart into a new Veterans Affairs clinic. 

Kansas: Topeka Sears.

Kentucky: Elizabethtown Sears shutting down, no official date was mentioned in the email received by a local newspaper, but the closing sale is to start at the end of the month and run for up to 10 weeks.

Louisiana: Alexandria Mall Sears.  Local news reports say the manager of the Lake Charles Kmart revealed it is shutting down.

Massachusetts: Peabody (68 jobs gone by September) and Springfield Sears. 

Michigan: Four Sears ops in Dearborn (66 jobs lost), Flint, Sterling Heights (68 jobs lost) and Traverse City.

Minnesota: Duluth Kmart on North Central Avenue, 40 jobs gone by September. Brooklyn Center (50 jobs gone) and Duluth Miller Hill Mall (45 jobs gone) Sears. 

Mississippi: Hattiesburg Sears.

Missouri: Chesterfield and Saint Louis South County Center Way Sears.

Montana: Billings Sears.

New Jersey: Three Sears ops in Burlington, Lawrenceville and Ocean. Passaic/Clifton Kmart (103 jobs gone by September).  Elmwood Park Kmart shutting down by the end of July, 2018. After 39 years the Somerset Kmart shutting down by the end of July 2018.  Jersey City Kmart shutting down sometime during Summer.

New Mexico:  Albuquerque Kmart on Carlisle Avenue and Sears on Coors Bypass North West.

New York:  De Witt/Syracuse Sears (45 jobs gone by September).  West Babylon Kmart (85 jobs gone by September) and Rosedale Kmart (99 jobs gone by September). 46 years old Wheatfield/Niagara Falls Sears shutting down, at least 42 jobs gone by mid-August 2018.

North Carolina: The owners of the Waynesville Sears Hometown Store announced it will shutdown by July (not part of Sears Holdings official shutdown list).

North Dakota: Grand Forks Sears.

Ohio: Lima and Strongsville Sears.

Oregon: Portland Kmart on North East Sandy Boulevard. 

Pennsylvania: Latrobe Kmart. Pittsburgh/South Hills Sears and Pittsburgh Sears on Robinson Center Drive.

South Carolina: Anderson and Spartanburg Sears. Sears store and Auto Center shutting down in the Citadel Mall in West Ashley (Charleston), between June and August 2018.  The investor-owners of Citadel Mall just bought the Sears space for $7.55-million USD: “We feel like the Sears parcel is the last piece of the puzzle we need to implement our master plan.”-Richard Davis, one of the investor-owners

South Dakota: Sioux Falls Empire Mall Sears. 

Tennessee: Knoxville Sears on Knoxville Center Drive.

Texas: Four Sears ops in Cedar Park, Denton, Lewisville and Fort Worth on Green Oaks Road.  Laredo Kmart. In Tyler rumors that the Broadway Square Mall Sears is going away, this after it was revealed the Sears store is going to be torn down.  The owner of the mall, Simon Property Group, submitted plans for demolition, replacing the Sears building with smaller retail spaces and no sign of the Sears remaining. The Planning Manager for Tyler would only say “…we support re-development on that site, it’s good that they’re actually doing some re-development for the site and for the city.”  In San Antonio, the Park North Shopping Center Sears.  Simon Property Group, owner of Broadway Square Mall in Tyler, announced it wants to tear down the active Sears store and Auto Center and create at least two separate retail spaces.  Local news reports claim the city council has the final say.   Simon Property Group indicated they already have a “new tenant” lined up, Sears Holdings refused to comment.

Vermont: After 39 years the Bennington Kmart shutting down in August 2018.

Virginia: Sears store and Auto Center shutting down at the Danville Mall, between June and August 2018.

Washington: Tacoma Sears on South Steele Street.  Los Angeles Times revealed that Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is spending millions of dollars redeveloping the Redmond Sears into more spaces for brick-n-mortar stores.

Wyoming: The Laramie Kmart shutting down in August 2018.  A convoluted commercial transaction that will result in no new job creation and increased vacant properties going down in a place called Sheridan.  Natural gas products company EMIT Technologies quietly purchased the vacant Kmart, officially to consolidate all its manufacturing operations into one building.  They imply they’re willing to spend their own money improving the property, even working with city public works and parks departments to ‘make it right’.  The city still has to approve rezoning plans, but a lot of money will be spent with no new jobs being created and leaving several commercial/manufacturing locations vacated and up-for-sale.  

Home Textiles Today: Sears, Kmart now leasing mattresses online

Investorplace.com: The End Game for Sears Holding Corp Has Begun

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, APRIL 2018: “TOO BIG FOR OUR NEEDS.” SELLING OUT ONLINE!

Business/Economics

What Housing Market Recovery? 1st Quarter 2015: “I know…a manager…who said they lose $200-thousand a year!”

