Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:
California: Yet another internet clothing retailer going down? From “America’s Fastest-Growing Retailer” to becoming a fast killer of jobs ModCloth let go another 50 employees. Back in July they let go 70. An unnamed spokesperson said “While our company is still growing faster than the industry as a whole, we have been impacted by the broader downturn affecting the retail sector.” In San Francisco, after 20 years the Eagle Donuts shop shutdown. The owner said her sales could barely handle the rent increases, but when the price of milk, sugar, and even minimum wage for employees went up, her donut sales couldn’t handle it anymore. In Santa Anna, THINK Together issued a WARN saying 77 people will become unemployed before Xmas. In Coarsegold, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino shutdown by state and federal administrators, without notice, 1034 people are now unemployed! Local news reports say there is some kind-o confrontation between two tribal factions over control of the casino. State and federal administrators ordered the casino shutdown after a second armed invasion of the casino took place. Many customers have pre-paid for future events to be held at the resort-casino and say nobody at the government level will answer their questions about getting their money back. The shutdown is supposed to be temporary. In Magalia, after 44 years the Paradise Pines Golf Course shutdown. The property owners blamed skyrocketing utilities and property taxes: “…we have not had a qualified buyer to date and we had to come to a decision, and that decision was at the end of the month we’re closing the golf operations. The rounds of golf were not adequate to support ongoing operations and expenses…”-Bob Fortino, ceo
Colorado: Outdoor clothing and camping gear maker GoLite now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. They owe lots-o-money to lots-o-Chinese companies.
Illinois: In Arlington Heights, after 34 years Classic Oak Designs furniture store shutdown “…due to the sale of the building and untimely death of its longtime owner.”
Indiana: In Elkhart, after 111 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Lilly’s Party supply store shutdown: “I think as a result of the economic downturn, people’s shopping habits changed radically, and they don’t shop the way they used to. They don’t spend money on parties the way they used to. They still come to us for the big events, but we can’t live on just the big events. We need the little ones in between, too.”-Sarah Snyder, owner
Maryland: Too Big to Jail NBRS Financial failed and was taken over by the FDIC and Howard Bank.
Minnesota: After 31 years the Albertville Creamery Antiques shutdown.
Montana: Evil Coca-Cola shutdown their Great Falls bottling plant, with little notice. Local news reports said that employees were threatened with the loss of their piddly severance if they went public with how many people lost their jobs. Coca-Cola administrators claim they will help some employees transfer to other bottling plants. In Bozeman, Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown the Kmart, 37 jobs lost.
New Hampshire: Grade school education assessor Measured Progress actually regressing when it comes to jobs; 40 people laid off. Company administrators blame the bad economy.
New York: Too Big to Jail First Niagara Financial Group revealed they are shutting down 17 offices starting in January 2015!
North Carolina: What housing market recovery? Winston-Salem based Too Big to Jail BB&T (Branch Banking & Trust) revealed it began culling 800 jobs, mainly mortgage related, across several eastern states back in September! News reports say BB&T has warned since 2013 of the need to reduce jobs relating to home mortgages. In Tarboro, one of the largest wire and cable manufacturers in the World laid off 100 people! Administrators of Superior Essex blame the demise of the landline phone. Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown their Cary Towne Center Sears, 66 jobs lost.
Ohio: Strongsville Schools announced they will layoff at least 25 teachers over five years. Administrators blame DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome). The district has lost 1724 students since 2004!
Pennsylvania: Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown their Pittsburgh Mills mall Sears Grand store and Auto Center, 97 jobs lost.
Utah: CML Mines ended production at their Comstock Mountain Lion ops, at least 127 jobs lost (they laid off 24 people in March)! Company administrators blame it on the crashing price of iron ore. Union Pacific railroad is now threatening a lawsuit over unpaid freight shipments.
Virginia: In Fredericksburg, after six years the Pinkadilly Tea restaurant shutdown. The owner, a former worker in the mortgage industry, blamed it on crashing sales. In Norfolk, newspaper The Virginian-Pilot announced it will eliminate 32 jobs by the end of December, blaming crashing advertising revenues.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.