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Business/Economics, Idaho

“We’re going to go down.” U.S. Food Crisis, July 2015: Obama steals your water! Grocery store admits to stealing your Whole Paycheck!

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of July, 2015: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

The Greek debt crisis will affect olive oil and wine exports to the United States, which will result in higher prices.

13 states are now suing the Obama regime over the right to access their own water.  The federal Clean Water Act’s Waters of the U.S. rule allows the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prevent farmers and municipalities access to water and goes into effect in August. The 13 states challenging the Obama regime are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Arizona: In Tucson, after eight years On a Roll Sushi restaurant shutdown. The landlord put the building up for sale and the restaurant owner is sure any new landlord will jack up his rent, so he’s getting out now as his lease is almost up.  Haggen announced an undisclosed number of layoffs at their Grand Canyon State operations, due to “unprecedented” competition.

California:  Torrance based grocery store chain Fresh & Easy announced it will shutdown 14 stores! Administrators said “…progress was not enough to bring their performance in line with the rest of the business.” This is on top of the 55 Fresh & Easy stores closed across several states earlier this year. In Newark, Raley’s grocery store suddenly shutdown, blaming “…decreasing number of customers and decreasing sales.” In San Jose, the owners of Palo’s said they’re being forced to close both their restaurants because “…our landlord has chosen not to extend our lease.”  Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, another 14 people being let go in September.   Beverage delivery company DS Services of America issued shutdown WARNs for Los Angeles and Pasadena, 320 jobs lost by the end of September!  After 71 years of “Made with Love & Lard” Oakland’s La Borinquena Mex-icatessen shutdown. The owners also shutdown their La Snackeria operation. They said they need to retire to “catch our breath”.   In Berkeley, after 18 years popular Pyramid Alehouse shutdown. The building is being sold-off and the owners of the Alehouse will focus on ops in Oregon and Washington.  Even the rich and famous are cutting back spending. In Beverly Hills the upscale Hakkasan restaurant shutdown, the owners also admitted that their Las Vegas operation is losing money as well.  In Oakland, after 40 years the owners of Bay Wolf restaurant announced they will shut it down in August. They want to retire, so they’re selling the property.   In Los Angeles, after ten years Sushi Central shutdown due to the greedy landlord selling the property.  In West Hollywood, after 41 years the French Quarter restaurant shutting down ‘officially’ for remodeling, but local news reports say the new owners might actually be tearing the whole thing down for some unknown construction project.  Amy’s Baking Company shutting down. The owners blame the landlord for complaining about “weird odors”.    In Wilmington, State Fish Company shutting down by September, 76 jobs lost.  Washington based Starbucks shutting down two Bay Bread operations in September. The closure of Bay Bread’s South San Francisco and San Fernando bakeries will result in 171 people becoming jobless! In Brentwood, it was discovered by local newsies that Cafe Röckenwagner quietly shutdown.  In Fullerton, after 20 years Steamers Jazz Club & Cafe shutdown. The owner admitted he’s been trying to sell the place for the past four years, apparently he finally sold it to a brewery.  In Oakhurst, popular Grocery Discount Center shutting down in August. It’s blamed on the death of one of the owners. Locals say the business will be missed: “I have watched them feed the poor, pray for the hurting … it’s like a family here …”-Debra Burnett

Haggen began laying off 8-hundred employees and cutting work hours for the rest, after taking over 83 California grocery stores from the recently created Albertsons-Safeway (a total of 146 Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Safeway stores across the country were sold to Haggen as part of the Albertsons Safeway merger)! Grocery industry analysts say get ready for more changes from Haggen: “This is the biggest conversion in Southern California or anywhere else in the last 15 to 20 years. It’s going to be evolutionary to go through the transition and correct the pricing and everything else that comes up.”-Burt Flickinger 3rd, Strategic Resource Group

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) has revealed that Washington based grocer Haggen drastically reduced working hours for hundreds of cashiers.  In San Jose, after 33 years Sousa’s Restaurant shutdown, the 73 years old owner sold out to property developers. The city of Garden Grove shutting down Joe’s Italian Ice by August. The city owns the land has has sold out to a hotel developer! In Berkeley, after 40 years Nabolom Collective Bakery shutdown without explanation.

Connecticut: In East Hampton, popular restaurant Governor’s Tavern shutdown due to water problems that an uncoperative landlord won’t fix.   After 32 years the Red Barn Restaurant shutdown, no explanation.  After two years the owner of S&S Sweet Treats shutting down her Torrington ice cream shop in September: “Essentially there is a lack of support for small businesses and a small business simply cannot exist without its community’s support.”-Tina Pesillo

After 15 years The Stone House restaurant shutdown due to “Recently, we lost one of our dearest shareholders. This loss has affected some of us greatly, and between the hardships we suffered and this loss, the opportunity that was presented by the unsolicited offer came at a time when some of us needed to rethink our lives and priorities.”-Dolores and Jim Quinlivan, owners

Stone House Restaurant shutdown after being bought out by the non-profit Rothberg Institute: “We were just going about our day-to-day operations when a realtor said someone was interested in buying this building. We weren’t actively thinking about selling, but this was an opportunity for us to get out before another storm hit and we were left with nothing.”-Peter Hamme, co-owner

Delaware:  Pike Creek Coffee Roasterie announced that “Due to increasing health concerns of the owner, we are scaling back our business…”.  The now bankrupt A&P grocery chain will shutdown two Delaware stores.  Casino Dover Downs revealed it eliminated 48 jobs over the past three months, twice what it originally claimed: “When we cut those table games, it had a domino effect. We ended up not needing food and beverage workers, valet operators and other jobs that provided services during that same time period.”-Denis McGlynn, ceo

Florida: In Miami Beach, the restaurant L’echon Brasserie ended its Hilton Cabana Hotel operation.  After 70 years Fox’s Lounge (aka Fox’s Sharron Inn) shutting down, property speculators are tearing it down to build a hotel.  Restaurant Dockside Dave’s on Gulf Boulevard in Saint Pete Beach shutdown. Reports say the bad economy was making it difficult for the owners to run two restaurants.  Vizen sushi restaurant shutdown. Critics said it was good but too expensive. Moore’s Stonecrab shutdown, reports say a new restaurant will open, a year and a half from now!  In Lake Park, the only Dunkin’ Donuts with waitresses shutting down. The 53 years old uniquely rebelious Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant also served burgers-n-hot dogs and other things the other Dunkin’ Donuts joints don’t serve, but corporate communist weenie heads cracked down and are forcing it to turn into a plane ol’ boring Dunkin’ Donuts shop. In Tallahassee, after 30 years Tally’s Grille shutdown without warning, loyal customers lamented “We just came here for regular breakfast and saw the sign on the door. …don’t know what we’re going to do now!”

Georgia: In Columbus, after 20 years Millie’s International Market shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.  Restaurant Timone’s shutdown: “Unfortunately, we’ve arrived at a tough crossroads, and I’ve decided to close Timone’s.”-Ron Eyester

Idaho: “We dodged a bullet last year. But we’re not going to dodge it this year. We’re going to go down.” so says southeast Idaho economist Ben Eborn who warns that the strong USD and 15 years long drought might finally kill off Idaho’s farmers.   In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared more than 90% of Idaho’s 44 counties to be food production disaster areas because of the 15 years long drought! Never has the USDA declared an entire state a disaster area!   Clearwater County declaring a state of emergency as the 15 years long drought has killed off 66.67% of the local wheat crop!  The Idaho Barley Commission is asking other barely production states to unite to fight growing problems with the growing, selling and transportation of the crop.  Idaho is the largest producer of barely in the United States.  Idaho sees growing transportation costs hindering the competitiveness of U.S. barely and wants investments to “ensuring a more competitive transportation infrastructure to move barley and malt more competitively to markets across the country and in neighboring markets in Latin America.”  In eastern Idaho participating farmers (a little more than 20) in the Thresher Artisan Wheat sustainability program reporting good results; 17% more bushels of winter wheat per acre than farms not in the program. 18% less energy used (fertilizer, electricity, fuel). Improved water efficiency by 17% and reduced greenhouse gases by 19%.  General Mills started the program and reports say corporate farmer Simplot will join the program.  In Meridian, after 26 years Miss Tami’s restaurant shutting down. The owner said the economy is forcing them to scale down to a catering/drive thru operation only.  In Ketchum, after less than five years Main Street Market grocery store shutting down in August. The operators blame escalating rent: “The original five-year lease term is ending, and it did not make sense to extend the lease for the required seven-year commitment.”

