27 February 2017 (03:57 UTC-07 Tango 06) 09 Esfand 1395/30 Jumada l-Ula 1438/02 Ren Yin (2nd month) 4715

J.C. Penney’s announcement of massive job culling for the first quarter of 2017 is directly blamed on the ongoing clothing industry death-spiral; J.C. Penney (also spelled JCPenney) administrators directly blame crashing clothing sales, especially female clothing, for their impending demise.

But don’t blame Donald Trump, this apparel industry death-spiral began under Barack Obama.  BlindBatNews has been reporting on the apparel industry destruction since 2011, starting with the painfully slow-death-spiral of Sears-Kmart (their main product being clothing).  On 23 February, Sears Holdings announced it will cull another 130 jobs from its HQ in Illinois!  In January, Sears Holdings announced dozens more store shutdowns for the 1st quarter of 2017.

In 2012, Idaho based Coldwater Creek revealed it was going down the drain.  By 2014 Coldwater Creek went bankrupt busted and ceased to exist, shutting down all stores and killing at least 6-thousand jobs!

Also in 2012, female clothing retailer Christopher & Banks began shutting down stores.  American Eagle Outfitters also started store shutdowns.

The following are not complete (incomplete) lists of apparel industry deaths from the last years of the Obama regime.

2013:  Arkansas based Mormon owned Dillard’s shutdown two stores in Utah.

In Texas, Dillards shutdown their Plano store, 101 jobs lost as part of Dillard’s “strategic store closures”!  Texarkana’s Twice as Nice Fashions shutdown after 41 years in business.

In Michigan, Old Navy shutdown their Benton Harbor store, Second Chance Clothing closed after 30 years of business, and Detroit’s 96 years old Serman’s Clothes Shop shutdown.

In Ohio, Old Navy and Charlotte Russe clothing stores shutdown in Springfield. Linens-n-More closed in Niles, company officials did not say why. Superior Fibers closed their factory in Fairfield County, 1-hundred U.S. employees out-o-work as the jobs are shipped to Mexico!

Fruit of the Loom owned Russel Athletic shutdown two factories in Alabama, killing at least 381 jobs!

In Kansas, After 70 years in business, Fair’s Shoes in Wichita closed.  Payless Shoes HQ in Topeka laid off 45 people and they will not fill 97 vacant positions. New owners of Payless say the job cuts are an effort to keep the company operating.  Corporate owners say sales weren’t good enough.

Missouri based bankrupt Bakers Footwear failed to save the rest of its stores by selling them off.  The result is all remaining stores closed.  In 2012, the inventory of 151 Bakers stores was sold off.  The company started selling women’s shoes in 1924.

Macy’s-Bloomingdales shuts down six stores, at least 550 jobs lost! News media in Minnesota revealed that the Saint Paul Macy’s store that shutdown cost city taxpayers $6.3-million USD, that’s how much of a tax subsidy city leaders gave the store back in 2001! After 21 years in business a Minneapolis, Minnesota, Neiman Marcus shutdown and Target laid off 150 people at its Twin Cities HQ, blaming consumer “behavior”!  Archer Uniform store in Minnesota shut down, also California based celebrity bridal gown designer Monique Lhuillier closed her shop in Edina.  The owner blames the Mayo Clinic Health System for changing to color coded uniforms.

 Eddie Bauer shutdown at least three stores.

In New York, H&M shutdown two stores, C.J. Banks shutdown their Victor store, American Eagle closed a store in DeWitt, and Juicy Couture laid off 61 employees after the company was sold off.   After 72 years Rudnick’s Uniforms & Clothing service shutdown in Schenectady.  The owners blamed low sales, increasing taxes and the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority: “….I’m not going to fight this city anymore. Metroplex hasn’t given me anything, and I’m not subservient to them!”-Linda Tolokonsky, co-owner

A major glove maker for the U.S. military laid off at least 85 people in Mississippi.  Officials with Ansell Hawkeye say they’ve fulfilled their last government contract.

The GAP clothing business shutdown two distribution centers in Kentucky, 350 jobs lost as Fruit of the Loom laid off an undisclosed number of employees.!

In California, GAP and GAP Kids stores in Sacramento shutdown, GAP Kids in Santa Rosa shutdown.  Santa Barbara Outfitters closed after ten years of operations, In Stockton decades old La Maison women’s clothing store shutdown, and Wet Seal laid off 35 people at their Foothills Ranch HQ. In Los Angeles, Pull My Daisy clothing store closed down, in Carmel Valley the 30 years old City Kids-Beach Kids closed down by the landlord who refused to renew the lease, in Walnut Creek Liliana Castelllanos clothing boutique shutdown, and in Vernon 189 people lost their jobs with Trinity Sports “full package” clothing maker! The Footlocker in Lakewood Mall out-o-business, local news media tried calling the corporate office but got no response.

Renton Western Wear stores in Tacoma and Renton, Washington, closed down after 62 years of operations, and The Blackbird retail store shutdown, the owner says she will focus on wholesale only.

Clothing store Chocolate Peacock shutdown in Omaha, Nebraska, and in Lincoln Murray’s for Men of Stature and Kent’s Mens Shoes shutdown.

In Illinois, the Erday’s men’s clothing store out-o-business after almost 88 years of operations. Children’s clothing store, Little Colony Kids, out-o-business after 57 years in Homewood. GAP shutdown their store in Winnetka, women’s clothing store Deena’s out-o-business and The Competitive Foot closed in LaGrange.

Abercrombie and Fitch revealed a plan to shutdown 180 stores!

In Connecticut, Bodytalk women’s clothing store in Westport shutdown, after 46 years Gil’s Shoe Barn shutdown, a Talbots clothing store shutdown, Cargo Bay shutdown their Fairfield store, children’s clothing maker Carter’s closed its Shelton office, and clothing maker Warnaco shutdown its Milford factory putting 208 people out-o-work!

