Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Idaho, Kit Bashing

“There’s a feeling of loss…Maybe I’ll go get a real job.”: U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector collaspe, January 2018

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

Trulia reports that overall housing rents across the United States jumped an average of 19.6% since the end of 2012, even though the majority of working class people saw no increase in pay.

Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart revealed the truth behind their pay raises and bonuses, by suddenly shutting down dozens of Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts killing thousand of jobs, plus announcing intentions to layoff 1-thousand corporate level employees between now and the end of 2019!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

 California: Building maintenance contractor ABM Industry issued several shutdown WARNs, 365 jobs gone by the end of March!  Absolute Screenprint shutting down its ops in Brea, 170 jobs gone in March!  In Fresno, after 68 years Herb Bauer Sporting Goods shutting down when the inventory is gone, due to increased competition from ‘big-box’ national chain stores.  Too Big to Jail San Francisco based Wells Fargo shutting down an additional 8-hundred offices across the U.S. by 2020.  Bank execs officially blaming it on ‘Americans’ reducing the use of banking services, but analysts believe it’s blow-back for the bank getting caught massively ripping off its customers.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down stores in Emeryville and San Jose, 113 jobs gone by April!  It should be noted the stores were not listed on the recent nationwide shutdown list.  Dollar Loan Center eliminating 41 jobs by the end of March.  Montage Hotels and Resorts temporarily shutting down its Beverly Hills ops, 54 jobs gone by the end of March.   StandardAero Business Aviation Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles ops, 63 jobs suddenly gone.  Accounting company Vasquez issued a shutdown WARN for its Corona office, 53 jobs gone in March.  Market research company Ipsos Interactive Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Fresno office, 88 jobs gone in March.  Macy’s issued shutdown WARNs for stores in Fresno, Laguna Hills and Los Angeles, at least 436 jobs gone by mid-March! In Orangevale, iconic Wild Sports shutting down, the owners forced to retire due to ‘big box’ and online competition coupled with California’s police-state anti-gun laws.   In Moraga, after eight years New Rheem Theatre shutdown due to increasing costs to maintain the 61 years old building, plus undisclosed rent which is more than $5-thousand per month, plus utilities averaging $5-thousand per month: “It’s tough to run a building of that age on the amount of people that come through the theater. The numbers don’t work.”-Derek Zemrak, theater operator

Colorado: In Denver, after 16 years Mile High Doggie Daycare shutdown and unable to refund money to customers who ‘pre-paid’ for services, the owners blame the lack of sales on the city’s gentrification of the area.

Connecticut:  Retail service company Daymond Worldwide suddenly shutdown its Stamford ops, more than 50 jobs gone. After 19 years industry recognized RR Model and Hobby Supply shutting down so the owner can retire.

Delaware: Too Big to Jail Capital One sold 1-million retail brokerage accounts to E-Trade, and will eliminate an undisclosed number of jobs in Wilmington as a result.

Florida: Jackson National Life Insurance-National Planning Holdings eliminating 60 jobs by the end of 2018.  Along with several Sears, Kmart and Sam’s Club shutdowns, Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its store in downtown Miami, 161 jobs gone by the end of March!  In Jupiter, after 33 years Kretzer Piano shutting down in February, the owner lamenting “It’s iPads and kids doing techy things…..the days of gathering around the piano and singing are kind of gone.”  Harbor Community Bank eliminating 1-hundred jobs due to being taken over by CenterState Bank!  Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services eliminating 117 jobs at the end of March!

Georgia: In LaGrange, after 45 years Crockett Brothers towing shutdown due to the 70 years old owner’s health problems.  In Athens, for a second time Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother eclectic junk store shutting down, this time due to the rent being jacked-up by 56%, and the property being secretly listed as for sale.  The owner said he isn’t going to look for another location, he’s taking it as a sign to retire.

Hawaii: After nine years Central Guns and Ammo shutdown its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales. Monthly gun classes will continue.

Idaho: California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown its store in Nampa.  Bon Ton owned Herberger’s announced it will exit its Pine Ridge Mall location, in Chubbuck, when the inventory runs out. It’s part of Bon Ton’s plan to shutdown dozens of stores in 2018.

Illinois: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down seven stores statewide.  Champaign based Hobbico (formerly Don Anderson’s Great Planes Model Distributors and Bruce Holecek’s Tower Hobbies, and current owner of the iconic Revell brand) laying off 332 people, and is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale, blaming “an increasingly competitive industry, market headwinds and a series of one-off events with key suppliers.”  In Wheaton, after five years women’s clothier Bella Roba shutting down at the end of February, due to owner getting married.  In Barrington, after 29 years Pasquesi Home and Garden suddenly shutdown.  Ascena Retail Group owned Loft shutdown its Champaign’s Market Place Mall store, as part of a plan to shutdown  hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores stores across the U.S.   At the O’Hare Airport, ABM Aviation issued a mass layoff WARN, 481 jobs gone by March! Just Ducky shutdown its five years old Plainfield store, local news media say at one time there were several Just Ducky stores across the state.  California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown two  stores in the Chicago area.

Indiana: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.  In Lafayette, after 60 years Trader Horn Boot Center shutdown, blaming internet competition.  (when it comes to shoes I don’t understand the internet excuse, because shoe sizes have changed so much over the decades, even between manufacturers, that the only way I can buy shoes is by trying them on in a old fashioned store)

Iowa: Washington based investment company CUNA Mutual Group outsourcing 35 jobs in Waverly in an attempt to reduce operating costs. In Mason City, after 50 years the Hallmark gift shop shutting down by the end of February.  Tradehome Shoes shutdown its Mason City, Southbridge Mall location due to crashing sales over the past few years.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

Kentucky: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Simpsonville location.  In Bardstown, American Greetings eliminating 150 jobs in March, due to lack of demand for greetings cards!

Louisiana: In Shreveport, after 68 years Sun Furniture shutdown so the owner can retire.

Maine: In Lewiston, the 50 years old Goodwill thrift store shutdown because sales are too low.

Maryland:  Ascena Retail Group owned Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Towson Town Center store as part of a plan to shutdown  hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S.  Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service.  Urban Outfitters suddenly shutdown its Harborplace location, no explanation.  Local news media reported that there are only two Urban Outfitter locations left in the state.  In Bel Air, after 15 years Two Sisters Gallery American Fine Craft & Jewelry shutdown so the owners can retire.

Massachusetts: In Needham, after 46 years Taylor’s stationery and party supply store shutting down by March, so the owners can retire. In Attleboro, after 117 years  (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Highland Country Club now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, being liquidated to pay the debts. ‘Off price’ retailer Stein Mart shutting down its Westboro store as soon as the inventory is gone, due to crashing sales in 2017.  Zoots Dry Cleaning chain suddenly shutdown and went chapter 7 bankrupt dead, the bankruptcy judge ordered the chain to re-open 18 locations so customers can get their clothing.  The owners of Zoots said efforts to sell the dry cleaning service failed.

Michigan: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down six stores statewide.  In Muskegon, after 24 years Carol’s Bridal and Tuxedo shutdown due to family health problems.  In Detroit, after 70 years iconic Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop shutdown, the owners admitting that even though they beat-out the ‘big-box’ competition they just couldn’t “adapt” to online competition.

Minnesota:  In Duluth, after 35 years the last Video Visions shutdown, news media say at one time there were six stores, the owners proudly stated “We were the first video rental store in Duluth and we’re the last.”  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  Edna based Regis owned SmartStyle Salons shutting down 6-hundred stores located inside Walmarts across the U.S.

Missouri: In Normandy, after 113 years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Schulte Hardware & Supply shutdown, the owner blamed internet competition.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  American Girl shutdown its doll store in the Chesterfield Mall, due to financial problems.  To prove to you how many customers still shop the old fashioned way, and refuse to shop online, they started a petition to keep the store open because they didn’t want to drive three hours to the nearest American Girl store! 

Nebraska: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Omaha location.  What housing market recovery? In Lincoln, after five years low cost second-hand building material seller Eco Store shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.  The owner hopes to find another location.

Nevada: No luck as Lucky Dragon suddenly began halting casino and restaurant ops in Las Vegas, hundreds of jobs suddenly gone!  Apparently Lucky Dragon is now focusing on hotel ops only.

New Jersey: What housing market recovery? Mortgage company PHH Home Loans eliminating 78 jobs by mid-March, due to a venture deal with a competitor, and a $45-million USD settlement concerning fraudulent foreclosures.   JCPenney  shutting down its 60 years old Westfield Garden State Plaza location by March, 144 jobs gone!  In Lodi, iconic Party Box shutting down so the owners can retire.   Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down three stores statewide.   Hollywood Speedway & Hobbies shutdown by a mysterious fire, which also damaged next door Sharp Elevator and Atlantic Protective Pouches.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, House of Football shutdown, the owner said it was due to sales taking a huge dump after NFL players began protesting the National Anthem! In Nob Hill, gift shop Beeps shutdown, the 70 years old owner said sales are still good but she wants to retire.   New Jersey based Bed, Bath & Beyond shutting down its store in Paseo by the end of February.  Its part of a Bed, Bath & Beyond plan to shutdown stores as their leases expire.