The state Department of Labor reports that personal farm income fell 18%, and profits crashed 23% from the end of 2014! Economists say expect more crashing & burning: “We’re looking at soft prices for every crop in the state basically, except for beef. Cash receipts will be way, way down this year.”-Garth Taylor, University of Idaho

Illinois:  Decatur based container shipper Trans Coastal Supply blaming GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) corn for forcing it into chapter 11 bankruptcy. Last year massive shipments of GMO corn from the U.S. were rejected by China, costing Trans Coastal Supply big money. They tried to sue the Switzerland based company that made the GMO corn. The 2014 lawsuit alleged that U.S. farmers, who grow corn for China, were sold the GMO corn by Syngenta even though China bans GMO corn.  Farm vehicle maker Deere (formerly known as John Deere) continues to eliminate jobs. This time 160 people in Moline were rendered jobless without warning! It’s being called an “inventory adjustment shutdown”. Administrators say sales continue to crash, and they expect sales to continue to crash for the rest of the year. In Chicago, events organizer Red Frog Events laid off 29 employees. It’s connected to their takeover of D.J. National Food Service.  General Mills shutting down their West Chicago food factory by 2017, at least 5-hundred jobs lost! This will be the 3rd General Mills factory in West Chicago to shutdown! It’s part of their Project Century plan to deal with crashing sales. Unionized employees said “…it’s all about money now.”  Cyrano’s Farm Kitchen has been sold and will shutdown in August, the now former owner saying “I just need to move on.”  In Peoria, “After more than 30 years of creating ‘smiles made from scratch’ for central Illinois, our last day of operation will be July 11.”–Apple’s Bakery   In Skokie, after 50 years Jack’s Restaurant shutdown, the property is being sold so the owner can retire.  The Bunge North America grain elevator in Fulton shutting down by the end of the month: “Fulton requires a significant investment in its barge loading equipment to keep it operating effectively. It would not be cost effective to make the upgrade based on market conditions…”-Deb Seidel

Deerfield based food conglomerate Mondelez International announced it will eliminate 6-hundred jobs in Chicago, as part of a new round of $130-million USD in ‘investments’ into “…four state-of-the-art manufacturing lines — ‘Lines of the Future’ — at….Salinas, Mexico.” In other words, automated bakeries.  In Joliet, Glasscock Farm shutdown their corn growing ops. The owner said he had to sell most of the property as a matter economic survival: “…I sold the land at 125 times what my father paid for it back in 1959, and now I have an inheritance to put food on the table.”-Scott Glasscock

Indiana:  In South Bend, pasta restaurant Ciao’s shutting down, the owner doesn’t know what he’s going to do.  In Fort Wayne, after 39 years Abby Brown’s Candy Shoppe shutting down in August, due to the death of one of the co-owners. Dean Foods (aka Dean’s) issued a WARN saying it will shutdown its Rochester factory, 138 jobs lost in October!  58 years old Double 8 grocery chain shutdown its four grocery stores without warning: “…got a phone call at 6:09 telling me there was no need to come to work.”-Janice Anderson, former employee

“…we have Closed All of our Stores today, Thursday, July 23, 2015……Unfortunately, our declining revenues was too much of a challenge to overcome.”-Double 8 statement

Iowa: News reports out of Des Moines report skyrocketing egg prices, and turkey shortages, due to the H5N2 bird flu. Grocery chains Hy-Vee and Fareway report that while turkey prices are steady supply is crashing, forcing them to ration: “We just receive a percentage of what we normally get, then we allocate that out to our stores.”-John Turner, Fareway Stores

The price of eggs in grocery stores have tripled, and at restaurants diners are paying an average of 25 cents more per egg. One restaurant owner said the high price of eggs has jacked up the cost of making pancakes by $1,200 USD, per week: “It’s really starting to get pricey. We hope it will be a short-lived situation.”-David “Stoney” Stone, Waveland Cafe

Kansas: After less than one year the new owners of two years old YOLO Grill shutting it down because “…YOLO Grill hasn’t had the volume to support itself…”  In Manhattan, the country’s oldest Pizza Hut shutdown after 55 years due to crashing sales. The franchise owner lamented “…in 1960….No one here even knew what a pizza was! Imagine that! But I don’t think I would have guessed how big Pizza Hut ….would get either.” 

After 22 years Bella Luna Cafe shutdown. It’s being blamed on a recent death in the family and trying to run three restaurants at one time: “It’s not about money for me. It’s about being happy, and I’m not happy…”– Matteo Taha 

Kentucky: Bankrupt food producer Gourmet Express was sold off, and now their Muhlenberg County factory is shutdown, at least 81 jobs lost.  In Benton, after 40 years the King Brothers grocery store shutdown. Green Market Regional Food Co-op shutdown in Glascow: “…there’s just not enough people who are interested in this who are willing to pay the little extra it is to get it here in Glasgow. The people who have the money drive to Nashville or to Louisville and go to Whole Foods.”-Mary Stockler, co-op volunteer

Maine: A 45 years old Arby’s roast beef sandwich shop shutting down in Bangor, 20 jobs lost. There are now only five Arby’s in Maine. In Bath, after 57 years Gilmore’s Seafood shutdown, the owner forced to sell the property and blames the bad economy: “…it’s not been as good was it was in the late 80′s early 90′s….nowadays, it’s not the same. A two month gig in July and August, and the rest of the year isn’t that great.”-Ben Gilmore

Maryland:  In Gaitherburg, Largent’s restaurant shutdown, the chef blamed “a variety of reasons”.  After seven years restaurant Clementine shutdown. The co-owner said she’s focusing on catering only because it’s not a good time to run a restaurant: “…is the toughest business ever. It’s really, really, really hard. There are just so many moving parts, and we’re working so many hours. And our events schedule has really been picking up. You start to ask yourselves, ‘What’s going to give?’”-Cristin Dadant

Massachusetts: In Wayland, J.J. Mckay’s restaurant and Beyond Beans bakery shutdown.  In Hamilton, after six years Winfrey’s Fudge & Chocolates shutdown “…due to the lack of parking and foot traffic.”  In Somerville, after 46 years Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club shutting down by 2016. The owner wants to ‘repurpose’ the property as a mixed retail-residential building.

Michigan: In Kalamazoo, sandwich shop Panini Express shutting down their City Center drive thru window because it “was hindering opportunities to expanded production for larger groups.”  The Royal Park Hotel’s 11 years old Brookshire restaurant shutdown, because it became “passé”. 

Minnesota: Golden Valley based food producer General Mills revealed Project Century, a plan to shutdown dozens of factories and eliminate 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs! General Mills also runs Project Catalyst, which has eliminated 8-hundred ‘white-collar’ jobs! Just last month General Mills announced a new Project Compass which will eliminate 725 jobs over the next 12 months, and is in edition to the other two projects!  In Saint Paul, after 30 years the 7th Street Tavern shutting down by the end of the month. It’s blamed on crashing sales due to crashing customer traffic at the mini-mall location. Near Hastings, after about 60 years The Point restaurant shutdown. It’s been sold to convenience store/gas station operator SSG, who already owns the surrounding land.

Mississippi:  In Hattiesburg, after 30 years restaurant Cuco’s shutting down in August. The owner blames a 2012 shooting incident which scared off customers, plus increased competition: “The shooting completely destroyed my business…..The other reason is that there’s so many other Mexican restaurants in town….I haven’t made any money on this place in a couple of years….I’ve been putting my retirement money in it, too.”-Ricardo Mussiett

Missouri: Canadian news reports revealed that Kansas City based Kansas City Southern Railway will layoff at least 110 people!  It’s blamed on crashing shipments for the oil and agricultural industries.  Bermuda based Bunge shutting down its cooking oil packaging factory in Bradley by 2016, about 210 jobs lost! Administrators are consolidating operations.  General Mills shutting down their Joplin food factory, 120 jobs lost! It’s part of their Project Century plan to deal with crashing sales.

Montana: The USDA designated 15 counties as disaster areas due to the drought.

Nebraska: Be’ne Pizza and Pasta shutting down after 14 years.   Canadian news reports revealed that Omaha based Union Pacific Railroad will furlough at least 1-thousand employees! Union Pacific is the largest U.S. railroad operator by sales. The Canadian news reports said it wasn’t just Union Pacific but several railroad companies across North America will be eliminating jobs due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries: “The whole market is surprised at the rapid plunge….The challenge is trying to align the size of the network in real time with demand that’s shifting in surprising ways.”-Keith Schoonmaker, Morningstar railroad analyst

Nevada: Haggen announced an undisclosed number of layoffs across their Silver State operations, due to “unprecedented” competition.  Grocer Fresh & Easy shutting down three stores in the Las Vegas metro area, by the beginning of August.

New Jersey: Dale and Thomas Popcorn issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Englewood popcorn factory in August, the remaining 53 jobs lost. 56 employees were laid off a few months ago, the company is moving operations to Indiana.  37 years old Park and Orchard restaurant sold off and will eventually be shutdown by new owner.  Food flavor additive maker Frutarom shutting down their North Bergen operations by August, 50 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the millions of dollars spent taking over British empire United Kingdom company FoodBlenders and Belgian company Taiga International.  The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) issued multiple WARNs saying eight Pathmark grocery stores will shutdown by September, a total of 867 jobs lost!  Montvale based Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted (again) and will shutdown at least 25 stores and sell-off at least 120. The Montvale HQ building was put up for sale back in January.