In Pennsylvania, clothing stores Shambala, GAP, GAP Kids, C.J. Banks shutsdown. Flair Fashions in York shutdown: “It doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I don’t know if it’s the spot we’re in. I have no clue. It just doesn’t seem to be working for us down here.”-Andrea Giuffrida, owner

Also in Pennsylvania, Yankee Shoe Repair factory shut down after 92 years of operations. The owner blamed a multitude of things: “Without sufficient skilled staff, and considering current footwear buying trends, coupled with economic conditions, the long term stability of the business was in jeopardy…Given the materials used in footwear today, 95% of the shoes people buy can’t be repaired.”-Larry Coco

In North Carolina, clothing maker Mortex shutdown its Princeton factory, more than 1-hundred people laid off!  Mortex makes clothes for several big name brands. In Winston-Salem, 70 years old Community Shoe Store shutdown, the owner’s children did not want to take over the business and they could not find buyers.

In Maryland, On Cloud 9 clothing store closed up, and Famous Footwear closed down their Riva store. In Hagerstown, women’s clothing store Lena’s closed.  The store’s manager/investor said the economy is dead: “The economic situation in Hagerstown and Washington County is, I mean I know others may say other things, but to me it is pretty devastated!”-Lori Ruda

In Massachusetts, after 75 years of operations the sewing and knitting store Windsor Button Shop is now out-o-business, and in Wesseley, 84 years old upscale women’s clothing Triangle Shop closed. The greedy property owner suddenly canceled the lease, no warning.

In Florida, after 1-hundred years J.C. Harris men’s clothing store closed due to the bad economy.  Body Central women’s clothing store shutdown their Jacksonville Landing location. Company owners said that location just “didn’t fit the model”.

In Idaho, the Ann Taylor women’s clothing store in the GGP owned Boise Towne Square mall shutdown, 14 jobs gone for good. The independent owner of a Pella women’s clothing store out-o-business in Buckhead, Georgia, and in Macon Bowen Brothers men’s clothing store shutdown after 31 years. The owner said the bad economy was more than her 37 years old business could handle: “The economy is not the same….Independents are struggling.”

In Hawaii a 54 years old shoe store, The Slipper House, closed down.  The owners were forced to close by mall company GGP (General Growth Properties), which is the same company that shut down the biggest Sears store in the Aloha state.

In Colorado, Prickly Pear women’s clothing store in Monument shutdown. After 19 years in business Traz Snow and Skate Shop (which sells related clothing items) shutdown.  The owner say sales at the Grand Junction business just don’t cut it anymore: “Merchandise that used to be exclusive to this type of industry is now everywhere and people have just kind of forgotten about us. We just can’t generate enough income to stay in business anymore.”-Tom Levalley

In Arkansas, 23 years old Brown & Hawkins closed down, the family owners tried to sell the clothing store but nobody was interested.

In Louisiana, the 70 years old Keene’s Shoe Store shutdown due to the rent being jacked up. The Wa-Zoo women’s clothing gave up on brick & mortar stores, switching to internet sales only.

In Wisconsin, clothing store Scott Joseph Menswear shutdown after only eight years. It was the only men’s clothing store in La Crosse. The pissed off owner blames the bad economy: “It was a tough decision, but I just can’t get ahead. I thought the economy would come around.”-Scott Koenen

2014: Juicy Couture is dead, or is it?  This women’s clothing retailer got a new owner last year, but apparently the sale doesn’t include the brick-n-mortar stores, just the right to the brand!  Unnamed employees told fashion news sources that all U.S. brick-n-mortar stores will be shutdown, thousands of jobs affected!  Reports say the new owner, Authentic Brands Group, is working deals to sell the Juicy Couture brand through other retailers such as Kohl’s.

An east coast female clothing store now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Love Culture owes its landlords tens of millions of dollars in back rent!  Their website still says they are growing and expanding their business!  Company officials stated that the bankruptcy will allow them to shutdown many of their 80 stores.

Retail giant Target shutdown stores in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Nevada and Tennessee, thousands of jobs lost!

Alabama based Simply Fashion took over bankrupt busted Dots women clothing retailer, after Dots had already shutdown 4-hundred stores, killing 3-thousand 500 jobs!

In New York, The “absolutely best dress” clothing store Honey in the Rough shutdown, Talbots Outlet Store in Garden City shutdown,  Juicy Couture killed at least 47 jobs.  In Endicott, Jim’s Formal Wear shutdown, 61 jobs lost.  Brooks Brothers men’s clothing retailer shutdown all 12 of their discount Brooks Brothers 346 stores!  NYC based Aéropostale announced it will shutdown 125 children’s P.S. clothing stores and 75 Aéropostale stores across the U.S., and Aéropostale shutdown all its stores in Quebec, Canada! The Forest Hills Ann Taylor store shutdown, the NYC based women’s clothing store owner Ann Incorporated (Ann Taylor, Loft) also killed 100 corporate jobs!  Company officials admit they expect a crash in women’s clothing sales, and are trying to stay ahead of the curve by culling jobs now.

In South Carolina, after 20 years The Fashion Shack shutdown by aggressive property developers.

