Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.
Alabama: Earth Fare shutting down two grocery stores by the end of the month; one in Montgomery and one in Hoover (Birmingham). In typical Orwellian double-speak company administrators said the shutdowns were necessary “…for continued expansion.” No word on how many people will become unemployed.
California: In Irvine, the 24 years old IHOP restaurant in Parkview Center is shutting down, local news reports say no reason is being given, other than the lease is not being renewed. Another Irvine restaurant also not renewing its lease, Marie Callender’s also shutting down. San Diego based award winning gourmet Donut Bar shutdown their Fountain Valley shop (apparently replaced by yet another donut shop). In Santa Ana, Pinkberry shutdown their City Place food shop. In Tustin, Toys ‘R’ Us shutting down their Market Place store by the end of the month.
Connecticut: After 11 years Westport’s Bobby Q’s Bodacious BBQ & Grill shutting down by the end of March.
Florida: In Tampa, furniture seller BoConcept shutting down their Channel District store by the end of the month: “The Tampa store was not delivering the sales expected from the metropolitan area.”
Indiana: Bargain Books shutting down its Mishawaka store. Company administrators admitted their profit margin is much higher with their internet sales than with brick-n-mortar ops.
Iowa: In Avoca, the new owners of iconic Charlie Drug store are shutting down and selling-out to ShopKo, in violation of the terms of sale with the previous owner: “It happened so fast. It’s unfortunate; I just feel bad about it. That wasn’t supposed to happen.”– Terry Carley, former owner
Even long time employee Ronda Holst said “We did not see it coming. It was a shock. It was devastating. Not only for just us, but for the whole community.”
Kansas: In Wichita, Redbird Boutique shutting down because the successful owners of multiple businesses say they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.
Massachusetts: In Longmeadow, after more than 40 years the Hu Ke Lau restaurant (on Williams Street) shutting down next week. Local news sources could not get a reason.
Minnesota: News reports say I Zen Spa in Shakopee shutdown back in November, but it’s been revealed that the owner is refusing to refund the many gift cards that were sold before the shutdown. The owner of the spa is a local ‘elected official’ who claims she had to shutdown due to lack of qualified employees.
Missouri: In Joplin, after five years Pacific Rim restaurant shutdown. Local news reports say it’s the third Asian restaurant to shutdown in the past 12 months.
New Mexico: Intrepid Potash laid off 35 people from its mining ops in Carlsbad. Local news reports say its part of a larger company-wide layoff due to low commodity prices.
New York: The Federal Reserve Bank’s New York office posted the results of their investigation into the viability of college/university educations. They found that of those people who graduated between 2009-13 about 45% were working jobs that do not require higher education (typically low paying)!
North Dakota: Aartisan Home Designs shutting down their Fargo store, apparently to be replaced with another furniture store.
Pennsylvania: In Elizabethtown, after 33 years Barry’s Train Shop shutdown due to the owner’s health problems.
Puerto Rico: Video game store GameStop shutting down all 40+ island stores (according to GameStop PR director Joy Mooring, other reports said 35 stores), more than 4-hundred jobs lost starting in March! It’s blamed on government regulations and the suck-ass economy in the defaulted U.S. territory!
South Carolina: In Myrtle Beach, “high end” cookware seller Williams-Sonoma (on Howard Avenue) shutting down next week.
Tennessee: In Franklin, after ten years Main Street Toy Shoppe shutting down in February due to a 50% increase in rent: “You look around my little shop and you say, ‘$6,500 dollars a month for this?’ That’s a lot of toys to sell!”-Kim LaRocca
Wisconsin: Low farm sales continue to force CNH (Case-New Holland) to eliminate even more factory jobs. 105 Mount Pleasant employees will become unemployed before the end of the month! Imperial Supplies shutting down its Green Bay area warehouse, at least 43 jobs lost and another 11 jobs being consolidated.
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed
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.”