New York:  The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) issued multiple WARNs saying two Pathmark and three Waldbaums grocery stores will shutdown by November, a total of 472 food jobs lost in time for Thanksgiving!  Gold’s Pure Food Products has sold-off its assets in Hempstead Village, 55 people laid off.   After creating 40 jobs in the Rochester area, booze seller Constellation Brands laid off at least 11 people.  In Canandaigua, Wade’s Market Center issued a shutdown WARN for September, 133 grocery jobs lost!  In Brooklyn, after seven years the owner of restaurant Char No 4 announced they will shutdown, but didn’t explain why.  After 13 years the Lit Lounge will shutdown by September, one co-owner blames Millennials who “don’t go out”.  Turns out one grocer in The Big Apple is a Big Liar, but finally admitted to overcharging customers.  Whole Foods Markets had gained the nickname Whole Paycheck because of their outrageous prices (it’s amazing that sheeple NYCers shopped there at all) and the executives in charge revealed that yes indeed they were overcharging  customers.  But don’t give those A-Holes a break, they called the overcharging “mistakes” and would have never admitted to it if it weren’t for the fact they were being investigated by the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs, who called it “the worst case of overcharges that they have ever seen.”  And to top things, those evil Whole Foods Market execs went as far as to imply blame on their employees by saying employees will be retrained in proper pricing of food!  The Department of Consumer Affairs also revealed that 77% of grocery stores in NYC are overcharging customers in some way, but since 2010 NYC has chalked up 8-hundred violations against Whole Foods Market, way more than any other grocery chain.  Yeah right Whole Paycheck-Whole Foods, overcharging customers since 2010 is not the result of “mistakes”.   The Commerce restaurant shutdown due to legal battles with the landlord. Seafood restaurant Barchetta shutdown. The Whiskey Soda Lounge shutdown due to “the fact it never really caught on”.  In Staten Island, after 54 years restaurant supplier Twin Supply blaming the internet for the demise of their last brick-n-mortar store. The owners should know, they began switching to internet sales in 2000: “In 2002 we took our trucks off the road, we sold two buildings and began to concentrate on the web. A lot of major corporations, and major hospitals are our customers.” 

Restaurant Associates issued a shutdown WARN saying 84 people will become unemployed by September due to loss of food service contract with Credit Suisse due to “Building Renovations”.  Restaurant Associates issued a shutdown WARN saying 32 people will become unemployed by September due to loss of food service contract with The Brooklyn Museum. Depalino Restaurant Corporation is shutting down their City Crab and Seafood Company in August, 73 jobs lost.  In Lockport, Donna Eick’s Restaurant shutting down, the family will focus on catering only.  In Manhattan, Bis.Co.Latte shutdown their brick-n-mortar store, blaming greedy property owners jacking up the rent by more than 35%! Their handmade biscotti is still available over the internet.  In Bushwick, the owners of Cain’s Tavern say they have to shutdown due to greedy landlord ( Cayuga Capital Management) jacking up the rent by an amazing 500% (something the landlord denies)! In NYC, after 23 years ‘biker bar’ (some reports call it a honky-tonk bar) Hogs & Heifers shutdown by the greedy landlord who jacked up the rent: “That is just not tenable for a business like Hogs and Heifers. I sell Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3. I still sell beer for $5 or $6. I am not a business that can sell a bottle of beer for $12 and margaritas for $15.”-Michelle Dell, owner

North Carolina: Harris Teeter shutting down their Monroe grocery store before the end of August, administrators calling it a “strategic” decision.

Ohio: Remke Markets announced they will not renew their lease on their Westwood neighborhood grocery store, 63 jobs lost by October. The two Canton Walmarts are ending their 24 hours shopping experience and will close for six hours every night. Overnight cashiers will be looking for new jobs.  On Buckeye Lake, both The Copper Penny and the Sailor Joe’s restaurants shutting down. The owner blames it on crashing water levels in the channels that feed the lake, caused by state administrators who supposedly did it to make repairs to a dam. The owner regrets buying the restaurants just a few years ago: “They didn’t take away just the boating; they’re messing with people’s lives!….80% of our business is boats…”-Jeff Reed

After two years Crazy Mango Bar and Bistro shutdown. The restaurant was located in a plaza known as The Greene, which has become a revolving door for dozens of failed restaurants.  In Cleveland, the owners of Indigo Imp Brewery announced “After months of analysis and discussions, we have decided to close Indigo Imp Brewery. … As many fans have noticed, bottles of Indigo Imp have been difficult to find for the last few months. … We have determined that the personal effort and investment required to sustain and grow the business is increasingly in conflict with our family life and personal goals.”

Oregon: In Hillsboro, Baker’s Burgers shutdown because fuel station operator Cain Petroleum Chevron needs the land.  The USDA designated at least seven counties as disaster areas due to the drought.  State administrators banned fishing of sturgeon, salmon, steelhead and trout due to dozens of mystery deaths.  Researchers suspect the deaths are caused by low oxygen in the water and an explosion of the bacteria columnaris, both caused by the drought.

Pennsylvania: Non-profit Channels Food Rescue shutting down because “it is not a viable, sustainable business model any more”, according to executive director Vicki DiSylvester.  The now bankrupt A&P grocery chain will shutdown eight Pennsylvania stores. A local TV station interviewed people about what they thought, many said they thought the A&P grocery prices were too high. In Berwyn, the Pathmark grocery store is shutting down. In Kennett Square, the Super Fresh grocery store is shutting down.  After 32 years Dunning’s Grill shutdown. Restaurant Isabela shutdown due to family health problems.  In Reading, Giant Food Stores shutting down its Rockland Plaza store in August, 90 jobs lost. Administrators say the crashing economy cannot support all their Reading area stores.  It’s been revealed that at the end of June Mondelez International quietly shutdown their Roosevelt Boulevard and Byberry Road bakery, eliminating 350 jobs overnight! Mondelez International makes iconic products for Nabisco, Standard Brands and Kraft. The massive bakery is now for sale. In Lansdowne, after 85 years the Mar-Win Market grocery store shutdown, 35 jobs lost: “It’s definitely the economy. Everybody’s trying to watch their pennies…..It’s a multitude of everything.”-Kirk Fuessinger, owner

Rhode Island: After 39 years restaurant Rue de L’Espoir up for sale so the owner can retire.  In Woonsocket, J’s Deli shutdown due to lack of employees, despite the fact the owner pays more than minimum wage: “Due to our repeated unsuccessful efforts to hire a full team of quality associates to join us at this location of J’s Deli, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations at this location only.”-sign on door

South Carolina: The Myrtle Beach Walmart is ending it’s 24 hours shopping experience and will close for six hours every night. Overnight cashiers will be looking for new work.  In Charleston, after eight years Social Restaurant & Wine Bar being replaced by a restaurant targeting old fogy tourists: “The dynamic of this neighborhood has changed drastically. We’ve lost our late night. We’ve lost the younger crowd that helped keep the lights on. East Bay now has an older demographic that’s more touristy.”-Brad Ball, owner

Tennessee: After 36 years the Stock-Yard restaurant shutdown.  In Hermitage, after 65 years Benson’s Market shutdown: “It’s just time that I got out of the business. It’s a tough business to be in right now.”-Richard Benson

Texas:  In Dallas, World of Beer on SMU Boulevard shutdown. Black-eyed Pea in Preston Center shutdown, employees blame lack of parking for customers. In Arlington, Olenjacks restaurant shutdown. In Deep Ellum, BBQ joint Mama Faye’s shutdown. In Plano, after 117 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Vincent’s Seafood restaurant shutdown. The owner blames steadily declining sales over the past few years.  After 26 years Austin based restaurant chain Z’Tejas now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. The company is in debt by $9.3-million, and even owes the city of Austin more than $17-thousand for utilities! Administrators say they hope to sell-off their Cornbread Ventures, if they can’t then they’re shutting it all down forever! Canadian news reports revealed that Forth Worth based Warren Buffet owned BNSF Railway laid off an undisclosed number of employees, due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries. BNSF is the second largest U.S. rail operator by sales.  In the wealthy area known as North Dallas, The Dog Stop hot dog joint shutdown: “My lease is up and the landlords want to tear down this building. I don’t know where I am going to go after this. I put a sign in the window and people are very sad. They love to drive through with their kids. I didn’t know how much they cared until now.”-Yon Kim, owner of 13 years old hot dog eatery

Vermont: In Shelburne, Archie’s Grill shutdown, the owner sold out to Dunkin’ Donuts saying “It’s about me and my family, that’s what’s first.”

Virginia: Colorado based canning supply company Ball announced it will shutdown its Bristol factory by the first half of 2016, about 230 jobs lost! Ball Corporation joins dozens of other companies consolidating their operations in preparation for more economic crashing & burning.