In California, several Gilly Hicks clothing stores shutdown, 185 jobs lost! San Francisco based Levi Strauss killed 8-hundred corporate jobs!  In City of Industry, Macy’s department store shutdown a distribution warehouse, 63 jobs lost.  Loehmann’s killed 160 department store jobs! San Francisco based internet seller ModCloth.  Reports say the internet operation laid off about 70 employees, even though they’re advertising that they’re hiring.  ModCloth has also been accused of modifying the pics of clothing on their website. The Fresh clothing store in Newhall shutdown, Abercrombie Kids shutdown in Roseville killing 55 jobs, the Long Beach Nordstroms Rack shutdown, 43 jobs lost.  Uniform service contractor Aramark shutdown ops across The Golden State, at least 570 jobs lost! Foothills Ranch based Wet Seal announced it will shutdown 17 Wet Seal stores and 31 of its Arden B stores by the middle of 2015!  Brisbane based upscale snooty women’s clothing chain Bebe admitted they killed jobs with their stores across the U.S., but refused to say how many.   In Corona Del Mar, after five years Bohemia clothing store shutdown. Los Angeles based internet women’s clothing company Nasty Gal laid off at least 28 employees as part of their “vision of the future”.  From “America’s Fastest-Growing Retailer” to becoming a fast killer of jobs internet clothing seller ModCloth laid off 120 employees! Los Angeles based clothing retailer American Apparel defaults on a $10-million USD loan!

In New Mexico, after 26 years Santa Fe’s Christine’s Bridal and Formal Wear shop shutdown.

Oregon based internet outdoor clothing retailer, Altrec, now chapter 11 busted.  Oregon based Nike revealed it killed 100-thousand contracted jobs worldwide, in the past year due to switching to the use of robots on a massive scale!  Company officials claim they never recovered from a 2011 cyber attack.

In Maryland, Chico’s shutdown a clothing store in Annapolis.

In Florida, after 26 years women’s clothing store Sue’s Cubby Hole shutdown in Sebring, Saks 5th Avenue laid off 74 employees in Orlando. In Bradenton Macy’s shutdown, 131 jobs lost!  In Jacksonville, women’s clothing retailer Body Central announced massive layoffs, after realizing they lost $42-million USD in 2013! After 43 years Ocala’s Tom Falvey’s Men’s Wear shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy: “I wish it didn’t have to come to this, but we just have to close…..I wasn’t able to bring in new merchandise and keep everything fresh.  You know, just the same old story.”

Only months after holding a “grand opening”, women’s clothing store Lane Bryant shutdown their Beavercreek, Minnesota, store. After 34 years Tatters vintage clothing store shutdown, the owner blamed rising rent, which the landlord blamed on rising Minnesota property taxes.

In Illinois, the Sandburg Mall now chapter 11 bankrupt busted withat least $10-million in debt.   In Geneva, after 18 years women’s clothing store Sandra Webster shutdown. After six years Le Dress clothing store shutdown, the store owners blamed the landlord for jacking up the rent. Illinois based Threadless T-Shirt shutdown their flagship office and laid off 25% of their employees.

In Missouri, after 83 years (and surviving the Great Depression) men’s clothing store Jack Henry shutdown, 25 jobs lost.  

Pennsylvania based American Eagle Outfitters announced they are shutting down 150 stores by the end of 2016! After 80 years, female clothing chain store Deb Shops (aka DEB) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. In Lansdale, after more than 25 years soccer (football) clothing store Kick-N-Wear shutdown.

In Colorado, after 40 years Anderson’s Clothing shutdown, and another crappy Old Navy clothing store shutting down, 75 jobs lost.  Outdoor clothing maker GoLite now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  They owe lots-o-money to lots-o-Chinese companies.  In Denver, Little Me’s children clothing store shutdown.  The angry owner blamed never ending construction: “I knew I would face many challenges in this venture, but in the twenty years that I have been shopping in Cherry Creek North, lack of foot traffic was not one that I had anticipated. It appears the construction is only going to move closer to our area and we simply cannot make it through another season like the last.”– Jennifer Riches

In Kentucky, T-shirt shop Cafe Press shutdown their store in the Mall Saint Matthews.

In Washington state, after only six years upscale Lost Boys men’s clothing store shutdown.

In Connecticut, after 24 years Littlejohn’s children clothing store shutdown.  The co-owner blamed a lot of factors that have crashed their sales since 2008, but she said the final straw was when the greedy landlord jacked up the rent: “…an unattainable rent increase. It was honestly too much of an increase. It would be very difficult, really, or impossible to continue.”-Anda Weyher

Wisconsin based ShopKo killed off 40 jobs at its Ashwaubenon corporate HQ.

In Rhode Island, 107 years old Potter and Company clothing store shutdown.  The owner of the store said she never thought greedy landlords would do her in by jacking up the rent: “It’s very disappointing….I thought this place would survive. It’s just such a part of the community.”-Chafee Emory

In North Carolina, mid-to-upscale retailer Belk shutdown its Four Seasons Town Centre store, 58 jobs lost.

In Virginia, the Williamsburg Hancock Fabrics shutdown, JCPenney shutdown their Bristol store, 67 jobs lost.  After 30 years the Pink women’s clothing store in Richmond shutdown.  The owner said the economy dictated that the store had outlived itself. In Grafton, after 28 years the Adams Shoe Store shutdown.  Juicy Couture shutdown its Pentagon City store.

Juicy Couture also shutdown a store in Washington DC.

In Utah, the owners of clothing stores JMR Chalk Garden and Lolabella Boutique shutdown all four of their locations due to crashing sales.

In New Hampshire, after 16 years the Jai Anlyn clothing store shutdown.  The owner realized that expensive clothes don’t sell fast enough, or in large enough quantities to pay the bills.

In Georgia, Arbor Place Mall GAP clothing store shutdown. In Macon, after 30 years the Who’s Who upscale clothing store in Albany shutdown, after 31 years the last men’s tailored suit store Bowens Brothers shutdown: “The first thing I’m looking forward to is taking off two weeks. I’ve never been off two weeks in my adult life!”-Harry Bowen

In Oklahoma, Woodland Hills Mall clothing store The Limited shutdown.

In Ohio, after less than three years Second Sole shoe store shutdown, the owners said the economy in Kent sucks ass!  Also, in Medina the Old Navy crappy clothing store shutdown with no explanation.