New York: Clothier Zara shutdown its first flagship store in NYC, as a result of a $15-million USD lawsuit by the greedy landlord against Zara.  After only ten months kids clothier MMKidz shutting down its Great Neck location when the inventory is gone, the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District admitted the local economy is in the dumps by saying “it would have been a surprise if they made it.”   In Greece, Alfred Angelo wedding store suddenly shutdown, the money made from the two day going out of business sales was donated to charity. Also in Greece, after 91 years Blanchard Florist shutdown, with the owners blaming the internet.  In Clay, children’s clothier Justice shutdown its Great Northern Mall store.  In East Syracuse, utility service Osmose moving work to other locations, affecting 101 jobs!  In Amherst, Dave’s All-Season Store forced to shutdown by the landlord who revoked the lease.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide, at least 250 jobs gone by mid-April!  Sterling National Bank eliminating more than 1-hundred jobs across the state by the end of 2018!  Contract manager Sykes Enterprises issued a shutdown WARN for its Amherst location, 89 jobs gone by the end of March.  Payment processor First Data Remitco issued a shutdown WARN for its Staten Island location, 64 jobs gone in September. Blue Ridge Capital issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC ops, 55 job gone by the end of March.

North Carolina: California based background check company HireRight shutting down its Charlotte location, 93 jobs gone in September.  After ten years Ciel Gallery shutting down by the end of February.  After 21 years the Charlotte Art League being forced to move due to a greedy property developer.  British empire United Kingdom based ‘professional services’ Aon Hewitt issued a layoff WARN for its Charlotte location, 76 jobs gone by March.

Ohio: In Cleveland Heights, after 27 years Big Fun Toys announced on facebook that it will shutdown this Summer.   After 69 years specialty shop The Villager (formerly Mariemont 5 Cents to $1) shutdown due to the owner not being able to renew the lease.  In Rocky River, after eight years Local Artistree shutdown blaming a shift in the maker community.  Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Cincinnati/Hamilton store, 104 jobs gone by the end of March!  On top of that, Cincinnati based Macy’s announced it will continue shutting down stores through 2018, plus eliminate 5-thousand jobs!  End of year holiday sales rose by a piddly 1.1%, including Macy’s online sales!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  In Boardman, after 62 years Adamas Jewelry and Gifts shutdown so the owner can retire.    Dover Business Services eliminating 48 jobs by June.

Oklahoma:  Ascena Retail Group-Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Tulsa store as part of a plan to shutdown hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S.  Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

Pennsylvania: New York based, but British empire Canada owned,  department store Lord & Taylor suddenly killed 202 e-commerce fulfillment jobs in Wilkes Barre, due to e-commerce ops being moved elsewhere!  In York, after 20 years “the biggest O gauge dealer in Pennsylvania” B&E Junction Electric Trains shutting down in February so the owner can retire, don’t know if you can blame the internet because the owner has his own website (www.stevenheffnerart.com).  In Titusville, after more than 45 years Tarr’s Country Store and Florist shutting down mid-February.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Erie location.    In Honesdale, after three decades Country Dawn shutdown, the owners lamenting “It’s different times, different times than it was.”

South Carolina: Burlington (formerly Burlington Coat Factory) shutting down its Columbia Place Mall store in March.  The Tanger Outlets Eddie Bauer in North Charleston shutdown.   Banana Republic in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre shutdown.  Mister Don Shoes and Dance in South Windermere Shopping Center shutdown.  Antiques Market suddenly shutdown its Mount Pleasant location due to the landlord refusing to renew the lease.

South Dakota: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Rapid City location.  Clothier Glik’s suddenly shutdown its Northridge Plaza store due to lack of sales, the landlord was shocked saying “It was very sudden. We had no idea.”  Family Dollar shutdown its store in Brookings, the district manager told local news media “We are just told that that store is closing, and we just oversee that. This is one of several that are closing, but there are so many that open and close. They relocate them, close them.”

Tennessee: In Franklin, after more than ten years ThriftSmart shutdown as part of consolidation plans that the operators hope will provide better funding for charities.  Hallmark shutdown its 43 years old gift shop in the Northgate Mall, and its gift store at the Hamilton Place Mall.

Texas: In Amarillo, after 51 years Duncan & Boyd Jewelers shutting down so the 70 years old owner can retire.  Blockbuster shutdown its last video store in The Lone Star State, in Edinburg.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide.  After spending big bucks the past two years building 21 new stores, women’s clothier A’gaci now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down 49 stores, admitting it “spread the organization too thin”.  What automotive industry recovery?  After almost 24 years the Honda of Houston motorcycle dealership shutdown, with no explanation.  However, weeks after the shutdown announcement it was revealed that Honda of Houston was sold to Drake Powersports, who will supposedly continue operations  in that location as Honda of Houston.  In Corpus Christi, Cinemark Dollar Cinema shutdown, local news media say the owner Cinemark refused to respond to their questions.  In Austin, Bobalu Cigar Company suddenly shutdown, the owner blaming “deteriorating situation and terrible neglect by the City of Austin”.

Virginia:  After less than two years Todd’s Hobbies shutdown, the owner saying “The clientele that I have are predominantly in the retired community. They appreciate having a store handy. The younger segment of the population that are into model railroading I think are much more comfortable with buying online.”  In Gretna, Nett’s Nest thrift store shutting down by March, due to the owner’s health problems.  Ocracoke Station, the only fuel station on Ocracoke Island, suddenly shutdown because the owner was unable to pay a back due fuel bill due to health problems that resulted in hospitalization.  Hallmark gift shops in the Towers Shopping Center, the Tanglewood Mall and the Valley View Mall all suddenly shutdown, one local news source said inquiries as to why they shutdown were not answered.   In Richmond, after 41 years  W. Hirsch Oriental Rugs shutdown, so the owner can go to Puerto Rico to help relatives deal with hurricane recovery.  In Lynchburg, after more than 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Sheard’s Beauty Shop shutdown due to new city parking rules which drive away customers: “Why would they pay to park here when they can go to the mall?”-Mamie Branham, owner

Washington: In Seattle, after 42 years Zanadu Comics shutdown its last store, at one time there were three, the upset owner blames the un-recovered recession saying “There’s a feeling of loss……Maybe I’ll go get a real job.”  State Farm shutting down two call centers in Tacoma, 8-hundred jobs gone by the end of 2018!  Tacoma experienced the highest rent increases of any U.S. city in 2017, by 8.8%.

Washington DC: After 84 years iconic Johnson’s Florists and Garden Center shutdown: “This closure is a direct result of the significant increase in rent and other related fees of occupancy imposed upon us by the building’s owner. Despite months of earnest negotiation we have been unable to arrive at a mutual understanding with our landlord.”

Wisconsin: Department store Younkers issued shutdown WARNs for its stores in Appleton and Wausau, 138 jobs gone in March!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.  France based ‘body care’ store L’Occitane en Provence suddenly shutdown its seven years old Hilldale Shopping Center location.  Local news reports say L’Occitane en Provence began shutting down its U.S. locations in 2017.  Olympia Resort and Conference Center shutdown without warning, causing more than 60 people to become jobless and organizations scrambling to find a new place to hold their events.  Local news reports say organizations found out about the shutdown from laid-off employees.  It turns out the Conference Center is part of a lawsuit and has been up-for-sale for some time.    In Milwaukee, after ten years Jokerz Comedy Club suddenly shutdown.  In Delafield, after eight years Bittersweet Gifts and Accessories shutdown, the owners saying “Retail is quickly changing, and we feel it is time for us to change as well.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, December 2017: “DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, JANUARY 2018: 103+ NEW STORE SHUTDOWNS ANNOUNCED! 

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, January 2018: “MARKET CONDITIONS” BLAMED ON POPULATION DEATH SPIRAL!

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., January 2018:“LET’S PISS IN HIS MOUTH.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, January 2018: “TOUGH CHALLENGES THAT WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE”

U.S. government shenanigans, January 2018:SEX & DRUGS = THE AMERICAN WAY!

U.S. food crisis, January 2018: “IT’S TIME TO ADAPT OR DIE”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, January 2018:“INADEQUATE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES”

Business/Economics

Walmart, Bloody Walmart!

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Incomplete list of Walmart-Sam’s Club notices of store shutdowns and job slaughtering, most taking place between January and mid-April 2018, note that not all closing stores reported job loss numbers:

Alaska: Two Anchorage Sam’s Clubs, 348 jobs gone! Fairbanks Sam’s Club, 177 jobs gone! 

Alabama: Irondale Sam’s Club, 136 jobs gone!

Arkansas:  Bentonville based Walmart eliminating at least 1-thousand corporate level jobs between now and the end of 2019!

Arizona: Casa Grande Sam’s Club.  Chandler Sam’s Club.  Scottsdale Sam’s Club. Prescott Valley Walmart.

 California: City of Industry Sam’s Club.  Rowland Heights Sam’s Club, 158 jobs gone! San Fernando Sam’s Club, 178 jobs gone! Stanton Sam’s Club, 158 jobs gone! Sylmar Sam’s Club.  Sacramento Sam’s Club and Walmart, 521 jobs gone!

Connecticut:  Orange Sam’s Club, 155 jobs gone! Manchester Sam’s Club, 151 jobs gone!

Florida: Fern Park Sam’s Club, 173 jobs gone! Lantana Sam’s Club, 191 jobs gone! Tampa Sam’s Club, 148 jobs gone!

Georgia: Marietta Walmart, 69 jobs gone. Lithonia Walmart, 83 jobs gone. Dekalb Sam’s Club, 196 jobs gone!

Illinois: Batavia Sam’s Club, 150 jobs gone! Matteson Sam’s Club, 166 jobs gone! Moline Sam’s Club, 155 jobs gone! Naperville Sam’s Club, 170 jobs gone! Romeoville Sam’s Club, 167 jobs gone! Streamwood Sam’s Club, 191 jobs gone! Wheeling Sam’s Club, 138 jobs gone! 

Indiana: Rushville Walmart, 95 jobs gone. Goshen Sam’s Club, 110 jobs gone! Two Indianapolis Sam’s Clubs, 309 jobs gone! 

Kansas: Walmart shutting down its ‘health and wellness’ service center in Derby, 104 jobs gone by August!

