Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics

“It’s just an absolute train wreck!” Largest U.S. insurance op declares ObamaCare DoA! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 10 – 11 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Arkansas: In Pine Bluff, after 36 years Fashion Wigs shutting down by the end of the year.  The owner blames never ending Main Street construction work (called Main Street Clean Up Project by city A-Holes, I mean administrators) for blocking customer access and killing her sales: “Many of my customers don’t want to deal with the maze it takes to get to my store…..there is nothing I can do about it.”-Young Lee

California: In Pacoima, after 50 years (and surviving several robberies) Laurel Pharmacy shutting down.  Owner Barry Wise was hoping somebody could takeover the business, “But I couldn’t find a buyer, so it’s sad.”

Connecticut:  In Fairfield, after 66 years the Angus Steakhouse shutting down, supposedly it’s being replaced with a new thing called Little Pub.

Florida:  Brown Distributing issued a WARN, 84 jobs in Orlando gone by the end of June.

Idaho:  The Gem State’s version of ObamaCare is in trouble, news reports reveal that at the end of March a warning letter was sent out to Your Health Idaho employees telling them what to do if a healthcare provider is dealing with a person with life threatening issues, yet doesn’t qualify for Idaho’s version of ObamaCare: “Please be sure to include MEDICAL URGENT in the subject line as well as a detailed description of the client’s situation in the message body.”  (this is probably due to the claims by hospital directors that at least 1-thousand Idahoans have died as a direct result of not qualifying for ObamaCare through Your Health idaho)  However, an insurance agent in McCall said he deals with insuring people in five other states and compared to them Idahoans have it good: “It’s just an absolute train wreck! I’m licensed in six states, and believe me, in the other five states, it’s even worse.”-Stanley Dean

Illinois:  Edwardsville School District 7 warning of mass layoffs, fee increases and local tax hikes due to the economy failing to recover, contrary to what U.S. ‘leadership’ and main stream news media falsely claim.  Local news reports explained that the school district was flush with “reserve” cash when the official recession started, but the economy never recovered and now the district is not only out of money, but is $4.5-million USD in the hole!  Read the Belleville News-Democrat for the sobering truth (and a long list of drastic school district changes).  In Obama’s homie town, after 20 years Harpo Studios (owned by elitist Oprah Winfry) finally shutdown.  Its new home is in California.

Kansas: In Topeka, God powerless to stop the shutdown and sell-off of ‘his’ 130 years old (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Central Congregational United Church Of Christ.   Church leaders say the costs to maintain the old biddy, I mean building far exceeds revenues (yep, hypocritical Christians can only live off money, despite what Jesus of Nazareth said).

Maine: The city of Auburn eliminating four salaried administrative positions, due to lack of taxpayer funds.  One of the administrators had recently moved to Maine, from Texas, in 2012.  In Farmington, after three years Upcountry Artist Gallery shutting down by the end of the month due to lack of sales.

Michigan: Consumers Energy shutting down their 64 years old Luna Pier coal fired electricity factory, local news media forgot to ask how many jobs would be negatively impacted.

Minnesota: The largest health insurance company in the United States is getting the hell away from ObamaCare!  Minnetonka based UnitedHealth joins BlueCross-BlueShield is declaring the Affordable Care Act Dead on Arrival!   UnitedHealth will begin exiting ObamaCare plans beginning with the states of Arkansas and Georgia.  In 2014 UnitedHealth entered the ObamaCare market, but is getting out while it can still live to tell about it: “It was for us a bad decision. In retrospect, we should have stayed out….”-Stephen Hemsley, CEO

Missouri: In Bridgeton, SchnuckS Markets shutting down their grocery distribution center as work is being consolidated into a new larger facility in Saint Louis.  But don’t think the SchnuckS’ employees will be transferred, local news media discovered the employees at the new facility will be cheap-o contractors, meaning 190 good paying jobs in Bridgeton gone between July and September!   In Springfield, after 43 years Marylin’s Fine Jewelry shutting down.  The co-owners are retiring due to their age, but they admitted the local economy has been going down for a long time: “We moved here in ’73 and every store in the square was filled up…….Now there’s not very many retail stores on the square…”-Marilyn Scott, co-owner

Pennsylvania:  Meadowbrook Meat issued a layoff WARN, 76 jobs in Lancaster gone by mid-June.  In York, Durham School Services announced it will eliminate 88 jobs by the beginning of June.

