Category Archives: Business/Economics

“tragically pathetic” 12,000 jobs instantly killed! : Sears Kmart death spiral, October 2017

I have to say this sounds more and more like a pathetic charade every day. I find this all to be tragically pathetic. Very, very sad.”-Mark Cohen, Sears Canada CEO from 2001-04, now at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business

tbnewswatch.com: Sears plans to close all Canadian locations

bloomberg.com:  Court approves shutdown, 12-thousand jobs gone by Xmas as Sears Canada dies!

Globalnews.ca: Sears Canada won’t honour warranties after Oct. 18

Market Insider: RioCan REIT Announces Agreements With Sears Canada

bloomberg.com: Berkowitz Liquidates Hedge Fund That Owned Sears Holdings

Lowell Sun: Three men charged in Sears appliance scam that covered three states since 2008

Crain’s Chicago Business: Lampert floats Sears another $100 million

Chicago Tribune: Sears borrows additional $40-million from Lampert

Bloomberg: Sears burns through latest $200-million USD loan

Business Insider: Sears borrows another $60-million from Lampert

From now on you can blame IBM’s Internet of Things (IoT) for problems getting your Sears warrantied appliance fixed: Sears, Golden State Foods Drive Field Services with IBM IoT

But wait, Sears just stopped selling appliances? The Wall Street Journal: Sears Stops Selling Whirlpool Appliances

CNNMoney: Sears’ iconic Craftsman tools coming to rival Lowe’s

It’s been revealed that Sears Holdings ramped up selling-off active stores.  Those stores that’ve sold are not being counted as part of this year’s Sears Holdings shutdowns as they are now legally owned/operated by property re-developing companies, who plan on shutting them down in the near future.

It’s been revealed that evil GGP (General Growth Properties, I know they’re evil ’cause I worked for them, they’re the ones who ran-off most of the stores in the Pine Ridge Mall with outrageous rents/fees) bought eight more Sears stores from Sears Holdings-Seritage Growth Properties, and bought a 50% stake in another five Sears stores.  GGP’s plan (as with their past purchases of Sears stores) is to redevelop those stores.

Arkansas: The Jonesboro Sears Auto Center suddenly shutdown on 14 OCT 2017, without warning.  Sears Holdings stated they were not willing to renew the lease.  The Jonesboro Sears store shutdown earlier this year, but at that time Sears Holdings claimed they had no intentions of shutting down the Auto Center.

California: The new owner of the iconic Boyle Heights Sears building (on 13 acre property that at one time employed 1-thousand Sears employees) is about to embark on a radical re-development of the property which will include 3-thousand new residential units, an artificial lake, a luxury hotel, event center, etc.   The Eureka Kmart shutdown at the beginning of October, but local news media posted video showing it’s already vandalized.  Local news media reporting that the  Santa Rosa Kmart joined the many victims of the raging wildfires in The Golden State.  In Corona and Ontario, the franchised Sears Outlet stores are now under direct management of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, no explanation given.

Florida:  Sears Holdings lackey Seritage Growth Properties announced it will shutdown its huge Sears store and Auto Center at the  Westfield Broward (aka Broward Mall) in Plantation.  It’s part of a $20-million USD plan to turn the 55-thousand square meters (180-thousand square feet) store into smaller retail and restaurant spaces, which will include a much smaller Sears operation (the Auto Center will not return).  No word on when the shutdown/redevelopment will take place as the plan must be approved by city zoning, but Seritage Growth Properties boasts that it already has new, smaller, tenants lined up.

Georgia: It was revealed that the active Northlake Mall Sears store, in Atlanta, is owned by Texas based re-developer ATRCorinth who plans on major redevelopment of the building at some undisclosed time.

Guam:  A 21 years old female Kmart employee charged with left after being caught trying to walk out of the store without paying for underwear and body paint.

Illinois:  The 41 years old Orland Park Sears is about to get smaller as Sears Holdings-Seritage Growth announced the top section of the huge store will be turned into an ten screen AMC movie theater, no estimated date for completion was issued.  The city of Pekin has convinced the state to include the vacant Kmart property in the taxpayer funded Southern Tazewell County Enterprise Zone, which gives businesses a five years tax break for setting up shop ‘in the zone’.    In Tinley Park the franchised Sears Outlet store on Harlem Avenue is now under direct management of Sears Holdings-Hometown and Outlet Stores, no explanation given.

Kansas: In Lexana the franchised Sears Outlet store on Mauer Road is now under direct management of Sears Holdings-Hometown and Outlet Stores, no explanation given.

Kentucky: In Louisville, the Sears store in the Oxmoor Center shutting down by mid-January 2018.

Massachusetts: The operator of the nine years old Hadley Sears Hometown Store has laid off his two employees and put the store, and the land, up-for-sale.  Local news reports say the franchise owner/operator once had ten Sears Hometown stores across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, but the Hadley location is his last one.

Michigan:  Saint Clair Shores Kmart shutting down, 127 jobs gone in January 2018, after the lease was transferred to grocery store operator Kroger, who plans on redeveloping the property!

Minnesota: The 50 years old Saint Cloud Sears store in the Crossroads Center shutting down by mid-january 2018, ending 90 years of Sears in Saint Cloud.

Missouri: In Fenton the franchised Sears Outlet store on Gravois Bluff Boulevard is now under direct management of Sears Holdings-Hometown and Outlet Stores, no explanation given.

Nebraska:  Local news media reporting that the franchise owner-operator of the North Platte Sears Hometown Store suddenly quit after the landlord refused to renew the lease, Sears Holdings took over the store and claims they will find a new location.  In Omaha, the Kmart on 50th and L Streets shutting down right after Xmas, local news media say its the last Kmart in the city, and apparently there’s only one other Kmart in the state.

Pennsylvania:  The Whitehall Kmart in the MacArthur Towne Center shutting down right after after Thanksgiving, the property was sold to a retailer called At Home Stores.  Yet more proof the shutdowns are part of what I call the REIT conspiracy as local news media revealed that the owners of Millcreek Mall had already developed plans to chop up the Sears store by the time the official shutdown announcement was made at the end of 2015.

Tennessee:  Taxpayers are being raped of $7.45-million USD as Nashville Metro is buying a vacant Kmart for the purpose of creating a massive police-state police precinct!   It’s been revealed that the blighted city of Memphis is putting all bets on economic recovery on taxpayer burdening apartment projects and piddly retail developments like a new Sears Hometown Store.  Sears Hometown stores typically employ less than a dozen people with part time hours at minimum wage.

Texas:  The active Richardson Square Sears store was just sold to re-developer ATRCorinth, who plans on shutting it down when the short-term lease expires.   In Houston, the iconic Sears at 4201 Main Street shutting down by the end of January 2018.

Washington:  The Tukwila and Tacoma franchised Sears Outlet stores are now under direct control of Sears Holdings, no explanation given.

West Virginia: Kmart is paying the state Attorney General’s office $100-thousand USD as part of a settlement for violating the state’s pharmacy laws.   Kmart still denies it violated the law.  Rite Aid,  Kroger, CVS and Walgreen also made settlements.

Wisconsin: The Caledonia (Racine) Kmart in danger of being shutdown as it just made the ‘for sale’ list.  Local news media discovered the property is being offered at two-thirds less than the assessed value!  It was revealed that during a closed-to-the-public meeting the ‘elected’ officials of the city of Brookfield discussed using a $6.55-million USD property tax funded grant to help redevelop the vacant Brookfield Square Sears, the money would be used for road construction and environmental cleanup of the site.

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, SEPTEMBER 2017: “REMORSEFUL”, list of store closures since 2011

“I’m getting out!” “we just can’t make it, we won’t make it.”: U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector collapse, September 2017

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

Alabama: In Albertville, after 69 years Whitten’s Town & Country Clothes shutdown.

Alaska:  PenAir now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, flights to Oregon and Colorado canceled.  In Juno, after 32 years outfitter Invisible World shutdown blaming the cost of operating a brick-n-mortar store: “When the market was really good, I could basically run a seasonal part time business and make enough money to do my writing. That’s no longer possible.”-Stuart Cohen, owner

Arkansas: Bentonville based, ‘christian’ founded, Walmart-Sam’s Club announced 7-hundred layoffs planned for ‘back-office’ jobs at Sam’s Clubs across the country!  In Fort Smith, after five years movie-restaurant concept MovieLounge shutdown.

 California: After 33 years Hayfork Video Rental shutdown.  Singapore owned Zetta Jet now chapter 11 bankrupt busted in Burbank, after an executive was accused of stealing company money (among other things).  A San Diego based company once touted as ‘the saviour of retail’ is now part of the Zombie Jesus Apocalypse!  Appliance retailer Pirch suddenly began shutting down most of its stores across the U.S. as part of a new plan to refocus on California ops only, hundreds of jobs lost by Thanksgiving!  In August, Pirch boasted sales that rivaled Apple Inc stores.  Schizophrenic San Francisco based clothier GAP shutting down 2-hundred more namesake and Banana Republic stores, however, claims it plans to open 270 new Old Navy and Athleta stores.  Total Woman Gym + Spa shutdown its Enchinitas location, 59 jobs gone.  Event venue Eventbrite suddenly laid off 47 people in Oakland and San Francisco.

Connecticut:  Sterling National Bank eliminating six jobs in Norwalk, right after Xmas.

Florida:  Luke Brothers eliminating 55 jobs by Xmas.

Idaho:  While the state’s Department of Labor boasts record low unemployment numbers, and despite some rural counties reporting record low population numbers, the U.S. Census Bureau is reporting record numbers of homeless people in the sparsely populated Gem State and it’s only going up!  Also, a state run homeless Point-In-Time counting program claims a 10% drop in homeless people since 2016, but the Vice President of Housing and Support Programs, Brady Ellis, admits “We believe there’s a considerable number of more homeless individuals…..a lot of variables there in terms of identifying them and being able to include them in the numbers we use.”  It should also be noted that the Point-In-Time homeless survey counts only those people who are willing to answer the survey questions.   East Idaho News recently conducted an experiment to see how beggars were being treated in eastern Idaho.

Homeless in Idaho related:  Despite Mormon dominated Pocatello City Council, and the Bonneville Neighborhood Association, denying her request to open a homeless shelter Pastor Jacqualine ‘Big Momma’ Thomas is still at it!  

BOISE RENDERS 400 WAR REFUGEES HOMELESS IN THE NAME OF JACKING UP RENTS! DISABLED PEOPLE BEING KICKED OUT AS WELL!

HOMELESS BEING FORCED INTO CONCENTRATION CAMP! PROOF IDAHO’S ECONOMY SUCKS!

Illinois:  “I’m getting out!” says Rik Mallin about his home state and never ending across-the-board tax hikes, including the latest 32% hike in state income tax!  The U.S. Census Bureau says Illinois is losing the most citizens of any other state,  because of tax hikes and the suck-ass-economy.  In Rockford, after 33 years Enders Flowers shutting down in October, so the long-time owner can retire.  In Bloomington, after 63 years Hobbyland shutting down in October, after a failed attempt to sell the store.

Indiana: In Indianapolis, Vital Skates roller skate shop announced on Facebook it was shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Kansas: In Wichita, after only three years Party Zone Supply Store shutdown, the owners blaming the size of the store saying “In a nutshell, we underestimated…..”

Massachusetts:  In Dartmouth, after 41 years Ustinov Jewelers shutdown.  In Worcester, after 235 years(!) Elwood Adams Hardware shutdown without explanation, and yes, they have a website.  Staying in Worcester, after 89 years the pissed-off owner of Shack’s Clothing say he’s forced to shutdown by outrageous property tax: “It had nothing to do with business and everything to do with tax assessments……We sold the building….I’m retiring, I don’t care. I’ve been doing this for 47 years and have seen the city deteriorate, little by little.”-Jeffrey Shack

Michigan:  Chemical Financial Corporation eliminating at least 230 jobs and shutting down dozens of offices in Michigan and Ohio due to its 2016 merger with Talmer Bank!

Minnesota: Christian founded Walmart shutting down its 30 years old store in Blue Earth by the beginning of October, apparently due to lack of profits (prophets?).

Missouri:  Iconic Rothman Furniture shutdown all remaining stores after 90 years in Missouri and Illinois, the remaining 230 jobs gone!  The CEO didn’t blame the internet: “My competition is no longer local guys that are doing similar volumes as I am……We’re competing against multi-billion dollar national organizations.”-Jay Steinback

New York: NYC based Too Big to Jail JPMorgan created 2-thousand-5-hundred new jobs, in Poland!   Sterling National Bank and Astoria Bank issued multiple shutdown WARNs, 230 jobs threatened by the merger of the two banks!  At JFK Airport, ABM Aviation issued a shutdown WARN for its contracted security ops, 560 jobs gone by Thanksgiving!  OfficeMax shutting down its Batavia location.  A company that helps people deal with Social Security insecurity, Binder & Binder, shutting down offices in Queens and Hauppauge with at least 2-hundred people losing their jobs by Xmas!  Local news reports say Binder & Binder also shutdown offices in the state of Florida.  In Potsdam, Northwoods Outfitters shutdown after 23 years, the owner says its time for him to enjoy the outdoors.  Consumer ‘intelligence’ company Greenwich Associates shutting down its office in Cheektowaga, 149 jobs gone by Thanksgiving!  Echo Farms Golf Club shutting down after a failed lawsuit by locals who wanted to stop the redevelopment of the property, it’s being turned into apartments. More proof the vinyl revival was a lie! In Geneva, after 40 years Area Records and Music shutting down when the inventory is gone.  What housing market recovery?  Yet again, mortgage giant PHH Mortgage issued a shutdown WARN, this time for “remote employees” in Williamsville.   Chandler Hotel issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC hotel-restaurant ops, 60 jobs gone right after Xmas.  In Melville, FedEx is shutting down its Corporate Services, 61 jobs gone by May 2018.  DynaServ International lost a major contract, at least 114 jobs gone by Xmas!  In Dansville, McCarthy Tire Service shutting down, 33 jobs gone by Xmas.

North Carolina: In Raleigh, after 32 years Home Comfort Furniture & Mattress shutdown.  Professional portrait studio Portrait Innovations now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, 63 stores suddenly shutdown.   Too Big to Jail California based Wells Fargo added more layoffs to its never ending list in Charlotte, this time Wells Fargo refused to say how many employees would become unemployed.   In Lynn, after 17 years Tryon Mountain Hardware shutdown, the property was sold, the Christian hardware owners saying “God has a plan” in reference to their sudden ‘retirement’.  In Statesville, Saslow’s Jewelers shutdown its Signal Hill Mall store.  Also in Statesville, clothier Salice Boutique shutting down, the owner said it was better to spend time with family than continue playing the look for a cheaper rent location game, again: “We’ve moved three times, and rather than keep this up, it’s just too much for me to handle.”-Kristen Greer

North Dakota: In Bismarck, after 20 years the owners of One World announced on Facebook they’re shutting down.  Also in Bismarck, Juke Joint Comics shutting down in October: “Unfortunately rent goes up, bills go up. Our products is a fixed price product, and there’s nothing we can do about that.”-Mike Swenson, owner

Ohio: What housing market recovery?  Too Big to Jail People’s Bank shutting down its central Ohio mortgage office, 31 jobs gone. 

Oregon: In Beaverton, after 25 years the year-round Halloween Warehouse shutting down because “The economy. It’s just gone way downhill and we just can’t make it, we won’t make it.”

Pennsylvania: In York, after 30 years Adventure Cycling and Fitness shutdown due to a co-owner’s health problems.  Too Big to Jail BB&T shutting down two bank offices in Berks County, in time for Xmas.   Moyer Electronics shutdown its 70 years old store in Hazelton: “There is no longer a need for consumer electronics. It is too expensive to run a shop. The new stuff sells so cheap you can’t afford to fix it.”-Bill Moyer

Rhode Island: After 93 years family owned chain store Benny’s announced on its website it’s calling it quits, 31 stores and a distribution center shutting down, the owners say competition is forcing them to retire, 751 jobs gone in time for Xmas!  In North Providence, after 56 years Andor’s TV & Furniture (which has a website) shutdown because the owners say they want to try something different.

South Carolina: In Columbia, after only about a year Palmetto Twist monogramming and gift boutique shutdown.   After 15 years Bluffton Bicycle Shop shutdown by Hurricane Irma, the owner said he was still struggling to financially recover from Hurricane Matthew in 2016.  Aiken based Prestige Appliance now chapter 7 bankrupt and dead, suddenly shutting down all stores in South Carolina and Georgia. Local news media says many angry customers want to know where their appliances are.

Texas: In Amarillo, ‘landmark’ Wyndham Garden Hotel shutdown without warning, unnamed employees revealed the shutdown to local news media.  Those employees also claim they haven’t been paid for at least three weeks!  In San Antonio, River Walk gallery of Garcia Art Glass shutdown, the operators didn’t want to renew the lease “because we’re doing a lot more on social media.”  Dallas based Neiman Marcus shutting down ten of its Last Call stores as part of a plan to refocus on its namesake stores, 241 jobs gone!

Vermont: After 60 years of selling made in the U.S.A. only products the owners of Kibby Equipment gave up, because not enough people want to buy made in the U.S.A. products. Also, they tried selling the business but nobody wanted to buy it.

Washington: In Poulsbo, after 60 years James Lumber and Ace Hardware shutting down in November.

West Virginia: Too Big to Jail BB&T eliminating 56 jobs in Charleston.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, August 2017:  “I REALLY THINK IT WILL BE ARMAGEDDON.”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, September 2017: “Remorseful”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, September 2017: “MARKET TURNDOWN, INDUSTRY-WIDE”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., September 2017: “NOT ONLY DID THEY CHANGE HER GRADES…THEY OSTRACIZED HER!”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, September 2017:  “WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO ECONOMICS”

U.S. government shenanigans, September 2017: “I’m not stupid!”

U.S. food crisis, September 2017: “WE’RE SPREAD TOO THIN, HONESTLY.”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, September 2017:  “THIS FACILITY FAILED ITS RESIDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THIS HORRIFYING ORDEAL!”

“market turndown, industry-wide”: U.S. Industrial/Mining/Logistics layoffs, September 2017

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

Denmark based Lego killing 1-thousand-4-hundred manufacturing/distribution/sales jobs in Europe and the United States due to crashing sales (supposedly Lego’s big sales boom is happening only in China)!

Arkansas: Alton Bean Trucking now bankrupt busted with debts as high as $10-million USD.

 California: Silgan Containers issued a temporary layoff WARN, 162 people in Riverbank jobless by Thanksgiving!  Boeing issued yet more layoff WARNs for Huntington and El Segundo, 33 jobs gone by Thanksgiving.  Graphic Packaging International issued a shutdown WARN for its Santa Clara operations, 127 jobs gone by Xmas!  Trio Engineered Products issued a shutdown WARN for its Adelanto ops, 30 jobs gone after Halloween.

Connecticut: Kaman Aerospace/Composites issued a shutdown WARN for its Bloomfield location, 40 jobs gone starting in November.

Florida: Transdev On Demand issued a WARN for its Saint Petersburg location, 39 jobs gone by November.

Indiana: What automotive industry recovery? California based Vance & Hines eliminating 70 jobs at its motorcycle parts factory in Brownburg, by Xmas.  The company said it was moving production elsewhere but didn’t say where.  Harman Professional-Crown International laying off 115 audio equipment makers in Elkhart by June 2018, as part of consolidation operations!  Matthews International’s killed 40 jobs at its casket factory in Aurora, as part of its take-over of Aurora Casket in 2015.

Maryland: Triumph Thermal Systems-Electronics Control eliminating 96 jobs between December 2017 and August 2018.  Lutech Resources suddenly eliminated 36 jobs back in August.  McArdle Printing  eliminated 77 jobs.  What housing construction industry recovery? Fibrwrap Construction Services eliminating 31 jobs.

Massachusetts: Turners Falls Paper Company-Southworth Paper shutdown two aged mills without warning at the end of August, at least 120 people suddenly unemployed and without final paychecks!  By the end September the company finally filed for bankruptcy, and the employees filed a lawsuit.

Michigan: What automotive industry recovery? Reports say that a worker strike at one of General Motor’s (GM) Canadian factories will result in layoffs at its parts factory in Flint.

Missouri: Venator (Huntsman Pigments & Additives) shutting down its factory in Lemay, 50 jobs lost to consolidation operations. 