In Wisconsin’s Wausau, GAP and Hollister clothing stores shutdown.

In Alaska, after 48 years Carr’s Men’s Clothing Store shutdown.

New Jersey based bankrupt busted Ashley Stewart shutdown 27 women’s clothing stores, saying their sales have been crashing since 2012.  Children’s clothing retailer, Kid Brands, now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Company officials say they are $109-million in debt, but are asking the court to allow a $49-million loan so they can stay in business. In Raritan, after 11 years women’s clothing store Chaos shutdown.  The owner, Karen Brooks, said “With rent, utilities and other operating costs, it’s hard to see the value in trying to keep up.”

Maine based tax sucking military contractor Creative Apparel  announced that their so called ‘temporary’ layoffs are now “permanent”, more than 80 jobs lost.

After 184 years iconic shoe store chain JL Combs shutdown all New England area stores, administrators posted this humorous  reason why they’re shutting down: “It’s just too damn hard with all this new fangled competition everywhere.  And I’m starting to feel a bit tired of working 7 days a week.  After all, I’m 184 years old!”

In Pocatello, Idaho, outdoor clothing store The Raven’s Nest is now being used as a mattress inventory storage unit. The mayor of American Falls reported that the local ALCO store was shutting down, he was alerted when he saw employees putting up the going out of business signs.  It’s one of five Idaho ALCO stores being shutdown (as part of the Texas based retailer’s plan to shutdown all 198 U.S. stores!). The American Falls mayor says his small city can’t afford more job losses: “Any worker who loses their income will have an impact on the city!”-Marc Beitia

In Arkansas, the Lake Catherine Footwear factory moved 56 jobs offshore: “Economic forces in the international shoe industry have forced us to move some components of our operations to the Dominican Republic to remain competitive.”-Bruce Munro, CEO Munro & Company

In Iowa, after 102 years Marshall & Swift dry cleaners shutdown, 50 jobs lost.

In Tennessee, another U.S. shoe factory shutdown, this time Wellco Enterprises shuttered its Morristown factory, 53 jobs lost.  Before the 2010 takeover by Wellco the taxsucking factory used to make boots for the U.S. Department of Defense.

2015: California based Wet Seal said Happy New Year by unleashing their “Store Project” operation; going bankrupt and shutting down 338 stores and killing about 3-thousand 7-hundred jobs in 2015! In upscale elitist Montecito, after 30 years Lana Marme Last Resort clothing store shutdown. In San Luis Obispo, after 21 years Crazy J’s clothing store shutdown. After 100 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Dick’s Menswear shutdown in Fresno.   Huntington Beach based surf clothier Quicksilver sold-off to evil Oaktree Capital Management, at least 80 people lost their jobs.  In Auburn, after 40 years Mountain Mama brick-n-mortar clothing store shutdown. Iconic 68 years old Frederick’s of Hollywood chapter 11 bankrupt busted, shutting down all 111 brick-n-mortar stores!  In San Francisco, GAP laid off hundreds of people, then announced it will shutdown 175 stores across the United States! In Sacramento, after 29 years clothing store Robin Lyle shutdown, the owner says she can make more money as a ‘personal shopper’. Los Angeles based American Apparel announced an undisclosed number of stores will be shutdown, and hundreds of employees laid off: “…decline in comparable sales…We believe that we may not have sufficient liquidity necessary to sustain operations for the next twelve months. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt that we may be able to continue as a going concern.”

  New York based Aéropostale revealed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that their director used insider info to make a stock deal back in December 2014.   Bankrupt NYC based women’s clothing chain Cache shutdown their administrative offices, 1-hundred jobs lost! In NYC, Jack Spade and Kate Spade Saturday shutdown.  New York based bratty & bankrupt teenage girl’s clothing chain store dELiA*s is dead, all 92 U.S. stores shutdown! Clothier J.Crew laid off 175 people at its NYC HQ!  Company administrators said they are preparing for the “future”.  In Forrest Hill, 20 years old teenager clothing store Strawberry shutdown.  In Syracuse, after a little more than two years ‘outerwear’ clothing store Quicksilver shutdown in the Destiny USA center.  New York based bankrupt female clothing chain store Deb Shops (aka DEB) called it quits, shutting down all stores and killing about 3-thousand jobs! Yet another women’s clothing store going down as C.Wonder shutdown their NYC store, 75 jobs lost with no warning.   In Troy, after 67 years men’s clothier Rodino’s shutdown. In Potsdam, after 37 years outdoor clothing and equipment store Wear On Earth shutdown “…due to changes in the industry…”  Walmart shutdown their huge two story Massapequa store, at least 295 jobs lost! 

Arkansas based Walmart suddenly, and with only a two hours notice to employees, shutdown five stores in California, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, 2-thousand 2-hundred jobs lost literally in less than one day!

Ohio based Macy’s shutdown at least 14 stores and killed as many as 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs! In Akron, Coming Attractions Bridal & Formal shutdown.  The pissed off owner blames it on bad publicity after a Texas nurse infected with ebola stopped in: “We had a big opening and we had hoped that the publicity may even have been a good thing, but now we are the Ebola Shop. Customers are tired of hearing ‘Oh, you bought it at the Ebola Shop.‘”-Anna Younker to the Northeast Ohio Media Group

Texas based JCPenney shutdown at least seven more stores and killed 2-thousand 2-hundred jobs!  In Texas,  Warren Buffet owned Justin Brands shutdown their Western Clothing distribution center in Fort Worth, killing 68 jobs.  

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced they are selling off their Washington Crown Center and Uniontown Mall.   The evil REIT already sold off $191.7-million worth of commercial property in 2014! British empire Canada based clothing retailer Lord & Taylor shutdown its brick-n-mortar Wilkes-Barre Township store.  Crappy clothing op American Eagle Outfitters shutdown their Warrendale distribution center, 2-hundred jobs lost!  The Old Navy store at Carlisle Crossing shutdown, with only two days notice and no explanation!