Vermont: For the third year in a row the Burlington School District is prepping employees for mass layoffs, and for the second time is jacking up local taxes, and will eliminate classes because “…the decline in overall enrollment has resulted in numerous under-enrolled classes that can be consolidated.”  Teacher Bob Abbey bemoaned “…Burlington has become a second-tier educational system. We are going in the wrong direction.”  Read the sobering Burlington Free Press article which gives a list of drastic changes coming for the school district.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

LDS kills Mormon bookstore! Churches killing churches! North Carolina kills 5,800 jobs in 3 months! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 08 – 09 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: Without warning, Los Angeles based bankrupt American Apparel began laying off employees in The (not so) Golden State.  By the end of next week 450 people will be jobless!  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; San Francisco based health tech diagnostic company Counsyl laid off 27 people, despite boasting of “double digit” demand for their carrier screening services.

Colorado: In Cameo, after 58 years Eagles Nest Family Dining shutdown.  The restaurant was sold to a Texas based corporation in 2015, and they’ve decided it wasn’t making enough money.

Connecticut: Immucor Transplant Diagnostics issued a shutdown WARN for its Stamford location, 59 jobs lost by the beginning of June.

Florida: In Doral, ‘entertainment developer’ DLA laying off 92 people between May and November.  The Ritz Carlton issued a WARN for their Bal Harbor food service ops in Miami, 89 jobs lost by mid-June.

Idaho: In Twin Falls, after 37 years God powerless to stop ‘unofficial’ Mormon Bell’s Family Books from being shutdown by ‘official’ Mormon bookstore Deseret Book! You read right!  Local news reports say Bell’s Family Books was facing increasing competition, the final straw being when their own religion opened a bookstore down the street.

Illinois:  Highland Community College eliminating six jobs, blaming the failed ‘law makers’ for failing to come up with a state budget. Highland Community College is also jacking up tuition!  In Elgin, God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 50 years old Messiah Lutheran Church.  The property was sold to competitor Greek Orthodox Church.  After 34 years thrift store Kenneth Young Center Resale Shop shutting down when the previously owned inventory is gone, as well as halting their funding of programs for children with mental health problems.  The operator blames the failed state ‘lawmakers’: “…Illinois is the only state in the nation without a budget, decisions are being made where the most vulnerable people are suffering.”– Susan Cowan, CEO

Kentucky: Beauty First shutting down both its Louisville stores by the end of May, blaming crashed sales on competition from the internet, and jacked up rent by greedy property owners.

Maine: Gov’na Paul LePage warned that 9-hundred people in York County will become unemployed, due to their employer getting the hell outta Dodge! LePage refused to say which un-American corporation was fleeing the state.

North Carolina:  Local news reports say that since January 5-thousand 8-hundred people in North Carolina have been laid off!  New York based Croscill Home-Ex-Cell Home Fashions-Glenoit issued a layoff WARN, 50 distribution jobs gone by June.

Ohio:  Pilot Thomas Logistics issued a layoff WARN for their Fracking support (aka Frac) ops, 58 jobs gone by April.

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, when pressured by local news Chart Cooler Service admitted they laid off employees, but still refused to say how many.   They blamed it on the oil industry BS.

Pennsylvania: NHS Youth Services issued a WARN for their
Northwestern Academy, but failed to say how many people were losing their jobs.

South Dakota: Southeast Technical Institute warned of layoffs due to crashing student enrollment.

Texas:  In Dallas, Select Medical issued a WARN, 77 jobs gone by the end of May.  In El Paso, Schenker Logistics laying off nine employees by July.  DuPont issued a layoff WARN for its La Porte ops, 17 jobs lost by the end of May.  Denmark based Maersk Drilling revealed it  laid off an additional 57 people in Houston, just a few weeks after laying off 35.

California based Chevron laid off 655 people at its Houston ops!  The former employees are getting severance, which means they will not be counted as unemployed in the ‘official’ unemployment reports.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

07 April 2016: “it’s time to move on”

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

“it’s time to move on.” More U.S. jobs killed by foreign contractors! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 07 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alabama: The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost by the end of June 2016.

California:  Anaheim based PacSun (Pacific Sunwear) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, one of the reasons blamed is the skyrocketing rents (high occupancy cots) by evil property owners.  Administrators warned of ramped up store shutdowns.  New York based Barnes & Noble shutting down an office in Santa Clara, 80 jobs lost.  It’s part of the book seller’s plan to cut costs by $13-million USD.