Louisiana: Baton Rouge Sam’s Club.

Maryland: Owings Mills Sam’s Club, 169 jobs gone! 

Massachusetts: Worcester Sam’s Club.

Michigan: Farmington Hills Sam’s Club, 158 jobs gone! Lansing Sam’s Club, 172 jobs gone!

Minnesota: Moorhead Sam’s Club. Saint Louis Park Sam’s Club.   Edna based Regis owned SmartStyle Salons shutting down 6-hundred stores located inside Walmarts across the U.S.

New Hampshire: Seabrook Sam’s Club.

New Jersey: Budd Lake Sam’s Club,144 jobs gone! Linden Sam’s Club, 187 jobs gone!  Princeton Sam’s Club, 196 jobs gone!  Branchburg Walmart, 149 jobs gone by April!

New York:  Jamestown Sam’s Club, 114 jobs gone! Two Rochester Sam’s Clubs, 292 jobs gone! Syracuse Sam’s Club, 151 jobs gone! 

North Carolina: Lumberton Sam’s Club, 149 jobs gone!  Morrisville Sam’s Club, 187 jobs gone! 

Ohio:Cincinnati/Hamilton Sam’s Club, 143 jobs gone! Loveland/Clermont Sam’s Club, 142 jobs gone! 

Puerto Rico: Barceloneta Sam’s Club.  Bayamón Sam’s Club. Humacao Sam’s Club.

Tennessee: Memphis Sam’s Club, 162 jobs gone!  Nashville Sam’s Club, 132 jobs gone!  

Texas: Two Houston Sam’s Clubs.  New Caney Sam’s Club.  San Antonio Sam’s Club.

Virginia:  Norfolk Sam’s Club, 140 jobs gone!  Richmond Sam’s Club, 163 jobs gone! Roanoke Walmart Neighborhood Market , 72 jobs gone. 

Washington: Auburn Sam’s Club, 168 jobs gone! Renton Sam’s Club, 179 jobs gone! Seattle Sam’s Club, 148 jobs gone!

Wisconsin: Madison Sam’s Club, 129 jobs gone!  West Allis Sam’s Club, 165 jobs gone!

Business/Economics, Idaho

“monotonous”: Sears Kmart death spiral, February 2018

Sears Hometown/Appliance and Outlet stores got a $40-million USD loan from Gordon Brothers Finance Company.

ABC Action News: 5 months later family still waiting for their new Sears installed bathroom.

Chicago Tribune: Sears threatened to sue state over tax credit dispute

USA Today: Trump tax cut boosts Sears to profit, but sales slide continues

Finally, a mainstream news media source realizes that the excuse of blaming brick-n-mortar store shutdowns on internet competition might be bullshit, blame “the poverty rate”.

Canadian creditors demand to know what Eddie Lampert did with huge sums of money he got right before Sears Canada went bankrupt!

Yet again, Sears Holdings borrowed money from it’s leader, Eddie Lampert; $210-million USD this time. 

Arizona: The Show Low Kmart shutting down its pharmacy operations by the 12th of February, as part of the plan to shutdown the Show Low Kmart by April.

California: In Redding, the owner of Mount Shasta Mall (Rouse Properties) got approval from the city council to shutdown the Sears store (which is also owned by Rouse Properties) and split it up into six smaller store spaces.   

Florida: An Ocala Kmart employee was caught stealing $6-thousand USD in cash over several months.  She said she did it to feed her child.  The judge must’ve had sympathy because her bond was set lower than the amount of cash she stole, cops say she had a grand total of 70-dollars in her possession.

Idaho: It was revealed to me that Sears Holdings was still paying rent on its vacant (shutdown at the end of 2014) Pine Ridge Mall location, in Chubbuck.  However, the lease finally expired at the end of 2017 and now the mall owners are renting the huge space as a temporary storage unit for Walmart’s store remodeling ops taking place across eastern idaho.

Illinois: Despite never ending shutdowns and layoffs, Sears Holdings claims it is still eligible for $14.8-million USD in state taxpayer credits.  A fine example of corporate welfare!  As Catholic schools across the U.S. continue to be shutdown, the Catholic Church is doing something radical; they’re moving one of their existing schools inside a vacant Waukegan Kmart!  The Catholic school was slated to shutdown due to not being able to repair its crumbling building, but a local fundraiser generated $17-million USD to pay to move the school into the Kmart building.  To show you how miraculous that is, the residents of Waukegan make up 75% of Lake County’s poverty level population!

Indiana: The planned re-opening of the Kokomo Sears Auto Center is now canceled, local news media reported that no reason was given.

Nevada: In Reno, Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth Properties has submitted a plan to city administrators to have the existing Meadowood Mall Sears store shutdown and split-up into three smaller store spaces.  The only reason given for the impending shutdown of the Sears store is that it is “monotonous”!

Utah: Taxpaying residents are pissed about what the West Valley City leadership want to do with the abandoned Kmart property; turn it into yet another apartment/housing development: “We have so many apartments already in the area. It feels like West Valley wants to see if they can pack more people in…  It’s hard to even get out of the neighborhood.”-Brittani Martin

Sears Kmart death spiral, January 2018: 103+ NEW STORE SHUTDOWNS ANNOUNCED!

Business/Economics

“death by a thousand cuts”: U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector collapse, December 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in December 2017:

More proof that the claim that the internet is killing off brick-n-mortars is bullshit as European brick-n-mortar owner Unibail-Rodamco announced it is willing to spend $15.7-billion USD taking over British empire Australia based U.S. commercial brick-n-mortar owner Westfield, for the purpose of building even more brick-n-mortar operations!  And as I’ve been saying since 2012, this whole brick-n-mortar shutdown thing is a False Flag by REITs (Real Estate Investment Trust). 

According to Fung Global, 2017 experienced far more U.S. store shutdowns than store openings; 6-thousand-885 announced store shutdowns versus 3-thousand-443 announced store openings.

Chapter 7 bankrupt Calypso St. Barth shutting down all remaining stores in New York, Georgia, Massachusetts, Colorado, California, Florida, Arizona, Maryland and South Carolina.  Don’t blame the internet, the women’s clothier has a website; www.calypsostbarth.com.

The world’s second largest clothing retailer, Sweden based H&M, announced it will shutdown stores in 2018, including in the United States, due to crashing global sales. H&M also plans to sell its clothing on China based online site Tmall.

Arizona: In Phoenix, after six decades Los Olivos Hand Car Wash shutdown, the land is being re-developed into housing.

 California: The Fresno Bee reporting that at least 40 businesses in the Fresno area shutdown in 2017, saying “…2017 was the year of closures.”   The Tribune reported that at least 11 businesses shutdown in San Luis Obispo County in 2017.  In Alameda, after more than eight decades Doumitt Shoes shutdown its last store. In San Bernardino, after 42 years Westway Western Wear shutting down once the inventory is gone, after a failed attempt to sell the popular business. In Chico, after 20 years Herreid Music shutdown, the owner blamed online competition, even though people who bought their instruments online ended up coming to him for help setting up the instruments.  What housing market recovery?  San Francisco based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo continues killing mortgage jobs, this time at least 60 mortgage division employees suddenly laid off.   Sherman Oaks based luxury real estate developer Woodbridge Group of Companies now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, due to a possible $1-billion USD worth of investor fraud.  RMR Financial revealed it shutdown its Los Gatos office, 17 jobs gone.  In Burbank, Warner Music revealed it laid off 43 people months ago.  Fitness center Crunch issued a shutdown WARN for its Redwood City location, 48 jobs gone by the end of January 2018.

Connecticut:  Danbury based corporate ‘relocation’ service company Cartus asking U.S. employees to voluntarily quit as it “aligns its global workforce with business realities.” 

Florida: At least 20% of Harbor Community Bank’s employees will become jobless after competitor CenterState Bank completes its take-over in January 2018.  CD International Enterprises, a company focused on doing business with China and the U.S., is now chapter 7 bankrupt dead and being liquidated.  In Lakeland, after 30 years of selling U.S. made gifts Brooke Pottery shutting down in January 2018, so the owners can retire. In Tampa, Jackson National Life Insurance eliminating 62 jobs by February 2018.  What housing market recovery?  Mortgage banking firm Walter Investment Management now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming three years of losses and more than $800-million USD of debt.

Suddenly shutdown the Wednesday before Xmas!

Suddenly shutdown the Wednesday before Xmas!

Idaho:  In Chubbuck, the local office of temporary employment agency Personnel Plus shutdown without warning just days before Xmas.  Sometime after Xmas a sign was posted saying it was “closed indefinitely”. 

"Closed indefinitely"

“Closed indefinitely”

 Insiders told me the temp agency suddenly lost all its Pocatello/Chubbuck area ’employer clients’, and that of all the Personnel Plus offices throughout Idaho the Chubbuck (officially, and incorrectly, referred to as their Pocatello) office was the only one that had consistent trouble finding temp work for its employees.   California based clothier GAP shutting down its 15 years old Old Navy store in Twin Falls, in January 2018,  as part of a plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores.   The Huckleberry Jam Festival two day music event will not return for 2018, due to lack of attendance (organizers claim they’ll return when they’ve figured out how to actually make money off it).  One local news outlet pointed out that there were other music events going on around the same time, indicating that maybe there are too many music venues for sparsely populated Idaho.

Illinois: Washington Federal Bank for Savings failed, its assets were turned over to Royal Savings Bank.  In Schaumburg, the Recreational Equipment Inc store shutting down in January 2018, the surprise announcement was made on the company’s website.  In Waukegan, after 40 years Midwest Bicycles and Billiards shutdown, so the owner can retire (and because nobody else in the family wanted to keep the popular business running). In Barrington, after three decades Fresh Flower Market shutdown so the owner can retire.  After six decades Wilmette Jewelers shutting down in January 2018, so the owner can retire.  Luxury department store Lord&Taylor shutting down its Westfield Old Orchard Mall location, 119 jobs gone in April 2018!