Washington: The USDA designated 18 counties natural disaster areas due to the drought.  Ag experts with Washington State University‘s agricultural program are warning that the extreme dry heat is shriveling the grains of wheat and barely, which will force farmers to sell their crops at a loss.  Penryn Farm U-Pick berry farm shutting down because the evil insurance industry (specifically State Farm) threatened to cancel their home insurance. State Farm has labeled the hobby farm (which doesn’t make enough money to cover the actual costs of growing the berries) a “business” and wants the owners to pay for more costly business insurance. In West Seattle, Eats Market Café being shutdown by Westwood Village Mall management: “The mall management has decided not to renew my lease. This is a huge loss not just for me but for my wonderful staff and for all of you, my favorite customers. We have all become a family over the last 10 years and it truly breaks my heart to have to say goodbye.”-Toby Matasar

Wisconsin: In Superior, after 16 years Joe’s Pagoda restaurant shutdown.  And Too Big to Jail banks forcing Norm’s Beer & Brats to shutdown by refusing to renew the mortgage (debt financing). The owner hopes to find a new location.  Once again food producer ConAgra killing jobs, this time they’re shutting down one of their two Ripon cookie factories, 285 jobs lost by the end of the year! In Greenfield, Doctor Dawg restaurant shutdown.  After nine years the Tulip Restaurant shutdown.

“If we weren’t a food desert before, we certainly are now!” 

Farmers told to “dispose” of crops if hit by floods! Against federal law to sell flooded vegetables! 

Drought turning fresh water poisonous, lake water killing pet dogs! 

U.S. Food Crisis, June 2015: “…there’s not a light at the end of the tunnel anymore.” 

Business/Economics

“Blood bath happening….” “…they will want to be buried with their money!” IBM secretly destroying U.S. jobs! Mitsubishi preps for global crash by killing U.S. jobs!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 24 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

“For all you people who got RAed [laid off]. I pray for you. For all you people who found out you have not been RAed (yet) and have not joined the Alliance, and still will not join, I pity you…when are you gonna fight for your job and paycheck??? Doing nothing doesn’t do anything.”-anonymous IBM (International Business Machine) employee

Canada based petroleum company Encana is laying off another 2-hundred employees.  Encana has operations in several U.S. states including Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan and Texas, to name a few.

California: Washington based Haggen grocery chain finally revealed how many Californians will lose their jobs; as many as 8-hundred!  It’s been confirmed that San Jose based Cisco Systems is shutting down its Invicta Appliance and its Scaling Systems development.  All employees could be laid off!

Colorado: In Denver, anonymous IBM (International Business Machine) employee reported “11 people on my team RA’d today, including our boss. Worked 12 years for IBM and recently received special awards from my VP for customer service. Our India team does not have the training or background required to support our customer’s specialized applications. This will result in GTS loosing more accounts. My spouse thinks that IBM Senior Mgmt is so tight, they will want to be buried with their money!”  In Boulder, anonymous IBM (International Business Machine) employee reported “21 years with the company. Good reviews. Same as all the others. Finally got my call this morning for the RA. It’s finally my turn. My main customer requires US workers, but it hasn’t stopped IBM from trying to secretly send the work to India before (until the customer found out). Not sure if they will try again, or if they will just transfer it to another US team. I know that my team is too overloaded to be able to pick it up. Last RA hurt us bad, this one will likely drive my department under. So sad to watch IBM implode like this, as it used to be such a great company to work for. Looking forward to what the future holds for me!”  Another Boulder employee said “Got ra’d today after 36 and 1/2 years. I was told it was not because of my performance. I asked them why they are keeping the girl who calls in an average of 60 days a year. All he said was ‘I know'”

Georgia: Anonymous reports say IBM (International Business Machine) contracting out their in-house Recovery Management and Help Desk functions in Sandy Springs, by the end of August.

Illinois: What automotive industry recovery? Japan based Mitsubishi announced they are selling off their Normal car factory and will shut it down in November, 1,250 jobs lost!  Employees were shocked as they produce Mitsubishi’s top selling Outlander, but company administrators say their decision is based on an expected catastrophic crash in the “global supply chain”, but did not elaborate.

Indiana: 58 years old Double 8 grocery chain shutdown its four grocery stores without warning: “…got a phone call at 6:09 telling me there was no need to come to work.”-Janice Anderson, former employee

“…we have Closed All of our Stores today, Thursday, July 23, 2015……Unfortunately, our declining revenues was too much of a challenge to overcome.”-Double 8 statement

Missouri: Local news reports say IBM (International Business Machine) has been secretly laying off employees in Columbia.  The info comes from unnamed IBM employees.  It also turns out that IBM lost a Missouri taxpayer funded deal because IBM failed to meet the employment requirements in that deal.  Given the mass layoffs IBM has conducted since January, it’s not a surprise.  Springfield based Bass Pro Shops laid off ‘less than 60’ employees.

New York: Gold’s Pure Food Products has sold-off its assets in Hempstead Village, 55 people laid off.  NYC based Quirky invention company warned of even more layoffs as they’re struggling to raise capital (debt financing).  Apparently the company doesn’t make enough money from sales to support itself, despite administrators’ claims that it’s “profitable”.   Dozens of ‘Work at Home’ employees of Armonk based IBM (International Business Machine) reporting they’ve been given notice that they are now unemployed, saying they’ve been RAed (Resource Action, IBM’s term for layoffs).  One RAed employee says IBM is secretly outsourcing jobs to India, despite contracts that require those jobs to remain in the United States!  However, IBM employees in Australia say IBM is outsourcing their jobs as well: “Blood bath happening in Australia at the moment. L1 manger got hit. The L2 had a conference call to let us all know, when questioned as to the rationale behind the RA he replied ‘have you seen the share price today??!’ At least he told the truth for a change.”-anonymous employee called Over It In Oz

Ohio: The two Canton Walmarts are ending their 24 hours shopping experience and will close for six hours every night. Overnight cashiers will be looking for new jobs.   In Cleveland, alternative art-house theater Cinematheque shutdown after 30 years.  And the owners of Indigo Imp Brewery announced “After months of analysis and discussions, we have decided to close Indigo Imp Brewery. … As many fans have noticed, bottles of Indigo Imp have been difficult to find for the last few months. … We have determined that the personal effort and investment required to sustain and grow the business is increasingly in conflict with our family life and personal goals.”

South Dakota: The Picker’s Flea Market Antique & Collectibles Mall shutting down in August, a local church will take over the property. The property has a history of failing businesses.

Virginia: Tax-sucking military ship builder Huntington Ingalls announced they are eliminating 1-thousand 5-hundred jobs by the end of 2016!  Administrators blame drastic spending cuts by the U.S. Navy.

Washington DC: Too Big to Jail Capital One announced that an undisclosed number of employees will be laid off in the U.S. capital.

23 July 2015: “Now it’s all gone.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

“Now it’s all gone.” Weatherford & Union Pacific increase planned layoffs! Capital One charges off thousands of jobs! No more flights to Europe?: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 23 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Texas founded but Ireland based oil service company Weatherford International just jacked up the number of their planned layoffs (again) to 11-thousand! Reports say 6,449 people have already become jobless! Most of those jobs were in Canada and United States.

California: ObamaCare medical device tax forcing Ohio based Parker Hannifin ’s Engineered Materials Group to shutdown their Medical Systems Division factories in Anaheim and Fontana, and move them to Mexico by the end of 2016.  Administrators refused to say how many jobs will be lost.  In Cordova, Edwin Watts Golf shutdown.

Colorado: Griff’s Hamburgers shutting down in Denver and Arvada, by August.  Both stores have been sold, they were the last Griff’s in Colorado.

Connecticut:   Ohio based Parker Hannifin ’s Engineered Materials Group shutting down their Precision Cooling Systems ops in New Haven over the next 12 months, 150 jobs lost!  Back in March, New Haven lost another 2-hundred jobs when the Vera Bradley factory shutdown!  Tax-sucking Harris Corporation shutting down their military radio factory and moving it to New Jersey, 360 taxpaying jobs lost in Fort Wayne!

Georgia: Local news report a “surge” in unemployment in the Columbus metro area.  The state Department of Labor said the number of available jobs dropped by 4-hundred in June, and the number of unemployment claims were 148 more than in May.

Illinois: What automotive industry recovery?  Farm vehicle maker Deere (formerly known as John Deere) continues to eliminate jobs.  This time 160 people in Moline were rendered jobless without warning!   It’s being called an “inventory adjustment shutdown”.  Administrators say sales continue to crash, and they expect sales to continue to crash for the rest of the year.   In Chicago, events organizer Red Frog Events laid off 29 employees.  It’s connected to their takeover of D.J. National Food Service.

Iowa: Without warning the Cedar Rapids Payless Optical Outlet shutdown.  Local news reports say customers did not get refunds and they didn’t get their glasses either!  Local news says nobody answers the phone numbers left on the store closing notice.  The local Better Business Bureau says all they know is that it sounds like the store owner is in the hospital.

Massachusetts: Hopkinton based ‘cloud computing’ company EMC announced it needs to make an additional $850-million USD worth of “headcount reductions” between now and the end of 2017!  It was revealed (back in April) that EMC already eliminated 1-thousand 5-hundred jobs in January!  EMC also eliminated 1-thousand jobs in 2014!

Minnesota: Minnesota Public Radio laid off nine employees and eliminated two vacant positions.