In Michigan, GAP Outlet store in Monroe shutdown. After 43 years the Mount Morris meijer department and grocery store shutdown. In Kalamazoo, after five years women’s clothing store Cakes Boutique suddenly shutdown.

In Florida, the Fashion Mall chapter 7 bankrupt busted and up for sale.  Clothier Izod shutdown its Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach Outlets stores as part of their plan to shutdown 1-hundred Izod stores!  After 43 years Brasington’s Adventure Outfitters shutdown. The owner said 2008, the year of the start of the recession, was their best year but then sales crashed and never recovered. Fort Myers based Chico’s shutting down 120 stores by 2017, with a minimum of 240 jobs lost! Company administrators blame an “unexpected” jump in operating costs, and blames bad sales on those evil fickle female shoppers.  Jacksonville based women’s ‘clubbing’ clothing chain store Body Central went bankrupt then suddenly shutdown all 265 stores in the United States, 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs lost!

In Hawaii, 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.  I’ve worked for GGP and know how outrageous their rents are. GGP is spending at least $600-million USD remodeling the Sears store into smaller spaces.

In Maryland, after 44 years Laurance Clothing shutdown.  Men’s clothing chain store Jos. A. Bank sold to a Texas company, their Hampstead HQ shutdown, 122 jobs lost, local news reports say at one point Jos. A. Bank employed more than 7-hundred people in Hampstead.

In Maine, Group Home Foundation’s Little River Apparel division laid off 60 people.

In Missouri, the County Club Plaza lost the Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft stores. In Jackson, Nearly Perfect Shoes shutdown, a co-owner said it was because the local economy can no longer support two shoe stores less than eight miles apart. The Oak Park Mall reports the Ann Taylor store shutdown.

In Wisconsin, two Vanity clothing stores shutdown despite increased revenues for the North Dakota based company.   Pay/Half clothing store shutdown in the Regency Mall, no explanation given.  Ma Jolie shutdown in Bayshore Town Center.  And women’s clothing shop Lise & Kato’s shutdown, here’s what the pissed off owners had to say: “The retail industry, both locally and nationally, has dramatically changed in the last decade. We cannot continue the type of business we have proudly had for these many years: Fair and honest pricing, quality merchandise from principled artists and responsible designers, and attentive customer service. The economic climate, changes in shopping habits, and the transition to an online and mass merchant dominance have all contributed to the closing.”

In Alabama, Mormon owned Dillard’s department store shutdown in the Madison Square Mall.

In Ohio, Mormon owned Dillard’s shutdown their clearance center at the Tri-County Mall. Ohio based Abercrombie & Fitch shutdown 112 stores. Ohio based Macy’s eliminated 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs, and shutdown 40 stores! 

Less than one year after officially opening its first stores in Canada, Minnesota based retailer Target threw in the towel, basically saying the Canadian economy sucks ass! All 133 stores shutdown and 17-thousand 6-hundred Canadians jobless! Target also eliminated 235 U.S. jobs without warning!  In Minnesota, 120 years old Waldorf Nevens Cleaners went chapter 11 bankrupt busted. In Owatonna, after 125 years Saint Clair’s for Men clothing store shutdown.

In New Mexico, a J Crew and a Eileen Fisher shutdown. In Alabama, after 43 years women’s clothing store The Wagon Wheel shutdown. Birmingham based women’s clothing chain store Simply Fashion Stores shutdown all 243 stores, killing 1-thousand 332 U.S. jobs!

In Massachusetts, Boston Weak ‘streetwear’ clothing company Karmaloop chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  In Cambridge, after 35 years Berk’s Shoes shutdown, the general manager blamed the suck-ass economy and never ending local road construction: “…the climate in the country makes it really difficult for small business, local business, independent business to survive. It’s a sad day for us…”-Mickey Holland

In Idaho, after 69 years Nampa’s Nafziger Men’s Store shutdown.   In Boise, after 32 years clothier Barbara Barbara shutdown.

In oil rich North Dakota, after only a year Grand Forks women’s clothing store Hey Ocean shutdown, and in Fargo after 136 years Straus Clothing shutdown.

In Arizona, after 10 years the Scottsdale Jean Company shutdown, the store owner sold his lease contract to a “high end grocer”.

In Washington, after eight years Garden Dance women’s clothing store shutdown, 10 jobs lost. And after 76 years the owners of Rottles Clothing and Shoes shutdown: “The landscape for brick and mortar retail has changed dramatically over the past several years. The advent of internet commerce, big box discounters, and an overall relaxation of dress codes has taken its toll.”-John Rottle  (I must point out that many of the Big Box retailers who’re shutting down operations also sell on the internet)

In Illinois, after seven years the so called ‘green’ children’s clothing store Green Genes shutdown.  In Arthur, after 57 years Delbert’s Clothing shutdown. In Elizabeth, clothing store Something Special shutdown.  In Chicago, sports medicine and clothing maker McDavid eliminated 115 jobs!  In Oklahoma, after nearly 80 years Triplets children’s shoe store shutdown.

In Connecticut, clothing store Suburban Underground shutdown, and after 43 years Mario-Joseph’s Men’s Clothing Store shutdown.

In Colorado, After 50 years Hadley’s Canon Western Wear shutdown, the owners blame the un-recovered economy and competition: “The economy is a big deal! All the box stores are moving in. People are shopping online and we are not going to have mom-and-pop stores anymore!”-Mike Hadley, co-owner

In Kansas, sports clothing store Finish Line shutdown their Salina store.

In New Jersey, Harris’ clothing store shutdown after 87 years in Toms River.