New York: Ever wonder who makes those public toilet partitions? After 66 years of guarding your privacy in the loo Knickerbocker Partition suddenly sold-out to a competitor, 58 jobs gone by December.   In Batavia, shoe maker P.W. Minor eliminated at least 18 jobs in an attempt “to remain solvent”, the company president claims he’s been spending his personal money to keep the shoe factory running.   Remington Arms suddenly laid off 55 people in Ilion “due to market turndown, industry-wide”.  Local news media say it’s the second round of layoffs this year for the gun maker.  Trump’s favorite HVAC company Carrier eliminating an unspecified number of jobs at its research ops in Dewitt.  Cascades Containerboard Packaging issued a shutdown WARN for its Maspeth location, 148 jobs gone between November 2017 and December 2018!

North Carolina: What housing construction industry recovery?  British empire Australia based BlueScope Buildings North America suddenly shutdown its factory in Laurinburg, despite recently getting taxpayer incentives to expand, 76 jobs gone due to consolidation ops caused by low sales.

Ohio:  What automotive industry recovery?  Ford is extending its furlough (temporary layoff) of 140 people involved with F-650, F-750 production due to continued low sales!  The new owners of automotive liquids/paint can maker Bway shutting down its factory in Hubbard, at least 55 jobs gone in November, no reason given.

Oklahoma: Samson Resources II issued a shutdown WARN for its Samson Lone Star ops in Longview, 60 jobs gone by Xmas.   Crosby Group suddenly laid off 51 people as a “result of the sale of the facility and related assets”.

Oregon: Corporate shoe maker (now a suspect in basketball corruption) Nike continues a new round of layoffs as part of its plan to kill 1-thousand-4-hundred jobs: “In June 2017, we announced that we will be shifting to the Consumer Direct Offense, a new company alignment that allows Nike to better serve the consumer personally, at scale. As part of that restructuring, Nike undertook workforce reductions in July and is now implementing an additional round of workforce separations.”

Pennsylvania:   Dura-Bond eliminating 180 jobs at its steel factory in Steelton, blaming it on cheap steel imported from India and Canada, as well as crashing demand for steel pipes for the oil industry!  Venator (Huntsman Pigments & Additives) shutting down its factory in Easton, 80 jobs lost to consolidation ops.  Supposedly employee owned paper maker Appvion (Appleton Papers) outsourcing its distribution ops to a cheapo paying contractor.

Tennessee:  What automotive industry recovery?  General Motors (GM) furloughing at least 280 people at its mid-sized SUV factory in Spring Hill, due to crashing sales!  Local news media reported that the affected third shift at the factory normally employs 1-thousand people!  The local news report did not indicate if this was in connection to the GM worker strike in Canada, other reports say that the worker strike at one of General Motor’s (GM) Canadian factories will result in layoffs at its engine parts factory in Spring Hill.  Caterpillar shutting down its assembly line in Dyersburg, affecting 155 jobs at two locations!

Texas:  Maker of work clothes Ironclad Performance Wear now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale.  In Beaumont, industrial construction company CB&I blaming Hurricane Harvey for forcing it to end 455 local jobs!  Damage to the factory by Harvey is such that production has to be moved elsewhere.  Fluor Enterprises suddenly laid off 274 people from its M&G Resins factory, apparently on temporary orders from M&G Chemicals!  Offshore oil driller Seadrill now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  It’s biggest creditor, Germany’s Deutsche Bank, is owed $1.74-billion USD.

Washington: Turners Falls Paper Company-Southworth Paper, the 178 years old paper maker that shutdown its Seattle greeting card maker Madison Park Group without warning or final paychecks last month, finally filed for bankruptcy protection.  30 jobs were suddenly killed.  According to court documents the company administrators asked the federal court to use what remaining assets there are to pay the former employees their back-due wages.  Associated Materials issued a shutdown WARN for its Bothell location, 87 jobs gone after Thanksgiving.   Boeing issued yet more layoff WARNs for Puget Sound, 18 jobs gone by Thanksgiving.

West Virginia:  ERP Environmental Fund laid off 59 coal miners in Marion County, blaming the ‘market’ and the condition of the mine.

Wisconsin: Supposedly employee owned paper maker Appvion (Appleton Papers) outsourcing its warehouse ops in Appleton to a cheapo paying contractor.  Pioneer Metal Finishing shutting down its ops in Oshkosh, 52 jobs gone in time for Thanksgiving due to consolidation to other U.S. and Mexican factories.  Ryder shutting down its fleet service ops in Beaver Dam, 1-hundred jobs gone in time for Xmas!

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, August 2017: “GUT-WRENCHING DECISIONS” 

“remorseful”: Sears Kmart death spiral, September 2017

TorontoStar: Sears Canada adds more stores to its shutdown list

Sears Canada refused to file required “unaudited interim financial statements” to the bankruptcy court, no reason was given.  This means Sears Canada stocks will be ‘delisted’ by the Ontario Securities Commission.

Also in Canada, a First Nations woman says she was racially profiled by employees of the Sears store in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She says they accused her of planning to shoplift and told her to leave the store.  Sears Canada officially backs the store’s claim that she was about to steal from them.

NJ.com: What happens when the Sears you bought your appliance from shuts down, and then that appliance blows up?

In the U.S., Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores reported a 2nd Quarter loss of $29.4-million USD.

In Connecticut, a homeless Sears employee was charged with stealing just under $1,500 USD in cash, and some clothing, from the Manchester Sears, over a two months period: “Rick stated he has been homeless for several years and needed cash to buy food for himself and gas for his vehicle to get to and from work. Rick appeared remorseful and offered to pay Sears for the items and cash he stole.”-Ricardo Tavares, Manchester police

  Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears-Kmart store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011:

Alabama: Athens and Tuscaloosa Kmarts in October 2017. Dothan and Muscle Shoals Kmarts.  Taxpayers in the city of Oxford could become the new owners of the vacant Sears store in the Quintard Mall.  Oxford mayor Alton Craft loves the plan, but admitted to local news media “We don’t know exactly what the plan is yet.”  But wait there’s more!  Oxford city council already approved the purchase of the dead Sears, and then in anticipation of competition passed a new law restricting the number of yard sales cash strapped taxpaying residents can have (and requiring a yard sale permit)! Reports that the Pell City Kmart will shutdown.  Taxpayers in the city of Oxford forced to pay for the former Sears building at the Quintard Mall.  The mayor of Oxford recently announced that in an effort to save the local economy they’re willing to buy the property, which has been up for sale since November 2016.   38 years old Florence Sears store and Auto Center shutdown in April 2017.  Jasper Mall Kmart.  Phenix City Kmart on US 280. Sears Hometown Store in Prattville shutting down in January 2017.   The Madison Square Mall Sears store & Auto Center shutdown in January 2017, but only because the leaders of Huntsville want to redevelop the mall property. Supposedly a new, and much smaller, contractor operated Sears appliance only store will be part of the mall redevelopment.  Taxpayers of Huntsville are expected to spend at least $12-million USD on the redevelopment!  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Cullman is shutting down.   27 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  After 16 years the Troy Sears Hometown Store suddenly shutdown, the contracted owners said they couldn’t find anybody willing to take over the contract. Oxford Sears (local news reports said the Oxford Sears opened in 1985 with 225 employees!), Birmingham Kmart on Chalkville Mountain, Decatur Kmart on Beltline Road, Homewood Kmart, Mobile Kmart on Z Schillingers Road. The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost in June 2016. City leaders of Anniston have agreed to fork over $3-million precious local tax dollars to fund the re-development of an abandoned Kmart. Prattville Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 70 jobs lost. Florence Kmart in March, 64 jobs lost in 2016. A local news report said the employees knew nothing about it and were shocked to hear it from the news media! Dothan Kmart (south side of Ross Clark Circle) shutting down in March, 56 jobs lost in 2016. Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), Birmingham Eastwood Kmart (70 jobs lost), Decatur Mall Sears (91 jobs lost), Fort Payne Kmart, Northport Kmart (68 jobs lost), Dothan Sears (68 jobs lost), Huntsville Kmart (73 jobs lost), Sears Store and Auto Center at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile (more than 100 jobs lost).

Alaska: The Anchorage Sears Store & Auto Center, the Wasilla Sears Store, the Fairbanks Sears Store & Auto Center made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.

Arkansas: Little Rock Kmart. Jonesboro Sears store. 17 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Sears store and Auto Center in Pine Bluff shutting down in August 2016. Little Rock Sears shutdown in July 2016.

Arizona: The Mesa Kmart shutting down in time for Thanksgiving.  Kingman Kmart and a Phoenix Kmart in October 2017.  Bullhead City Kmart. In Tucson, Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth says it will shutdown and lease out half of the floor space in the Park Place Sears store.   Sierra Vista Kmart shutting down in December 2016. 42 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Nogales Kmart shutdown by July 2016, despite the fact that it’s a profit making store (many of its cash paying customers cross the border from Mexico). The Prescott Valley Kmart shutdown April 2016. No word on how many jobs lost, but one employee was quoted by local news as saying “Walmart won.” Reports that the Glendale Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors. Recently revealed Arrowhead Towne Center Sears sold-off then rented back! Chandler Fashion Center Sears sold-off then rented back!

California: Kmarts in Valencia, Jackson/Martell, Bellflower and Hesperia (where I attended junior and senior high school) shutting down mid-November.   Sears Holdings sold its store and Auto Center at the northeast end of South Coast Plaza to the owners of the plaza.  the selling price was not disclosed. When asked if the Sears store and Auto Center were shutting down South Coast Plaza owners stated “We look forward to continuing that relationship with Sears…”  It’s been revealed that Sears Holdings notified Bishop Police that local Kmart employees had stolen at least $50-thousand USD worth of merchandise in the past few months.  After police investigated six people were arrested.   In Costa Mesa, the upscale South Coast Plaza mall bought the 50 years old Sears store for $187-million USD, local news media said the mall owners refused to say what their plans are for the still active store.  More proof the shutdowns are part of a REIT conspiracy; the new property owner of the land currently occupied by the Santa Rosa Kmart revealed plans to city officials to force the still active Kmart to shutdown!  Eureka Kmart and a Riverside Kmart, 116 jobs lost in October 2017!   By September 2017 the 29 years old Chico Sears store, Blyth Kmart, a Sacramento Kmart, Manteca Kmart, the Sears store on La Jolla Village Drive in San Diego, the Sears Hometown Store in Oroville, all resulting in at least 4-hundred jobs lost!  San Louis Obispo Sears shutting down in July, after 89 years of local sales. Local news media asked one resident why she thought they were shutting down and she replied “I just went in there and they don’t have crap!”  The Chico Sears Auto Center shutdown in May 2017.  When asked about Sears Holdings’ claim that displaced workers can get work at other Sears-Kmarts, Rhonda Shaffer, the manager of the Chico location, told local news media “The other stores are full up. There’s nowhere for them to go.”  The last Kmart in Anaheim (home city to Disneyland) is shutdown.  The Westfield University Towne Center Sears in San Diego shutdown.  WARN filings revealed the Sears Hometown store in San Leandro shutdown at the end of December 2016, and the historic Santa Monica Sears shutdown, 80 jobs lost in April 2017.  In North Hollywood, local news media reporting that a very profitable Sears store suddenly began a ‘remodeling’ project by ripping up the flooring.  Loyal, and apparently plentiful, customers were afraid the store was being shutdown.  But Sears reps told the local press that they are making improvements as the store because “This store is a very successful store for Sears. We are very busy and very profitable.”  In Carson, the Southbay Pavillion Sears shutting down, 105 jobs lost by July 2017! Santa Cruz Sears Auto Center. The old Santa Monica Sears store on Colorado Boulevard shutdown in April 2017 due to the property being sold to a developer. Carson Town Center Kmart (supposedly the last Kmart in the South Bay area), local news reports say the building is being chopped up into smaller retail shops, one third of which has already been leased to a restaurant.  Bakersfield Kmart, Coalinga Kmart, Kingsburg Kmart. Taxpayers in the city of Covina forced to pay to re-develop a former Kmart property into a housing project and bus terminal!  A Kmart near the UC-Riverside campus shutdown in March 2017.   The Town & Country Center Kmart in Indio shutdown right before Xmas 2016. The GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Bakersfield Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  Fontana Kmart, 133 jobs gone before Xmas 2016!  Another Los Angeles Kmart, 234 jobs gone right before Xmas 2016!  233 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!!!  Sears Holdings shutdown a Los Angeles Kmart, 132 jobs lost in May 2016! Dinuba Kmart 68 jobs lost, Lodi Kmart, Tulare Kmart, Wasco Kmart. Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is renting out half of three Sears stores; one in Roseville, one in Citrus Heights and one in Sacramento. Supposedly Sears will continue its operations in the other half of the buildings. On 10 March the Garden Center roof of the Santa Rosa Kmart collapsed during a rain storm. Fire inspectors said the roof was already compromised due to dry rot before the rain storm, a local news reporter said managers knew about the condition of the roof because it was sagging, and they called in contractors. The contractors tried to prop up the roof before the rain storm hit. Anaheim Kmart on Katella Avenue shutdown, 107 jobs lost in March 2016! The Chula Vista Kmart, San Mateo Sears and Citrus Heights Kmart shutdown between March and April 2016, a total of 3-hundred jobs lost! El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”

Two San Diego Sears (more than 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart, Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost), Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!), Rancho Cordova Kmart (97 jobs lost), San Clemente Kmart/Sears/Kmart on Camino de Estrella (58 jobs lost), placed on an official hit list in 2011 the Oceanside Kmart on College Boulevard finally being shut down, Banning Kmart (91 jobs lost) recently revealed that Sears Holdings is still paying rent on the abandoned property, Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears repair center (75 jobs lost), San Mateo Kmart (82 jobs lost to an apartment building connected to public transportation), Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT, no word on if the Kmart will be shutdown. Customers complain that the Kmart employees have a bad attitude, gee I wonder why? Yuba City Kmart (63 jobs lost), Rocklin Kmart (at least 63 jobs lost, the store had just posted “Now Hiring” signs), San Leandro Kmart (102 jobs lost), San Jose Mercury News says the El Centro Kmart to shutdown in January, the website Foursquare says the Covina Kmart is now shutdown (other sources say it will shutdown in December), Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (98 jobs lost), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers), Westfield Topanga Sears (122 jobs lost), it looks like the Blythe Kmart is being slowly shutdown despite denial by Sears Holdings. San Mateo Kmart being demolished to make room for 599 unit apartment complex, as part of the the Hayward Park Caltrain Station project. Atwater Kmart (74 jobs lost), Los Banos Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Colorado: The Aurora and Englewood Kmarts shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The last Denver Kmart. Grand Junction Kmart. The Craig Kmart shutdown, about 30 jobs lost a couple weeks before Xmas 2016.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Thornton is shutting down. 40 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost), Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost), Denver-Cherry Creek North Sears store & Auto Center (66 jobs lost).

Connecticut: The Southbury Kmart by thanksgiving 2017.  Enfield Sears store. Cromwell Kmart shutdown by April 2017. 113 jobs lost as the West Hartford GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Sears store and Auto Center shutdown by the end of January 2017!  Local news media pointed out that every remaining Sears and Kmart store in the state is on the new Sears Holdings Real Estate “opportunities” list! Putnam Kmart. Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (employees say the shutdown was a surprise, I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (at least 13 jobs lost).

Delaware: Seven Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), Claymont Kmart (87 jobs lost).

Florida: North Miami Beach Kmart shutting down right before Xmas.  A Kmart in Miami, Tampa, Hudson and Lakeland by October 2017. Sears Outlet in East Naples suddenly shutdown at the end of June 2017: “That’s the end of the game. I’m out of work.”-Allan Stearns, former employee

Sears store on South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota by September 2017.    Sears will not renew the lease on a massive warehouse in Jacksonville.  The lease expires at the beginning of 2018, the $28.8-million USD warehouse was built specifically for Sears in 2008, it’s considered the largest warehouse in Florida.  Hialeah Kmart shutting down, about 67 jobs lost by mid-July.  Aventura Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth, who owns the property.  Seritage Growth will re-develop the property into smaller retail spaces, 118 jobs lost by the end of July 2017!  The property that the Milton Kmart (on US90) sits on is now for sale. The California based owner says he is not going to wait for Sears Holdings to shut the Kmart down, he’s selling the property while there is still an active Kmart on it.   Volusia Mall Sears Auto Center sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years. Lake Wales Sears store. Fort Myers McGregor Point Shopping Center Kmart.  Fort Pierce Kmart on Federal Highway. Sarasota Kmart on North Beneva Road. Port Charlotte Kmart on Cochran. Jacksonville Kmart on Normandy Village Parkway (local news reports say it’s the last Kmart in the city). Kissimmee Kmart on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. Naples Kmart on Golden Gate Highway. Palatka Kmart on Town & Country Drive.  It’s been revealed that Santa Rosa County School District is spending $1.45-million tax dollars to buy a property now owned by Sears Holdings (via Kmart)! The sale of the property is delayed because only now has it been revealed that Kmart is the new owner of the former Food World property!   The GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Pembroke Pines Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  WARNs issued for the Saint Petersburg Sears store and Auto Center, 126 jobs gone by the end of January 2017!  173 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!!   In Orlando, the 50 years old Fashion Square Mall Sears & Auto Center shutting down, 101 jobs lost by mid-November! Inverness Sears Hometown suddenly shutdown due to disagreements with the landlord. Jacksonville Sears. Mandarin (Jacksonville) Kmart, Neptune Beach Kmart and Perry Kmart shutting down between July-September. The Lutz Kmart shutdown March 2016, 62 jobs lost. The 46 years old Daytona Beach Kmart, on International Speedway Boulevard, is shutdown mid-March 2016, 86 jobs lost. Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart, Panama City Beach Kmart (54 jobs lost), Winter Park Kmart (100 jobs lost), Niceville Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winter Haven Kmart (92 jobs lost), Palm Bay Kmart, Oakland Park Kmart (112 jobs lost), Clearwater Sears Auto Center (21 jobs lost), Zephyrhills Kmart (70 jobs lost), Winter Springs Kmart (69 jobs lost), Naples Kmart (72 jobs lost), New Port Richey Kmart (58 jobs lost), ‘redevelopment’ of Aventura Sears & Auto Center into an “open-air village” (unknown how many jobs affected), Kmart on Northeast 108 Street being annexed by Miami Shores, Sears Holdings threatens to shutdown Kmart as a result of higher local taxes. The property that’s home to an operating Kmart, on South Green Bay Road in Racine, was foreclosed by the local Sheriff and sold-off for $2.5-million, no word on what the new property owner will do with it. Fort Myers Kmart (67 jobs lost). Dicks Sportings Goods subleasing space in an existing Sears store in Palm Beach Gardens.

Georgia: The Mableton Kmart, 90 jobs gone right before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, 2017.  Columbus and Douglas Kmarts in October 2017.   The Dalton Sears store, Fort Oglethorpe Kmart, Calhoun Kmart by September 2017.  Local news media reported that the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority essentially said the state’s bad economy is to blame.  A Savannah Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Cornelia Kmart, Kingsland Kmart, Albany Sears, Columbus Sears. Yet another Augusta Kmart shutting down, this time the one on Deans Bridge Road.  63 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! The 23 years old Rome Kmart shutdown in August 2016, 1-hundred jobs lost! Administrators say employees can apply at other Sears Holdings stores, but local news reports say the Rome Kmart is the last Sears Holdings store in the area! The 37 years old Carrollton Kmart shutdown April 2016. Dublin Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 71 jobs lost. Milledgeville Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 60+ jobs lost. Mount Berry Square Mall (Rome) Sears and Auto Center shutting down in March 2016, 86 jobs lost. Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost), one of the last two North Augusta Kmart to be torn down by new property owner from Canada, Sears Holdings denies the Kmart will shutdown.