Incomplete list of residential and commercial construction industry job destruction that took place, or were announced, from January to March 2015:

“The number of future foreclosure auctions scheduled in January continued to increase in many states, foreshadowing more foreclosure spring cleaning to come in the next several months…”-RealtyTrac

According to the National Association of Counties, only 65 out of 3,143 counties across the United States have “fully” ‘recovered’ since 2008!!!

Internet based commercial office space seller 42Floors laid off at least 14 people in the cities of New York and San Francisco. The company halted its commercial real estate brokerage ops and will focus on providing internet searches and listings only: “Over the past few months, 42Floors has experimented with being a brokerage in addition to being a commercial real estate data and search website. We’ve decided today to stick with what we’re best at…”-Jason Freedman, founder

Alabama: After 25 years Applebee’s shutdown their Brookwood Village restaurant. The Texas based property owner refused to renew the lease with the restaurant.

Alaska: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 10,137 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

Arizona: The Grand Canyon State lost 43-hundred construction jobs in 2014, the most in the U.S.! The Associated General Contractors warns that even more jobs will be lost in 2015. RealtyTrac says foreclosures jumped 100% from December 2014 to January 2015!  The city of Phoenix now has a 22% office vacancy rate, or more than one in five!  In Tucson, after ten years The District Tavern shutdown, it’s blamed on jacked up rent.

California: The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 32,090 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  RealtyTrac reported a sudden jump in foreclosures by the end of January. In Los Angeles County 1,231 homes were foreclosed on.  Agoura Hills based InterThink sold off its mortgage division, resulting in at least 70 people being laid off.  In Santa Barbara, after six years the Bizerk Costume Store shutdown, the owners blamed the greedy landlord, LYNX, for giving them a 30 day eviction notice (instead of the required 60). Local news sources say LYNX administrators refused to say why they kicked out their tenant. Bizerk co-owner says its all about jacking up the rent: “At the rates that are being charged on State Street, I think it’s very possible that a lot of chain store business might be taking a loss. I know someone who is a manager at Abercrombie & Fitch on State Street who said they lose $200-thousand a year…..!”-David Sampanis

Connecticut:  The U.S. Census Bureau reports at least 2,664 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  In Wallingford, Acuity Brands Lighting issued a shutdown for April, 93 jobs lost.

Florida:  In Jacksonville, Too Big to Jail Bank of America Mortgage issued a layoff WARN for April saying 69 people will be laid off. JPMorgan Chase Mortgage rendered 163 people jobless!  In Dania Beach, Boomers! Greater Ft. Lauderdale amusement park shutdown and being forced to liquidate by greedy property developers.  Taxsucking developer of so called affordable housing, Aburn Trace, is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted! This could mean no chance of recovering any taxpayer funding the company got. It’s blamed on numerous lawsuits filed by and against home developers, banks and even the federal government! (classic cluster f*ck with taxpayer and investor funds)  In Plantation, the Fashion Mall chapter 7 bankrupt busted and now up for sale. The mall has been vacant since 2007!

Georgia: Maker of concrete reinforcing steel Insteel Industries shutdown their Newnan factory, 20 jobs lost. They are consolidating ops as part of their takeover of American Spring Wire.

Hawaii: The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 5,141 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  The Children’s Place clothing store in the GGP owned Ala Moana Center shutdown. Store administrators say they couldn’t afford to renew the lease.

Idaho:  Washington based wood products company Plum Creek Timber sold-off its Meridian remanufacturing factory, at least 61 jobs lost.  According to National Association of Counties most recent data eastern Idaho’s Bannock County has failed to make any recovery in the areas of Jobs, Unemployment, GDP or Home Prices since 2008! Never mind that Bannock County is still assessing the value of homes at tens of thousands of dollars above what they will actually sell for!

Illinois:  The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 94,956 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  In Chicago, housewares retailer Crate & Barrel laid off under 30 of its HQ employees. Administrators admit they don’t see any economic recovery happening, saying they need “to align our work force with our future business strategies.”  Employees went public and revealed that the Ace Hardware on East Oakton Street, in Des Plaines, shutdown.  RealtyTrac reports that foreclosures for January 2015 beat out foreclosures for January 2014. In Cook County there was a 24% increase!  After 26 years Soapy’s laundromat being shutdown by greedy property developers.

Kentucky: Remke Markets announced they could not afford to renew their lease on their Newport grocery store and shut it down, 58 jobs lost.  In Louisville, Cunningham’s Restaurant shutdown without warning, 30 jobs lost. The property is for sale, but the current lease is good until 2022. Gatti’s Pizza shutdown their Westport Village Gattiland restaurant, the owners blamed the greedy landlord: “The lease is expiring, and after months of attempting to negotiate with the landlord, a satisfactory agreement has not been reached.”