Nebraska: Just last week I reported that Omaha based Union Pacific Railroad would furlough at least 1-thousand employees! Today, not only did Union Pacific administrators confirm it, but they increased the furloughs to 1-thousand 5-hundred, and then warned that more could follow: “…right now volumes are down and we have to get our costs in line…..if we have to, we will do whatever else we need to…”-Lance Fritz, ceo

New York: United Airlines issued a shutdown WARN for their international flight service out of John F. Kennedy International Airport.  The shutdown will take place in October, 206 jobs lost!  The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) issued multiple WARNs saying two Pathmark and three Waldbaums grocery stores will shutdown by November, a total of 472 food jobs lost in time for Thanksgiving!

North Carolina: IBM announced they will eliminate jobs at the Research Triangle Park, as part of their ongoing “workforce rebalancing”.  It’s blamed on non-stop crashing sales.  However, cfo Martin Schroeter admitted IBM spent $700-million taking over five small companies, so far this year.  Mmmm, is that the real reason for layoffs?  In Concord, after ten years non-profit cat shelter Kitty City shutting down due to increasing city regulations: “It’s about losing sight of common sense. They don’t support us for doing it right. After we had to make such drastic changes to our cages, I went home every night in tears…..Now it’s all gone.”-Patsy Beeker, pissed off founder of Kitty City

Oregon: Too Big to Jail Capital One shutting down their Tigard call center by the end of the year, at least 9-hundred jobs lost! To add insult to injury, hundreds of those employees had recently moved to Tigard from California on orders from Capital One!  Local news reports say Capital One is the largest employers in Tigard.

Pennsylvania: Canada based oil-gas fracking company Calfrac Well Services laid off 60 employees in Chester Hill.  ObamaCare hospital mergers forcing Jameson Hospital to end childbirth services by September.

Puerto Rico: After 40 years the Condado Plaza Hilton casino shutdown, 140 jobs lost! It’s blamed on the crashing economy in the U.S. territory.  Hilton administrators say revenues crashed by 40%, just from their casino’s slot machine ops!  The territorial government revealed that previous casino shutdowns reduced tax revenues by $6-million!

South Carolina: The Myrtle Beach Walmart is ending it’s 24 hours shopping experience and will close for six hours every night. Overnight cashiers will be looking for new work.

South Dakota: Too Big to Jail Capital One shutting down their Sioux Falls call center by the end of the year, at least 750 jobs lost!  To add insult to injury, hundreds of those employees had recently moved to Sioux Falls from California on orders from Capital One!  Local news reports say at one time the Capital One Sioux Falls ops had more than 1-thousand employees!

Virginia: Tax-sucker Newport News Shipbuilding revealed their previously announced mass layoffs will top 1-thousand 5-hundred jobs between now and the end of 2016!  Goochland County reports that Too Big to Jail Capital One is eliminating an undisclosed number of call center jobs.  The Richmond Times-Dispatch says Capial One is the largest employer in central Verginy.

Washington: Boeing issued yet another layoff WARN, this time 172 people in Puget Sound will lose their jobs in September!

Wisconsin: Once again food producer ConAgra killing jobs, this time they’re shutting down one of their two Ripon cookie factories, 285 jobs lost by the end of the year!  In Greenfield, Doctor Dawg restaurant shutdown.

22 July 2015: “These children…have no hope.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

“If we weren’t a food desert before, we certainly are now!”, Albertsons Safeway update 23 July 2015: Haggen violates Albertsons contract? Safeway in flux!

“Obviously Albertsons is out for blood and what happens, happens.”-Greg Conger, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 324, Buena Park, California

In Canada, the Sobeys-Safeway chain announced the elimination of 1-thousand 3-hundred distribution/administration jobs!  The company is building new automated grocery distribution warehouses to replace humans. The layoffs are also part of the ongoing consolidation of Sobeys and Safeway grocery ops, after Sobeys took over the Canadian Safeways in 2013, as well as new consolidation ops after Sobeys-Safeway took over part of grocery co-op Atlantic in June of this year.

In the United States, the chaos created by the Cerberus takeover of Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market and Carrs, is ramping up.

In Oregon, yet more Safeways are being shutdown.  You can’t blame competition or declining customer base because Rockwood city administrators say it’s the fourth grocery store they’ve lost: “It’s a huge hit. If we weren’t a food desert before, we certainly are now!  To lose another Safeway … that’s four major grocery stores out of a community that’s growing in population, not decreasing!”– Josh Fuhrer, Gresham Redevelopment Commission

In connection to the Rockwood Safeway shutdown, reports say students from Portland State University conducted a study and found that the grocery store exodus from Rockwood has made the local Albertsons the most expensive place for food.  Now you know the real reason for grocery store mergers and shutdowns, reduce competition and jack up the prices so the stockholders get a bigger slice of pie.

Then there’s the Gresham Safeway and the Milwaukie Safeway, both shutting down in August.  Spokeswoman Jill McGinnis blamed lack of big profits.

However, in Wyoming Albertsons-Safeway announced their expansion of grocery ops in The Cowboy State is requiring the “need to hire the right people to serve our customers.”  The untrustworthy corporate administrators claim they will hire hundreds of people to “meet our business demands” created by their additions of bakery, butchery and florist ops in Wyoming (you mean they didn’t already have those operations, like they’ve had here in next door Idaho for decades? No wonder a lot of western Wyomingans come to eastern Idaho to grocery shop).

After shutting down or selling off hundreds of stores (see list below), ostensibly to cut costs, the highly edumacated elitist wunderkinds at Albertsons-Safeway told Supermarket News that they are planning to spend money opening hundreds of new stores!  Their plan involves 115 stores, mostly remodeling of existing stores but some being considered ‘replacement’ stores for existing operations.  Here’s what the hypocritical ceo Bob Miller said: “We’re investing in making our stores places where customers want to shop and employees want to work because we know that’s the best way to win in the marketplace.”  (it’s hypocritical because of the thousands of jobs they’ve already destroyed)

But things aren’t good for the Cerberus created Albertsons-Safeway.  United Natural Foods canceling their food supply contract with Albertsons, before the end of September (the contract was good until July 2016)!  Administrators with United Natural Foods indicated that they were actually losing money doing business with Albertsons: “…we believe that this course of action is in the best long-term interests of United Natural Foods as it will now allow us to redirect our resources to pursue our previously announced plans to expand….We plan to utilize the capital freed up from the termination of our Albertsons’ relationship to further pursue our strategic objectives, and we believe this will provide greater value for our shareholders long term.”-Steve Spinner, ceo

And the problems with Haggen have gotten worse.  After announcing they were shutting down stores they bought from Albertsons-Safeway, now Albertsons is actually suing the Washington based grocer.

Albertsons-Safeway says Haggen was supposed to pay for the inventory in the 146 stores it recently took over.  Albertsons-Safeway claims Haggen failed to pay for the inventory in 38 California stores and owes Albertsons-Safeway $41-million USD as a result!

However, Haggen says Albertsons-Safeway violated the terms of the sale of those California stores: “It is unfortunate Albertsons has chosen to file what appears to be nothing more than a strike suit to avoid addressing its wrongful conduct. Haggen will mount a vigorous defense and aggressively prosecute its counterclaims…”-attorneys for Haggen

Stock issue to result in more store shutdowns?

Updated store shutdown list:

Alberta, Canada: Sobeys-Safeway eliminating hundreds of distribution/administration jobs by 2017!

Manitoba, Canada: Sobeys-Safeway announced it will shutdown it’s King Edward Street warehouse by 2016, at least 172 jobs lost!

Ontario, Canada: Sobeys-Safeway eliminating hundreds of distribution/administration jobs by 2017! 

Arizona, U.S.A.: Peoria Safeway and Claypool Safeway shutdown in June, at least 94 jobs affected. The following grocery stores now Haggen; Anthem Safeway, two Tucson Safeways, Tucson Albertsons, two Scottsdale Albertsons, Flagstaff Albertsons, Prescott Valley Albertsons. In Lake Havasu, three Safeway and seven Albertsons are being switched over to Haggen.