Guam: Tamuning Kmart made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Local news media reporting that the last remaining Kmart on Oahu will shutdown in October.  Officially the Kapolei Kmart is shutting down because it’s “unprofitable” but KHON interviewed a real estate analysts who confirmed what I’ve been saying since 2012, it’s a REIT conspiracy“Smaller stores will be coming and the bigger stores will go away…”-Stephany Sofos

Kahului Kmart shutting down, 125 jobs lost by mid-June!  Don’t blame the internet, the store manager told local news media that ever since a Target opened nearby sales have declined by 50%.  Honolulu Kmart near Aloha Stadium (on Salt Lake Boulevard) shutdown mid-March 2017.  14 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Iconic 25 years old Nimitz HWY Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart shutdown in March 2016, 141 jobs lost! Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost! GGP spending $573-million chopping it up into smaller store spaces), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Idaho: In Lewiston, the Sears Hometown is for sale because the franchise owners say they can’t afford to renew the license to operate it.  Coeur d’Alene Kmart in October 2017.  Lewiston Kmart, Boise Town Square Mall Sears Store & Auto Center, Boise Kmart Auto Center, the Nampa Kmart Store & Auto Center, the Coeur d’Alene Sears Store & Auto Center, the Twin Falls Sears Store & Auto Center and Kmart, the Ammon Kmart, the Idaho Falls Sears Store & Auto Center, the abandoned but still owned by Sears Holdings Chubbuck (the“opportunities” listing incorrectly says Pocatello) Sears Store (esentially all remaining Sears & Kmarts in Idaho) made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Boise Kmart on Fairview shutdown mid-March 2016, 56 jobs lost. Pocatello Kmart shutdown April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears shutdown by the end of October/beginning of November 2014 (the remaining 28 jobs lost).

Illinois: Kmarts in Oaklawn, Elmhurst and Belleville right before Thanksgiving 2017.  Sears operations in Peru between July and October 2017.  The Peoria Oakbrook Center Sears store shutting down in September 2017.  It will be reduced in size to about 30% of its current proportions, the remaining space will be leased out.  Then the Oakbrook Center Sears Auto Center will shutdown in March 2018.  Bloomingdale Kmart, 96 jobs lost in July 2017.  The Sears store on North Harlem Avenue in Chicago.   Associated Press reporting that Sears Holdings eliminated 4-hundred corporate level jobs!  Local news media reminded local taxpayers about the massive 2011 tax break deal ‘lawmakers’ gave Sears Holdings in order to prevent layoffs.  Chicago Sears store on West Irving Park Road listed as available for lease by Sears Holdings’ evil spawn Seritage Growth Properties.   Alton Kmart, Granite City Kmart.  $1-million USD loss as Mount Vernon Sears Hometown Store mysteriously burns to the ground.  The nine years old Sears Hometown Store in Beloit shutting down in January 2017. Du Quoin Sears Hometown Store shutting down in January 2017.  Another update for the abandoned Rock Island Kmart; looks like Augustana College found a fool to buy the Kmart property that was dumped on the college (in the form of a tax avoiding donation) and then vacated in July 2016, it was sold to a company called Rock Island KM.   The GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Oak Brook Sears store being reduced by half and the Auto Center being shutdown between 2017 & 2018.  Sears Hardware in Edwardsville shutting down right before Thanksgiving, 21 jobs lost. A local TV station reported that Sears Hardware in Collinsville is shutting down, no comment from store management.  Shutdown WARNs issued for Kmarts in Tinley Park and South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, 275 jobs gone by Xmas! News reports out of Tinley say a total of six Kmarts will shutdown by Xmas! Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties confirmed that two ‘Sears’ properties, in Chicago and Springfield, are shutting down. 116 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!!  An update for the abandoned Rock Island Kmart; the recently vacated property was ‘donated’ to Augustana College, but now college administrators are looking to sell the property to anybody foolish enough to buy it. The real reason the college is trying to dump the vacant Kmart is that the property tax is about $92-thousand per year, indicating the ‘donation’ was actually a screw-job (lets not forget that local news media pointed out that city officials spent $15-million tax dollars attracting Walmart to town, but spent zilch on trying to keep Kmart from leaving!). The Kmart Super Center in Bradley shutdown, 125 jobs lost! Sears Holdings sold the building to Meijer, unconfirmed reports say the Bradley Kmart Super Center (which has a full grocery op) was actually making money. After 90 years Chicago Sears on Lawrence Avenue shutting down by August 2016, local news says its the oldest Sears store still operating. The last Decatur Kmart shutting down by August 2016, 61 jobs lost, administrators say employees can apply at other Sears Holdings stores, but local news reports say there are no more Sears Holdings stores in the immediate area! Chicago Kmart on South Pulaski. Danville Kmart, Galesburg Kmart, Lansing Kmart, Pekin Kmart, Eddie Lampert eliminated 401 Hoffman Estates HQ jobs due to crappy 2015 holiday sales! 151 of those jobs were already vacant. Morton ‘green’ Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Canton Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 38 jobs lost. Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost?) revealed is now a perpetual closing sale Kmart At A Discount store, Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost), White Lake Township Kmart (42 jobs lost), Orland Park Sears Appliance, Collinsville Kmart (84 jobs lost), Crystal Lake Kmart (at least 77 jobs lost), Danville Sears store & Auto Center (63 jobs lost), Forsyth Sears store & Auto Center (45 jobs lost), Peoria Kmart (73 jobs lost), Forest Park Kmart (107 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North and Harlem avenues, supposedly it’s being replaced (most likely at taxpayer expense) with a new building and it will become a Sears-Mariano’s store, Bloomington Kmart (79 jobs lost), Hoffman Estates Headquarters 100 jobs eliminated, another 15 corporate jobs eliminated elsewhere, Chicago-Wicker Park Kmart (106 jobs lost), abandoned Market Place Mall Sears location to be occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. North Mayfair Kmart (99 jobs lost), Chicago Kmart at 5033 North Elston Avenue (99 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state. The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Indiana: Anderson Kmart in October 2017.  Sears operations in Clarksville, Elkhart and Schererville between July and October 2017.  Mishawaka Kmart. Sears Auto Centers at the Honey Creek Mall and the Green Tree Mall shutdown at the end of May 2017.  Chesterton Kmart, La Porte Kmart, Kokomo Sears. In Indianapolis, Sears Home Appliance Showroom on North Michigan Road and Sears Appliance & Hardware on Thompson Road shutdown in January 2017. Sears Appliance & Hardware in Fishers shutdown in January 2017.  Local news media discovered that a Sears Appliance & Hardware store in Avon quietly shutdown in October 2016.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ properties in Elkhart and Merrillville are shutting down.  A WARN revealed that 99 Kmart employees in Merrillville will lose their jobs right before Xmas.   67 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Bloomington Kmart, New Albany Kmart. Bloomington’s College Mall Sears & Auto Center shutdown mid-June 2016, at least 52 jobs lost. In Schererville, Sears Hardware shutdown in April 2016. Terre Haute Kmart April 2016, 62 jobs lost. Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost), South Anthony Kmart (70 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on South Anthony Boulevard (70 jobs lost), FairOaks Mall Kmart, Logansport Sears (43 jobs lost), Muncie Kmart (59 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on Coliseum Boulevard North (69 jobs lost), Decatur Kmart (49 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Madison Avenue (131 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Washington Street (139 jobs lost), Bedford Kmart (62 jobs lost), Indianapolis (Evansville) Sears & Auto Center at Washington Square Mall (91 jobs lost), Greenwood Kmart (78 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (68 jobs lost), Bloomington Sears to be replaced by Whole Foods grocery store.

Iowa:  Iowa City and Marshalltown Kmarts, at least 99 jobs lost by September 2017.  In Storm Lake, Sears Hometown Store shutting down by the end of July 2017. The Le Mars Sears Hometown Store shutting down by the end of July, the franchise owners said the shutdown was unexplainedly ordered by Sears Holdings: “We have downsized to no employees. We gave it the best shot… …Their [Sears Holdings] reasoning [for the shutdown], I don’t know.”-Deb Fuller, co-owner

Carroll Kmart shutting down, 46 jobs lost in July 2017.  The Council Bluffs Sears Auto Center shutdown on 27 May 2017.   In Waterloo the 48 years old Sears Auto Center shutting down by the end of May.  A Dubuque Kmart, Sioux City Kmart, Waterloo Kmart.  22 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Des Moines Southridge Mall Sears shutdown in August 2016, the store was in the process of dying anyway, only 37 employees left. Sears Holdings shutdown their West Des Moines call center in June 2016, 162 jobs lost! Ottumwa Kmart shutdown April 2016, 38 jobs lost. Cedar Rapids Kmart on 16th Ave (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year), Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost), Mason City Kmart (50 jobs lost), Clive Kmart (at least 49 jobs lost), Council Bluffs Sears store in 2012, Ames Kmart (44 jobs lost), Fort Dodge Sears (no job loss numbers made public, yet. The Auto Center was secretly shutdown in September), 56 years old Mason City Sears & Auto Center (more than 100 jobs lost). Davenport Kmart (59 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Kansas: Topeka Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.  Garden City Sears by October 2017.  Sears store on Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park.  Topeka Kmart suddenly shutdown its pharmacy ops, it was revealed by an unnamed Kmart employee who called local news media.  Topeka Sears Auto Center shutting down by the end of May.  A Wichita Kmart, Leavenworth Kmart, Salina Sears. 18 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  In El Dorado, a contracted Sears store suddenly shutdown due to Sears Holdings continually changing the contract: “We had a contract that we had to follow to a ‘T’ while they changed it at will. They changed our commission bonuses and percentages and that hurt us.”-Russ Christy, contracted Sears store operator

Hutchison Kmart. North Topeka Kmart shutting down in 2016, 49 jobs lost. Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 jobs lost), Manhattan Sears & Auto Center (number of jobs lost were never revealed).

Kentucky: Lexington and Owensboro Kmarts in October 2017.  Glascow Kmart suddenly shutdown its pharmacy,  Sears Holdings’ communications director Howard Riefs stated “prescription files and the inventory will be sold to another pharmacy”.   Jefferson Mall Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years. Corbin Kmart.  London Kmart. Hopkinsville Kmart. Bowling Green Kmart. The Georgetown BigKmart shutting down  by mid-April 2017.  Paducah Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by mid-March 2017. In Owensboro, the Kmart on West Parrish Avenue shutting down by mid-March 2017. Pikeville Kmart shutting down right before Xmas. 31 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Two Kmarts in Louisville. Elizabethtown Kmart, Maysville Kmart, Paintsville Kmart. Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart, Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!), Newport Kmart (81 jobs lost), Cannonsburg Sears and Sears Auto Center (no employee info given), Louisville Dixie Highway Kmart/Sears/Kmart shutdown and now being taken over by Kroger basically to sell the same crap the old Kmart did! Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

Louisiana: Sears operations on Johnston Street in Lafayette between mid-July and mid-September 2017.  Gonzales Kmart, a New Orleans Kmart on South Clearview Parkway, the Cortana Mall Sears, Gretna Sears. The New Iberia Kmart shutdown on 11 December 2016.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Houma shutting down. 36 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! The Bossier Kmart shutting down by August 2016. Houma Sears, Pineville Kmart. Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown, Laplace Sears Hometown Store.

Maine:  Augusta Sears shutting down. Bangor Kmart shutdown in mid-April 2017.  13 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list. Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Kmart shutting down by August 2016, more than 50 jobs lost. Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost), Aroostook Centre Mall Sears Auto Center leased out to VIP Tires & Service.

Maryland: Elkton Kmart.  Sears stores in Cockeysville and Hagerstown.  Sears Holdings sold its Bethesda Sears store to Montgomery Mall owner Westfield in a package deal worth $105-million USD. Westfield claims the Bethesda Sears will remain open. Two other Sears stores, in California, were sold to Westfield in the package deal.  Baltimore Kmart on North Point Boulevard. Eastpoint Mall Kmart, in Dundalk, shutdown mid-April 2017.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Columbia Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  54 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears rebuild & call center (115 jobs lost), Baltimore Kmart on Wabash Avenue (107 jobs lost), Parkville Kmart (102 jobs lost), California Kmart (71 jobs lost), Sears Hometown Store in Perryville.

Massachusetts: After less than seven years the Sears Hometown Store in Gloucester suddenly shutdown, however, the new owner is blaming the shutdown on the landlord who wants to jack up the rent.   Fitchburg and Springfield Kmarts in October 2017. Newburyport Kmart.  Local news media warned of the eventual shutdown of the Sears in in Springfield’s Eastfield Mall, as the mall is officially dead, the mall’s owner confirmed what I’ve been writing about (that these brick-n-mortar shutdowns are part of a REIT conspiracy) by revealing their plans to “de-mall” the mall!  Dedham Sears store paid for newspaper “store closing” advertising revealing they are shutting down, local news media pointed out there was no other announcement or notification.  South Attleboro Kmart.  The Enfield Square Mall Sears store shutdown mid-April 2017 (supposedly the Auto Center will remain open).  The Sears store and Auto Center in Swansea shutdown by mid-April 2017.  In Fairhaven, the Shaw’s Plaza BigKmart shutdown by mid-April 2017.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Natick Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  64 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Tewksbury Kmart. Fairhaven Sears Appliance & Hardware shutdown mid-April 2016. Local news reports said the ignorant employees actually thought the shutdown notice was a joke! I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News. 79 jobs lost as the Fall River Kmart shutdown in May 2016. North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost). Braintree Kmart on Grossman Drive shutdown. Also, the Braintree South Shore Plaza Sears store is renting out an entire floor to Ireland based Primark. Even with the lease to Primark there is still 4-thousand square feet of vacant space in the Sears store. The Sears at the Auburn Mall shutdown on Black Friday due to electrical fire. The store was experiencing electrical problems, an investigation is underway.

Michigan: Kmarts in Utica/Shelby, Bay City and Sandusky.  Escanaba and Monroe Kmarts in October 2017. Traverse City, West Branch and Cheboygan Kmarts. Macomb Mall Sears store in Roseville.  Livonia Kmart was shutdown by mid-April 2017.  Gaylord Sears Hometown Store suddenly shutdown.  26 years old Detroit Lakes Kmart shutdown by April 2017, despite still posting a “Now Hiring” sign!   In Garden City, the iconic first ever Kmart store in the World is shutting down on its 55th birthday, by the end of March 2017.  Lansing Kmart, Muskegon Kmart, Plymouth Kmart, Roseville Kmart, Waterford Kmart, Westland Kmart, Acme Kmart. 48 years old Grand Rapids Woodland Mall Sears, 84 jobs lost in March 2017: “We figured we were safe, so yeah, it was kind of a shock to everybody today. One guy’s been there for 20 years-plus and that’s what he knows best, hard to change from there, so I feel sorry for him.”-Marty Kruizenga, Sears Auto Center employee

Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ properties in Alpena, Manistee and Sault Saint Marie are shutting down.  WARNs filed with the state revealed that on top of the Seritage Growth shutdowns the Kmarts in Jackson, Grand Rapids, Byron Center and Fenton will also shutdown. A total of 390 Kmart jobs will be killed right before Xmas!  113 Sears and Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! The Holland Sears Appliance & Hardware shutdown, the manager of the francise store refused to say why. Plymouth Township Super Kmart shutting down in November 2017 (that’s when the lease expires), according to Plymouth’s Planning Commission, Sears Holdings is selling the property to a developer.   A Kmart on Groesbeck Highway, Clinton Township, shutdown, 82 jobs lost in October 2016. The Farmington Hills Kmart shutdown mid-July 2016, 61 jobs lost. Midland Sears, Houghton Lake Kmart, Taylor Kmart. The new owner of the Bradley Kmart shut it down in 2016. Retailer Meijer bought the Kmart property for $5-million USD. The Kmart shutdown in May, but the new Meijer store won’t be ready until 2018. The Sears and Auto Center in Fort Gratiot shutdown in mid-March, 48 jobs lost. Ironwood Kmart in mid-April, 47 jobs lost. Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials, Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Saginaw Kmart on Bay Road, Flint Kmart on Dort Highway (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (58 jobs lost), Bloomfield Township Kmart and Sears, Bad Axe Kmart (61 jobs lost), Ypsilanti Township Kmart (83 jobs lost), Petoskey Kmart (45 jobs lost), Saint John’s Kmart (48 jobs lost), White Lake Township “Store of the Future” Kmart (42 jobs lost), Grand Blanc Kmart (49 jobs lost), Lapeer Kmart (56 jobs lost), Southgate Kmart (155 jobs lost), Detroit’s Telegraph Road Kmart (115 jobs lost), Waterford Township Sears (no word on how many jobs lost), Rochester Hills Kmart (77 jobs lost), ‘perfect Kmart town’ of Port Huron Kmart (188 jobs lost), Flint Kmart on Miller Road (81 jobs lost), Burton Kmart (85 jobs lost), Madison Heights Kmart (179 jobs lost), it’s now official the last remaining Saginaw Kmart (on Gratiot Road) will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014 (Sears Holdings claims only 18 people worked there at the time of the collapse!), Ann Arbor Kmart (59 jobs lost), Iron Mountain Kmart (54 jobs lost), Bangor Township Sears aka Bay City Mall Sears, the Auto Center was already secretly shutdown some time ago (at least 47 jobs lost), Big Rapids Kmart (about 50 jobs lost). Vacant Wyandotte Sears Auto Center is being renovated at a cost to taxpayers of $1-million & 20-thousand, plus 15 years worth of tax breaks valued at $2-million! Shakopee Kmart distribution center shutdown and sold-off for $17-million in 2013, now it’s finally getting a new tenant; snowmobile and electric cart maker Polaris Industries will rent out a fraction of the building to use as their new parts warehouse. The Kmart Plaza in Sandusky sold to “A group of investors”, no word on what will happen to the Kmart store.

Minnesota:   Taxpayers are about to become the new owners of an active Kmart location, but it’s more complicated that you think.  After several years and $8-million tax dollars already spent on the Nicollet Avenue South at Lake Street project the city has decided that the only way they can create a true intersection is to force Kmart to move, and the only way they can do that is to buy the property the Kmart sits on.  At this point nobody knows where the Kmart would move to (don’t be surprised if it’s shutdown).  Sears store in Burnsville and a franchised Sears in Fairmont.  The current franchise owners of the Fairmont Sears warned that other franchise stores are on the growing hit list: “Every six months, they review stores. Over the last 12 months, my store had lost too much money. They even took into consideration that before I bought the store, it wasn’t making any money at all…..”-Jennifer Bolden, co-owner

47 years old Med City Kmart is shutdown its pharmacy operations.  The Crossroads Center Sears Auto Center in Saint Cloud shutdown.  Local news media reporting that the city of Minneapolis is about to become the new landlord of the Kmart on Nicolette Avenue, at taxpayer expense of course.  It’s being blamed on the ‘re-connect’ scandal.  The $7-million USD proposal will be discussed in June.  Local news media also revealed the city made an $8-million offer to buy the Kmart on West Lake Street, last year.  Coon Rapids Sears, Mankato Sears, Detroit Lakes Kmart on Highway 10 West. After 14 years the Montevideo Sears Hometown Store shutdown by the end of January 2017.  The local owners of the franchise store says the decision by Sears Holdings to shutdown the store is also forcing them to sell their property.   GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Minnetonka Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  The Dundas Planning Commission met with CJB II Real Estate to discuss the future of the abandoned Kmart.  ‘Elected’ leaders expressed a willingness to throw $100-thousand tax dollars at the redevelopment project. The Dundas Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 32 jobs lost.   West Saint Paul Kmart shutting down by Xmas.  32 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  The 40 years old Eden Prairie Center Sears store shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Eddie Lampert sold the store to the mall owner for $16-million! The owner of the mall wants to carve up the Sears into smaller stores. Thunderbird Mall Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 48 jobs lost. Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost), the entire Sears store in the Apache Mall being sold off, Fergus Falls Kmart (40 jobs lost), Fergus Falls Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Alexandria Kmart (46 jobs lost), Grand Rapids Kmart (61 jobs lost), Seritage is selling off three Sears Auto Centers in Minnetonka, Brooklyn Center and Saint Paul, Marshall Kmart (57 jobs lost), Oakdale Kmart (77 hourly wage employees losing their jobs, unknown how many salaried employees will become unemployed), Winona Kmart (67 jobs lost), Minneapolis city officials trying to shutdown profit making Nicollet Avenue Kmart, to make way for a new road. Anoka Kmart (47 jobs lost), Blaine Kmart (60 jobs lost), Burnsville Kmart (62 jobs lost), Waite Park Kmart (57 jobs lost), Northeast Minneapolis Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale, Coon Rapids Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale.

Mississippi: Biloxi Sears.  14 Kmart & Sears properties made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Corinth Kmart. The 44 years old Greenville Kmart shutdown in April, no word on job losses. Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Gulfport Kmart (32 jobs lost), Pass Road Gulfport Kmart (52 jobs lost), Pascagoula Sears at the Singing River Mall, Olive Branch distribution center (unknown how many jobs lost).