Indiana: In Valparaiso, after 42 years Engstrom Jewelers shutdown, the owner saying he is focusing on real estate because “There’s been a lot of consolidation. The strong have grown stronger, and the weak have grown weaker.”  In Zionsville, after 27 years Avalon Jewelers shutting down its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales.  In Muncie, after 42 years Brinkman’s Children’s Shoes shutdown so the owner can retire.  God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Saint Vincent de Paul thrift store in South Bend, as part of an new alliance with competitor Goodwill.  Local news media reported that in the 1990s thrift stores raked in huge profits, but in the past ten years thrift store sales have crashed.  The South Bend Saint Vincent and Goodwill joined forces to deal with crashing sales.  You know you’re in a depression when people can’t even afford to go shopping at a second hand store.

Iowa: In Dubuque, unique coffee/beer shop and movie house Mindframe Theaters/Molly’s Silver Screen Canteen shutdown due to the greedy landlord, and crashing movie attendance.  On Facebook the owners of the last independent theater in town said ticket sales are at their lowest point, and the property owner wants a bigger theater chain (which could theoretically pay bigger rent) to take-over the location.   Ohio based Nationwide Insurance suddenly laid off 30 people in Des Moines.  In Iowa City, after four decades the owner of University Camera announced it’ll shutdown by the end of May 2018, saying “The summer was pretty bleak. August and September when students came back, we should have done better. October, things literally fell off the cliff…” and describing the entire U.S. economy as “death by a thousand cuts”.   California based GAP and GAP Kids/babyGAP stores in Valley West Mall shutting down by the end of January 2018, as part of a plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores.

Kansas: In Manhattan, after more than 20 years gift shop Kansas Kollection shutting down when the inventory is gone, so the owners can retire.  California based clothier GAP shutting down its GAP Outlet store in the West Ridge Mall, as part of a plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores.

Louisiana:  California based clothier GAP shutdown its Mall of Louisiana store, as part of a plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores.    Coastal Staffing now chapter 11 bankrupt busted after failing to pay more than 1-hundred temp workers for hurricane relief work in Texas: “I have a one year old daughter at home that has to eat.  That’s why I came here.  I came here to make money and they don’t want to pay me the money that I worked for!”-Meagan Williams

Maine: After 15 years Bart & Greg’s DVD Explosion! shutdown.

Maryland: Beltsville based sport apparel chain Sports Zone Elite now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, despite also selling online (sportszoneelite.com). In Smithsburg, after 136 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Cavetown ACE Home Center shutdown due to being sold to a local competitor, who will move from its current smaller location into the bigger Cavetown location.

Massachusetts: Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council suddenly laid off employees working on the new casino project, as well as suddenly shutdown a gaming office, due to lack of funding and massive debts.  What housing market recovery?  Randolph Savings Bank suddenly laid off an undisclosed number of employees in an effort to reduce its mortgage division costs by $1.1-million USD.  Despite declining mortgages the bank claims it is still in growth mode.  The new owner of RadioShack,  Kensington Capital Holdings, shutdown 16 corporate owned stores, leaving only 28 corporate owned stores for 2018.   News reports say more than 1-thousand RadioShack stores shutdown in 2017! 

Minnesota: In Minneapolis, Treehouse Records shutdown, the owner saying he’s ready to “do something else with my life.”

Missouri: In Cape Girardeau, after 72 years Hutson’s Fine Furniture and Mattress shutting down when the inventory is gone. The owners say they’re still figuring out what to do with the property, but it’ll be based on “marketing options”.  JCPenney shutting down its 70 years old store in the Hampton Village Plaza, by the end of January 2018.  After 17 years Pigg’s Pets shutdown, in the name of ‘progress’, local news media said the owner was responsible for starting the Pacific Police Department’s canine unit.  Gold’s Gym shutdown its 40 years old Westport location in Kansas City, local news media reported that customers suspected it was coming because the gym wasn’t being maintained.

Mississippi: Bed, Bath & Beyond shutting down its store in Meridian, once enough of the inventory is gone, as part of a plan to shutdown 1-hundred stores due to crashing sales.

Nebraska: In Omaha, after 26 years of selling U.S. made art White Crane Gallery shutdown.  After 71 years iconic Canfield’s Sporting Goods suddenly shutdown, the owners gave a list of reasons.

New Jersey: After 35 years Gregory’s Hallmark gift store in Paramus shutting down, the mom-n-pop owners blaming it on a combination of the next door Sears shutting down and on never ending property re-developments (gentrification).  Local news media confirmed that the 1990’s were the Golden Years for U.S. retail as Gregory’s Hallmark alone claimed $2-million in yearly sales!   Bankrupt vulture capitalist REIT owned Toys R Us announced it will shutdown at least 1-hundred stores in 2018 (apparently this does not include the 25 store shutdowns in the United Kingdom), due to a 15% crash in holiday sales.  Heavy construction equipment seller Giles & Ransome eliminating 67 jobs in Hammonton, by February 2018.  France based luxury retailer Louis Vuitton eliminated six jobs in Atlantic City.

New York: Public Service Insurance Company told the state that it is shutting down its NYC office, but gave the date for shutdown as “to be determined”.  Hutchin Hill Capital-Portfolio Management issued a mass layoff WARN for its NYC office, 121 jobs gone by the end of February 2018!  Warner Music issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC office, a second phase of layoffs in March 2018, with shutdown by September 2018.   California based clothier GAP shutting down its Staten Island Mall store in February 2018, as part of a plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores.  NYC based clothier J.Crew shutting down 39 stores by the end of January 2018, after reporting a $161-million USD loss for the first nine months of 2017 (don’t blame the internet, they have a website).  NIKE issued a shutdown WARN for its massive NYC store, 357 jobs gone by March 2018!   In Waterloo, clothier Tally-Ho Trading Post shutdown due to a failed attempt to sell it.  Kenneth Reeve Apparel announced its shutdown with computer printouts taped to the windows.   After 34 years iconi Skaneateles Furs shutdown so the owner can retire.   Xeno Zero game store suddenly shutdown.  New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott hotel issued a shutdown WARN, 140 jobs gone by February 2018, supposedly due to remodeling!

North Carolina: In Chapel Hill, Grimball Jewelers and Twig both shutdown.  In Greensboro, Mechelle’s Boutique shutting down in January 2018, the owner says she is going “to work less” by focusing on internet sales only.

Ohio: Cosmetics pusher New Avon issued a shutdown WARN for its Springdale product returns ops, 55 jobs gone by March 2018.

Oklahoma: After 109 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Sand Springs Flowers shutting down mid-January 2018, oh but wait! There is a Santa! After news broke out, that the iconic flower shop was shutting down, a Secret Santa stepped up and bought the shop with the promise to keep it open. Turns out the buyer was wanting to own a flower shop for some time.

Oregon: In Portland, Kroger owned Fred Meyer shutting down its store on Southeast Foster and 82nd, by the end of January 2018.  For some reason the Fred Meyer Fuel Center will remain open.  The last Blockbuster in Portland shutdown, local news media said the only reason the brick-n-mortar video store lasted so long is because internet streaming in the area really sucks.

Pennsylvania: After 38 years Carol Schwartz Gallery shutdown so the 75 years old owner can retire.  In New Cumberland, after 78 years West Shore Theatre shutdown.  In Beaver Falls, the manager of a local Dollar Tree reported that the store is being shutdown, no reason was given by corporate.   In Paoli, after 60 years Main Line Electric shutting down, the owners will focus on selling L-E-Ds at a different location.  Embassy Suites Pittsburgh Airport issued a shutdown WARN, 1-hundred jobs gone by February 2018!

South Carolina: In Charleston, after 134 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions, and even a fire which destroyed the building in 1987) clothier Bluestein’s shutting down when the inventory is gone, the owner says the past ten years have been the worst.

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, Unglued Gift Shop shutting down one of its two stores, in January 2018, due to lack of sales.

Tennessee: ‘Upscale’ ThriftSmart shutting down its Franklin location as soon as the second-hand inventory is gone.  Don’t blame the internet, they have a website ( www.thriftsmart.com).

Texas: Houston based Mattress FIRM announced it will shutdown 2-hundred stores across the U.S., as their leases expire.  One news report said you could figure out which store was being shutdown by looking at the ‘store locator’ on the company’s website.  Houston based retail chain charming CHARLIE now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and will shutdown 1-hundred stores.  Mostyn Law Firm shutdown offices in Austin and Beaumont six days before Xmas, supposedly in connection to the owner’s suicide.  In Lubbock, after 67 years Spears Furniture shutting down in January 2018, the owner lamenting “Everything was locally owned in the ‘50s and’60s….Now very few of them are left anymore.”