Nebraska based outdoor supply store Cabela’s eliminated up to 1-hundred corporate jobs, pissing off state taxpayers who gave Cabela’s huge tax breaks specifically to create jobs! After six years female clothing store T & Company shutdown.  Nebraska based 135 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) clothing store Schweser’s announced more store shutdowns across several states: “We have seen a drop in sales in some of our stores over the past few years that has been difficult to overcome. Our expenses continue to rise, including the cost of goods, and our sales have not kept pace in some locations.”-Tyler Smith

In Tennessee, after 18 years Ev’s Boutique in the Columbia Mall shutdown.

In Virginia, clothing and antique shop Birdy’s Loft shutdown due to lack of sales. Clothing store Rugged Wearhouse shutdown in the Spradlin Farms shopping center.  In Culpeper, after three years Apple’s Closet clothing consignment store shutdown: “There are different seasons in our lives and this season is over.”-Bridgette Williams, owner

In Louisiana, Jaques Clothing and Full Blossom Chic shutdown, and after 60 years Haneline’s Men’s Wear shutdown.

In North Carolina, after only one year clothing store Rhetorical Factory shutdown. The owner found out the hard way that in a bad economy it doesn’t matter what you do: “I did it the best way I knew how. We recycled clothes. We took out labels. We sold art. We paid people well, and I was really stubborn about who I chose to hire and what products we sold. For four months out of the year to be really slow was really hard…..the way the rent is structured. I felt like I was spending six months out of the year trying to make it through those four months.”-Bethany Adams

In Iowa, after more than 20 years Austin Burke Clothiers shutdown due to increasing rent and decreasing sales.

In New Hampshire, after 45 years shoe store Shoetorium shutdown, blaming crashed sales and skyrocketing operating costs: “Business has dropped off…..You have people come in the store, look at your stuff and then they go and buy it online.”-Marty Carlton

2016: Switzerland based owner of several ‘luxury’ apparel brands sold in the U.S., Compagnie Financière Richemont, eliminated 5-hundred jobs due to crashing sales!

 France based clothier Comptoir des Cotonniers shutdown all three of its U.S. stores.

In Ohio, The Bon Ton shutdown their Lima Mall Elder Beerman department store. Stride Rite shutdown their Greene Town Center shoe store. Clothier The Limited shutdown two stores in Niles, and laid off at least 2-hundred people at its HQ in Columbus! New Albany based clothier Abercrombie & Fitch shutdown 1-hundred stores! Cincinnati based Macy’s shutdown another 1-hundred stores by Spring 2017: “Nearly all of the stores to be closed are cash flow positive today, but their volume and profitability in most cases have been declining steadily in recent years.”-Jeff Gennette, president

Also in Ohio, after 37 years shoe store Head Over Heels shutdown in Hyde Park Square. Co-owner Tony Jagoditz blames the industry itself, saying “The whole industry has changed in the last five years. When we opened there was a lot of domestic and European production. A lot of those factories closed or moved production to China.”

In West Virginia, The Bon Ton shutdown their Huntington Mall Elder Beerman store.

In Virginia, after 32 years Lilies of Gent clothing store shutdown. After 89 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) clothier Young Men’s Shop shutting down.

In California, clothing maker Hudsloan Enterprises advertised that it was looking for employees for its “rapid growing clothing” operation, instead Hudsloan shutdown its Los Angeles factory killing 265 jobs! Los Angeles based American Apparel went bankrupt busted for the second time in 13 months, but this time they’re dead in the water announcing the elimination of 3-thousand 457 jobs!  American Apparel also shutdown 12 of 13 British empire United Kingdom stores, and sold its global rights to British empire Canada rival Gildan Activewear.  Los Angeles based Forever 21 sold-off its clothier operations in India to a company called Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail.   Don’t blame competition from the internet, Forever 21 included their rights to their ‘online’ sales in India as part of the sale.  In Los Angeles, t-shirt shop Johnny Cupcakes shutdown, news reports say despite being popular sales weren’t high enough to justify the “overpriced lease”.  J. Brand clothier laid off 27 people in Los Angeles.   In Garden Grove, Morning Sun Shirt Company laid off 76 employees.  Clothing brand Max Azira eliminated 123 jobs in Vernon!  After 57 years La Cañada Flintridge based Sport Chalet announced it is dead! Not only did  they shutdown all 67 brick-n-mortar stores across nine states, but they halted all internet sales!  In Fresno, after 66 years family owned Sunnyside Department Store shutdown, news reports said at one time their were ten stores.  Clothier San Franpsycho shutdown their brick-n-mortar store, rent is too high in the Golden Gate city so the store owners are shifting to events and internet sales only.  San Francisco based GAP owned Old Navy brand clothing store revealed that the last two months of the Xmas holiday shopping season of 2015 was its worst ever, setting record level sales declines.  Then in January 2016 Old Navy suffered a 6% sales decline from December 2015!  The news shocked clothing retail ‘expert’ analysts. San Francisco based clothier GAP shutdown all its Banana Republic stores in the British empire country of United Kingdom! Also in San Francisco, after 30 years Arthur Ben Shoes shutdown, the owner blames five years of rent increases.  In North Hollywood, the Laurel Plaza Macy’s shutdown, the property being turned into apartments, 193 jobs gone!  Forever 21 shutdown their Yuba and Hanford clothing stores, 107 jobs lost!  Yuba city administrators admitted they learned of the planned Forever 21 closing back in 2014!  JCPenney shutdown their Cupertino store, 147 jobs lost!  Foothill Ranch based clothier The Wet Seal laid off 20 HQ employees.  Abercrombie Kids shutdown their Milpitas clothing store, at least 41 jobs lost.  New York based clothier BCBG Max Azria Group eliminated 71 jobs in Vernon.  New York based clothier Suchman shutdown several California locations killing 204 jobs! In Santa Maria, after more than 30 years Betty’s Fabrics shutdown: “People are not making clothes anymore……There are two generations of young ladies who did not learn how to sew.”-Betty Pilkington, owner