Missouri: 44 years old Kansas City Sears store on Antioch Road shutting down in July 2017.  The Sears Auto Center in Cape Girardeau shutdown on 27 May 2017 (Happy B-day to me!). The 20 years old Independence Kmart on Noland Road shutdown.  Saint Joseph Sears, Branson Kmart, Jefferson Kmart & Sears, Rolla Kmart, a Springfield Kmart, a Saint Louis Kmart.  48 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Bridgeton Kmart, Springfield Kmart. Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost), Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost), Springfield Kmart on South Campbell Avenue (60 jobs lost), South Belt Kmart (64 jobs lost), Florissant Kmart (100 jobs lost), O’Fallon Kmart (76 jobs lost).

Montana: The Sears Hometown Store in Great Falls suddenly shutdown, it was discovered by customers who tried to pick-up already paid for appliances, local news media has so far been unable to get a comment from the store manager or Sears Holdings, three days later the franchised store re-opened with the explanation that it was now being operated directly by Sears Holdings.   Glendive and Great Falls Kmarts in October 2017.  The Hamilton Kmart, Havre Kmart, Helena Kmart, Glendive Kmart, Billings Sears Store & Auto Center, Butte Kmart, Great Falls Kmart Store & Auto Center, Kalispell Kmart Store & Auto Center (essentially all remaining stores) made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Billings Kmart. Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost), Great Falls Kmart (closed “until further notice” due to fire, 63 jobs on hold), Great Falls Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost) due to great sales (ironically) the shutdown date has been moved from 07 December 2014 to 23 November, Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost), Missoula Sears store and Auto Center (57 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Seritage Growth Properties says its Kmart property in Kearney is shutting down by Xmas.  Six Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  40 years old Hastings Kmart. Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost), Omaha Kmart near West Maple Road (50 jobs lost).

Nevada: Another Las Vegas Kmart (East Sahara Avenue) in October 2017.  Las Vegas (East Sunset Road), Henderson and Sparks Kmarts.  Henderson Kmart.  22 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Sparks Kmart distribution center (100 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Claremont losing their Sears Hometown, not because it’s shutting down, it’s moving to the town of Newport! Upper Valley Mall Sears in West Lebanon.  23 Kmart & Sears properties made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost), Claremont Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Kmarts in Moorestown and Parsippany shutting down mid-November.   Manahawkin and Mantua Kmarts, the Watchung (126 jobs lost) and Vineland Sears shutting down by September 2017.  Sears Holdings-Seritage Growth are tearing down the Watchung Sears store and Auto Center.  The Auto Center space has already been leased to Cinemark and the Sears store will be chopped up into smaller retail spaces.  Rio Grande Kmart, Clementon Kmart, East Brunswick Kmart, Pleasantville Kmart.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Paramus Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”. 53 Kmart and Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Nearly one acre of the Rockaway Townsquare Mall Sears (which is still in operation) is now rented out to a furniture dealer. Lodi Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 75 jobs lost. Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost), Randolf Kmart (91 jobs lost), Paramus Kmart (74 jobs lost), Closter Kmart (102 jobs lost), Vineland Kmart (74 jobs lost). After 18 years Sears Holdings shutdown their Roselle Sears Hardware store due to “landlord issues”.

New Mexico: Las Cruses and Alamogordo Kmarts.  Santa Fe Sears Auto Center shutting down in June and the Santa Fe Sears store shutting down in July 2017, local news media reported that employees were threatened by Sears Holdings not to talk to news media.  Alamogordo Sears shutting down by June 2017.  Roswell Sears shutting down.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Albuquerque Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Deming is shutting down.  21 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Back in May local news reports said the Artesia Kmart was shutting down, in July Sears Holdings finally confirmed it. Albuquerque’s Coronado Center Sears suddenly shutdown their Auto Center, and will reduce the size of the main store by 50% within two months. Sears goon Howard Riefs stated “We will rightsize the labor…”, but gave no numbers. The ‘rightsizing’ of the Coronado Center store is in partnership with one of my evil former employers, mall owner GGP. SearsLas Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: In Johnson City the decades old Oakdale Mall Sears store shutdown (the Auto Center shutdown in July).   Kmarts in Rochester(Chili), Victor and Vails Gate(New Windsor) shutting down mid-November.  Herkimer Kmart, 46 jobs lost mid-October 2017. Liverpool, Malone, Cortland, Olean and Watertown Kmarts, more than 300 jobs lost by September 2017! Webster Kmart, 62 jobs lost by the end of July 2017.  New Dorp-Staten Island Kmart (in the Hylan Plaza) shutting down, 164 jobs lost by mid-July!  Local news reports say the property is being redeveloped into a $150-million USD “multi-level shopping complex”. Gee, didn’t they used to call multi-level shopping complexes a ‘Mall’?  (in 2012 I warned that all these store shutdowns were part of a False Flag operation by Real Estate Investment Trusts: ALL PART OF REIT PLAN TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP, AND THEY BLAME YOU THE SHOPPER!)  The massive Rego Park Center Sears shutting down, 2-hundred jobs lost starting the first week of April 2017!  In Wallkill, the Galleria at Crystal Run Sears store and Auto Center shutting down, 96 jobs lost starting the first week of April 2017.  New Hartford Kmart. In Cheektowaga, the Walden Galleria Sears store and Auto Center shutting down, 76 jobs lost starting the first week of April 2017.  In Amherst, the Sears store and Auto Center shutting down, 105 jobs lost by April 2017! In Syracuse, after four years the Sears Outlet store in the Destiny USA mall is shutting down.  The Queensbury Super Kmart is being reduced to just a Kmart, ending 24 hour grocery sales by January 2017.  Shutdown WARN issued for the Binghamton Kmart, 69 jobs gone by Xmas. Shutdown WARN issued for the Cheektowaga Kmart, 101 jobs gone by Xmas!  The second level of the GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Staten Island Sears shutting down right before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, 44 jobs killed, it’s been leased to Ireland’s clothier Primark. 104 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! The 50 years old Sears Auto Center in the Colonie Center Mall shutdown by Sears Holdings subsidiary Seritage Growth Properties, so the space could be rented out to Avis-Budget Car Rental Group. In Brooklyn, the Kings Plaza Sears shutting down, 210 jobs gone by mid-September 2016! Eddie Lampert is renting the space to a couple of European clothing retailers. Sears Holdings issued a shutdown WARN for its Plattsburgh Sears store and Auto Center, 56 jobs lost by the end of July 2016. New York Post says Sears is shutting down their NYC clothing design office, 40 jobs moved to California, another 154 jobs gone by July! Rotterdam Mall Sears and Auto Center shutting down by August 2016 (67 jobs lost). Sears Holdings issued yet another WARN, this time 75 Rochester Kmart employees losing their jobs by mid-July 2016. Irondequoit Sears, Plattsburgh Sears, Poughkeepsie Kmart, Rochester Kmart. Staten Island Mall Sears Auto Center shutdown in February, 20 jobs lost. Lindenhurst Sears Hardware, North Babylon Sears Hardware, Hauppauge Sears Hardware, Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost) now revealed to be turned into a Town Center with more than 200 apartments at an estimated cost of $50-million, Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost), Tonawanda Sears Appliance and Hardware, Bronx Sears (91 jobs lost), BBN reader reported that the Ithaca Sears and Auto Center shutdown and one month later it’s been officially confirmed (at least 37 jobs lost), DeWitt Kmart (92 jobs lost), Auburn Sears (51 jobs lost), Massena Sears and Auto Center (51 jobs lost), Staten Island Mall Sears leased out to Ireland’s Primark, Bay Shore Sears and Sears Auto Center (144 jobs lost), New Hartford (Sangertown Mall) Sears & Auto Center (109 jobs lost), Lancaster Kmart sold for $1.7-million to Dave’s Christmas Wonderland. Herkimer Sears Hometown, Saranac Lake Sears Hometown the ‘independent’ co-owners said Sears Holdings forced them to shutdown. Melville Appliance Repair Division (31 jobs lost).

North Carolina: Asheboro Sears. 23 years old Sears Hometown Store on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.  Surry County condemned the now vacant Kmart building at the Mayberry Mall.  The condemnation prevents the property owner from finding a new tenant, until the structural problems are fixed.  On top of that, local news media report the property owner is back due on county level property taxes.  The action by the county opens the door for use of taxpayer funding to deal with the problem.  Monroe Sears shutting down by the end of June 2017.    Cross Creek Mall Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years. Concord Kmart, Fayetteville Kmart, Goldsboro Kmart, Madison Kmart, Wilmington Kmart. High Point Sears Hometown Store shutting down after four years, 325 jobs will be lost by February 2017!  Mount Airy Kmart (in the Mayberry Mall) shutdown right before Xmas 2016.  Burlington Kmart shutting down right before Xmas, local news reports said nobody was surprised.  71 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! 40 years old Thomasville Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Brevard Kmart, Gastonia Kmart, Lumberton Kmart, Pineville Kmart, Rocky Mount Kmart. Cary Kmart (71 jobs lost), High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost), West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road, Raleigh Kmart (88 jobs lost), Garner Kmart, Cleveland County mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Charlotte Kmart (89 jobs lost), Conover Kmart (74 jobs lost), Raleigh Kmart on Capital Boulevard (53 jobs lost), High Point Kmart (71 jobs lost), Boone Kmart (41 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart (96 jobs lost), Gastonia Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Kinston Kmart (64 jobs lost), Cary Sears (66 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart distribution center (130 jobs lost), Greenville Kmart (75 jobs lost), Kinston Sears Hometown Store shutdown with little notice, Lexington Sears Hometown Store.

North Dakota: Minot Sears.  Bismarck Sears Auto Center shutdown in May 2017.  South Fargo Sears shutting down. 18 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

Ohio: Massilion Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.  A Kmart in Toledo, Dayton and Garfield Heights, more than 2-hundred jobs gone between September and October 2017!  Sears Hometown Store in the Salem Plaza, in Salem.  Wooster and Streetsboro Kmarts.  Sears operations in Mentor, Middleburg Heights and on Central Avenue in Toledo.  Toledo’s Westgate Village Sears shutting down.  Eastland Mall Sears locations in Columbus and one Sears & Auto Center in Elyria and one Sears in Franklin. Westland Mall Sears, Columbus news media reported that Sears Holdings was forcing the mall owner to payout an estimated $400-thousand USD per year in property taxes on an otherwise vacant mall.      Beavercreek (Dayton) Kmart shutting down by mid-July 2017.  Eastgate Mall Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years.  Akron Sears, Chillicothe Sears, Lancaster Sears, Richmond Heights Sears, Mount Vernon Kmart, Gallipolis Kmart, Kenton Kmart, New Boston Kmart, Clairsville Kmart, Zanesville Kmart, Reynoldsburg Kmart. The Fairborn and Springfield Kmart stores shutting down, 134 jobs gone right before Xmas!  Reports that a Knox County Kmart is shutting down its pharmacy operations.   Employees confirmed to local news media that the 21 years old Austintown Sears Appliance and Hardware will shutdown by Xmas.  Mentor Kmart shutting down by Xmas, local news reports say in the 1990s the store employed 2-hundred people!  124 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! 18 years old Defiance Sears shutting down by August 2016. Marion Sears store (the Auto Center was shutdown in 2014), Ashtabula Kmart, Eaton Kmart, Fremont Kmart, Lima Kmart, Lorain Kmart, Springboro Kmart. Englewood Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July 2016. Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June 2016. Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June 2016. 78 jobs lost as the Lancaster Kmart is shutdown in May 2016. 18 jobs lost as the Dixie Highway Sears Hardware shuts down this Friday. The 28 years old Sears and its Auto Center in New Philadelphia shutdown by mid-April 2016, 46 jobs lost. Without warning the Medina Sears Appliance & Hardware Store shutdown. Warren Kmart on Parkman Road NW shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. Zanesville Kmart shutdown mid-April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Steubenville Kmart shutdown by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Boardman Kmart by April 2016, 81 jobs lost. Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard, London Kmart (no word on number of jobs lost), Trotwood Sears (67 jobs lost), Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost), Xenia Kmart (at least 57 jobs lost), Norwalk Kmart (52 jobs lost), Blue Ash Kmart (77 jobs lost), Northwood Sears at Woodville Mall (36 jobs lost), Conneaut Kmart (43 jobs lost), Anderson Township Kmart (71 jobs lost), Brooklyn Kmart (200 jobs lost), Columbus Lockbourne Industrial Parkway Sears distribution center (200 jobs lost), also in Columbus, Sears Product Rebuild-Call Center (112 jobs lost), Marion Sears Auto Center (at least nine jobs lost), Springfield Kmart #3767 (68 jobs lost), Fairborn Kmart (66 jobs lost), Solon Sears & Auto Center (at least 53 jobs lost), Tiffin Sears Hometown Store. Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location. Fairlawn Sears Appliance & Hardware, Macedonia Sears Appliance & Hardware, Lorain Sears Appliance & Hardware, Elyria Sears Appliance & Hardware, North Olmsted Sears Appliance & Hardware, Sheffield Village Sears Appliance & Hardware, Akron Sears Appliance & Hardware.

Oklahoma:  Bartlesville and Shawnee Kmarts in October 2017,  local news media said store managers refused to say how many people will lose their jobs.  Midwest City Sears & Auto Center (according to local news reports the Heritage Park Mall, where Sears is located, is “already-dead” as it officially shutdown in 2010) and the last Kmart in Tulsa.   Muskogee Kmart, Lawton Sears.  In Tulsa the Sears store on 21st Street and Yale shutting down mid-April 2017, supposedly (according to news reports) the Auto Center will remain open.  GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Norman Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.  23 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants), Shawnee Sears (31 jobs lost), Sand Springs Kmart (52 jobs lost), Muskogee Sears store and Auto Center (60 jobs lost in November 2014), Enid Sears and Auto Center (at least 38 jobs lost), Tulsa BigKmart (51 jobs lost).

Oregon: Salem Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.   Roseburg Kmart shutting down in September 2017.  Local news reports revealed the Lloyd Center Sears store was sold and will shutdown sometime in the future, the space will be re-purposed into smaller storefronts.  23 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  A Blind Bat News reader warning that the Beaverton Kmart has replaced its permanent signage with temporary ones, and the store is looking empty. There’s been no public reports of the store shutting down. Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), Bend Sears (48 jobs lost), Klamath Falls Kmart (64 jobs lost), Albany Kmart (64 jobs lost), Portland Sears Homes Services (no notice), Albany Sears (57 jobs lost), in October a BBN reader warned that Oregon City Kmart was being quietly shutdown, confirmed on 06 November 2014 by Sears Holdings (70 jobs lost). Ontario Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Kmarts in Allentown and Willow Grove shutting down mid-November.  Erie Kmart in October 2017.  Sears operations in Cranberry between July and October 2017.  Butler, Belle Vernon, Indiana and Springettsbury Township Kmarts.   The East End Centre Sears Outlet store in Wilkes-Barreand the Sears Outlet in Phoenixville, were both shutdown without warning on 23 JUN 2017.  Dickson City-Scranton Kmart shutting down by the end of July 2017.   Bensalem and Feasterville-Trevose (Lower Southampton) Kmarts are shutting down.  In Moon Township, local news media discovered the Moon Kmart property is under new management; Union Real Estate.  A Union Real Estate agent admitted that they are conducting “exploratory work” to sell the property for redevelopment, but insists that until then the Kmart will remain open.  Bald Eagle Township (Mill Hall) Kmart is shutting down by mid-June, when the lease expires. Local news reports say in 2003 a public campaign stopped plans to shutdown the Kmart then, but that was before Kmart and Sears were merged by Eddie Lampert.  Meadville Kmart is shutting down by mid-July 2017.  Kmart in East Stroudsburg shutting down by Summer, local shoppers say it was the last Kmart in the area and now the only retailer left is Walmart.  Selinsgrove Sears, Uniontown Sears, Lower Allen Township-Camp Hill Sears, Dubois Kmart, Erie Kmart, Lancaster Kmart, Hampden Township-Mechanicsburg Kmart, Monroeville Kmart,  Mount Pleasant Kmart. Shenango Valley Mall Sears store shutting down by mid-April, less than 1-hundred jobs affected.  168 Sears and Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! In July, Sears Holdings shutdown the Uniontown Kmart, killing at least 73 jobs. But the shutdown is also affecting a locally owned restaurant (Mark C’s Diner) still on the property, whose owners say their sales have crashed-n-burned since the shutdown. Now Sears Holdings say they are about to sell the Uniontown property in an effort to “realize shareholder value from the property”. Butler Sears, New Castle Sears, Beaver Falls Kmart, Philadelphia Kmart on Frankford Avenue. Two Pittsburgh Kmarts. Reading Kmart. Sears store in the Beaver Valley Mall, 62 jobs lost. Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July 2016. Reports that the Exton Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost), Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), Philadelphia Kmart on Orthodox Street and Castor Avenue (169 jobs lost), Levittown/Middle Township Kmart (87 jobs lost), Waynesboro Kmart (43 jobs lost), Sanatoga-Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 jobs lost, the store was also advertising for new hires!), West Mifflin Sears store & Auto Center (88 jobs lost), Rochester Kmart (78 jobs lost), Frazer (Pittsburg Mills Mall) Sears and Auto Center (97 jobs lost), Bloomsburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Frackville Sears and Auto Center (84 jobs lost), North Cornwall Township Sears (51 jobs lost), King of Prussia Sears and Auto Center (no word on number of jobs lost), Lebanon Sears (51 jobs lost), Scotland Chambersburg Mall Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost), the upper level of the Willow Grove Mall Sears store to be leased by Primark, King of Prussia Sears store leased out to clothing retailer Primark, East Towne Mall Kmart (51 jobs lost), Frackville Kmart in the Skuylkill Mall (80 jobs lost), Mount Pocono Kmart (66 jobs lost), Fairless Hills Sears Hardware. Granite Run Mall shutdown, meaning the Sears and Sears Auto Center now apparently on a month to month (possibly day to day) lease are soon to follow. Brookhaven Kmart (89 jobs lost).

Puerto Rico: 31 Sears & Kmart properties made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

Rhode Island: Cranston Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, it’s the last remaining Kmart in the state.  Middletown Sears Hometown by the end of July 2017. Warwick Sears by September 2017. Woonsocket Sears shutting down. Rhode Island Mall Sears Auto Center shutdown right before Thanksgiving.  Five Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.

South Carolina: Conway Kmart.  Florence Kmart in October 2017.   Sears & Auto Center in Columbia and the Seneca and Summerville Kmarts.  Northwoods Mall Sears in North Charleston shutting down by June 2017, Seritage Growth Properties has already submitted plans to chop up the store into smaller spaces starting in July.  The Auto Center will shutdown by the end of April, and the store will shutdown by mid-June 2017.  Local news media discovered the Auto Center is already scheduled for subdivision. The lease expired and Sears Holdings will not renew it, saying “…we are working to actively manage our real estate portfolio to identify additional opportunities for reconfiguration and reduction of capital obligations.”   Florence Sears, Anderson Kmart, Greenwood Kmart, North Charleston Kmart. The new owner of a Kmart on the boundaries of Anderson, Seritage KMT Finance, announced it will cut the Kmart store to half its size and is requesting the city of Anderson annex the land (probably in exchange for some taxpayer funded incentives for Seritage).  37 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! The 44 years old Orangeburg Kmart shutting down in August 2016. Camden Kmart. 61 jobs lost as the North Augusta Kmart is shutdown by May 2016. Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost), both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two), Mount Pleasant Kmart (43 jobs lost), Harbison Sears & Sears Auto Center in the Columbiana Centre mall (97 jobs lost), Aiken Sears & Sears Auto Center (at least 54 jobs lost), Inlet Square Mall Kmart (50 jobs lost), West Ashely Kmart (69 jobs lost), Myrtle Beach Kmart (59 jobs lost), Easley Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Dakota: Sioux Falls Kmart. 11 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Huron Kmart, Yankton Kmart. The Pierre Kmart shutdown March 2016, 45 jobs lost. The Michell Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 52 jobs lost. Spearfish Kmart (51 jobs lost), Sturgis Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Tennessee: A Jackson Kmart in October 2017.  Madison and Johnson City Kmarts. The city of Bristol officially condemned the vacant Kmart building (vacant since August 2016), opening up the use of taxpayer dollars to tear it down.  Hamilton Place Mall Sears store and the Northgate Mall Sears Auto Center were sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut them down in the next two to four years.  Morristown Kmart, Kingsport Sears. Sears Hometown Store in Columbia’s Campbell Shopping Plaza suddenly shutdown by the franchise owner who told local news media that he essentially saw the writing on the wall.  After 30 years the Sears Hometown Store in Dyersburg shutdown. Local news reports say the shutdown was no surprise to the store’s manager.  58 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!   Local news reports say Sears Holdings has posted “Going out of business!” signs on the North Knoxville Kmart, however they could not get any confirmation of shutdown from corporate administrators. Bristol Kmart shutdown in August 2016. Athens Kmart, Sweetwater Kmart, Maryville Kmart. The Murfreesboro Kmart shutdown April, 43 jobs lost. A Memphis Sears and Auto Center (on Poplar Avenue) shutdown in April, 109 jobs lost! Clarksville Kmart shutdown in April, 68 jobs lost. Cleveland Kmart shutdown by mid-March 2016, 67 jobs lost. Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart, Franklin Cool Springs Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed), 48 years old Nashville Kmart on Nolensville Pike to close by January 2014 (57 jobs lost), Franklin Kmart (33 jobs lost), Dickson Kmart (65 jobs lost), talks in progress to end lease for Bellevue (Nashville) Center Mall Sears, Nashville Bellevue Center Sears & Auto Center (at least 44 jobs lost).