Virginia: Furniture seller Schewels shutting down its 120 years old Lynchburg store in January 2018, saying sales didn’t justify having two locations.   In Williamsburg, after 27 years Bassett’s Christmas Shop shutdown, no reason given.  In Roanoke, after 95 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) iconic Sam’s Uniforms suddenly shutdown due to a failed attempt to sell it, employees are shocked.  In Richmond, after more than 40 years W. Hirsch Oriental Rugs shutdown: “Our children are grown. I want to free myself up from retail so I can better assist my family in Puerto Rico, post-Hurricane Maria.”-Sally Irizarry Hirsch

Wisconsin: Big Lots shutting down its Kenosha store once the inventory is gone, no reason given.  New Comfort Furniture and Mattress suddenly shutdown its Cherry Point Mall store, all remaining items were donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, November 2017: “THE DREAM HAS ENDED….THE GOOD GUYS DON’T ALWAYS WIN.”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, December 2017

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, December 2017:  NEVERENDING “BUSINESS SLOWDOWN”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., December 2017:“GRADUATION WAS TODAY. DOORS ARE CLOSING. LOCKS HAVE BEEN CHANGED.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, December 2017:“IN THE INTERESTS OF SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY”

U.S. government shenanigans, December 2017:“IT’S NOT JUST A ONE-YEAR BLIP…DECLINES CONTINUE TO GET BIGGER…”

U.S. food crisis, December 2017:  “WE GAVE IT A SHOT, IT JUST DIDN’T WORK.” “WE’RE LITERALLY WORKING FOR NOTHING.”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, December 2017:“THE REALITY OF OUR INDUSTRY’S ECONOMICS: FLAT OR DECLINING GOVERNMENT REIMBURSEMENT RATES COUPLED WITH RISING COSTS.”

GREAT RENEGER: OFF-SHORING OF U.S. JOBS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL INVESTOR MORALE IMPROVES!

DESTROY U.S. DOLLAR: U.S. PUPPET MASTER ISRAEL TO CREATE DIGITAL MONEY! Bans cash?

Business/Economics

Neverending “business slowdown”: U.S. Industrial/Mining/Logistics layoffs, December 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in December 2017.

 California: Alstyle Apparels shutting down its Anaheim Distribution Center, 81 jobs gone by February 2018.  Taxsucking Northrop Grumman issued layoff WARNs, 133 jobs gone by February 2018!  Taxsucking Chemring Energetic Devices suddenly shutdown its operations in Torrance, 63 jobs gone.  Toy maker Mattel suddenly laid off 70 people in El Segundo. Logistics company Kalstar eliminating 44 jobs in Oxnard by the end of January 2018.  Los Angeles based wood fiber products company Rentech now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and selling off its Fulghum Fibres and New England Wood Pellet operations.  Oil giant Chevron issued a mass layoff WARN for its  San Joaquin Valley Business Unit, 3-hundred jobs gone between now and the end of 2018!  Packaging company WestRock Converting issued a shutdown WARN for its Moreno Valley operations, 76 jobs gone by the end of February 2018.  What automotive industry recovery?  Zodiac Seats killing more jobs, this time 76 jobs gone as it shuts down its operations in Rancho Cucamonga.

Colorado: Fort Collins based bicycle maker Niner Bikes now chapter 11 bankruptcy busted and for sale.  Administrators said the bankruptcy was the “cleanest and fastest” way to sell the company.

Connecticut: Petroleum company Noble Americas Corporation issued a WARN saying at least 84 people lost their jobs after Xmas, due to the company’s sale to Switzerland based Vitol.  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Knights of Columbus from shutting down their printing operations in New Haven, 36 ‘christian’ jobs lost to outsourcing.

Florida: Gulf Power Company warning of an as-yet-to-be-determined number of layoffs due to ‘corporate realignment’.

Illinois: Plastic packaging company Bemis eliminating 52 jobs by the end of March 2018.  Saint Mary’s Cement eliminating 41 jobs in January 2018, due to “business slowdown”.

Indiana: What automotive industry recovery?  Auto interior parts maker Janesville Acoustics shutting down its factory in Richmond by August 2018, layoffs begin in February.

Iowa: DuPont Pioneer suddenly laid off an undisclosed number of employees, as a result of the DuPont-Dow Chemical merger.  Local news media reminded taxpayers that state leaders gave DuPont $17-million USD as an incentive to maintain 2-thousand-6-hundred jobs in the state.

Kentucky: CLARCOR shutting down an air filter factory, 120 jobs gone by February 2018 due to production being moved to Indiana!

Michigan:  What automotive industry recovery? Ford continues eliminating U.S. jobs this time by demanding 150 Michigan factory workers accept bribes to voluntarily quit (buyouts), blaming it on a surplus of vehicles (lack of U.S. sales)!

Minnesota: 3M shutting down its filter factory in Eagan as part of a global plan to exit the filtration market, 150 Minnesota jobs, and 430 jobs elsewhere, gone by the end of 2018!

New York:  News reports say California based Sanmina is killing more than 161 jobs at its factory in Owego, by March 2018 due to “…current demand levels.”  ReEnergy wood-chip fired power plant in Lyonsdale shutting down due to the expiration of its contract with New York State Energy and Research Development Authority.

North Carolina: Schizophrenic HAECO Americas announced it is laying off an undisclosed number of people at its aircraft interior (Cabin Solutions) factories, yet at the same time claims its opening a new operation that will employ 5-hundred people.

Ohio: After more than 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Union Metal shutting down, eliminating at least 339 jobs starting the week before Xmas and running through 2018!  Technical Consumer Products issued a WARN, 34 jobs gone in February 2018 due to a merger.  What automotive industry recovery?  Findlay based Cooper Tire suddenly laid off 80 people due to crashing U.S. sales of tires.   Administrators said global sales are up.  Autolite Spark Plug shutting down its factory in Fostoria, the remaining 62 jobs gone by mid-2018.  Local news media reported that in the 1990s the spark-plug factory employed 1-thousand people!

Pennsylvania: Packaging company D&W Fine Pack issued a shutdown WARN for its Hatfield ops, 180 jobs gone by March 2018!

South Dakota: Ohio based wind turbine blade maker Molded Fiber Glass Companies shutting down its factory in Aberdeen, 4-hundred jobs gone by February 2018!

Texas: Petroleum company Noble Americas Corporation issued a WARN saying at least 67 people lost their jobs after Xmas, due to the company’s sale to Switzerland based Vitol.  Cobalt International Energy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Virginia:  Merrifield based Aero-X Golf-Polara Golf now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, November 2017: “OUR EFFORT TO FIND A FINANCIAL FUTURE…HAS NOT SUCCEEDED.”

Business/Economics

103+ new store shutdowns announced! Sears Kmart death spiral, January 2018

Sears Holdings ends the month of January by suddenly laying off 220 corporate level employees!

KUTV 2News: Sears takes woman’s money for new appliances then shuts down without delivering! 

PRNewswire: Sears Holdings now begging investors to buy its ‘distressed debt’!

Times Colonist: Sears Canada under investigation for massive dividend payout 

KSDK: Kmart being sued for failing to pay for 19 HVAC units in Missouri 

To start off the New Year, Sears Holdings just sold-off its Pompano Beach, Florida, store for $11.75-million USD.

The 190-thousand square feet store is, apparently, still operating.  There are reports the huge Sears store and Auto Center will be chopped up into smaller retail spaces.   It was bought by the owner of the Pompano Citi Centre mall, Sterling Organization (which bought the mall in 2012).

It was also revealed that in 2017 Sears Holdings sold 235 active Sears and Kmart stores to its evil spawn Seritage Growth Properties, for the purpose of ‘redeveloping’ those properties.

Now add at least 103 store shutdown announcements for 2018! 64 Kmart stores and 39 Sears stores will shutdown between the end of January and the end of April.

Don’t say it’s the decline of brick-n-mortar stores a the hands of the internet, as many local news media report that several soon to be vacant Sears locations have already lined up new brick-n-mortar stores, or have been sold-off to REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) groups who have big plans to change the way you shop at brick-n-mortars.  In other words, dying Sears and Kmarts (and other big name chain stores) are being replaced with even more stores.

Alaska: Anchorage Sears (67 jobs gone).

Arizona: Tolleson Kmart, 27 years old Show Low Kmart (54 jobs gone by April).

Arkansas: Cabot Kmart.

California:  Ontario Kmart (79 jobs gone), Redding Kmart (72 jobs gone), Cudahy Kmart (117 jobs gone), plus two other Kmart locations! Westminster Sears (88 jobs gone), Brea Sears (72 jobs gone), Valencia Sears (67 jobs gone), San Jose Sears (76 jobs gone), plus three other Sears locations!  Local news media in the Bakersfield area report that the shutdown of the Taft Kmart “will have a major impact on the small community”.  Apparently the Taft Kmart is THE main source of local tax revenue, and jobs, for Taft.

Colorado: Colorado Springs Kmart on North Nevada Street.

Delaware: The 54 years old Sears store and Auto Center in Wilmington.

Florida: Brandon Kmart (85 jobs gone), Ocala Kmart (64 jobs gone), plus one other Kmart.   Boca Raton Sears store and Auto Center (82 jobs gone).

Georgia: Three Kmarts.  Centerville Sears.

Idaho: Twin Falls Sears, Coeur d’Alene Sears.

Iowa: Red Oak Kmart. Urbandale (Des Moines) Kmart (59 jobs gone by April).  Waterloo Sears. 

Illinois: Three Kmarts. Three Sears locations.

Indiana: Indianapolis Kmart on East Thompson Road (44 jobs gone), Bloomington Kmart.  Evansville Sears Auto Center.

Kansas: Wichita Kmart on South Broadway Street, Paducah Kmart.

Louisiana: Mandeville Kmart.

Maine: Bangor Sears.

Maryland: Crofton Kmart, Salisbury Kmart.  Oops, Sears filed a shutdown WARN for its Westfield Montgomery Mall store, then suddenly retracted it saying it was a mistake. The WARN said 73 people would be laid off in March, but news reports say Sears Holdings claims to have signed a new lease. It should be noted that the British empire Australia based owners of the mall, Westfield Group, is selling its U.S. commercial properties to European based Unibail-Rodamco, which plans on redeveloping those properties. 

Massachusetts: Burlington Sears on Middlesex Turnpike.