California, U.S.A.: The new Albertsons-Safeway laid off another 21 Safeway employees in June. Two Albertsons-Safeway owned Vons stores shutdown in Fresno, 127 jobs lost! Albertsons-Safeway laid off 129 people from their Pleasanton HQ in April. Albertsons-Safeway laid off another 188 Pleasanton employees in May! Albertsons-Vons shutdown its Riverside La Sierra Plaza Vons and two Bakersfield Vons in May, because they are “not meeting company goals.” Arcadia Vons Pavillions SuperStore shutdown on 18 March 2015, at least 168 jobs lost! The 32 years old Hemet Vons shutdown on 28 December 2014, at least 55 jobs lost. Company administrators claimed it had nothing to do with the hostile takeover by Cerberus. Marina Del Ray Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 80 jobs lost. Pleasanton Safeway HQ laid off at least 26 people in February 2015. In Pleasonton, Safeway laid off an additional 18 HQ employees in March. A San Diego Albertsons shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 63 jobs lost. The following additional grocery stores will become Haggen; Vons in Palm Desert, Pavillions in Rancho Mirage, two Santa Barbara Albertsons, two Goleta Vons, Lompoc Albertsons, Paso Robles Vons, Arroyo Grande Albertsons, San Louis Obispo Albertsons, Atascadero Albertsons, Los Osos Vons, Palmdale Albertsons, three Bakersfield Albertsons (don’t be surprised if at least one is closed), two Simi Valley Albertsons, Simi Valley Vons, Oxnard Albertsons, Carpinteria Vons, Camarillo Albertsons, Ventura albertsons, Yorba Linda Albertsons, two Tustin Vons, Mission Viejo Vons, Mission Viejo Albertsons, Trabuco Canyon Albertsons, Laguna Beach Albertsons, Laguna Niguel Vons, Corona Del Mar Albertsons, Irvine (Vons) Pavillions, eight San Diego Albertsons (don’t be surprised if several are closed), San Yisidro Albertsons, Rancho Bernardo Albertsons, Coronado Albertsons, San Marcos Vons, two El Cajon Vons, Santee Albertsons, Poway Albertsons, Del Mar Albertsons, two Carlsbad Albertsons, two La Mesa Vons, three Chula Vista Vons (don’t be surprised if at least one is closed), Upland Albertsons, Diamond Bar Vons, Rancho Cucamonga Albertsons, Chino Hills Vons, Burbank Albertsons, Woodland Hills Vons, Westlake Village Albertsons, Thousand Oaks Albertsons, Santa Clarita (Vons) Pavillions, Saugus Vons, Newbury Park Vons, Tujunga Albertsons, Long Beach Albertsons, two San Pedro Albertsons, Lomita Albertsons, Torrance Albertsons, Santa Monica Albertsons, three Redondo Beach Albertsons (don’t be surprised if at least one is closed), two Los Angeles Albertsons.

Colorado, U.S.A.: Yampa Valley Medical Center has agreed to buy the abandoned Craig Safeway store from city council member Kent Nielson. KKCO reports instant decline in customer traffic for other business at the Monument Valley Shopping Center after the Redland’s Safeway shutdown. Redlands Safeway, Castle Rock Safeway, Thornton Safeway, Westminster Safeway, three Aurora Safeways, Littleton Safeway, Denver Safeway and Centennial Safeway, hundreds of jobs lost by June! Colorado Springs Albertsons shutdown in March. Cerberus administrators say it has nothing to do with their takeover of Safeway-Vons: “That store basically has not been profitable for quite some time, despite the best efforts of our company and associates there and the location…..That’s why we’re closing it.”

Florida, U.S.A.: Albertsons issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Clearwater store in May, 86 jobs lost.

Hawaii, U.S.A.: Drugs pusher Walgreens canceled plans to open a pharmacy in the Kauai Safeway: “As part of this process, Walgreens did a comprehensive financial reassessment of its plans to open a new store in Lihue on Kauai, and have concluded that it is not in the company’s best interests to move forward with opening a store in that location.”

Illinois: The Jewel-Osco HQ in Itasca was sold for $23.7-million. A local news report implied it was the result of the hostile takeover of Safeway by Albertsons.

Montana: In Missoula, two Safeways sold to Orange Street Food Farms-Fresh Market. Recent news reports said that one is being torn down for the Providence-Saint Patrick’s Medical Center, despite all previous reports saying both former Safeways were now Fresh Markets.

Nevada, U.S.A.: The following grocery stores now Haggen; Boulder City Vons, three Henderson Albertsons (don’t be surprised if at least one is closed), three Las Vegas Vons (don’t be surprised if at least one is closed).

Oregon, U.S.A.: The Gresham, Milwaukie and Rockwod Safeways shutting down by the end of August.  Beaverton Albertsons shutdown on 20 June, 68 jobs affected. In Lake Oswego, Albertsons taken over by Haggen. Cerberus administrators made the exact same claim as in their Colorado Springs shutdown saying “The store has not been profitable for quite some time.” This is interesting because according to local news reports there are only two grocery stores in the city! In Lake Grove, the Albertsons being switch over to Haggen. Safeway shutting down their Clackamas regional office, 91 jobs lost by March. Safeway in Ashland, two in Klamath Falls and one in Springfield to become Haggen. Albertsons in Baker, Beaver, two in Bend, one in Clackamas, two in Eugene and in Grants Pass, one in Keizer, Milwaukee, Sherwood, West Linn and two in Tigard.

Pennsylvania: The last Safeway owned Genuardi’s grocery store shutdown, 40 jobs lost.

Texas, U.S.A.: Arlington Tom Thumbs shutting down in June, at least 45 jobs affected. In East Dallas, an Albertsons was renamed Minyard Sun Fresh Market. Reports said the grand opening was delayed due to problems switching over the cash register system. A second East Dallas Alberstons became Minyard Sun Fresh Market on 16 February. Only one of the three East Dallas Albertsons will remain Albertsons. One store manager said the changes are a direct result of the takeover of Safeway. Interestingly I found a report that said Cerberus swore there would be no name changes after the takeover of Safeway, but they failed to explain the sale of 12 stores to RLS Supermarkets (apparently the result of a court order). The Tom Thumb grocery stores in Bedford and Grapevine converting to Minyard Sun Fresh Market.

Washington, U.S.A.: The Merced Island Albertsons being shutdown in July, the pharmacy has already shutdown. The Poulsbo Albertsons shutting down in July, 60 jobs affected. The Safeway in Spokane Valley shutdown in March, 60 jobs lost. Company administrators said it was not due to the takeover by Cerberus controlled Albertsons, but that the lease expired and it wasn’t worth renewing it. In Kirkland, reports that Goodwill thrift store is taking over the now vacant Albertsons store. Haggen took control of the Monroe Albertsons. Safeway becoming Haggen in Gig Harbor and Tacoma beginning in March. Albertsons becoming Haggen in Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma and Lakewood beginning in March. Albertsons becoming Haggen in Federal Way and Milton by June. Albertsons in Port Angeles, Wenatchee and Shoreline becoming Haggen in February. Albertsons in Redmond, Walla Walla, Snohomish, Silverdale, Burien, becoming Haggen in March. Albertsons in Seattle, another one in Burien, Renton, Bremerton and Milton becoming Haggen in June. Shoreline Safeway becomeing Haggen in February. Safeway in Everett, Renton, Oak Harbor and Port Orchard in March. Liberty Lake Safeway becomes Haggen in June.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Business/Economics

“These children…have no hope.” “…it’s unlikely we’ll see much recovery before 2016.” 500% rent increase? Citigroup working for Mexican drug lords?: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 22 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arkansas: ABC Financial laid off 42 employees, blaming it on crashing business.  Apparently the contract billing subsidiary of Jim Bottin Enterprises thought they were going to get a huge new contract, and hired new people in anticipation, however the contract fell through.

California: After 129 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) the Daily Transcript newspaper shutting down by September. Eventually the Daily Transcript website will shutdown as well, due to crashing revenues.    San Diego based semiconductor maker Qualcomm has upped the number of layoffs first reported, from 4-thousand to 4-thousand 7-hundred!  Administrators say the crashing economy is forcing them to cut $1.4-billion USD in operating costs!  San Jose based Cisco Systems is rumored to be eliminating 50% of positions at their United Kingdom cell phone ops known as Ubiquisys!  In Berkeley, after 18 years popular Pyramid Alehouse shutdown. The building is being sold-off and the owners of the Alehouse will focus on ops in Oregon and Washington.  In Antioch, after 20 years the free taxpayer funded for poverty level families Kids Club pre-school shutdown due to the A-hole politicians refusing to renew the lease: “It is move out day. We are being asked to leave this location by the end of July 23. I would say there’s politics at play with district administration.”-Mark Mokski, executive director

“I can go get a job, maybe flipping burgers, who knows. These children can’t, they have no hope.”-Ariadna Santos, Kids Club employee

Florida: Restaurant Dockside Dave’s on Gulf Boulevard in Saint Pete Beach shutdown.  Reports say the bad economy was making it difficult for the owners to run two restaurants.

Illinois: Who said there’s not a New Cold War? Chicago based Public Broadcasting System supporter John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is shutting down their 20 years old operations in Russia.  It’s blamed on new laws in Russia cracking down on U.S. operatives in that former member of the Soviet Union.

Iowa: The owner of  Defunct Books is shutting it down and moving to Tennessee.  The owner blames it on what I call the dumbing down of America: “Iowa City is not the same city as it was when I moved here eight years ago. Obviously there’s going to be some changes, but it’s not quite the literary city that it was when I moved here.”-Greg Delzer

Maryland: Washington DC based home sewing supply chain G Street Fabrics now bankrupt busted and shutting down two stores in Maryland.  Administrators blame the store shutdowns on outrageous rents; $13,201.25 per month and $24,353.65 per month respectively!   In 2014 G Street Fabrics reported a $2-million drop in revenues!  After 43 years Club Hippo shutdown, the owner said “I’m tired.”

Michigan: After eliminating jobs the Farmington Public Schools is now considering shutting down at least six schools, blaming what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.  Enrollment has crashed by 2-thousand since 2007, and administrators expect it to continue!