  In New York, after 17 years 1/2 Price Kids clothing shop shutdown.  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; Amazon shutdown its MyHabit clothing line, 94 jobs lost in NYC-Brooklyn.   Alternative clothing store Trash and Vaudeville shutdown its 40 years old Saint Marks Place location, the owner blames “perpetual rent increases”.  New York based clothier The Donna Karan Company shutdown their corporate offices and their West 40th Street store, 133 jobs lost!  NYC based Aéropostale went chapter 11 bankrupt and shutdown more than 1-hundred stores! Despite having a website, after 20 years all remaining 15 Scoop NYC brick-n-mortar clothing stores shutdown.  In DeWitt, JCPenney shutdown its 60 years old ShoppingTown Mall, the mall manager said JCPenney administrators put the store on their secret 2016 shutdown list.  After 30 years kid’s clothing store Shoofly shutdown.  Elitist Ralph Lauren shutdown 50 stores and eliminating 1-thousand 3-hundred jobs across the country, due to three straight years of losses! In NYC, after 33 years Belraf Fabrics shutdown their store on Orchard Street, due to the rent being jacked up.  In Potsdam, after more than 25 years The Cheshire Cat clothing store shutdown.  Christopher & Banks shutdown their ShoppingTownMall clothing store.

In Pennsylvania, the GAP and GAP Kids shutdown their Palmer Park Mall clothing stores.   Dress boutique Head To Toe shutdown. In Shenandoah, after 116 years (making it the oldest surviving business in the city) Talerico’s shoe repair shop shutdown due to skyrocketing demand for shoe repairs, but the old owner couldn’t find any potential employees qualified to repair the shoes: “Somebody could’ve done real good, but I couldn’t get anyone to learn it!”-Tom Talerico

In Wisconsin, the GAP clothing store in the Fox  River Mall shutdown. In Manitowoc, after more than 20 years Ramona’s Ladies Apparel shutdown.  In Durand, 112 years old Wolf’s Ladies Fashions & Shoes shutdown, the owner lamenting “The ‘little guy’ is a dying breed unfortunately.”

In Tennessee, Deb ‘n Heir kids clothing store shutdown after 55 years.  After 31 years Kenton’s Shoe Repair shutdown due to the new property owner’s plans for the building.   The owner of the shoe repair shop, Reginald Cousin, said business was booming, but “The building’s been sold and I don’t want to move again.”  

In Montana, after 62 years Hi Line Cleaners in Chester shutdown.

In Georgia, clothing store Express shutdown their Mount Berry Mall store, no reason given.

In Kansas, clothier Ann Taylor shutdown their Wichita store, officially refusing to say why.  Nancy’s Fashions shutdown after 27 years. Saint Clair’s Menswear shutdown their Wausau store blaming “A shift in clientele….”

In Oklahoma, after 105 years iconic elitist Miss Jackson’s upscale retail store in Tulsa shutdown.

In Texas, Macy’s shutdown their Ridgmar Mall department store. Richardson based clothier Fossil blames its huge increase in internet sales for its decision to shutdown hundreds of its brick-n-mortar stores over the next few years!  Forever 21 in Dallas shutdown, 68 jobs lost.   Dallas based high-end retailer Neiman Marcus laid off nearly 1-hundred people!  Big 5 Sporting Goods shutdown five of its eight Texas stores, local news media say administrators refused to talk about it.  Austin based ‘outdoors’ clothier Backwoods chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to skyrocketing costs of leasing and operating brick-n-mortar stores.  In Beaumont, Mirror Shine and Shoe Repair shutdown due to lack of people who need shoe shines or repairs. 

Florida based Traffic Shoes now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, 83 stores across the U.S. threatened.  Despite selling on the internet ‘resort’ clothing boutique Patchington shutdown two brick-n-mortar stores in Florida. Stride Rite shutdown their Pembroke Lakes Mall shoe store.  In Tampa, after 25 years Olga’s Bridal Boutique shutdown.  Local news media say it was the oldest family owned bridal business in Tampa. In Sarasota, clothier Brooks Brothers shutdown their Main Street store. Elitist fitness clothing seller Lululemon Athletica shutdown their Fort Myers ‘showroom’.    Fort Meyers based clothing retailer Chico’s conducted a third round of mass layoffs since 2015, this time 2-hundred people were quietly fired!  Local news media also revealed that Chico’s got a $1.79-million USD ‘investment’ from Lee County taxpayers!

After 23 years men’s clothing store Universal Gear shutdown its last two stores in New York and Washington DC.

In South Carolina, after 22 years Phil Nofal’s Fine Footwear shutdown. Dillard’s shutdown their Aiken Mall store, 75 jobs affected.

In Indiana, after 70 years Esquire Men’s Clothing shutdown. In South Bend, Buttons & Bows clothing store shutdown due to the death of the owner.

In Illinois, an “economic decision” shutdown 32 years old The Great Outdoors clothing store.  Cole Haan shutdown their Magnificiant Mile clothing accesory store, due to not being able to afford the new lease. Payless Shoes shutdown three stores in the Centralia area blaming “landlord issues”.  Walmart shutdown its Aurora store admitting they built too many stores within a ten miles radius.  Schwartz’s Intimate Apparel shutdown: “Business is changing and we either adapt again and change the way we do things. Or we can say, ‘It’s been a wonderful run. Thank you for 100 years’.”-Ben Schwartz

In Iowa, after three years the owner of Funkalicious decided to shutdown her brick-n-mortar boutique and sell on the internet only.

In Wyoming, after 80 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) iconic Wolford’s Shoe Store shutdown due to a 44% crash in sales due to the local oil bust! After 14 years community owned clothing co-op Powell Mercantile shutting down, blaming locals for buying on the internet or traveling all the way to Montana to do their shopping.