Michigan: Richmond Kmart, Greenville Kmart.  Sears Holdings sold its partially vacant Kmart building in Jackson, however, the sale is forcing the Auto Lab auto repair shop (which was still leasing space in the building) to shutdown. 

Montana: Helena Kmart, Butte Kmart.

Nevada: Las Vegas Kmart, North Las Vegas Kmart.

New Hampshire: Rochester Kmart.

New Jersey: Toms River Sears.

New Mexico: Raton Kmart, Tucumcari Kmart.

New York: Plattsburgh Kmart (67 jobs gone by April).  Hicksville Sears store and Auto Center (200 jobs gone), Kingston Sears store (42 jobs gone).

North Carolina: Five Kmarts.

North Dakota: Devils Lake Kmart.  Bismarck Sears.

Ohio: Warren Kmart (more than 133 jobs gone by April).  Local news media confirmed that the Cambridge Kmart is shutting down in April (88 jobs gone), despite it not being on the official shutdown list.

Oklahoma: Enid Kmart.

Oregon: Portland Sears, Springfield Sears.

Pennsylvania: Franklin Kmart (79 jobs gone), Philadelphia Kmart on Aramingo Avenue (52 jobs gone), plus eight other Kmarts!  Philadelphia Sears on Bustleton Avenue (103 jobs gone), plus two other Sears locations.

South Dakota: Rapid City Sears.

Tennessee: Three Kmarts.

Texas: Portland Kmart.  Three Sears locations.

Utah: Ogden Sears.

Vermont: Rutland Kmart.

Virginia: In Richmond the Kmart on Nine Mile Road shutdown this month.

Washington: Chehalis Kmart.  Three Sears locations.

West Virginia: Three Kmarts.

Wisconsin: Green Bay Sears (43 jobs gone), Brookfield Sears (59 jobs gone).

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, DECEMBER 2017 (list of shutdowns since 2011): “THE LAST THING WE WANT TO SEE IS THE MALL FAIL AND THIS THING GO SOUTH!”

Business/Economics

Destroy U.S. Dollar: U.S. puppet master Israel to create digital money!

29 DEC 2017 (13:11 UTC-07 Tango 06) 08 Dey 1396/10 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1439/12 Ren-Zi (11th month) 4715

“Is the fate of banks that they will eventually disappear? Yes. The answer is yes. Does it need to happen tomorrow? And do we need to do it through Bitcoin? That’s a question mark.”-Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel

According to The Cointelegraph, the puppet master of the United States is jumping on the ‘bitcoin’ bandwagon by creating its own cryptocurrency.

Israeli politicians are considering a digital shekel as a way to stop the growing black (illegal) market, and to prevent tax evasion, which is a sign their economy sucks.

On top of that, Israeli politicians want to restrict the use of cash, even considering banning the payment of wages in cash! 

“And that no one should be able to buy or to sell except the one having the tav [mark], the name of the Chayyah (Beast, Anti-Moshiach) or the number of its name.”-Revelation 13:17, Orthodox Jewish Bible

DESTROY U.S. DOLLAR: U.S. ALLY PHILIPPINES GOES OVER TO CHINA!

Business/Economics, Idaho

More Decline: No more Xmas lights for Chubbuck? The truth about Gentrification

25 DEC 2017 (05:37 UTC-07 Tango 06) 04 Dey 1396/06 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1439/08 Ren-Zi (11th month) 4715

Xmas morn, Tahoe Place, Chubbuck, Idaho

Xmas morn, Tahoe Place, Chubbuck, Idaho

What’s wrong with this pic? Where are all the Xmas lights in the Cotant Park area of ‘christian’ dominated Chubbuck, Idaho?

About 15 years ago 90-95% of the homes around Cotant Park were blazing with Xmas decorations, now 90-95% are dim throughout the end-of-year holiday season.

Most people can’t afford the electric bill, and many residents today are recent arrivals with most of the neighborhood homes now being owned by absentee landlords.  About 15 years ago most of the homes were owned by the people living in them.  This is called gentrification.

The ‘elected’ leaders of Chubbuck, and neighboring Pocatello, constantly claim economic growth, this is because officially gentrification is considered a sign of growth.  According to Wikipedia: “Gentrification is a process of renovation of deteriorated urban neighborhoods by means of the influx of more affluent residents.”

In the United States home ownership was long touted as a sign of economic prosperity, but when most of the homes in your neighborhood become rental units you know the economy is in trouble.  The reality of gentrification, for most neighborhoods throughout the United States, is that rents get jacked-up so high that most Middle Class workers can barely afford to rent them (let alone buy them in competition with elite minority buyers whose sole purpose is to use them as rentals), belying the claim that the average American has become more ‘affluent’.

Here’s some more examples of Chubbuck Gentrification at the hands of ‘elected’ leaders: In 1997 (when I moved here) the deposit for city utilities was $30.  In Summer 2016 I was told by city employees it’s now $350, that’s a 1066% increase!

In the late 1990s the average residential basic water/sewer/trash rate (not including the per thousand gallons water usage rate) was $38 per month.  Now it’s about $98 per month, a 158% increase, and we got no improvement in services (in fact, one year we had to petition the city, twice, over sloppy trash collections)!

Things are only going to get more expensive as in 2017 the city started a Property Improvement Project paid for by $3-million USD in bonds (debt financing), which will be paid back by all you happy taxpayers (somehow).

Small sample of Idaho news sources proving most Idahoans are not ‘affluent’;

Idaho State Journal: Pocatello family of five survives boiler explosion, now homeless

KMVT: Idaho Housing and Finance Association trying to raise half-a-million-dollars in 20 days, to deal with growing homelessness

KIFI: Help save homeless East Idaho animals with your pocket change

Coeur d’Alene Press: “Nationally, transitional housing is going away. Our transitional program has been cut down, so we’re trying to get people into permanent housing so they can have independence. I’d rather deal with a cure than deal with a Band-Aid.”-Jeff Conroy, Saint Vincent de Paul North Idaho homeless program

Idaho Press-Tribune: Boise Rescue Mission prepares to serve nearly 2K meals at Christmas

Idaho Foodbank reports it needs at least 3-million meals this end-of-year holiday season!   Interesting as Idaho’s official population is 1.6-million, proving that most people in Idaho don’t have enough money to buy food!

Idaho Statesman: Boise’s vets home needs more women’s items for its clothing drive

Small sample of news sources proving ‘gentrification’ is a scam to take your property and create a massive poverty class;

Bridge Michigan: What gentrification? Much of Detroit is getting worse.

Forbes: “Gentrification has two faces. There’s an upside that brings in new business, people, and energy, and a higher quality of life, including improved public services. But it’s impossible to overlook the invasive cloud that forces up rents and marginalizes and pushes out locals…”

The Atlantic: The Criminalization of Gentrifying Neighborhoods,  “police actions have coincided with increased gentrification.”

Wall Street Journal:  Gentrification Provokes a Coffee Clash in Denver’s Five Points

The Denver Post: “Gentrification moves fast”: A hard look at economic displacement

Cleveland Scene Weekly: Gentrification: What it Means in the Context of the Rust Belt

PRI: Miami residents fear ‘climate gentrification’ as investors seek higher ground

The Guardian: Nomad stores: the latest sign of gentrification

BlindBatNews;

IDAHO’S ECONOMIC DESTRUCTION 2016: “WE PLAN TO SELL IT DOWN TO THE BONES.”

MY IMMIGRANT IDAHO: FEDERALES (pronounced the Spanish way) SAY IDAHO DOMINATED BY POOR IMMIGRANTS!

Business/Economics

“THE DREAM HAS ENDED….The good guys don’t always win.”: U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector collapse, November 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in November 2017:

Department store Bon-Ton (with HQ operations in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania) announced it will shutdown a minimum of 40 stores by the end of 2018, affecting hundreds of jobs, supposedly due to never ending crashing sales.  But wait, somehow the corporation was able to come up with $2-million USD in ‘retention bonuses’ for its executives!  Can you say “bullshit!”?

What automotive industry recovery?  After 93 years Benny’s Home & Auto Stores Famous for Low Prices ramped up its shutdown of all 31 stores, and one distribution center, across Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, at least 715 jobs gone by the end of 2017!

Alaska: In Juneau, after 22 years Lisa Davidson’s Boutique shutdown, the owner blaming “A shift in how I wanna spend my time…”

Arizona: In Tucson, after 23 years ‘retro’ clothier Hydra announced on Facebook it was shutting down after Xmas.

 California: Right after publically committing itself to helping the hurricane ravaged residents of Puerto Rico, 85 years old San Francisco based law firm Sedgwick LLP killed itself!  Sedgwick offices across the U.S. shutting down between now and January 2018, hundreds of jobs gone due to a failed attempt to merge with a competing law firm!  After ten years, independant movie theater operator Cinefamily shutdown due to employees alleging the company bosses routinely sexually harass them.  Despite a strong online presence (website, Facebook, smartphone applications, etc), teen clothier Styles for Less is now bankrupt busted with as much as $50-million USD of debts!  Retailer Robert Talbotts laying off 37 people at its Monterey store in January 2018.  In San Diego, after 125 years (surviving numerous recessions and The Great Depression) jeweler Jessop’s shutdown due to nobody in the family wanting to continue the retail operation.  In Santa Barbara, after 30 years vintage costume (some dating to 1870) shop Victorian Vogue shutdown, the owner blaming the loss of sales on the shutdown of the nearby Brooks Photography Institute, whose students accounted for half of Victorian Vogue’s sales.  Build-a-Bear Workshop finally notified the state that it shutdown its Anaheim store, 72 jobs gone back in September. 