Texas: The Sears Home Appliance Showrooom in Flower Mound suddenly shutdown,  the confused manager saying “I’m not sure what we did wrong!”  Sears operations in Paris, more than 40 jobs lost between July and October 2017. Two Kmarts in El Paso, as well as the 39 years old Sears & Auto Center in Texarkana and Sears Auto Center in Sherman.   Baybrook Mall Sears stores in Freindswood and on Southwest Freeway in Houston.  Dallas ‘Midtown’ Valley View Mall Sears store and Auto Center shutting down between the end of May and July 2017.  The property is being redeveloped.  Taxpayers in the city of Abilene might be forced to pay for the abandoned Kmart as “…funds would be used to acquire, renovate and equip buildings for a new police station, municipal court, water utilities billing, collection and meter-reading offices, and record storage. The cost is estimated at $9 million.”  In Austin, Seritage Growth Properties just listed two Sears locations as available for lease; the Sears store at Barton Creek Square Mall, which is apparently co-owned by the mall’s owner Indiana based Simon Property Group, and the Sears Auto Center on North Interstate 35 are now available for lease.  Odessa Sears, two Kmarts in El Paso.  Kileen Kmart, Lufkin Kmart. GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Frisco Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.   Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says the ‘Sears’ property in Harlingen is shutting down.  Local news reports confirmed the Lubbock Kmart is shutting down right before Xmas. 134 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!! Fort Stockton Sears Hometown Store was ‘re-branded’ the America’s Appliance Experts outlet. Sears Holdings revealed the Brownsville Kmart is shutting down by August. El Paso Kmart, Mission Kmart, Sweetwater Kmart. Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors, Dallas Sears home appliance parts distribution center (77 jobs lost), Simon Property Group owned McAllen Sears store & Auto Center (so far no word on how many jobs will be lost), recently revealed Palestine Sears Hometown (franchise owner quit to work as assistant manager at a local Dollar General). Wichita Falls Sikes Senter Mall Sears (56 jobs lost).

Utah: The Cedar City Sears Hardware and Appliance Store suddenly shutdown, local news media indicated it was the fault of Sears Holdings, not the franchise owner.  A Salt Lake City Kmart in October 2017.  Saint George Sears & Auto Center and Spanish Fork Kmart.  Provo Towne Centre Sears store shutting down by the end of July, the Auto Center shutdown by the end of May 2017.  The owner of the mall, Brixton Capitol, admitted that Sears shutdowns were part of the REIT plan to change the way you shop (which I first warned about in 2012).  It has nothing to do with internet competition as Brixton Capitol stated “…150 planned Sears/K-Mart closures nationwide, Brixton Capital has already begun plans to redevelop the store as part of a larger vision to reposition Provo Towne Centre as a premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination.”  Vernal Kmart, Layton Kmart. 16 Sears & Kmart properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  Draper Kmart, Price Kmart, West Jordan Kmart. 35 years old Richfield Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. North Logan Kmart shutdown April 2016, 58 jobs lost. Murray Sears (local news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they reported that the building was demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported), Woods Cross Kmart (54 jobs lost), Provo Kmart demolished in anticipation of yet another AtHome furniture store.

Vermont: The small Milton Sears suddenly announced it will shutdown by the end of this month.  Five Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.  The Bennington Sears Hometown Store shutdown. Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), South Burlington Kmart (66 jobs lost).

Virgin Islands: Three Kmarts  made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list.

Virginia: A Roanoke Kmart in October 2017.  Sears & Auto Center in Richmond and two Virginia Beach Kmarts.  The South Boston Sears Hometown Store.  50 years old Charlottesville Kmart shutting down, 62 jobs lost in July 2017.  Local news media reporting that the Herndon Kmart suddenly displayed “store closing” signs.  Mall developer Core Property Capital is demanding taxpayers pay-up to fund the redevelopment of the vacant Christiansburg Kmart property!  They want Montgomery County to declare a special property tax district to raise taxes to pay for the redevelopment of privately owned commercial property!   Bristol Sears, Roanoke Kmart, Fredericksburg Kmart, Norfolk Kmart, Salem Kmart. 63 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  Christiansburg Kmart and the Hampton Kmart shutting down by August 2016. Chester Kmart, 76 jobs gone by mid-July 2016. The Cedar Bluff (50 jobs lost), Covington (36 jobs lost) and Virginia Beach on General Booth Boulevard (no job numbers reported) Kmarts shutdown between March and April 2016! The Sears Hometown Store in Culpeper. Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost), Stafford Sears Hometown, Newport News-Denbigh Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Winchester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost), Pembroke Mall Sears renting out part of their store to DSW & Nordstrom Rack, Sears Holdings say they’re still looking for a “third tenant” for their occupied space. The current nearby Sears Auto Center will be rented out to REI. Colonial Heights Kmart (113 jobs lost), Virginia Beach Hilltop Square Shopping Center Kmart (82 jobs lost).

Washington: Seattle news media reporting that two active Puget Sound area Sears stores have just been sold for $27-million USD.  Bellingham Sears Hometown & Outlet Store shutting down at the end of July, 2017, just months after a grand re-opening.   Tacoma Kmart, 67 jobs lost by September 2017.  Spanaway Kmart on Pacific Avenue South shutting down by mid-June 2017.  36 years old Lynnwood Sears shutdown by the end of March 2017, local news media reported access to the upper level of the store was already blocked.  Tacoma Kmart on 6th Avenue. GGP-Seritage Growth Partners owned Lynwood Sears store reduced in size and the Auto Center shutting down “in the near future”.   Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties says a ‘Sears’ property in Yakima is shutting down. 46 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! After officially denying that their Marysville Kmart was shutting down, calling it a “a bad rumor” and swearing to local news media that “the store will remain open”, guess what? Local news media reporting that the Marysville Kmart is now plastered with “store closing” signs, 47 jobs lost by by mid-July. Arrogantly Sears Holdings said the employees can apply at other Sears/Kmart stores, however, local news reports say it’s the last Kmart in all of Snohomish County. Eatonville Sears Hometown store. Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost), Oak Harbor Kmart (68 jobs lost), Sodo Sears and Sears Auto Center (79 jobs lost), Everett Kmart (65 jobs lost), Marysville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Lewisburg Kmart. The Hocking Mall Sears Hometown Store suddenly shutdown, with only a weeks notice to employees. The Charleston Town Center Mall Sears store and Auto Center shutting down mid-April 2017.  The Bridgeport Meadowbrook Mall Sears store shutting down “within the next 90 days”, supposedly the Auto center will remain open. The Elkins Kmart shutting down during the 1st quarter of 2017.  In Parkersburg, the Kmart on Division Street shutting down by mid-April 2017.  The Weirton BigKmart shutting down mid-April 2017.  34 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!  The Bluefield Kmart shutting down by August 2016. Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: Sears operations in Kenosha between July and October 2017.   Local taxpayers forced to spend money on the now vacant Sears Auto Center in Brookfield.  The Brookfield Common Council wants to spend $76-thousand-664-USD to find out if it’s worth it to build a conference center and hotel on the property.  West Allis, La Crosse and Medford Kmarts shutting down, 239 jobs lost by September 2017!  The Greendale Sears in the Southridge Mall.  50+ years old Brookfield Sears Auto Center shutdown,  local news media revealed that Brookfield city administrators spent taxpayer money on a five years study to justify creating a taxpayer owned conference center near the Sears Auto Center location. In La Crosse, without warning the Sears Auto Center and the Kmart pharmacy were shutdown.   In Appleton, questions from frustrated residents to local news media about the Fox River Mall Sears Auto Center revealed that it was quietly and suddenly shutdown overnight.  Local news media confirmed it was open on 08 MAY 2017, but that according to the Sears it is now closed (except for warranty work)!   The Economic Development Commission of Fort Atkinson has revealed plans to spend taxpayer money on the now vacant Kmart property.  Local news media reported the city Fort Atkinson asked Sears Holdings how much they wanted to sell it for!  It’s been revealed that nearly 40 cities are pushing for a new state law that will prevent taxpayers from being forced to pay the property taxes on vacated stores like Target and Sears.  It’s a complicated mess, but because of current laws and recent court decisions local Wisconsin taxpayers are being forced to foot the property tax bill on vacated retail spaces!  This has led to municipalities using taxpayer funding to sue retailers (most recently Target and Sears) for creating what’s called Dark Stores.   Brookfield Square Sears store sold to CBL & Associates Properties who has plans to shut it down in the next two to four years.  Platteville Kmart, Racine Kmart. Oshkosh Sears Hometown Store on Witzel Avenue shutting down.  The city of Wausau just put the local taxpayers into debt by at least $650-thousand USD, buying the former Sears location at the Wausau Center. The Wausau Sears shutdown on June 2016. Sears Holdings administrators would only say “we are accelerating the closings of unprofitable stores.”  The Land’s End outlet in the Madison West Towne Mall Sears store suddenly shutdown.  It was also revealed that Sears connected Land’s End has shutdown at least five stores since 2015, due to crashing sales.  36 Kmart & Sears properties made the new Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list! Seritage Growth Properties is ‘downsizing’ the Sears store in the West Towne Mall, according to plans filed with the city of Madison. Those plans show a new restaurant taking up more than half of the space of the Sears store. Administrators refused to answer questions from the local news media.  Hartford Kmart. Superior Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 42 jobs lost. West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost), Brookfield Kmart (56 jobs lost), Racine’s Regency Mall Sears (52 jobs lost), Fort Atkinson Kmart (51 jobs lost), Greenfield Kmart (107 jobs lost), Portage Kmart (78 jobs lost) and Hales Corner (129 jobs lost), Chippewa Falls Kmart (79 jobs lost), Menomonie Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Ashwaubenon Kmart recently revealed now owned by Green Bay Packers, will be torn down (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (55 jobs lost), Fond du Lac Sears (42 jobs lost), Glendale Sears store & Auto Center (86 jobs lost), Janesville Kmart (70 jobs lost), Glendale Sears Rebuild center (67 jobs lost), Sheboygan Sears & Auto Center (at least 31 jobs lost), Eau Claire Kmart (93 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (59 jobs lost before Xmas), Sheboygan Sears Rebuild Center (30 jobs lost), Wauwatosa Kmart (103 jobs lost).

Wyoming: Rock Springs Kmart in October 2017.  Sheridan Kmart.  Cheyenne Kmart shutting down.  Sears offspring Seritage Growth Properties confirmed a ‘Sears’ property in Riverton is shutting down. Sheridan Kmart, Rock Springs Kmart, Riverton Kmart, Cody Kmart & Auto Center, Laramie Kmart, Jackson Kmart, Gillette Kmart, and in Casper and Cheyenne the Sears Stores & Auto Centers and Kmarts (essentially all remaining stores) made the Sears Holdings Real Estate for sale or lease list!

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, AUGUST 2017: “A SWEEPING REDEVELOPMENT”

“I really think it will be Armageddon.”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, August 2017

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

Hurricane Harvey shutdown 31% of fuel refineries in the United States, retail prices for fuel in the eastern half of the U.S. expected to skyrocket.  Refined fuel originally destined for Europe is being diverted to the east coast of the U.S.

RTTNews: U.S. New Home Sales Unexpectedly Plunge 9.4% In July

Pasadena Star-News: Just wait; it’s going to get worse, said Victor Sahn, a bankruptcy attorney…..“I think we’ll continue to see extreme pressure and more failures of second- and third-tier malls. These vacancies are setting the stage for a possible real estate industry correction or crash. If there is a downturn … I really think it will be Armageddon.”

PBS Newshour: Can online shopping absorb traditional retail workers?

Moody’s Investor Service revealed what I’ve been saying for years; internet retail is highly overrated.  In fact, so called retail giant Amazon is not a giant at all, accounting for only 10% of all U.S. retail sales!  Walmart and Costco are still the retail kings.

Please note the number of mom-n-pop brick-n-mortar shops that announced their shutdowns on social media.

Alaska: PenAir now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, then suddenly canceled all Pacific Northwest flights.

 California: According to Statista The Golden State leads the country in most bankruptcy filings, going by court records from June 2016 to June 2017.   In Tehachapi, hardware store Henry’s Home for Less shutting down after 25 years so the owner can work for the Together Men’s Ministry.  Electronics retailer Best Buy shutting down its store in Auburn, in time for Halloween.  In Reseda, after 57 years local arts supporter Continental Art Supplies shutdown so the owner can retire.  Meridian Sports Clubs California issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles location, 65 jobs gone by the end of September.  In Riverbank, after 70 years men’s clothier Landon’s shutdown so the owner could return to farming before officially retiring.  RMR Financial shutting down its Los Gatos office in time for Halloween.  FedEx Cross Border halting ops in Carson, by Halloween.  What automotive industry recovery?  Euromotors Concord-Audi shutting down its operations in Concord,83 jobs gone by Halloween.

Colorado: In Sterling, Famous Footwear shutting down its store in the High Plains Shopping Center, by mid-September.

Connecticut: Too Big to Jail British empire based Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) issued yet another layoff WARN, this time ten people in Stamford unemployed in time for Halloween.  In Enfield, garden center L.R. Hawthorne and Son (Hawthorne’s Agway) announced on Facebook “Unfortunately it’s not good news. I’m sorry to say that after 50 plus years Hawthorne’s Agway will be closing its doors for good at the end of August.”  Local news media revealed the garden center was sold to a corporation based in Massachusetts.   In Wilton, after 29 years DeLuca Hardware shutdown: “We had wished someone else would’ve taken it over. It didn’t work out that way, but that’s OK, and now we’re going to have a close out.”-Juliano DeLuca

Florida:  Sunrise based smelly retailer Perfumania went chapter 11 bankrupt and is shutting down 64 stores.  Ritz Ybor chapter 7 bankrupt dead, the live music venue now has a new owner.

Hawaii:  What automotive industry recovery?  After 74 years auto-shop Saiki Motors shutdown, the owner saying he wants to retire while he still can: “Since I can still walk and all that, I want to travel.”-Albert Saiki

 This the Chubbuck, Idaho, Walmart. Consumer Reports ranked Walmart 67th out of 68!

Chubbuck, Idaho, Walmart blames skyrocketing crime for halting 24 hours operations!

Idaho: The Walmart in Chubbuck has joined other Walmarts around the U.S. in ceasing its 24 hours of being open to the public.  This comes after months of using contracted security guards to try and stop skyrocketing shoplifting.  They were able to stop the theft of about $20-thousand USD worth of merchandise in just one week.  But even recent transplant to Chubbuck, Nancy Hurley, says crime has skyrocketed in the tiny (about 14-thousand people according to recent Census Bureau data, down from 18-thousand in late 1990s) east Idaho city: “When we first moved here about 12 years ago, there seemed to be very little crime, but now it’s really picked up with the drugs and the shoplifting and stuff, so it is concerning.”-interviewed by KPVI

Related: CHUBBUCK WALMART QUIETLY SETTLES DISCRIMINATION LAWSUITS! MORMON MANAGERS ACCUSED OF EMPLOYING WHIPPING BOYS?

Bye bye, Pocatello Meineke!

Blind Bat News reader ‘Catherine’ discovered the less than three years old Meineke auto repair shop, near the Westwood Mall in Pocatello, secretly shutdown.  Just ten months ago a local news paper declared the Meineke repair shop “ranked among the best performing franchises in the nation” with the “seventh best net sales-volume in the nation.”   ‘Catherine’ reported there was a note taped to the door apologizing for the sudden shutdown, but no reason for it was given.   In the sparsely populated town of Oldtown, after 23 years Ben Franklin Variety (formerly known as Sprouse-Reitz prior to the 1990s) shutdown.  The now former store manager told local news media their busiest day was the last day of business.  Clothier Filson issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Post Falls, 45 jobs gone by the end of October.

Illinois: Hard Rock Hotel Chicago issued a shutdown WARN, 184 jobs gone by Thanksgiving!  Northbrook based Allstate suddenly laid off 5-hundred claims adjusters across the U.S. as part of a new plan to basically let customers ‘do-it-themselves’! Iconic Oak Brooke based Ace Hardware has been shutting down brick-n-mortar stores due to lack of sales, but for its second quarter of 2017 Ace Hardware reported an amazing 61% increase in online sales.  But in seeming contradiction to its brick-n-mortar shutdowns, Ace Hardware also admitted that 93% of online orders are actually picked up at one of its brick-n-mortar stores!  In Monticello, after 21 years Pearls and More Jewelry announced on Facebook it is shutting down, partly due to “…the financial situation.”  What automotive industry recovery?  Auto parts shop Carquest shutting down its 40 years old Joilet location.  Local news media reported the store was a privately owned auto parts store until 2001 when it was taken over by Carquest, then in 2013 Advance Auto Parts took over the Carquest-General Parts corporation.   In Wheaton, after 47 years Tom’s Service Station shutdown, the owner sold out to a property developer.

Indiana: In Muncie, after 31 years The Towne Boutique suddenly shutdown due to the poor health of the owner.

Iowa:  What housing market recovery? California based Too BIg to Jail Wells Fargo continues killing jobs, this time 40 Home Mortgage employees in Des Moines laid off.  JCPenney issued a shutdown WARN for its Fort Dodge store, 52 jobs gone in time for Halloween.

Kansas: In Salina, Dillard’s shutting down its Central Mall store in time for Xmas blaming “Performance….as well as many other things.”

Kentucky: In Louisville, after 65 years J Carlton Knotts Shoes announced on Facebook that  “J Carlton Knotts Shoes will be closing at the end of August.”

Louisiana: In Lafayette, after 58 years Cal’s Western Store shutdown.

Maryland: What housing market recovery?  First Potomac Realty Trust issued a layoff WARN, 72 jobs gone by October as a result of being taken over by Government Properties Income Trust.

Massachusetts:  After almost five decades Newton Yellow Cab shutdown.  Ignorant local news media tried to blame Uber and social media, however, employees said local government regulations are what finally killed off the taxi company.

Michigan: In Cheboygan, after 30 years women’s clothier Billies shutdown with the owner saying “For 15 years I didn’t have a day off, I didn’t have a vacation.”  In Lansing, after 77 years Hazen Lumber shutdown.  In Bridgeport,  after 23 years hobby shop Junction Valley Railroad announced on Facebook “Due to declining sales, we are being forced to close the Hobby Shop Doors! 
Our final day open will be October 31, 2017!”

Minnesota: In Saint Paul, after more than five decades the Midway Pro Bowl shutting down due to the lease being ended early, in fact all the businesses in the Midway shopping center shutting down and being replaced by a 20-thousand seat soccer (football) stadium!

Missouri: In Columbia, after 21 years Tucker’s Fine Jewelry shutting down due to the owner not wanting to renew the lease.

Nebraska:  In Kearney, after 22 years Wilke True Value hardware shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Nevada: Goodwill of Southern Nevada now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

New Hampshire:  ‘Christian’ founded Sam’s Club suddenly shutdown its membership warehouse store in Manchester, 130 jobs gone!  Local news media reported it was a shock to employees and dues paying customers.

New Jersey: Command Security eliminated 113 jobs! 