Massachusetts: It may have survived the Marathon bombing but it can’t survive the Boston Weak property owners; the iconic FORUM Bar & Restaurant shutdown, the owner blames evil property owners for killing it off: “After the tragic events of the 2013 Boston Marathon….four long months of reconstruction…bureaucracy…the current real estate climate on Boylston Street has motivated FORUM’s landlord to raise rent…nearly three times our current rate…makes it financially impossible…”

Michigan: The tax auctions of homes in Detroit are now considered failures. In 2014, 394 homes were put up for auction, but by January 2015 only 138 auctions actually sold!  In Grand Rapids, after 14 years Louis Benton Steakhouse shutdown with a one day notice, 35 jobs lost. It sounds like the landlords have other plans for the property.

Minnesota: In Morris, the owners of Cullen’s Home Center shut it down: “It’s just a number of different factors and we feel terrible about it, obviously it was the last thing we wanted to do…”-John Cullen

Barnes & Nobel shutdown its 20 years old Saint Paul Highland Park book store, not because the store wasn’t making money. The store was shutdown by the greedy landlord. Barnes & Noble administrators are looking for a new home: “We are diligently working on a new store offering…There’s nothing immediate. In fact, I can honestly tell you, we have not selected any locations for a new store offering, but we’ll probably look to that by the middle of 2015″-David Deason

Missouri:  Ten years old Town & Country Masonry and Tuckpointing now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Texas based Romano’s Macaroni Grill forced to shutdown all their Saint Louis restaurants, and one in Columbia, due to greedy property owner! Employees had no warning, it turns out the property owner made a secret deal with evil Christian Chick fil-A back in September 2014!

Nebraska: After 37 years, the new owner of Duggan’s Pub (formerly Sam’s Pub) shut it down. The new owner is a property developer.  In Lincoln, after nearly 60 years Baker Ace Hardware shutdown by the greedy property owners who sold the property to an apartment developer.

New Jersey: Atlantic City reports that property values have crashed 35% since last year!

New Mexico: The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 14,154 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

New York: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 153,921 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  In Rochester, Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their mortgage ops in June, 390 jobs lost!  In NYC, Homes for the Homeless issued a shutdown WARN saying 34 people will become jobless in June.  Too Big to Jail Bank of America announced that 53 people will become unemployed as they shutdown their Jericho mortgage office.  In Alden, building contractor Gamma North issued a layoff WARN for April, saying they will layoff 81 of their 99 employees.  Administrators also admitted they already started layoffs back in January.

North Carolina:  In Wilson, bathtub maker Bathcraft announced they will shutdown in May, 87 jobs lost. HR director Sandy Moore directly blamed the crashing housing market.   Bank of America Mortgage laying off 250 people in Charlotte! Apparently that’s on top of the 540 layoffs announced back in June 2014!  Monument stone provider North Carolina Granite laid off 28 people. The 125 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) company has been laying off people since the early 2000s, reports say they are down to only 97 employees. RealtyTrac ranks North Carolina number 10 for zombie foreclosures (foreclosure of abandoned homes), at 3,177 by the end of January! In Franklin, hardwood flooring maker Shaw Floors  laid off 25 employees.

Ohio: After more than 70 years Springboro Hardware shutdown.  Florida based Trulite Glass and Aluminum Solutions  shutdown their Hebron factory, as a result of taking over a competitor, 70 jobs lost.

Oklahoma:  In Sand Springs, after 59 years Morrow-Gill Lumber Company shutdown. The family owners say they’ve had the business up for sale, but nobody wanted to buy it.

Oregon: Ochoco Lumber shutdown their 2nd shift at their Malheur Lumber plant, just seven months after starting up the 2nd shift. About 90 jobs affected. Administrators admit they overestimated sales. Ochoco Lumber had also sold off $18.5-million USD of their land to pay for upgrades to their Malheur Lumber factory.

Tennessee: In Nashville, after 18 years Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar shutdown. The property was sold off to a hotel developer.

Texas: In Angelina County, T&B Construction Services laid off 20 people, blaming the oil industry for reducing the number of planned construction projects. Local Angelina County judge Wes Suiter summed up the bad economy thusly: “The hits just keep on coming!”

Utah: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 1,235 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

Virginia: In Norfolk, Too Big to Jail Bank of America laid off 200+ people in their mortgage servicing division!  In Culpeper, the owner of 109 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Clarke Hardware announced he must shutdown by June. News reports say the owner wants to retire, but the owner blames the local Masonic Lodge, who owns the property: “They told me last Wednesday that I have to be out by the end of June. They want the building to renovate. They plan to split it into two sections to get more rent.”-Claude Minnich

Washington DC: The U.S. Department of Commerce reports new U.S. home construction fell 2% from December 2014 to January 2015. Home sales fell 6.7%.

West Virginia: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 3,269 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

Wisconsin: Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo will layoff 1-thousand people when they shutdown their Milwaukee home loan service center this summer! And Wells Fargo reported a $23.1-billion profit last year!  Lighting company Orion Energy Systems laid off 40 people. Company administrators said of the economy “The issues we face today are far more complex.” In De Pere, Furniture and Appliance Outlet being shutdown due to “The building has been a challenge to operate since the storefront itself got blocked by highway construction.”

Last six months of 2014: “Everybody wants a better outcome, everybody but the landlords.” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.