Colorado: In Denver, Second Spin record-CD shop forced to shutdown in January 2018 because the “landlord decided to venture into something else.”

Connecticut:  In Ridgefield, after eight years Bise Fashionable Finds shutdown because the owner is moving to North Carolina to take over a bigger store.  In New Haven, after 21 years Sassy Beauty Supply shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.

Florida: Disney suddenly laid off more than 145 people at its various resorts in the U.S., despite the fact that Disney’s resort parks are the only part of the corporation with growing revenues!  Insurance service provider Patriot National eliminating 250 jobs as part of a plan to let creditors take over the failing business!  Janitor service Mundy Maintenance and Services eliminating 54 jobs right before Xmas. Assurant Valuations eliminating 62 jobs by March 2018.

Georgia:  Department store Belk shutting down its Phipps Plaza Mall ‘flagship’ location, 144 jobs gone sometime in 2018!  In Valdosta, after seven years Red Door Records announced on Facebook it’ll shutdown after Xmas.

Idaho: In Rexburg, after 46 years Targhee Sports shutting down in January 2018, as well as Duck Creek Pawn, the co-owners of the stores blame a “bad business deal” that’s forcing them to sell the land the stores are on.

Illinois: P.R.O.U.D. (Pontiac Redeveloping Our United Downtown) shutting down its Illinois Marketplace Store, apparently they’re not that united because “… it was no longer financially feasible to continue the store.”  In Dixon, after 25 years Downtown Sports shutting down after Xmas, due to the death of one of the owners.  Also in Dixon, after 18 years Super Dollar Store shutdown saying “The numbers are just not there.”  In Alton, after 165 years (surviving numerous recessions and The Great Depression) Goulding’s Jewelers shutting down so the current 70 years old owner can retire, who said “…I’m kind of worn out finally, and the business changing. Amazon is taking over the world. And, of course, the local economy is suffering.”  What automotive industry recovery?  In Rockford, after 56 years vehicle retailer Gary Carlson Motors is for sale and will shutdown after Xmas.  Office Specialists shutdown its store in Kewanee as part of its plan to focus more on internet sales.  Department store Lord&Taylor issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Skokie, 119 jobs gone by the end of April 2018!  Bankrupt Maurice Sporting Goods issued a layoff WARN for its Northbrook location, 104 jobs gone right before Xmas!

Indiana: On Facebook the owner of Fun F/X blamed online competition for his Grape Road store’s demise.  It’s ironic because Fun F/X has its own website, where it will continue to do business. Tuesday Morning shutting down its close-out store in the Highland Grove plaza due to losing its lease.

Iowa: In Des Moines, after 122 years (surviving numerous recessions and The Great Depression) ‘everything’ shop H.B. Leiserowitz shutdown, blaming the final straw on competition from big box stores, but their sales slowdown started when cameras went digital.  In Ames, after nine years Dyvig’s Pet Shoppe shutdown and is for sale to help pay for the owner’s retirement.

Hawaii: After 37 years bankrupt busted Island Air is now dead, at least 423 jobs in Hawaii gone!  An aviation ‘expert’ blames the airline’s demise on its switch to larger aircraft which “…forced them out of their niche market…….and forced them to go head to head…” with bigger airlines.

Kansas: Topeka based shoe retailer Payless announced “additional steps” starting with an additional undisclosed number of layoffs.  Burlington (formerly Burlington Coat Factory) shutting down its store in Topeka’s West Ridge Mall this Winter.  Also in Topeka, the Ramada West Hotel suddenly shutdown blaming an extremely weak off-season tourist market which caused the property to be sold-out from under the hotel’s feet, 30 jobs suddenly gone.  Tuesday Morning shutting down its close-out store in Andover in January 2018, due to lack of sales. In Halstead, after almost 30 years Shear Image Hairstyling shutdown so the owner could retire.

Kentucky: In Louisville, home decor-clothing store Gifthorse shutting down in December because the owners are moving away.

Louisiana:  In Bossier City, after 33 years guitar seller The String Shop shutting down by January 2018, the owners saying “Been fighting for about a year and a half to keep it going and it’s time. …music industry…is dying out.”

Maryland: In Silver Springs, after 43 years Roadhouse Oldies Make Your Own CD shutdown, the owner lamented “People who were actively accumulating music, albeit records or cassettes or CDs or whatever, are no longer accumulating stuff.”  In Annapolis, department store Lord&Taylor shutting down its store at Westfield Annapolis mall, 141 jobs gone by April 2018!  Lacrosse equipment retailer LAX World suddenly shutdown all its brick-n-mortar stores, and abandoned its HQ, after getting hit with numerous lawsuits from landlords and suppliers.  Bon-Ton issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Hagerstown, 47 jobs gone by the end of February 2018.  What housing market recovery?  First Guaranty Mortgage issued a WARN for its Frederick location, 82 jobs gone by the end of January 2018.

Massachusetts: In Norwell, after 70 years Garden Craft Center shutdown so the owners can retire.

Michigan: Contracted trash collector Diva Disposal suddenly went chapter 7 bankrupt dead, customers say they got no warning and trash is piling up!  In Woodhaven, after 40 years Skateland is now for sale and could shutdown in December.  In Royal Oak, after 83 years Chinn Jewelry shutting down, the property for sale, with the owner blaming “…a combination of the economy…the internet, increased expenses, decreased revenues.”  In Grandville, after more than 80 years Richard Engels Jewelers shutting down when the inventory is gone, the owner is moving to Florida.  In Grand Rapids, god powerless to stop the internet from shutting down ‘his’ christian Eardmans Bookstore. Christian book printer Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company says it’ll focus solely on internet sales.

Minnesota: Minneapolis based Target shutting down 12 additional stores across nine U.S. states by the end of 2017. Target administrators claim their new store openings cancel out any old store shutdowns.  In Rochester, Hight & Randall Ltd. Personal Jeweler announced on its website it is shutting down, to be replaced with “something new in 2018.”

Missouri: Now dead law firm Sedgwick LLP issued a shutdown WARN for its Kansas City office, 75 jobs gone by mid-January 2018.  It should be noted that Sedgwick LLP recently announced efforts to help hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.  Also in Kansas City, after more than 40 years the Gold’s Gym in the Westport district suddenly shutdown without any warning to customers.  However, local news media said customers expected the shutdown as customer service rapidly went down the toilet.  In Warrensburg,  after 61 years B&B Auto Supply shutdown because “We’ve seen many changes in the industry and in ourselves … and with those changes in mind, we’ve decided it is time to focus on our health and retirement.”  In Springfield, after 25 years CD Warehouse shutdown, blaming the shift to digital (despite the fact that CDs are a type of digital platform).

Montana:In Great Falls, after 30 years Forsyth Paint and Decorating shutting down, the owners saying “We’re wearing out.”

New Hampshire: After 29 years consignment shop Two Flights Down shutdown.

New Mexico: In Portales, after 62 years Woody’s Jewelry shutdown because the owner ‘burned out’.

New York: Bon Ton shutting down its department store in Massena by the end of January 2018, due to not renewing the lease.  Also in Massena, after 65 years the owners of Cornell’s Dry Cleaning saying of their multiple locations that “we’re shutting everything right down” by mid-December.  What housing market recovery?  Too Big to Jail Capital One issued a shutdown WARN for its Melville mortgage ops, 26 jobs gone by March 2018.  In NYC, after 53 years Matt Umanov Guitars shutting down in December, Matt says “Commercial rents went up. People left. The community left, and tourism came in.”  Also in NYC, Too Big to Jail Morgan Stanley laying off 29 people between March and June 2018.  NYC based and troubled clothing retailer J.Crew revised its U.S. store shutdown list upward to 50 stores, due to what is now an obvious death spiral in sales.  250 J.Crew jobs were already killed earlier in the year, the increase in store shutdowns means more than 3-hundred additional jobs will be lost!  In Latham, after 39 years Northeast Music, Inc. halting brick-n-mortar ops and going online only (because they believe the hype about online sales killing brick-n-mortars, when by 2017 online sales accounted for only 15% of retail sales in the U.S., and state level internet tax collections prove it).  In Brooklyn-NYC, Apogee Retail issued a shutdown WARN for its Unique thrift store, 58 jobs gone by the end of January 2018.  Also in Brooklyn-NYC,  Red Lantern Bicycles shutdown blaming never ending rent increases: “So we just decided we’d finish out the year and not go through another winter and call it quits now before the next increase kicked in.”-Brian Gluck

North Carolina: What housing market recovery? Landlord Platinum Properties is now chapter 7 bankrupt, and most likely dead.

North Dakota: In Fargo, after 99 years of selling shoes Shu by R&G shutdown because the owner wants to retire.

Oregon: In Portland, after 46 years The Real Mother Goose Fine American Craft shutting down its store on South West Yamhill the day before Xmas, due to the landlord conducting a radical remodel that is forcing all the tenants to leave.

Pennsylvania: Too Big to Jail California based Wells Fargo finally notified the state of its shutdown of its operations in Bethlehem, 468 jobs now gone!  After six decades Stout’s Mower Service shutdown with the owner explaining “I am 76 years old”.  Mormon Mitt Romney’s co-founded wunderkind Staples shutting down its location in Greenwich. Tellingly local news media called the Staples store “Another large store in the Pittsburg-area…” (Staples is by no means a large store)  In York, York Wallcoverings shutting down its sole factory operated 27 years old retail store, when the inventory is gone, blaming the way people now shop.

South Dakota: Celebrity Hotel & Casino now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Tennessee: Memphis based retailer Fred’s suddenly laid off 90 employees right before Thanksgiving as part of a plan to become more competitive, local news media speculated it was just the beginning of more layoffs.  In Memphis, FYE-Spin Street Music shutting down when the lease expires in January 2018, because even sales of Japanese anime and manga items have crashed!