New York: In Merchanicville, after 70 years DiSiena Furniture shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday season, due to “personal reasons”.  In East Rochester, after 50 years video store Hyatt’s shutdown.  What automotive industry recovery?  Arroway Chevrolet shutting down its Mount Kisco dealership, 80 jobs gone by the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving. At JFK Airport, TPS Parking Management-The Parking Spot shutting down, 71 jobs gone between November 2017 and January 2018.  Elitist River Club of New York issued a shutdown WARN, 60 jobs gone in time for Thanksgiving.   Lion Re:Sources eliminating 154 jobs by Xmas!

North Carolina: Branch Banking And Trust (BB&T) shutting down its office in Fallston, in time for Xmas.  Safety Express Courier Service went chapter 7 bankrupt.  Mooresville based Lowe’s suddenly announced it will eliminate all in-house delivery driver jobs across the U.S. as part of a plan to outsource jobs!  Since October 2016, Lowe’s has already outsourced more than 3-thousand-1-hundred jobs! 

Ohio: Cincinnati based Macy’s hired a former ebay executive and ramped up job killing, this time 1-hundred merchandising employees getting the axe!  In January, Macy’s announced it was skyrocketing layoffs to 10-thousand, about 6-thousand more than what was announced in 2016!  Direct marketing company Suarez Corporation Industries now chapter 11 bankrupt busted blaming the 2008 recession, and then in 2014 the owner got caught breaking a federal law (witness tampering).  Since then the owner spent money trying to appeal the conviction and now realizes there is not enough money to cover “…costs to do….direct mail and online advertisements.”  More proof the ‘Vinyl Come-Back’ is a lie, in Athens, after 40 years Haffa’s Records shutting down in September, blaming “the way people absorb media these days”.

Pennsylvania:  In State College, after 41 years Kranich’s Jewelers shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Tennessee: In Morristown, after 53 years clothier Kathryn’s shutdown, local news media pointed out that even back in the 1960s-70s people thought women’s dresses were too expensive, at only $17.99 full retail!

Texas: Preliminary estimates say Hurricane Harvey wiped out at least 40-thousand homes, and that’s just in the city of Houston.  Many homeowners did not live in flood zones and so did not have flood insurance.  Mortgage companies are now threatened as many homeowners who don’t have flood insurance will stop making payments on their home loans.  

Utah: In Provo, after 53 years laundromat Wash Hut shutdown, sold-off to a property developer.

Vermont: In Rutland, after only two years at its Diamond Run Mall location LaFlamme’s Furniture Mall shutdown due to high operating costs.  Local news media said the furniture store moved into a vacated JCPenney space in 2015.  In Burlington, after four years clothier Spellbound forced to shutdown by rent of more than $6-thousand-5-hundred per month, plus insurance and utilities of about $1-thousand-5-hundred per month!  Also in Burlington, clothiers The North Face, The Fitting Curve and Lole shutdown, with similar complaints!  Local news media say local administrators blame the high cost of rent and insurance on skyrocketing crime.  A local property manager told local news media “Personally I’ve never seen so many spaces open.”

Virginia: In White Hall, after 131 years Wyant’s Store shutdown.  In Falls Church, after only two years The Gun Dude shutdown, the announcement was made on its website. In Powhatan, after 20 years successful frame shop Complete Picture shutdown, the owner explaining “I want to concentrate on my art.”

Washington: Too Big to Jail California based Wells Fargo issued a shutdown WARN for its Vancouver ops, 72 jobs gone in October.  Adult’ chain-store Peekay now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blamed on massive debts incurred while buying-out competitors and on becoming a publicly traded company in 2015.  In Spokane, after 20 years Replay Music shutdown, the owner saying “…the most challenging was when the economy took a dip in ’08 and it never really seemed to recover…”   After 23 years Vintage Rabbit Antique Mall forced to shutdown due to a city of Spokane road construction project: “I really feel like the city killed my business.”-Jan Richart

Wisconsin: In Wisconsin Dells, after 23 years All-Time Sports shutdown with the building sold to another local business, so the owners can retire.  In Madison, game/toy store Woops! shutting down in September, the owner says she is struggling to balance family and work.  In Ashland, after more than 40 years the Elle Stevens Hallmark Store shutdown.

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, JULY 2017: “SHIT’S BLEAK….” “I’M JUST GETTING OUT OF THIS BEFORE I’M FORCED OUT!”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, August 2017: “A SWEEPING REDEVELOPMENT”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, August 2017: “GUT-WRENCHING DECISIONS”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., August 2017: “WE MOVED QUICKLY AND QUIETLY.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, August 2017: “WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE”

U.S. government shenanigans, August 2017: “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY”

U.S. food crisis, August 2017: “HISTORIC LACK OF PATRONAGE”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, August 2017: “HAS OUTLIVED ITS USEFUL LIFE”

Great Reneger: Off-shoring of U.S. jobs will continue until investor morale improves!

Incomplete list of off-shoring of U.S. jobs, and immigrant labor increases, since Donald Trump began his job as President of the United States on 20 JAN 2017.

“Companies are not going to leave the United States anymore without consequences. Not going to happen.”-Donald Trump, December 2016

“They’re taking our jobs. They’re taking our manufacturing jobs. They’re taking our money. They’re killing us.”-Donald Trump, July 2015 anti-immigrant worker statement

hortontrumpM

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

A famous Malaysian businessman, Robert Kuok, reveals in his memoirs the true reason government elites around the world love immigrants, they’re willing to do anything for cheap; “Not only are these unsung heroes hungry, eager and willing to ‘eat bitterness’…”  they “…are simply the most amazing economic ants on Earth.”

December:  CD International Enterprises, a company focused on doing business with China and the U.S., is now chapter 7 bankrupt dead and being liquidated.

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

British empire New Zealand owned virtual reality company 8i eliminated at least 30 jobs in California, essentially admitting that the virtual reality ‘market’ is too hard to figure out.

Noble Americas Corporation laid off at least 67 people in Texas and 84 people Connecticut after Xmas, due to the company’s sale to Switzerland based Vitol.

Alstom Signaling eliminating 86 jobs in New York by July 2018, probably due to its take-over by Deutschland based Siemens.

  Krispy Kreme Doughnuts laid off 90 HQ employees in North Carolina, as part of a plan to move operations overseas.

British empire Canada based SunOpta shutting down its ‘organic’ food roasting ops in North Dakota35 jobs gone by July 2018 due to consolidation operations.

Switzerland based Nestlé issued a layoff WARN, 55 people in California jobless by February 2018.

The News&Observer reports California’s governor pardons immigrants with criminal records who were about to be deported!

This time blame Obama and Bush Jr! According to the Pew Research Center, from 2005 to 2015 there was a 25% increase in the number of immigrants coming from Central American countries. 

After promoting its electric vehicle plans for the United States, Ford suddenly decided to move production of its electric SUV from Michigan to Mexico

CNSnews; “Refugee admissions to the United States were down 83 percent in the first two months of fiscal 2018 (October and November) compared to the first two months of fiscal 2017.”

Quartz Media; With the Muslim part diluted, the Trump travel ban has finally gone into full effect

Evil government identification (ID) computer systems designer France owned, yet U.S. taxpayer fundedMorphoTrust USA (OT-Morpho) issued a shutdown WARN for one of its Illinois locations, 74 jobs gone in February 2018.

November: It’s been revealed that 1-hundred federal taxpayer funded government contractors are using their taxpayer funding to off-shore 10-thousand-269 U.S. jobs to other countries!  The top four offending taxpayer funded contractors are General Motors (GM), Boeing, Pfizer, and United Technologies (Carrier owner).

Texas based Jacobs Engineering Group opened a new office, in India News reports say the Jacobs office in India could employ as many as 2-thousand-2-hundred people!

Automotive interior parts maker FuturiS shutting down a factory in Tennessee140 jobs gone after Xmas possibly due to being taken over by Ireland based competitor Adient!

Dart Container Corporation shutting down a factory in Georgia160 jobs gone by 2019 as production is shifted to the British empire’s Canada!

Switzerland based measurement instruments maker Mettler-Toledo announced at least 69 layoffs at its Ohio 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.

In Missouri, Switzerland based ABB shutting down its electrical transformer factory, 120 jobs gone!

China based Yanfeng Automotive Interiors issued a mass layoff WARN, 345 jobs in Michigan gone starting at the end of January 2018, due to lack of orders!

Japan owned tire maker Bridgestone issued a shutdown WARN for a re-tread operation in California65 jobs gone after Xmas.

Deutschland based electrical engineering giant Siemens announced it will eliminate 6-thousand-9-hundred jobs globally, including 1-thousand-8-hundred jobs in the United States!  Administrators blame “The power generation industry is experiencing disruption of unprecedented scope and speed. Renewables are putting other forms of power generation under increasing pressure.”

Microsoft increased the number of jobs being eliminated at its Oregon Surface Hub operations to 125! Microsoft is eventually shutting down its Oregon Surface Hub ops and moving most of the work to China.

British empire United Kingdom owned, U.S. taxpayer funded, Luxfer Magtech halting its manufacture of U.S. Department of Defense Meal Ready to Eat ‘flameless’ ration heaters at its factory in New York, 60 jobs gone by February 2018.

 India hitting Montana pea/lentil farmers with a 50% import tax!

France based food service contractor Sodexo issued a WARN, 30 people in Ohio jobless right after Xmas.

After 28 years in Idaho, it was revealed that restaurant Taquiera La Costa suddenly shutdown because the immigrant owner failed to become a legal resident/citizen and had to move back to Mexico.  He swears he’ll be back when his ‘paperwork’ is approved.

 British empire Canada based Saputo announced the shutdown of its Wisconsin cheese factory, 126 jobs gone by May 2018!

The evil Carlyle Group owned, and now schizophrenic, Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) laid off 12 InfoTech employees, and is laying off an undisclosed number of HR employees, as part of off-shoring of jobs to an unnamed European location, while at the same time claims to be hiring “hundreds” of new employees (apparently off-shore).

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says many violent gangs in the U.S. today are actually foreign insurgents (illegal immigrants), such as MS-13.

History.com: “…the United States’ ‘diversity’ visa lottery…..wasn’t originally intended to promote cultural and racial diversity in the U.S. Back when Congress introduced it in 1986, the goal was to ease immigration for Irish and Italian immigrants.”

The Nation: A Growing Lawyer ‘Army’ Is Banding Together to Protect Immigrants

A massive $10-million USD legal defense fund for illegal immigrants has been launched in Los Angeles, California It’s called the LA Justice Fund and is half funded with taxpayer money from City and County of Los Angeles! 

Also in Los Angeles County, an immigration attorney pled guilty to fraudulently selling ‘green cards’, for a profit of $50-million USD!  The immigration work visas were being sold to Asian ‘investors’ as part of some kind of money laundering scam.

An immigration attorney in Indiana pled guilty to 250 counts of filing fraudulent visa applications: “Individuals who commit immigration fraud undermine and abuse our generous immigration system, a system that lawfully admits more immigrants than any other country in the world, and put our public safety and national security at risk.”-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions

Also in Indiana, the final round of mass layoffs was announced at the very Carrier factory Donald Trump boasted of ‘saving’.  In January 2018, about 215 additional employees will become unemployed!  Trump claimed to have prevented the jobs from going to Mexico by giving Carrier a $7-million USD taxpayer funded deal, however, Carrier employees say U.S. jobs are not being saved: “Trump came in there to the factory last December and blew smoke up our asses! He wasn’t gonna save those jobs.”-Brenda Darlene Battle

Some federal government officials are now concerned the flood of immigrants and refugees will render future Census Bureau data invalid, not because the Census Bureau does not differentiate between legal-resident-citizens and non-citizen-illegals in their surveys, but because the illegal immigrant loving officials are afraid illegals won’t take part in the surveys! 

In Illinois, Switzerland owned hamburger bun maker Cloverhill Bakery, that is contracted by McDonald’s, was hit by an immigration raid.  At least 8-hundred illegal immigrants caught!  Company administrators swore they had no clue as their employees are actually hired by an unnamed employment service contractor.  The Switzerland owned bakery is now complaining that they have to raise wages for their new legal hires! 

In Tennessee, 20 illegal immigrants arrested as they worked for Washington state based Expeditors International.  The bust was led by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

In Texas, a repeat illegal immigrant now in jail for killing a girl on Thanksgiving while driving a car intoxicated.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce openly declares U.S. citizens to be worthless workers, praises ‘dreamers’! 

The American Immigration Council says immigrants have generated $107-million USD in 2015 for the state of Mississippi.

In Oklahoma, the city of Tulsa becoming addicted to cheap immigrant workers and foreign businesses, according to their own study!  A local newspaper even reported that immigrants were shocked at just how much the city-elite-leeches have latched onto immigrants as a source of tax revenues: “I never thought these numbers would be so high. At some point, though, it does make sense in the way that I’ve seen the city and its Hispanic community grow so much.”-Manuel Gomez, local owner of a Mexico based grocery store in Tulsa, who is also a ‘dreamer’ immigrant

Farmers in North Carolina revealed their addiction to cheap slave-wage migrant labor from Mexico by suing the Democrat governor and state Administrative Office of Courts over the new Farm Act of 2017 (Senate Bill 615).  Apparently farmers were deducting ‘union dues’ from migrant workers’ paychecks and supposedly the new pro-migrant worker law will stop that.

In Pennsylvania, the new Mexico based owner of Pittsburgh Glass Works announced it will shutdown the 130 years old Creighton factory in East Deer and consolidate production to Mexico, affecting nearly 2-hundred U.S. jobs! Mexico based Vitro bought Pittsburgh Glass Works, this year, for $310-million USD, however, the official reason for the shutdown is a “combination of difficult realities” .

The liberal-left-wing news media made a big deal about India’s tractor company Mahindra’s plan to open a small factory in Detroit, Michigan The reality is that at best about 2-hundred new jobs would be created, and there are two good reasons why the Indian company decided to set up shop in the U.S.; corporate tax breaks at U.S. taxpayer expense, and growing doubts about the current NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) situation, which could affect Mahindra’s factories in Canada and Mexico.

 An Arizona newspaper is making an incredible claim, it sounds good for job creation in the United States, but it’s a sad statement against U.S. based employers; “…there are 8,800 jobs in Arizona created by 244 Mexican companies doing business here.

These are companies which originated and operate in Mexico.

And if recent trends are any indication, the numbers will see a surge in the near future.”

Fortune.com: “Looking for a part-time job? Mexico has an offer that’s pretty hard to refuse.

…..it will pay $10,000 per month and cover all expenses of whoever gets the six-month job.”

Paradise Papers: “An investigative report this week by The New York Times, based on a leak of offshore financial records known as the Paradise Papers, revealed that dozens of wealthy [U.S.] college endowments use Caribbean islands as offshore tax havens for their investments.”

October: Idaho taxpayer funded France based public transportation contractor Transdev-Valley Regional Transit-ValleyRide issued a WARN, 102 Boise jobs gone in November!

British empire based Too Big to Jail RBS (Royal bank of Scotland) 43 jobs in Connecticut right before Xmas.

In California, South Africa based Swissport notified state employment officials that it is ending airport operations in Los Angeles and San Francisco, 348 jobs gone in December!  France based clothier Louis Vuitton shutting down its store in Hollywood, right after Xmas.  St. John’s Knits issued another WARN, 72 California jobs outsourced to Mexico (on top of the 130 jobs already lost to Mexico during Summer).  Electric car maker Tesla suddenly laid off as many as 7-hundred Californians for lack of performance, or is it part of Tesla’s plan to focus on production in China?  Finland based Nokia issued a layoff WARN for its California operation, 72 jobs gone a few days before Xmas.  France owned Schneider Electric eliminating 15 jobs in California, right before Xmas.  California wildfires reveal more than 50-thousand illegal immigrants living in Napa and Sonoma counties, yet U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says they won’t be deported!  It’s been revealed that San Francisco based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo’s massive layoffs of U.S. employees is part of a plan to shift banking jobs to Philippines!  TheCharlotteObserver: Wells Fargo seeks overseas call center workers as it slashes US jobs

Unnamed employees revealed Rockwell Collins plans to offshore at least 130 North Carolina jobs to the Philippines, it might be connected to the pending sale of Rockwell Collins to United Technologies!

 Italy based eyewear maker/distributor Luxottica Retail North America issued a mass layoff WARN, 208 jobs in Tennessee gone right after Xmas!

In West Virginia, Italy owned plastics maker M&G Polymers now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Germany owned Akustica issued a  shutdown WARN for its Pennsylvania location, 54 jobs gone by October 2018.

Japan owned but Switzerland based Metalor Technologies issued a shutdown WARN for its Pennsylvania location, 121 jobs gone right after Xmas!

Japan owned Oak-Mitsui issued a layoff WARN for 20 people in New York.

Netherlands owned Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) suddenly laid off 90 people in Louisiana, blaming a variety of things including Hurricane Harvey.

Brazil owned poultry processor Pilgrim’s Pride shutting down its new factory in Luverne, 2-hundred jobs gone between Thanksgiving and Xmas, due to Pilgrim’s Pride’s takeover of competitor GNP in January!

Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems eliminating 55 jobs in Ohio as part of its plan to move jobs to Mexico.

U.S. Paper Converters shutting down its Wisconsin operations, 52 jobs gone by New Years due to state officials bringing in foreign operations with taxpayer money: For the third time in less than two months, the Paper Valley has been hit hard. At a time when the state is set to spend billions to lure a foreign company, our heritage and core industries are being gutted without explanation or without concern from our state leadership. This is not just about the loss of fifty jobs, but fifty families, men, women and children being thrust into difficult times and during the holiday season. It is high time we focus our time, resources and money on Wisconsin industry and Wisconsin jobs. Paper is our heritage, and it must be our future.”-Tom Nelson, Outagamie County Executive

 U.S. Congress is considering a tax bill that would reward corporations for sending jobs offshore, “Ending taxation of offshore profits would give multinational corporations an incentive to send jobs offshore, thereby lowering U.S. wages. It would also be a giant loophole for corporations to use accounting gimmicks to move their profits to tax havens, resulting in the loss of billions of dollars in tax revenue for the United States.”100 GROUPS OPPOSING A TERRITORIAL TAX SYSTEM 

Two ‘dreamers’ caught in separate incidents running human trafficking operations!  They were smuggling people from Mexico and Brazil into the United States.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release; Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Arrest Juvenile Smugglers

Mormon owned Deseret News: Muslim refugees to US outnumbered by Christians

More proof immigrants are about cheap labor as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement accused of using immigrant prisoners as forced labor.

Pennsylvania based clothier David’s Bridal revealed plans to shutdown U.S. stores and open new stores in Canada.

September: Pioneer Metal Finishing shutting down its ops in Oshkosh, 52 jobs gone due to consolidation of operations to other U.S. and Mexican factories.

For the past few years aircraft maker Boeing has killed thousands of U.S. jobs claiming tough competition from Europe’s Airbus.  In September Boeing officially broke-ground on a new $53-million USD factory, not in the United States, but in the British empire country of United Kingdom.  It’s part of Boeing’s decade-and-a-half long (starting in 2001) plan to move U.S. jobs out-of-country in order to take part in ‘globalization’.

In Tennessee, DISGRUNTLED ‘DREAMER’ SHOOTS-UP “multi-ethnic” CHURCH!

Politico: How Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Threatens to Choke Idaho’s Dairy Industry….  …Without them, a ‘Made in America’ success story would collapse.

Disney owned TV network ABC (American Broadcasting Corporation) is working on a new illegal immigrant sitcom called Sanctuary Family.

The state if Iowa admitted it is using immigrants and refugees to make up for the huge exodus of taxpaying citizens!  Since 2010 about 40% of Iowa’s population growth was the result of immigrants!

It was revealed that in Pennsylvania “ineligible” immigrants were allowed to vote during the past decade!  State law says only U.S. citizens can vote.

Sacramento Bee: California becomes official sanctuary state for illegal immigrants, blames Trump

DaytonDailyNews: Dayton, Ohio, among top destinations for immigrants, which saw an almost 50% increase in its immigrant population

CBSNews: Detained immigrants paid $1 a day

San Diego Union-Tribune: Growing number of Chinese immigrants smuggled through San Diego

NYC based Too Big to Jail JPMorgan created 2-thousand-5-hundred new jobs, in Poland!  And New York state’s Westchester County issued an executive order protecting illegal immigrants saying “While we wait for Washington to get its act together, Westchester will continue to protect all of its residents.”

Chicago Tribune: Immigrant population in the city of Rockford skyrockets 64%, “to mitigate a net population loss of about 10,000” citizens!

ValueWalk: “Despite bringing in over $1 billion in profits, AT&T….   …has become one of the worst job destroyers in recent years, relying more and more on offshoring….”