Mississippi: ObamaCare forced University of Mississippi Medical Center to layoff 14 people, the majority being nurse educators.  It’s blamed on the new Mississippi Provider-Sponsored Health Plan.  In Hattiesburg, after 30 years restaurant Cuco’s shutting down in August. The owner blames a 2012 shooting incident which scared off customers, plus increased competition: “The shooting completely destroyed my business…..The other reason is that there’s so many other Mexican restaurants in town….I haven’t made any money on this place in a couple of years….I’ve been putting my retirement money in it, too.”-Ricardo Mussiett

Missouri: International artifact dealer MacroSun International shutting down its Loop store by September.  The owner is consolidating ops, and shifting to internet sales.

Nevada: Paradise based gambling giant (currently the World’s biggest) Caesar’s Entertainment is on the verge of collapse.  It’s blamed on a lawsuit by creditors that could cost the administrators (Apollo and TPG Capital)  $2-billion!  More lawsuits are rumored to be in the works: “I think if Apollo was smart, they would offer to walk away now, hand the keys over to creditors and get releases from suits.”-unnamed attorney

New Jersey: The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) issued multiple WARNs saying eight Pathmark grocery stores will shutdown by September, a total of 867 jobs lost!

New York:  Once again, Too Big to Jail NYC based Citigroup is in big trouble and as a result jobs are being killed.  This time Citigroup is paying a $140-million fine and shutting down their Banamex ops after being caught laundering drug money!  The charges were brought by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the California Department of Business Oversight.  In Poughkeepsie, school bus company Durham School Services issued a shutdown WARN for October, 76 jobs lost due to loss of contract.  In Bushwick, the owners of Cain’s Tavern say they have to shutdown due to greedy landlord ( Cayuga Capital Management) jacking up the rent by an amazing 500% (something the landlord denies)!  In NYC, after 23 years ‘biker bar’ (some reports call it a honky-tonk bar) Hogs & Heifers shutdown by the greedy landlord who jacked up the rent: “That is just not tenable for a business like Hogs and Heifers. I sell Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3. I still sell beer for $5 or $6. I am not a business that can sell a bottle of beer for $12 and margaritas for $15.”-Michelle Dell, owner

North Carolina: What housing market recovery?  The FBI has revealed a massive mortgage fraud bust involving the Too Big to Jails you trust.  Under Operation Wax House it was discovered that at least 91 attorneys & paralegals, bank insiders, mortgage brokers, builders & sellers, facilitators, financiers, buyers, notary publics, appraisers, real estate agents and promoters, intentionally committed mortgage fraud in North Carolina!

Ohio: Too Big to Jail Chase shutting down their Mansfield Ashland Road bank in October.

Oregon: What automotive industry recovery?  In Medford, motorcycle parts seller MAG Retail Group issued a shutdown WARN for September, 114 jobs lost!  In Portland, ObamaCare medical device tax forcing CP Medical to shutdown by July 2016, at least 88  jobs lost.

Pennsylvania:  Green Tree & School Services shutdown their Philadelphia ops, 113 jobs lost!  Community Development Institute Head Start issued shutdown WARNs for Montgomery and Bucks counties, 168 jobs lost by August!  Canadian Pacific Railway –
Delaware and Hudson Railway issued shutdown WARNs for Taylor and Nescopeck, at least 26 jobs lost by August.  What automotive industry recovery? American Axle shutdown their factory in Lancaster, 39 jobs lost.  In Brave, The Monongalia County Coal Company shutdown, 160 jobs lost!  In Carlisle, Carolina Logistics WARNed they’re shutting down in August, 59 jobs lost.   Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School laid off at least 21 virtual classroom teachers and 22 non-teaching employees.

South Carolina: What housing market recovery? California based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo laid off 91 employees at their Fort Mill mortgage ops.

Texas: Houston based oil field service company FMC Technologies announced yet more layoffs, but did not give a number.  FMC Tech (not to be confused with FMC Corp.) already eliminated 2-thousand jobs since February!  This time the new layoffs are connected to FMC Tech’s joint venture with Technip.  FMC Tech also reported that their profits crashed 52% in their 2nd quarter of 2015!  Administrators say they do not see any recovery for at least another year: “…it’s unlikely we’ll see much recovery before 2016.”-John Gremp, ceo

Utah: In South Salt Lake City, “treatment and education to help facilitate an individual’s productive contribution to his or her community” Cottonwood Treatment Center notified state administrators that 178 employees will become unemployed! The public WARN site gave no explanation, and I could not find any news reports about it.   California based Fairchild Semiconductor shutdown and eliminated 361 jobs in Salt Lake City!  It’s part of the company’s 2014 plan to eliminate 1,350 jobs!  Back in August 2014 Fairchild Semiconductor claimed it had 5-hundred employees in Salt Lake City, but their WARN to state administrators says they were down to 361 by April 2015.  In Huntington, Energy West Mining has eliminated 146 jobs so far this year!

West Virginia: William J. Raglin Community Education Center shutting down the Shawnee Daycare center due to “…losing approximately $10-thousand a year on that program.”-Bob Calhoun, Kanawha County Schools

21 July 2015: “…it’s got to come to an end.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

“…it’s got to come to an end.” Despite thousands of layoffs Microsoft loses $3.2-billion!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 21 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Japan based video game maker Gree laid off 30% of employees at its San Francisco operations. Analysts say it’s the result of Gree failing to accomplish its goal to dominate the mobile gaming market.  In Monterey, Osio Cinemas being shutdown by its investor owners who blame competition, rising debt and crashing sales.  Aliso Viejo based data storage company QLogic warned 2-hundred employees of mass layoffs, due to unexpected crashing sales.  In Sacramento, after 22 years City Limits Showgirls strip joint shutting down due to county ‘lawmakers’ re-zoning the land.

Connecticut: In Stamford, the New York Sports Clubs shutting down.  Administrators blamed “recent events” but didn’t go into details.

Indiana: In Fort Wayne, after 43 years Roller Dome South shutting down in August.

Iowa: In Sioux City, after 30 years Wilmes Do It Best Hardware shutdown.

Kansas: In Manhattan, the country’s oldest Pizza Hut shutdown after 55 years due to crashing sales.  The franchise owner lamented “…in 1960….No one here even knew what a pizza was! Imagine that! But I don’t think I would have guessed how big Pizza Hut ….would get either.”   The controversial taxpayer created (Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004) investment company Kansas Bioscience Authority revealed it laid off 50% of employees last week.  Administrators blame lack of state taxpayer funding.   ‘Lawmakers’ say KBA has failed to bring in the big investment bucks needed to save the ‘christian’ state’s failing economy. (…the love of money is the root of all evil…: 1 Timothy 6:10)

Kentucky: Lexington based printer maker Lexmark will eliminate at least 5-hundred jobs around the World.  It’s the result of Lexmark taking over companies like Kofax and ReadSoft.

Massachusetts: In Hamilton, after six years Winfrey’s Fudge & Chocolates shutdown “…due to the lack of parking and foot traffic.”  The property is for sale.  In Cambridge, music venue T. T. The Bear’s Club shutdown.

Michigan: After 51 years shoe store Alfano’s Stride Rite shutting down.  But wait, it’s not just one store but five stores spread across the state: “Outlets are really affecting business…..it’s got to come to an end.”-Nick Alfano, owner

Minnesota: In Madelia, crime is being blamed for the shutdown of The Furniture Clinic after the inventory was destroyed by vandals.  What makes this worse is that the owner of the store recently started the business after he lost his regular job due to losing his eyesight!

Montana: What was that about ObamaCare increasing access to healthcare? ObamaCare forcing Lolo Family Practice to shutdown.  It’s the only medical care in Lolo.  People will have to travel to the next town for healthcare.

Nebraska: Be’ne Pizza and Pasta shutting down after 14 years.

New Jersey: Four Pathmark grocery stores in Middlesex County shutting down due to parent company A&P’s bankruptcy.

New Mexico: In Santa Fe, after 33 years Robert R. Bailey Clothiers shutting down.  The family owners decided it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.

New York: In Manhattan, Bis.Co.Latte shutdown their brick-n-mortar store, blaming greedy property owners jacking up the rent by more than 35%!  Their handmade biscotti is still available over the internet.

Ohio: On the corner of Healthy and Happiness, Walgreens admitted they’re shutting down their Chillicothe store.  It’s part of the plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores by the end of the year.

Pennsylvania:  ObamaCare causing Geisinger Medical Group to consolidate operations and shutdown their Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in August.

Texas: Singapore based Flextronics laying off 168 people at its Fort Worth factory by the end of 2015!  In 2014 they laid off 223 people at their newly opened Motorola factory, also in Fort Worth!

Washington: Those 26-thousand layoffs couldn’t stop Redmond based Microsoft from losing $3.2-billion USD in its 4th quarter!

West Virginia: Animal Friends of Barbour County warned it will shutdown due to lack of funding.  When you realize how many animals the shelter saves it’s a sad reflection of the bad economy: “Last year we took in 1,120 animals. That’s pretty evenly divided as far as dogs and cats. We run and operate as a no-kill facility.”-Carol Talbot

Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin‘s two year Colleges eliminating 83 jobs by consolidating administration jobs.  It’s blamed on Right to Work you over gov’na Scott Walker.