Texas: In Victoria, after 24 years Torin Bales Fine Jewelry announced on Facebook that its shutting down.  What housing market recovery? In Plano, Too Big to Jail Capital One eliminating 950 mortgage related call center jobs as part of its plan to get the hell outta the mortgage lending and home equity business!

Vermont: In Montpelier, after several decades Onion River Sports and The Shoe Horn both forced to shutdown because they are no longer able to get debt financing to buy their inventories!

Virginia: Elder-Beerman shutting down its decades old department store in Vienna, by the end of January 2018.  In Bluefield, after about 20 years Joann Fabrics Crafts shutting down when the inventory is gone, local news media says no reason was given.

Washington: In Seattle, after 42 years Zanadu Comics shutdown for “hundreds” of reasons, the obviously pissed owner adding on his Facebook post  “THE DREAM HAS ENDED….The good guys don’t always win.”  Also in Seattle, after 1-hundred years (surviving numerous recessions and The Great Depression) Crown Hill Hardware shutting down due to a death in the family, which is forcing the sale of the property.

West Virginia: Goodwill suddenly shutdown its thrift store in Wheeling, saying the landlord did not want to renew the lease. Department store Belk shutting down its Morgantown location, 39 jobs gone in March 2018.  In South Charleston, after more than 36 years Village Floral shutting down so the 83 years old owner can retire.

Wisconsin:  In Stevens Point, Mitchell Piano Works shutting down after Xmas, a different music store will take its place.  In Wisconsin Rapids, Heid Music shutting down after Xmas, it is moving to Stevens Point.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, October 2017: “RETAIL IS NOT A JOB OR A CAREER…” “THIS YEAR…WOULD BE OUR LAST YEAR”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, November 2017:“WE’RE ONE OF THE BEST STORES IN OUR MARKET!”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, November 2017:“OUR EFFORT TO FIND A FINANCIAL FUTURE…HAS NOT SUCCEEDED.”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., November 2017:“CLOSING WAS THE ONLY OPTION.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, November 2017:“AN UNFORESEEN CHANGE”

U.S. government shenanigans, November 2017: “THE PEOPLE…WILL NEVER, NEVER FIND A BETTER JOB…”

U.S. food crisis, November 2017:  “SORRY FOLKS THE END HAS COME FOR THE PIG.”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, November 2017:“SEVERAL SYSTEM AND CONTROL FAILURES”

GREAT RENEGER: OFF-SHORING OF U.S. JOBS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL INVESTOR MORALE IMPROVES!

Business/Economics

“Our effort to find a financial future…has not succeeded.”: U.S. Industrial/Mining/Logistics layoffs, November 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in November 2017.

U.S. layoffs as of May 2017

 California:  APS West Coast issued a shutdown WARN for Oxnard, 46 jobs gone by the end of January 2018. Clothing maker Burleigh Point  shutting down its Billabong operations in Irvine, 50 jobs gone by August 2018. Clothing maker United Denim issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles factory, 164 jobs gone by mid-December!   Universal Alloy finally notified the state that it laid off 111 people in Anaheim, in October!   F&S Distributing shutting down its industrial warehouse in Vernon, 11 jobs gone after Xmas. Boeing eliminating another 15 jobs by January 2018.  Aircraft interior maker C&D Zodiac issued a shutdown WARN for its La Palma factory, 177 jobs gone by mid-January 2018!  What automotive industry recovery? Zodiac Seats issued a shutdown WARN for its San Bernardino County location, 23 jobs gone by January 2018.  Tire maker Bridgestone issued a shutdown WARN for its re-tread ops in Long Beach, 65 jobs gone after Xmas.  Irvine based Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted saying “The U.S. Powersports market has been in persistent decline for the past few years. In response, MAG has been working diligently to adjust to the changing landscape and has implemented many initiatives to parallel today’s market. Unfortunately, the Company’s long-term debt continues to be an impediment to success.” 

Florida: Saint Johns River Power Plant eliminating 89 jobs by January 2018.  Saddle Creek Logistic Services eliminating 47 jobs by the end of January 2018.

Georgia: Dart Container Corporation shutting down its factory in Augusta, 160 jobs gone by 2019 as production is shifted to the British empire’s Canada!

Illinois: Elite Staffing/Menasha Packaging eliminating 125 jobs in Rock Island, due to “discontinue operations”. Paint company Wagner Systems issued a shutdown WARN for its Elgin location, 27 jobs gone after Xmas due to “relocation”. What automotive industry recovery?  Wabtec issued a shutdown WARN for its Bensenville location, 45 jobs gone by the end of January 2018.

Indiana: Jeffboat eliminating 278 jobs in Jeffersonville, due to crashing sales!  Arizona based paint tech company Carlisle Fluid Technologies shutting down its ops in Angola, 31 jobs gone after Xmas, due to increasing company expenses like taking over rival Accella Performance Materials for $670-million USD.

Massachusetts:  Gun maker Smith & Wesson laid off 180 people at its Springfield factory!  Local news media reported that Smith & Wesson is the biggest employer in the city.

Michigan:  What automotive industry recovery? China based Yanfeng Automotive Interiors issued a mass layoff WARN, 345 jobs in Highland Park gone starting at the end of January 2018, due to lack of orders!  Midland based DowDuPont cutting $3-additional-billion USD in expenses, meaning more massive layoffs are in the works!

Minnesota: What automotive industry recovery? Polaris Industries suddenly laid off an undisclosed number of people in Medina and Plymouth, as part of a global plan to shutdown existing jobs and eliminate vacant positions.

Missouri: HM Dunn AeroSystems shutting down its factory in Saint Louis, 53 jobs gone by March 2018 due to consolidation of production. Also in Saint Louis, Switzerland based ABB shutting down its electrical transformer factory, 120 jobs gone!

New Jersey: Bankrupt shoe maker Aerosoles (AeroGroup International) eliminating 141 jobs by January 2018!

New York: Rochester based Kodak eliminating 425 additional jobs due to continued crashing sales!  Wig maker Shake-N-Go Fashion eliminating 92 jobs in Long Island by moving warehouse ops to Georgia.  Promotional product wholesaler Lanco Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for its Ronkonkoma location, 130 jobs gone by December! Casabella Holdings eliminating 43 jobs at its warehouse ops in Congers.

North Carolina:  Porter’s Group issued a shutdown WARN for its metal-fab factory in Kings Mountain, 133 jobs gone by the end of January 2018 due to lack of sales, forcing the company to consolidate production!  Charlotte based coal energy company Babcock & Wilcox suddenly laid off 70 people across the U.S.  National Spinning Company shutting down its textile factory, 152 jobs gone due to “ongoing challenges”!

Ohio: Switzerland based measurement instruments maker Mettler-Toledo announced at least 69 layoffs at its Dryden Hi-Speed factory, starting July 2018.  The Hi-Speed factory will be shutdown by January 2019, in connection to moving production to new factories in Lutz, Florida, and a third new factory for Changzhou, China! Mettler-Toledo spent more than 60-million USD on building the new factories.  Steel distributor TMS International shutting down its ops in Middletown, 99 jobs gone due to loss of contract.

Oregon: Pacific Crest Transformers halting ops in White City, about 1-hundred jobs gone!

Pennsylvania: Excel-DHL Supply Chain eliminating 116 jobs in Palmyra, by the end of December!  GenOn Energy Services halting ops in New Florence, 107 jobs gone by February 2018!

Tennessee: What automotive industry recovery?  Automotive interior parts maker FuturiS shutting down its factory in Milan, 140 jobs gone after Xmas possibly due to being taken over by Ireland based competitor Adient!  Local news media reported that local businesses are warning of a domino effect as most of their customers are FuturiS employees.

Texas: Exelon’s ExGen Texas Power now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Wichita Falls based fuel cell maker and taxpayer funded U.S. Department of Defense contractor Amfuel now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, despite recently getting a $10-million USD taxpayer funded contract with the U.S. Air Force!  Midland based Xcor Aerospace now chapter 7 bankrupt dead, affecting its taxpayer funded rocket engine operations in California: “Today it is my sad duty to inform you that Xcor has failed. Our effort to find a financial future for Xcor has not succeeded.”-Michael Blum, ceoElectricity maker Luminant issued a massive shutdown WARN for its coal operations across The Lone Star State, 6-hundred jobs gone starting in January 2018!

Vermont: Clothing maker Ibex Outdoor Clothing suddenly laid off 12 people due to canceling retail sales through two brick-n-mortar chain stores, and shifting focus to direct online sales and company owned brick-n-mortar stores.

Virginia: What construction industry recovery?  Shaw Flooring shutting down its factory in Stuart, 160 jobs gone after Xmas due to consolidation of production to other factories!  A town official was pissed-off: “It really makes you sick! I’ve been with the Town for 39 years and I’ve seen companies come and go but this one was one that really was detrimental to the town. But my main concern was the employees, that’s what really hurts.”-Terry Tilley

Washington: Georgia-Pacific shutting down its paper mill in Camas, as many as 3-hundred jobs gone by mid-2018!  Tax-sucker Northrop Grumman shutting down its Lakewood ops, 43 jobs gone in January.  ABM Aviation issued a shutdown WARN for its SeaTac ops, 171 jobs gone by January 2018!

Wisconsin: Bankrupt Appvion eliminating 2-hundred jobs in Appleton by shifting the specialty/industrial paper work to Pennsylvania!  In Greenville, Ryder Integrated Logistics shutting down, 159 jobs gone after Xmas!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, October 2017: “THERE WAS NO SEVERANCE…WE WERE JUST FIRED!”