Bloomberg: Economist blames automation coupled with offshoring for killing the working class

Little India: Workers Rise in US Against Offshoring of Jobs

Center for Immigration Studies: Equifax and the National Security Threat of Offshoring

Drugs pusher Alexion Pharmaceuticals shutting down its factory in Rhode Island, 250 jobs gone due to offshoring work to Ireland!

Los Angeles Times: A good compromise will result in California becoming a ‘sanctuary state’

Washington Post: City council of College Park, Maryland, approved a new law allowing illegal immigrants to vote in local elections.

CNSNews.com: “Since April, the number of illegal aliens trying to get into the United States along the Southwest border has been steadily rising, reaching a total of 30,567 in August, a 22.5 percent increase from July and almost twice the 15,771 recorded in April, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.”

WHAS channel 11, Kentucky: “We have 30,000 open jobs in the city right now, 8,000 that require degrees, and we need people from all over the community filling those jobs right now.”-Bryan Warren, Louisville Office of Globalization

“The immigration and refugee population here in Kentucky has been growing a lot, and we have staffing needs just like every other company has.”-Larry Rosa, United Parcel Service

TheHill: “Communications Workers of America (CWA) say that AT&T has been cutting pay, laying off workers and offshoring jobs at an alarming rate.”

The Columbus Dispatch: “While the U.S. has been rapidly losing call center jobs, the amount of off-shore call center jobs servicing the U.S. has skyrocketed.”

U.S.News & World Report: “…gathered in the American Underground, a startup incubator, to take part in classes organized through Code the Dream, a program set up to steer people from immigrant, refugee and minority communities into computer programming jobs and tech careers.”

Marketplace: “…Nebraska couldn’t produce the billions of dollars in agricultural products they do now without the help of immigrant labor.”

Daily Mail: “Merck….raising drug prices and offshoring jobs after its black CEO quits White House manufacturing council…”

August:   General Electric (GE) shutting down its electronic board factory in New York, 145 jobs being affected by GE’s plan to off-shore production to China!  Fuel station operator Sunoco suddenly laid off 94 HQ employeesand many hundreds more employees will become unemployed as Sunoco sold its fuel station ops to Japan owned 7-Eleven!

People’s World: “I’m not looking to pick another fight with Donald Trump. I did plenty of that before I recently retired as president of the local union that fought to save Carrier jobs in Indiana.  But Carrier just delivered a new round of layoff notices to hundreds of workers — and President Trump could have stopped it. And that just ticks me off.”-Chuck Jones, former union boss

July:  Donald Trump’s favorite HVAC company Carrier going through with mass layoffs, 630 people will become jobless between now and the end of the year, due to Carrier shifting the jobs to Mexico!  Brooklyn-NYC based Vice Media laid off 60 people as part of its plan to focus on international markets.

June:  Despite the boasts/threats from Donald Trump, home improvement retailer Lowes is eliminating 120 Info-Tech jobs in North Carolina, those jobs are being off-shored to India!    In Texas, after 110 years R.H. Lackner’s Fine Jewelry shutdown, the owners blaming everything including “violence” from “Mexico”. 

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees:  “After 100 days in office, Trump continues to reward U.S. companies that offshore jobs.”

May: Despite earlier threats by Donald Trump, HVAC company Carrier suddenly began eliminating 3-hundred jobs!  Carrier also warned that more layoffs will take place later in the year as work is shifted to Mexico!  In Colorado, after 40 years Turley’s Kitchen shutdown due to the owners being unable to hire competent immigrant employees, (and being unable to find a buyer for the iconic ‘health food’ restaurant).  Despite record levels of legal immigration into the U.S., the owners say it’s gotten harder to find people who’re willing to do things like wash dishes!

April: Colorado based Ciber is now bankrupt busted and being sold-off to a French company.

CBS 60 Minutes reveals U.S. companies (including Disney) forcing U.S. employees to train their migrant replacements:

March:   Wisconsin based farm vehicle parts maker Rexnord shutting down its Indiana bearings factory and moving more than 3-hundred jobs to Mexico by the end of the year, despite threats by Donald Trump!  Massachusetts based Liberty Mutual eliminating 360 Info-Tech jobs across two U.S. states as part of a massive plan to  “….hire 25,000 people worldwide.”  

U.S. Senators from Idaho Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, along with David Perdue of Georgia, reintroduced a bill that would make labor strikes at U.S. ports illegal, for the benefit of foreign companies: “By qualifying the ‘slowdown’ tactic as an unfair labor practice, this bill will ensure businesses can continue to import and export their goods…..:”

February: Georgia based video game maker Kiz Studios confirmed it suddenly eliminated jobs, but refused to say how many.   Administrators said it was to restructure “…three of our gaming studios in order to focus on our new Global Services practice.”

BARBARIANS SACKING ROME: FOREIGN LANDLORDS NOW CONTROL THE ‘AMERICAN’ DREAM!

GREAT RENEGER: TRUMP ALLOWS 15,000 MORE LEGAL MIGRANTS INTO U.S.!

RECORD NUMBER OF U.S. & U.K. CITIZENS DEFECT TO GERMANY! WHAT DO YOU KNOW, DEUTSCHLAND!

GREAT RENEGER: TRUMP FAILS TO STOP IMMIGRATION TSUNAMI!

MORE PROOF GOVERNMENTS & CORPORATIONS ARE BEHIND HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNDER THE GUISE OF RESCUING REFUGEES IN ORDER TO TAKE YOUR JOB!

OBAMA LEGACY: RECORD 95-MILLION + UNEMPLOYED & NOT COUNTED!

Obama era, 2016:  YET AGAIN, ANOTHER RECORD RENOUNCE U.S. CITIZENSHIP!

It’s been revealed that Donald Trump (the presidential candidate that wants to end J-1 foreign student work visas) made big bucks using the very same J-1 student workers at the hotels he created. 

MY IMMIGRANT IDAHO: MORMON FARMERS TO SUFFER UNDER TRUMP’S ILLEGALS POLICY?

OBAMA TO GIVE JOBS TO THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS!

In California, Foothill Packing has been fined $235-thousand USD for falsely firing U.S. citizens and replacing them with H-1B migrants  and electric car maker Tesla was caught by the San Jose Mercury News directly importing illegal migrants to work in The Golden State!  

U.S. FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAYOFFS JUNE 2016 : “WE’RE NOT TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN PEOPLE, THAT’S BULLSHIT!” as it’s been revealed that a taxpayer funded scholarship program known as DACA funds college education for ILLEGAL immigrants! Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton proudly and openly supports it! DACA is in addition to any other financial aid: “I was able to get scholarships and grants through DACA.”-Clara Kim, Korean student at elitist Azusa Pacific University in California who admitted to Hillary Clinton that she was in the U.S. illegally, Hillary Clinton then ‘applauded’ Kim’s efforts, it was caught on video by CBSLos Angeles.

2015:  HISTORY SHOWS IMMIGRANTS ARE GREATEST SELF-INFLICTED THREAT TO EMPIRES!

“Shit’s bleak….” “I’m just getting out of this before I’m forced out!”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, July 2017

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

BARBARIANS SACKING ROME: FOREIGN LANDLORDS NOW CONTROL THE ‘AMERICAN’ DREAM!

GREAT RENEGER: TRUMP ALLOWS 15,000 MORE LEGAL MIGRANTS INTO U.S.!

Arkansas: Christian founded Bentonville based Walmart suddenly laid off an undisclosed number of HQ employees in the name of “creating efficiencies”.  In Keo, after 50 years Morris Antiques announced on Facebook they shutdown.

 California:  In Fresno, mini-golf joint Boomers shutdown because “We lost our lease”.  In Newport Beach, after seven decades Bay Arcade shutdown by new owners who’re spending millions to turn it into a donut shop.  San Francisco based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo laying off 70 executives as part of a bigger plan to eliminate thousands of jobs across the U.S.  Too Big to Jail Bank of America shutting down its offices in Lakeport and Ukiah in November.  In San Ramon, Bank of the West eliminating 54 jobs by mid-September.  San Francisco based clothier Gymboree announced the shutdown of 350 stores across the U.S., thousands of jobs lost, click here to see the list.  Vernon based True Religion Apparel now chapter 11 bankrupt busted blaming crashing sales, at least 27 stores across the U.S. shutting down.  Clothier BCBG Max Azria issued a mass layoff WARN for its Vernon ops, 492 jobs gone by September (don’t blame the internet, they offer free shipping on their website)!    Interviewing Service of America issued a shutdown WARN for its Alhambra ops, 66 jobs gone by mid-September.  The Ritz-Carlton shutting down its location in Half Moon Bay by mid-September.  Build-A-Bear Workshop issued a shutdown WARN for its Anaheim location, 99 jobs gone by mid-September.   Ebisu Marketing-Hotei Marketing issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles operations, 116 jobs gone by September!   Sports marketing company Competitor Group couldn’t compete and issued a shutdown WARN for its San Diego ops, 145 jobs gone in November!

Colorado: In Sterling, JCPenney shutdown its store in the High Plains Shopping Center.  Payless Shoesource also shutdown a store in Sterling, along with two other Payless stores across the state.

Connecticut: In Unionville, after 143 years (!) Parsons Paint & Hardware shutdown, the family owners blaming it on “hardware burnout”.  British empire based Too Big to Jail RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) issued yet another layoff WARN, this time 23 jobs gone in September.

Florida:   More than 80 years old formal wear retailer Alfred Angelo went chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutdown all its stores across the U.S. without warning, pissing off thousands of customers waiting for paid orders to be filled!  In Daytona Beach, after 59 years the last local bowling alley Bellair Lanes shutdown.  PHH Mortgage Corporation eliminating 15 jobs in Jacksonville by October.  British empire based Too Big to Jail HSBC issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Brandon, 197 people laid off on top of the 357 laid off in April!  Outdoors store Gander Mountain eliminating 119 jobs by the end of August!

Hawaii: In Pearl City, Pictures Plus Interiors shutting down in August.

No more "well loved by customers" pawn shop on Yellowstone Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.

No more “well loved by customers” pawn shop on Yellowstone Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.

Idaho: It was discovered that 50 years old, ‘well loved by customers’ (according to Facebook postings) Shamrock Rare Coins (aka Amy’s Shamrock Coins) pawn shop secretly shutdown, even the official website is offline.   Mitt Romney co-founded wunderkind Staples announced it will shutdown its Pocatello store in August, falsely blaming “customers” for shopping online.

Illinois: What housing market recovery?  In Bridgeview, after 40 years Advantage Carpets Plus Colortile shutdown, the owner says he is only semi-retiring because his wife doesn’t want him to fully retire.  In Chicago, after more than ten years Permanent Records shutting down so the owners can focus on their newer operations in California.  Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino laid off 20 people due to crashing revenue.  In Hinsdale, after 53 years York Barber Shop shutdown, the owners complained “There’s too much competition. It used to be there were barbershops and beauty shops and that was it. There weren’t all these unisex places.”  

Iowa: In Waterloo, after 104 years (!) Robin’s Surplus shutting down in September: “….we’ve been gradually decreasing in business over the last 10 years. We’ve noticed the decline, based on internet sales. I even polled my kids and asked where the bought all the Christmas stuff and the bought it on the internet.”-Gary Ritter, co-owner

Kansas: In Parsons, after four decades Sullivan Furniture shutdown due to family health problems.  After only two years in the Wichita Mall clothing store Foggy Bottom shutdown, no reason given.

Louisiana: In Lafayette, after 15 years flower shop The Gardenaire shutdown, the owners will focus on wholesale saying “We just can’t compete….People don’t come in like they used to. It’s just changing times.” 

Maryland: Laurel based Rent-A-Wreck of America now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming it on a never ending lawsuit with the company’s founder.  In Hagerstown, Bon-Ton shutting down when the lease expires, 55 jobs lost by February 2018.  After 32 years non-profit arts & crafts operation Baltimore Clayworks went chapter 7 bankrupt and shutdown after a deal to sell the financially struggling operation fell through. In Havre de Grace, Stirling Bridge Jewelry and Gifts shutting down, saying on Facebook “For a variety of reasons, foremost being the rapid decline of business in downtown Havre de Grace and the mass exit of numerous other businesses during this last year, Stirling Bridge Jewelry & Gifts will be relocating to Delaware….”  First Potomac Realty Trust issued WARNs for two locations, 72 jobs gone by October.

Massachusetts: Boston based Too Big to Jail Fidelity Investments continues killing jobs, this time hundreds of employees were suddenly laid off!  It was also reported that Fidelity Investments  bribed (buyouts) 1-thousand-5-hundred employees to quit! Boston based shoe and clothing retailer Nader-The Tannery now chapter 7 bankrupt busted.

Michigan: In Detroit, after 124 years (!) the country’s oldest hat retailer Henry the Hatter shutting down due to a greedy landlord.

Minnesota: In Red Wing, after 27 years Al’s Antique Mall shutdown, the owner saying “The whole customer has changed and it’s a new generation. What you once thought was rare is now on ebay.”  In Granite Falls, after 38 years Willie’s Corner Store shutting down in August because nobody wanted to buy it: “This was very disappointing to think that no one wants to continue what you have been doing for years to keep Willies alive.”-Penny Krogstad, co-owner

Montana: In Great Falls, after more than 25 years Hobby Land shutdown, the owner said she was ready to retire.

Nebraska: In Lincoln, Bishop Heights True Value hardware store shutting down, saying on Facebook the store “just (does) not have the sales we need to continue operating.” 

New Hampshire: In Dover, after only four years, and even moving to a newer location with cheaper rent/utilities, Spun Records shutting down in August due to lack of sales.  I guess all that main stream news media (fake news) hype about records making a comeback was just hype.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, after 34 years Grandma’s Music and Sound shutdown, the owners told local news media the risks of retail now outweigh the rewards.

New York: At JFK Airport, Command Security lost its contract with FedEx, 46 jobs gone by the end of August.   Also at JFK, DAL Global lost its contract with Virgin Airways, 49 jobs gone by the end of October.  Courtyard by Marriott LaGuardia Hotel shutting down, 144 jobs gone by October!  Commercial bank contractor Gannett National Shared Services eliminating 31 jobs by the end of October.  Conduent Business Services eliminating 59 jobs by the end of September.  In Brooklyn-NYC, after more than seven years hangout joint The Rock Shop shutdown, the manager saying “Rent’s too high, taxes are too high. Too much development happening on Fourth Avenue!”  In Rochester, after 29 years Lakeshore Record Exchange shutting down in September, the owner says more people listen to music than ever before, just not in the format he sells.  Sports venue Yard Sports Village-Warwick Yard now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  In Buffalo, after 25 years clothier Urban Leisure and Luxury shutting down by the end of August because the owners want out of the retail industry.  In Pearl River, after more than 60 years Mel’s Army-Navy Center shutdown due to the owner not finding a buyer: “People don’t want to get into the retail industry anymore. The store was doing fine, but no one was really looking to take it over.”-Chris Frawley, owner

North Carolina: High Point based Dynamic International Airways now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to lawsuits.  Non-profit animal rescue op Duke’s Animal Haven shutdown “Due to circumstances beyond our control…….effective immediately.”   In Chapel Hill, DSI Comedy Theater shutting down by the end of August, due to the owner being accused (but never charged) of sex crimes.  In Washington, after four years The Blue Crab Monograms and Gifts shutdown because the owner got a job as a high school teacher.

Ohio:  In Painesville, after 23 years Grande Designs Floral shutdown officially so the owner can retire, but local news media discovered the store, and inventory, is now “bank owned” and for sale.  In Kettering, after 39 years clothing store Elan shutdown due to family health problems.  In Fostoria, after 25 years Steinacker & Sons Ace Hardware shutdown, the owners lamenting “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t keep it going.”

Oregon: In Portland, after 15 years Newspace Center for Photography suddenly shutdown due to the discovery that the non-profit art gallery was broke!  After five years the Action/Adventure Theatre shutdown saying “It’s become increasingly difficult for small arts spaces like ours to survive in Portland and while we are heartbroken that this city has to lose yet another venue, we can no longer shoulder the financial burden of maintaining our theater.”  A writer for The Portland Mercury reacted to the sudden shutdowns of two art venues by saying “Shit’s bleak, you guys.” 

Pennsylvania: Stauffers of Kissel Hill shutdown its 53 years old shop in Oregon Pike saying it was too small to compete with big-box.  In Pittsburgh, baby furniture store Good Night Baby shutdown without warning, the owner told a local news TV channel that he was on vacation, however, a note taped to the door stated the store was closed due to “market conditions”.  Local news media reported dozens of customers were still waiting for orders that they already paid for.   In Philadelphia, after 52 years Snyderman-Works Galleries sold-off and shutting down so the owners can retire.  In Erie, after 55 years Fisher Jewelers shutting down when the inventory is gone.  Silver Creek County Club shutting down by September.

Texas:  Katy based Academy Sports & Outdoors suddenly laid off 1-hundred people, blaming it on “the changing needs of our customers”!  Stage Stores shutting down its 47 years old Bealls store in Corpus Christi, in September, because of the greedy landlord (Trademark Properties).  In Brownsville, after 110 years (!) R.H. Lackner’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts shutting down, the owners blaming declining customers from Mexico: “The Mexican business has been a factor. It used to represent about half our business. I don’t see it coming back.”-Bobby Lackner

Virginia: In Danville, after 71 years M&M Furniture shutdown so the owner could retire.  In Waynesboro, after 30 years Valley Framing Studio and Gallery shutdown, the owner saying “It’s about time to enjoy life…”   Nordstrom shutting down its 15 years old store in Dulles Town Center because “…we feel we can serve our customers better at our other area stores and online.”

Wisconsin:  In Wauwatosa, after 93 years Daly’s Pen Shop  shutdown with the owner warning other mom&pop retailers by saying “I’m just getting out of this before I’m forced out!”  In the same city Bartz’s party store suddenly shutdown as part of a corporate plan to shift to online sales only.

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, JUNE 2017: “WE HAVE A STORE CLOSURE INITIATIVE”, “RETAIL IS PRETTY MUCH GONE!”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, JULY 2017: “WHERE DID ALL THIS MONEY GO?” “THAT’S THE END OF THE GAME.”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, JULY 2017: “BUSINESS HAD DECLINED SINCE 2008″

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., July 2017: “OF ALL THE MONEY WE SPEND ON EDUCATION, LESS THAN 32% GOES TO TEACHERS.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, JULY 2017: “EVERYONE IS SHELL-SHOCKED!” 61% CRASH IN PROFITS!  

U.S. government shenanigans, July 2017: “THEY GAVE ME NO REASON FOR CLOSING IT”

U.S. food crisis, July 2017: “WE ARE CLOSING……WE HAVE NO CHOICE”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, July 2017: 250-THOUSAND JOBS KILLED! “REGRETTABLY, THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT”

OBAMA LEGACY: DEATH OF ‘OUTDOORS’ STORES, AND DON’T BLAME THE INTERNET!

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL “I HAVE NO CLUE. IT JUST DOESN’T SEEM TO BE WORKING…”

“Business had declined since 2008”: U.S. industrial/mining/logistics layoffs, July 2017

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

Alabama: McClarin Plastics shutting down its four years old factory in Elmor, in August. Local news media said peak employment was 230 people!

 California: Penske Vehicle Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Torrance location, 15 jobs gone by mid-September.   Germany based industrial seal maker EagleBurgmann Industries issued a shutdown WARN for its Lakeside operations, 81 jobs gone by mid-September.   Boeing issued yet more layoff WARNs, this time 75 jobs gone by mid-September.  Payless Shoesource issued a shutdown WARN for its Redlands distribution center, 140 jobs gone by the end of September!

Florida: Brunswick-Sea Ray Boats suddenly laid off 90 people and furloughed another 130, at its Palm Coast factory!   More railroad layoffs, Jacksonville based CSX announced an additional 7-hundred layoffs on top of the 1-thousand laid off earlier this year!

Georgia: What housing construction industry recovery?  One of the biggest carpet makers in the U.S.,  Beaulieu, is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The 40 years old carpet maker blames it on crashing sales.