 In Pocatello, Idaho, about two years after opening previously worn clothing seller Runway Fashion Exchange went “out of business”.  Essentially a for-profit thrift store, Runway Fashion Exchange has been shutting down stores across the U.S. since 2013.  After five years, the first locally franchised Flip Flop Shops (in Boise Towne Square Mall) shutdown, five jobs lost: “…we just had several years of decreasing sales, to the point where we can no longer finance the business.”-Dustin Preece, co-owner

In Hawaii, shoe store Robins shutdown in the evil GGP owned (a former employer of mine) Ala Moana Center, no other info was reported. The Children’s Place in the Windward Mall shutdown, no explanation by administrators, but it’s a clothing store so it should be obvious.

In Mississippi, Coast Clothing shutdown in Pascagoula after 42 years. Chapter 11 bankrupt busted (for the second time in nine years) Baldwyn based Hancock Fabrics shutdown all remaining stores across the U.S., thousands of jobs lost!

  In Missouri, New York & Co. shutdown their West Park Mall clothing store.  After more than 35 years McLaughlin Western Store shutdown.

In North Carolina, XPO Logistics shutdown their Ralph Lauren warehouse ops in Whitsett, 108 jobs affected! Retailer Belk laid off 40 people at its Charlotte HQ.  In Raleigh, children’s clothing and toy seller Nüvonivo shutdown their brick-n-mortar store, the owners said it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease on the brick-n-mortar property.  In Charlotte, after 19 years expensive Italian shoe store Via Veteto shutdown.  Delta Apparel shutdown their Maiden clothing factory, 159 jobs off-shored to Honduras!  After 18 years WallerBears Surf Shop shutdown their South Charlotte location due to not being able to renew the lease: “Small specialty retail, I feel like, is impossible. I’m not sure it can be done anymore.”-Barrett Cornelison, owner

In Vermont, known for dressing up local women for national and international events Marylyn’s shutting down her brick-n-mortar specialty clothing store and turning to internet jewelry sales only.

Arkansas based Walmart eliminated an undisclosed number of HQ jobs, saying “…It’s something we’ve done before and will continue to do, just like any technology business.”  In other words, this round of layoffs were not part of their bigger plans to shutdown stores and eliminate thousands of jobs.

In Oregon, Kroger owned Fred Meyer department store distribution center in Clackamas affected 2-hundred jobs, as Kroger decided to find a new contractor to provide cheaper labor!  In Portland, yarn seller Yarnia ended brick-n-mortar ops and switched to the internet only.

Washington based retailer Nordstrom’s eliminated ten HQ jobs, despite the fact that Nordstrom’s internet sales have gone up. Forever 21 shutdown their Tacoma location, 70 jobs gone.  In Bellingham, after 38 years Gary’s Men’s & Women’s Wear shutdown.  Local news media say it was the eighth local clothing shop to shutdown. In Seattle, after 58 years A-1 Laundry shutdown: “The industry has changed quite a bit and it’s a little tougher as a small business to exist.”-Chris Eng, owner

Also in Washington, after 82 years Hughes Department Store and Hughes Warehouse shutdown.  Most of the customers are from Canada: “But this year, with the Canadian exchange rate at 70 cents on the dollar and the fires; it was a terrible summer season for us. It was just a combination of a lot of things. It just isn’t viable.”-Jack Hughes

In Alabama, Bon Ton Hatters Shoe Repair shutdown after 110 years, the owner simply said “Hats are dead.”

In Louisiana, after ten years t-shirt shop Storyville shutdown, due to a copyright battle with the National Football League (NFL).  

In South Dakota, Alan Evans Bridal and The Clothing Agency for Men shutdown. In Rhode Island, GUESS shutdown their clothing store in the Providence Place Mall. 

In Minnesota,  after 40 years Randy’s Menswear shutdown. After 68 years Rush’s Bridal shutting down, the family owns the building and can make more money renting it to somebody else.

In Michigan, after 61 years Bay City’s Fabric Fair shutdown.

Colorado based bankrupt Sports Authority shutdown all 464 stores, thousands of jobs lost! In Grand Junction, after 31 years Crawford Boot & Western Wear shutdown.

Maryland based JoS. A. Banks-Men’s Warehouse shutdown 250 stores across the U.S.  Maryland based sports clothing maker Under Armour (they claim to be an American company yet spell ‘armor’ the British empire way) said they expect to lose $23-million USD in its 2nd quarter of 2016!

In New Hampshire, Hubert’s Family Outfitters shutdown their Woodsville and Goffstown stores: “The business decision is pretty easy. If you’re not seeing a profit, and the future doesn’t look brighter, it’s not really a difficult decision……The challenging part of the closing is the people”-Tom Hubert

In New Jersey, Saks Fifth Avenue eliminated 137 Short Hills jobs! Bankrupt California based American Apparel shutdown their Newport Centre store, blaming jacked-up rent. After 42 years Marty’s Shoes shutdown their remaining six shoe stores, news reports say at one time Marty’s Shoes had 110 stores! After 57 years men’s clothier The Style Shop shutdown: “Unfortunately the business climate has declined and has made it harder and harder to do business here…”-Joe Tolerico

In Massachusetts, underwear shop Bra & Girl shutdown because it “was not financially viable”.  Canton based shoe maker Reebok moving to Boston, affecting 7-hundred jobs in Canton!

In Main, after 93 years Town and Country Clothing and Footwear shutdown, the owner said he wants to get out while he’s still ahead.  House of Brides shutdown without warning, local police flooded with complaints from customers who paid for undelivered services: “It is not clear at this time what the outcome will be, but rest assured we are looking into the reported incidents.”-Bangor police

Stay tuned to BlindBatNews.

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