19 – 20 July 2015: “significant downturn in business”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

“significant downturn in business”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 19 – 20 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

British empire’s United Kingdom based Too Big to Jail Barclays will eliminate 30-thousand jobs around the World, including in the United States, by the end of 2017!  Administrators are suddenly calling those positions “redundant”, but the real reason for the massive layoffs is an attempt to double the stock price of the failing bank.

Colorado: Software company Intuit now shutting down their Denver call center, 59 jobs lost.  It’s part of last month’s announcement that the California based company will eliminate 399 jobs!

Delaware: The now bankrupt A&P grocery chain will shutdown two Delaware stores.

Florida: Vizen sushi restaurant shutdown.  Critics said it was good but too expensive.  Moore’s Stonecrab shutdown, reports say a new restaurant will open, a year and a half from now!

Indiana: In Fort Wayne, after 39 years Abby Brown’s Candy Shoppe shutting down in August, due to the death of one of the co-owners.

Iowa: In Spencer, hydraulic pump make Eaton laid off 49 employees, the rest of the factory’s employees will be furloughed for a week in September.  Administrators blame the bad economy.

Massachusetts: In Somerville, after 46 years Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club shutting down by 2016.  The owner wants to ‘repurpose’ the property as a mixed retail-residential building .

Michigan: In Escabana, after 30 years the Record Rack shutdown due to the co-owners’ retirement.

New Jersey: Montvale based Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted (again) and will shutdown at least 25 stores and sell-off at least 120.  The Montvale HQ building was put up for sale back in January.  At least ten New Jersey A&P grocery stores will shutdown.

New York: It’s been revealed that NYC based Time received $10-million USD in taxpayer funded grants and incentives to prevent the publisher from moving to New Jersey. But according to a WNTC report, the taxpayer funded bribe allows Time to eliminate 9-hundred jobs!   NYC based radio broadcaster Westwood One laid off 50 people across several states as part of consolidation with Cumulus Media.   The now bankrupt A&P grocery chain will shutdown five New York stores.

Pennsylvania:  The now bankrupt A&P grocery chain will shutdown eight Pennsylvania stores.  A local TV station interviewed people about what they thought, many said they thought the A&P grocery prices were too high.  In Berwyn, the Pathmark grocery store is shutting down. In Kennett Square, the Super Fresh grocery store is shutting down.

South Carolina: In Charleston, after eight years Social Restaurant & Wine Bar being replaced by a restaurant targeting old fogy tourists: “The dynamic of this neighborhood has changed drastically. We’ve lost our late night. We’ve lost the younger crowd that helped keep the lights on. East Bay now has an older demographic that’s more touristy.”-Brad Ball, owner

South Dakota: Rip off discounter Big Lots shutting down their five years old Sioux Falls store in August, 17 jobs lost.

Texas: In Houston, Ohio based TimkenSteel laying off 39 employees due to “significant downturn in business” with the petroleum industry.  The Ohio company laid off 52 people outside of Texas, back in March, for the same reason.

Washington: In Seattle, “provider of travel and hospitality services” Bags will eliminate 190 jobs in August!

18 July 2015: “…they’re messing with people’s lives!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

U.S. Food Crisis: Minnesota bans fishing!

21 July 2015 (15:17 UTC-07 Tango 01)/30 Tir 1394/04 Shawwal 1436/06 Gui-Wie (6th month) 4713

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources warns of a ban on walleye fishing in August.

It would directly affect Mille Lacs Lake.  Regulators say the limit on walleye catches has nearly been reached, and there is a new problem of a large number of walleye dying after coming into contact with fishing hooks (the ones that got away).

The walleye population in the Mille Lacs Lake is now at a 30 years low!

Farmers told to “dispose” of crops if hit by floods! 

 

Business/Economics

“…how I will now make a living?” “…they’re messing with people’s lives!” Mom & Pop operators hint at new laws meant to shut them down!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 18 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arkansas: In Paragould, after 33 years The Treasure House being forced to shutdown by August, the owner lamented “…how I will now make a living?” 

California: In Oakhurst, popular Grocery Discount Center shutting down in August. It’s blamed on the death of one of the owners.  Locals say the business will be missed: “I have watched them feed the poor, pray for the hurting … it’s like a family here …”-Debra Burnett

Colorado: Premier Bank has been seized by the FDIC, assets turned over to United Fidelity Bank.

Connecticut: Fairfeild based GE (General Electric) has eliminated hundreds of jobs since the beginning of the year on the grounds that revenues are going down, as well as selling off its financial ops, yet that hasn’t stop it from paying ‘investors’ $50-billion in dividends and buybacks, and now GE is about to spend $13.5-billion USD on the take over of electricity generation from France based Alstom: “We like this deal. It is our intention to really close the deal.”-Jeff Immelt, ceo

It sounds like GE’s true reason for eliminating hundreds of jobs and selling off sections of the company was all about raising cash to buyback stocks and takeover other companies.

Illinois: In Lincoln Park, after 36 years iconic dance club Neo lost its lease and is looking for a new home.  However, don’t blame the club owners, the property owners swear they offered Neo a “big drop” in rent in exchange for the dance club cleaning up its act: “You would go in and there was all kinds of dust and cobwebs and there were rats coming up in the floor behind the bar. I’ve got tenants upstairs who pay quite a lot of money in rent. You can’t have a shit-hole downstairs! It’s not fair to everybody else in the building.”-John Crombie, property owner

Louisiana: After 52 years clothier Belk Tallywood shutdown, 27 employees are supposedly being transfered to other Belk stores.

Minnesota: In Saint Paul, after 30 years the 7th Street Tavern shutting down by the end of the month.  It’s blamed on crashing sales due to crashing customer traffic at the mini-mall location.  Near Hastings, after about 60 years The Point restaurant shutdown. It’s been sold to convenience store/gas station operator SSG, who already owns the surrounding land.  Maplewood based 3M just eliminated another 51 jobs across the country, but this time it’s not military contract jobs.  3M is consolidating their filtration products business.

New York: In Elmsford, Pets Alive announced they must shutdown their animal shelter, blaming rising costs of operations and crashing revenue.  In Potsdam, after 37 years outdoor clothing and equipment store Wear On Earth shutting down by August.  Co-owner Shannon Klein said current business laws/regulations now work against mom & pop stores: “The business [Wear on Earth] is based on being owner-operated. There is no business left when the owner can’t do it anymore.  What was transferred to us cannot be transferred to a future owner due to changes in the industry during the time we owned the business…”

Ohio: In Genoa, after 61 years family owned Samsen Furniture and Design shutdown, it’s being replaced with a new franchise operation.  In Merle Hay, the 45 years old Earl May garden center forced to shutdown due to “…we lost our lease and will not be able to continue at this location.”  On Buckeye Lake, both The Copper Penny and the Sailor Joe’s restaurants shutting down.  The owner blames it on crashing water levels in the channels that feed the lake, caused by state administrators who supposedly did it to make repairs to a dam.  The owner regrets buying the restaurants just a few years ago: “They didn’t take away just the boating; they’re messing with people’s lives!….80% of our business is boats…”-Jeff Reed

Texas:  In Corpus Christi, supplier to public and private schools Rainbow Books shutting down after 31 years.  The owners are selling it to help fund their retirement, but they hope they can find a buyer who will continue the business.

Wisconsin: In Superior, Too Big to Jail banks forcing Norm’s Beer & Brats to shutdown by refusing to renew the mortgage (debt financing).  The owner hopes to find a new location soon.

17 July 2015: “…it’s all about money now.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

Albertsons Safeway update 18 July 2015: Stock issue to result in more store shutdowns?

Analysts are expecting good things for Albertsons-Safeway (owned by New York based Cerberus Capital Management) when the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of stocks are made.   That is they think a lot of ‘investors’ will buy those stocks because investors like what they see is being done with the new grocery chain (meaning shutdowns and layoffs after Albertsons lost $1.2-billion USD in 2014!), but what does it mean for employees of Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market and Carrs?

Analysts describe a couple of scenarios about what Cerberus would do with all the new money they’ll have after the IPO, and both scenarios seem to point to more layoffs.

1: What’s been happening to make the new Albertsons-Safeway ‘more efficient’ (including shutdowns & layoffs) will ramp up.

2: Use the new money to take over even more grocery store chains, but my experience is that the main reason you take over competition is to shut it down.  Over the past several months I’ve read several news reports out of New Jersey, concerning the increasing number of local grocery store shutdowns, and the consensus in that state is that there is too much competition.

By the way, Albertsons is reported to have $12-billion of debt!

Right now Cerberus is the second largest grocery store operator in the U.S.

Number one is Kroger (Baker’s Supermarkets, City Market, Dillons Food Stores, Fry’s Food & Drug, Gerbes Super Markets, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, Kroger, Owen’s, Pay Less Super Markets, QFC, Ralphs, Scott’s, Smith’s, Fred Meyer, some Food 4 Less, Foods Co and Ruler Foods, to name a few), and even they’ve been shutting down stores.

Haggen conducts mass layoffs after taking over Albertsons & Vons grocery stores!