Illinois: Wholesale broker Aclara SGS suddenly shutdown its operations in Champaign, 79 jobs gone due to loss of contract.   Pacific Coast Feather Company issued a shutdown WARN for its Des Plaines ops, 29 jobs gone due to being taken-over by a competitor.   Amcor Rigid Plastics issued a shutdown WARN for its Batavia factory, 110 jobs gone by March 2018!  What home construction industry recovery?  Pace Industries issued a shutdown WARN for its kitchen cabinet ops in Chicago, 120 jobs lost between September and November!  Glass maker PPG issued a shutdown WARN for its Chicago ops, 55 jobs gone by October.  Window blind maker Newell Brands issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Downers Grove, 138 jobs gone by June 2018!  HVAC company Standard Refrigeration issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Wood Dale, 102 jobs gone by the end of September!  Kane Warehousing issued a layoff WARN for its Romeoville ops, 178 jobs gone by mid-September due to loss of contract!

Indiana:  Donald Trump’s favorite HVAC company Carrier going through with mass layoffs, 630 people will become jobless between now and the end of the year, due to Carrier shifting the jobs to Mexico!  In Huntington, United Technologies eliminating 7-hundred jobs! 

Iowa: Germany based shoe maker/seller Adidas shutting down its Sports Licensed Division office in Cedar Rapids, 120 jobs gone (according to local news reports, but official WARN says 98 jobs) due to Adidas’ exit from NBA licensed products!

Maine: Verso permanently shutdown a paper mill, 120 jobs gone due to crashing sales of paper!  The same mill was temporarily shutdown in November 2016, for the same reason.  What construction industry recovery? Potvin Construction now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and liquidating, blaming it on a lawsuit.

Maryland: The largest energy ‘retailer’ across North America, Direct Energy, eliminating 108 jobs in Columbia by mid-September!  What automotive industry recovery?  Sweden based Volvo suddenly laid off employees in Elkridge.

Minnesota: Bankrupt Mesabi Metallics-Essar Steel Minnesota being taken over by a competitor, 25 people are expected to lose their jobs.

New York: Box maker West Rock issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Wheatley Heights, 152 jobs gone by mid-October! CEVA Logistics issued a shutdown WARN for its Waterford ops, 42 jobs gone by the end of September due to loss of contract.  What housing construction industry recovery?  Window supplier Zeluck suddenly shutdown its Brooklyn-NYC location, 49 jobs gone.

North Carolina: DuraFiber Technologies issued a factory shutdown WARN for two fatories, 462 jobs gone in September!  The factories are now for sale, the company will continue operations in Germany, France and Mexico.  Parker Hannifin Corporation-Filtration Group shutting down its factory in Washington city, more than 2-hundred jobs lost to consolidation of operations to outside the state.

Ohio: In Chillicothe, engineered materials maker Glatfelter laying off 90 people at its Paper Machine 24 factory, saying “The supply-demand imbalance in the printing and writing markets continues to put pressure on industry operating rates and selling prices.”

Oklahoma: Oil company ConocoPhillips said it eliminated an undisclosed number of jobs due to an ‘asset sale’.

Pennsylvania:  Engineered materials maker Glatfelter laying off 30 people in Spring Grove.  More railroad layoffs as GE (General Electric) Locomotive continues killing jobs, this time 575 people in Erie becoming jobless by the end of 2018 as GE consolidates production to Texas!  Altria Group -John Middleton shutting down its cigar factory in Limerick, 78 jobs gone in September.  HVAC company Elliott Lewis Corporation (ELCO) laid off 74 people in Philadelphia, due to loss of contract.  Graham Thermal Products issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in New Castle, 61 jobs gone in September.

South Carolina: North Carolina based DuraFiber Technologies shutting down its factory in Winnsboro, about 40 jobs gone in September, the factory is now for sale.

Tennessee: More railroad layoffs, Norfolk Southern shutting down its Knoxville HQ, consolidating about 50 HQ jobs to locations outside the state.  Memphis based FedEx (Federal Express) shutting down all 26 locations in Canada, 2-hundred jobs lost as FedEx exits its 32 years of Canadian shipping in August!

Washington: Interstate Label Company suddenly went chapter 7 bankrupt busted and was liquidated, the owner said “Business had declined since 2008….”  Boeing issued another layoff WARN, 220 jobs gone by mid-September!  APM Terminals shutting down its Tacoma ops by mid-September.  Custom packaging maker KIK Tacoma issued a shutdown WARN for its Tacoma ops, 20 jobs gone by mid-August.

West Virginia: After 80 years Kanawha Electric & Machine suddenly shutdown, the owners blaming the high number of mining industry bankruptcies for its crashing orders.

Wisconsin:  What automotive industry recovery? Harley Davidson announced more layoffs, this time 183 people at two U.S. factories will become jobless due to a 9% drop in sales!

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, June 2017: “CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL”

“we have a store closure initiative”, “Retail is pretty much gone!”: U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector collapse, June 2017

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

“Employment in retail trade declined by 30,000 in March. Within retail trade, employment in general merchandise stores declined by 35,000 over the month and 89,000 since reaching a recent employment high in October 2016.”-U.S. Bureau of labor Statistics

The velocity of change is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Before, things happened over a generation; now they’re happening overnight.”-Matthew Shay, National Retail Federation

Alaska: Pennsylvania based law firm K&L Gates shutdown its office in Anchorage.

 California:  Bankrupt 108 years old retailer Deardens issued shutdown WARNs for five locations, more than 420 jobs gone by August!  Deardens specialized in selling to immigrant workers, but administrators say “It seems like in today’s climate, a lot of our customers are hiding.”  Teen clothier Papaya Clothing now chapter 11 bankrupt busted affecting 1-thousand-3-hundred employees!   San Francisco based children’s clothier Gymboree now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, as many as 450 stores across the U.S. shutting down, thousands of jobs lost!   Louis Vuitton shutting down a San Francisco store by September.  Security company Blacktalon shutdown ops in Napa, 90 jobs gone.  In Indio, Wyndham Vacation Ownership eliminating 62 jobs by the end of August.  Hotel Managers Group issued a shutdown WARN for its San Diego ops, 90 jobs gone by mid-August.  Also in San Diego, Lucky Lady Casino and Cardroom issued a shutdown WARN, 77 jobs gone by the end of August.  In Long Beach, Kammel Enterprises laying off 35 people by the end of August.   In Santa Barbara, after four decades Glenda’s Party Cove shutdown.  In Big Sur, vacation ‘retreat center’ Esalen Institute laid off 45 people and shutdown due to storm damage.  San Francisco  based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo eliminating 70 regional/area president positions. In Canyon Country, after 20 years Beverly’s Fabrics & Crafts shutting down by the end of August, as part of corporate’s plan to shift to internet sales only.   What automotive industry recovery?  J&T Motors shutting down its Valencia Nissan operations, 61 jobs gone by the end of August.  In Lancaster, JHH Motorcars conducting mass layoffs at its Sierra Toyota ops, 123 jobs gone by mid-August!  In Berkeley, after 41 years cool Dark Carnival Fantasy & Science Fiction Bookstore shutting down when the massively discounted inventory is gone, due to crashing sales.  Also in Berkeley, bookstore The Escapist is threatening to do the same.  In Turlock, after more than 20 years home decor store Silk Garden shutdown, the owner explained “Everything came together at the right time.”  In Ventura, after 90 years Avenue Hardware shutdown (it still sold tools that are out-of-production), the owner reminding people that “It’s 100% important to support local businesses because your money stays local instead of going out of state. You buy local, you employ local people and you’re helping the community. It’s getting harder and harder to run small businesses and make a living out of it unless you have a niche (but) there’s a need for it.”

Georgia: In Athens, after 49 years Bulldog Sporting Goods shutting down, owner Woody Chastain bemoaning “Retail is pretty much gone! When you see Sports Authority close all their stores, when you see Ralph Lauren close its flagship store and say they’re going online, when you see Nike saying they will start selling on Amazon, it’s just different. Too many people carrying the same stuff!”

Illinois:  Thrift store Savers issued shutdown WARNs for stores in Chicago and Bellwood, about 1-hundred jobs gone by the end of August!  Gift store Things Remembered shutdown its Alton Square Mall store, the staff were ordered not to talk to local news media.  Also at Alton Square Mall, gift store Kirlin’s Hallmark shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Indiana: In Fort Wayne, after 91 years Sunny Schick Camera Shop shutting down so the owner can “wrap it up and take it easy for a while.”

Iowa:  In West Des Moines, Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo eliminating at least 32 jobs by mid-August.

Kentucky: In Cold Spring, Geiman Furniture Gallery shutting down when the inventory is gone, so the owner can retire.  In Danville, after 43 years Main Street Furniture Market shutting down due to the greedy property owners wanting to split the building into smaller spaces.

Massachusetts: Clothing consignment chain store 2nd Time Around suddenly died, all remaining 23 stores shutdown, blaming online competition and greedy landlords: “Because of a convergence of market forces hitting all brick and mortar stores – including increased competition from online retailers combined with skyrocketing rents….”-official 2nd Time Around statement

Michigan: In Bloomfield, after four decades Hillside Contemporary Furniture shutdown by its new owner, a competing furniture seller.  Craft store Mary Maxim shutting down its decades old brick-n-mortar store in Port Huron, as part of its plan to shift to online selling.

Minnesota: In Moorhead, Tot Spot Moorhead Childcare suddenly shutdown, local news stated that the daycare center always “struggled with staffing, licensure, etc.”

Montana: In Great Falls, after 52 years His & Hers Coins shutdown, the owner Debbe Harris lamented “People are no longer into hobbies like they once used to be.”

New Jersey: In Montclair, after 70 years Hampton House Furniture shutting down, the owners saying “now is the right time”.  Cherry Hill Holiday Inn eliminated 82 jobs.  In Morristown, after 41 years Elephant Nose Pet Center shutdown, the owners blamed “…Millennials…who buy online.”  However, the pet shop owners will continue their pet sitting service, which they claim has “exploded” since the ‘millennials’ came to town. Secaucus based The Children’s Place clothier throwing in the towel and shutting down 3-hundred stores by 2020 after already quietly shutting down 142, it’s all part of a master plan to kill thousands of jobs, CEO Jane Elfers told USAToday that “we have a store closure initiative”.   Mahwah based clothing chain store operator Ascena Retail Group-Ann Taylor-Lane Bryant-Dressbarn-Maurices-Catherines-Justice-Total Kids Fashion throwing in the towel after a $1-billion USD crash in sales across the board with all its fashion brands, 250 stores being shutdown by the end of the year with another 4-hundred store shutdowns after that, tens of thousands of jobs lost by 2019!  But don’t blame the internet, the brands Ascena Retail Group sells are available online, and don’t just blame it on crashing sales blame the brick-n-mortar store shutdowns on greedy landlords: “Over the next two years, we expect to close or achieve substantial rent reductions in more than 650 stores, which represent almost 25% of the total store population with lease term maturity between 2017 and July of 2019.…”

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, record store Krazy Kat shutdown after 32 years: “Because I haven’t made money here in probably three years!”-Edward Stange, owner

New York:  W. P. Carey-Carey Financial & Retail eliminating at least 60 jobs between now and September.  GTA Americas notified the state that it’s outsourcing its Operations and Finance Departments, in September.   In Buffalo, after four decades The Record Theatre record store shutting down in August, due tothe death of the owner.   Bankrupt Gander Mountain outdoors store issued shutdown WARNs for seven stores, 264 jobs gone by the end of August!  American Racing and Entertainment shutting down its Vernon Downs due to lack of state tax relief for the money losing casino: “We are hopeful that at the end of the day the Assembly will join the Senate in passing legislation that will help Vernon Downs keep its doors open. However, every day that we remain open, we simply lose more money and are forced to begin the process of closing Vernon Downs…  …we employ hundreds of local workers, we provide millions of dollars in taxes to the local community….”

What automotive industry recovery?  IEH Auto Parts-Auto Plus issued a shutdown WARN for its Amherst store, 38 jobs gone by the end of September.  In Binghamton, after 60 years Murray’s Auto Repair shutdown.

North Carolina: In Jacksonville, after 23 years Cotton Patch Quilt Shoppe shutdown so the 70 ears old owner can retire.

North Dakota: In West Fargo, after seven decades Stars and Strikes shutdown, it was the only bowling alley in town.

Ohio: Mormon Mitt Romney co-founded wunderkind Staples shutdown its store in Boardman, blaming crashing sales (Staples sells online).   What real estate market recovery?  Cleveland based retail (malls, shopping plazas) property owner Forest City Realty Trust eliminating 50 jobs nationwide, as well as selling-off most of its malls and plazas as part of its plan to shift focus on residential rental properties.  In Marietta, after 132 years Woman’s Home retirement center shutdown due to skyrocketing operating costs: “…utilities, payroll, food, supplies, licensing fees and elevator maintenance and repairs to name a few. Payroll is our biggest expense.”-Mary Antons

Not only would you have to be at full bed capacity 100% of the time, but you’d have to double rent to make operations sustainable. That’s not what the purpose of this home was.”-Rebekah Mathis-Stump

Pennsylvania: In Bensalem, Ascena Retail Group-Catherines Stores eliminating 191 jobs by mid-August!

South Dakota: In Rapid City, after 40 years Jolly Lane Floral shutdown, the owner saying “…needed change, kind of little burnt out….I just kind of wanted a lighter load.”   Bankrupt Pawn America shutting down its store in Sioux Falls by the end of July.

Texas: San Antonio Museum of Art suddenly laid off 11 people blaming it on the cost of repairing the roof and HVAC system.   In Brownsville, after 110 years R.H. Lackner’s Fine Jewelry shutdown, the owners blaming everything including “violence” from “Mexico”.  In Denison, after 69 years Hubbard Furniture shutdown, the owner said skyrocketing ‘big box’ competition is a sign for him to retire: “It is just a headache being in retail these days. The problem is you have all these chains now. You’ve got a lot of big box stores. We’ve been doing good for all these years, but this year has been hard.”-Marcus Hubbard

Virginia: Privately run living history museum Colonial Williamsburg continues to kill jobs, this time 71 people are losing their jobs altogether while another 333 jobs are being outsourced, due to lack of tourist who want to relive the creation of the United States!   In Richmond, after 31 years Video Fan suddenly shutdown, the owners explained on Facebook “We can no longer sustain the business…”  In Fredericksburg, after more than 16 years River Run Antique Mall shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.  What automotive industry recovery? Roanoke based retailer Advance Auto Parts eliminating 475 corporate/supply/management jobs blaming two years of crashing sales (they have a website, so don’t blame it on them not selling on the internet)!

Washington: In Seattle, tourist trap Space Needle being shutdown, 153 jobs lost to renovations to strengthen the now iconic tower against what is expected to be a super earthquake/tsunami!

Wisconsin: In Mukwonago, after eight years My Sister’s Closet shutdown so the owner can “start a new adventure.”

Wyoming: Newcastle Hardware shutting down when the inventory is gone.

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL “I HAVE NO CLUE. IT JUST DOESN’T SEEM TO BE WORKING…”

U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector May 2017: “YOU CAN’T STOP THE BLEEDING”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, June 2017: “ALREADY-DEAD”

U.S. MINING/INDUSTRIAL/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, June 2017: “CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, June 2017: “A LOT OF EXPERIMENTATION.”

U.S. FOOD CRISIS, June 2017: “EVERY MONTH IT’S LOWER AND LOWER.”

OBAMACARE ACA DEATH SPIRAL, June 2017: “IT IS ALREADY TOO LATE”

DUMBING DOWN THE U.S. OF A., June 2017: “…YOU HAVE A STORM WARNING.”

U.S. government shenanigans, June 2017: “AMERICA’S MOST MESSED-UP STATE”

“a sweeping redevelopment”: Sears Kmart death spiral, August 2017

In Canada, owners of Sears Hometown stores are planning a legal battle for compensation as a result of Sears Canada going bankrupt busted and dead.

CBCnews: Sears Canada chairman steps down so he can bid to buy retailer

TheStreet.com: Why the Heck Is Warren Buffett Indirectly Invested in Dying Sears?

Insurance Journal: High Cost, Scarcity of Insurance Keeping Vendors from Sears Shelves

Reuters: Sears outsourcing production of Kenmore brands to Cleva North America, and production of Die Hard batteries to Dorcy International. 

MediaPost: Now they’re called DieHard Auto Centers

Bloomberg: Sears Hit With Second Lawsuit Over Company Stock in 401(k) 

PlanSponsor: Sears Holdings Puerto Rico Savings Plan lawsuit

Sears Holdings announced an additional 28 Kmart stores across the U.S., upping the total Sears-Kmart shutdowns for the year to more than 350.  The announcement was sudden, with Sears Holdings administrators admitting they hadn’t yet notified affected employees.

Arizona: The Mesa Kmart made the new shutdown list, shutting down in time for Thanksgiving.

California: Kmarts in Valencia, Jackson/Martell, Bellflower and Hesperia (where I attended junior and senior high school) shutting down mid-November.   Sears Holdings just sold its store and Auto Center at the northeast end of South Coast Plaza to the owners of the plaza.  the selling price was not disclosed. When asked if the Sears store and Auto Center were shutting down South Coast Plaza owners stated “We look forward to continuing that relationship with Sears…”  It’s been revealed that Sears Holdings notified Bishop Police that local Kmart employees had stolen at least $50-thousand USD worth of merchandise in the past few months.  After police investigated six people were arrested.

Colorado: The Aurora and Englewood Kmarts shutting down by Thanksgiving.

Connecticut: The Southbury Kmart made the new shutdown list.

Florida: North Miami Beach Kmart shutting down right before Xmas.

Georgia: The Mableton Kmart made the new shutdown list.

Idaho: A major screw-up resulted in the closing Coeur d’Alene Kmart getting a big shipment of ‘blank’ American Apparel-Supreme branded t-shirts.  Shoppers were able to re-sell the t-shirts on ebay, until Kmart realized what was going on and removed the labels from the remaining inventory.   In Lewiston, the Sears Hometown is for sale because the franchise owners say they can’t afford to renew the license to operate it.

Illinois: Kmarts in Oaklawn, Elmhurst and Belleville made the new shutdown list.

Kansas:  Topeka Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.

Michigan: Kmarts in Utica/Shelby, Bay City and Sandusky shutting down mid-November.   Taxpayers in the township of Georgetown might take a loss on the vacant taxpayer owned Kmart property.  Township leaders were planning on spending $180-thousand taxpayer dollars to improve the property, but a developer wants to buy the land.  In 2014 Georgetown taxpayers were forced to pay $1.6-million USD for the vacant Kmart, reports say the developer has offered much less than that, $1.5-million for three properties altogether.   In Norton Shores, a Kmart property that’s been vacant since 2004 (before the Eddie Lampert take-over) has finally been put up for sale, asking price is $4.2-million USD: “We’ve been trying for years to get them to fix it up or sell the building. Out of nowhere, last week, they listed it.”-Gary Nelund, mayor of Norton Shores

Minnesota: A local man who is willing to spend $3-million USD on turning a vacant Kmart into an indoor shooting range was blown-off by the West Saint Paul city council: “I started laying out some numbers and it was like, ‘OK, thank you, Mr. O’Keefe.’ I was basically cut off. As far as I’m concerned, I went to the city council and they didn’t give me an opportunity to present or show them any numbers.”-Chris O’Keefe

New Jersey:  Kmarts in Moorestown and Parsippany shutting down mid-November.

New York:  Kmarts in Rochester(Chili), Victor and Vails Gate(New Windsor) shutting down mid-November.    Proof they got money.  Sears Holdings-Seritage Growth has promised the city of Olean that if a new tenant is not found by Winter for the soon to be shutdown Kmart, then Seritage will “continue upkeep, heating it and performing needed repairs” until a new tenant is found.

North Carolina: It’s been revealed that back in July Sears Holdings sold its store in Wilmington to the new owners of the Independence Mall (Rouse Properties), for $10-million USD.  The Wilmington Sears store (at the Independence Mall) is still active and not on any shutdown list, however, Rouse Properties is planning “a sweeping redevelopment” of the entire mall.

Ohio: A Massilion Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

Oregon: A Salem Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

Pennsylvania: Kmarts in Allentown and Willow Grove shutting down mid-November.

Rhode Island: Cranston Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, it’s the last remaining Kmart in the state.

South Carolina: Conway Kmart shutting down in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

Utah: The Cedar City Sears Hardware and Appliance Store suddenly announced it was shutting down, local news media indicated it was the fault of Sears Holdings, not the franchise owner.

JULY 2017, EVEN MORE SEARS-KMART SHUTDOWNS: “WHERE DID ALL THIS MONEY GO?” “THAT’S THE END OF THE GAME.”