Delaware: The U.S. Air Force shutting down the 40 years old jet engine shop at Dover AFB.  It’s being blamed on engine upgrades for the massive C-5M Galaxy heavy lifter.  The new engines supposedly need far less maintenance.  Local news reports say at peak the Dover AFB engine shop had 2-hundred personnel.

Illinois:  In Obama’s homie town of Chicago, law firm Leo Burnett revealed it eliminated more jobs, but refused to say how many.  Local news reports said it was “significant”.

New Jersey: In Mount Olive, after 73 years iconic americana Cherokee Trading Post shutting down when everything is sold-off.  The second owners said “it’s time to move on.”  The property is for sale.

New York: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; NYC based digital news service Mashable Studios announced will begin eliminating jobs because “…to keep our voice consistent across every platform, it’s clear that all our video producers should live on the same team.”  NYC based Barnes & Noble is offshoring  its Nook e-reader support/development to a company in India.  It’s part of the book seller’s plan to cut costs by $13-million USD, partly blamed on a 29% crash in Nook sales.  Administrators did not say how many U.S. jobs would be lost as a result of the off-shoring.

Ohio:  Northside Medical Center eliminating 68 full time jobs because ObamaCare has greatly reduced “the community’s usage of services”.

Pennsylvania:  In Chestnut Hill, sexist workout clothier for women Indigo Schuy shutting down brick-n-mortar ops after four years, you now have to buy on the internet.

Texas:  What automotive industry recovery? New Braunfels based transportation-logistics vehicle maker Rush Enterprises revealed it has begun shutting down 13 operations and selling off real estate.  (of course this is after Rush Enterprises went around buying up competition) The shutdowns affect two locations in Georgia, five locations in Illinois, one location in Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Utah!

West Virginia: In Charleston, the Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples (on Corridor G) shutting down by May, the manager refused to give anymore info.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

06 April 2016: “We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.”

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

“We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.” Bridal shop shutdown in favor of Dog Food! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 06 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Arizona: Scandalous University of Phoenix eliminated more jobs, this time 470 people were laid off without warning, due to crashing student enrollment!  The for-profit university is for sale.

Arkansas: Illinois based Superior Graphite shutting down their Russellville factory starting now.  70 jobs will be lost due to low commodity prices and competition from imported “electrode and specialty graphite products”.

California: In Half Moon Bay, after 37 years the owner of Pescadero II is selling it off so she can retire.

Colorado: Albertsons-Safeway shutting down the Pueblo Safeway grocery store on 29th Street, 59 jobs lost (the employees were told about it on Monday).

Illinois: In East Dundee, after 145 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Haeger Potteries shutting down.  The family owners blamed government regulations, competition and forced wage increases during a bad economy: “The reality is that we are finding it more and more difficult to compete in a market with significant wage pressure, increased regulations and generally rising costs. We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.”-Haeger Estes

Iowa: In Mason City, after 60 years bridal shop Formalities shutting down.  The owner, who also owns other businesses including a pet food business, says the economy is so bad for the wedding business that she’s going to use the bridal store for her dog food business: “I want to keep it to retail the dog food out of here. If I get the right price, I might sell it.”-Angie Braun

Massachusetts: Bay Valley Foods shutting down their Ayer food factory, 1-hundred jobs lost by the end of 2017!  Like the rest of unAmerican corporate America, Bay Valley Foods is joining the growing trend of consolidation.

Michigan: In past months I’ve reported how Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) furloughed more than a thousand Sterling Heights employees, now FCA has turned those furloughs into indefinite layoffs for at least 1-thousand 3-hundred people, blaming it on a 63% crash in Chrysler 200 sales! An additional 120 people are losing their jobs at the nearby Sterling Stamping factory!  The auto worker’s union revealed the truth about U.S. car sales saying “FCA is not the only company experiencing a slow market for small cars.”

Missouri: Twin Rivers shutting down their Neosho chicken processing factory by June, 3-hundred jobs lost!  The WARN gave no reason.  Local news speculate that operations are being consolidated, and also stated that employee turnover was always high due to low wages.

New York: Great example of what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL); in Watertown, AirBrake laid off an additional 19 people, blaming the slow down in railroad operations (15% of rail cars are not in use), which in turn is blamed on the oil-coal (mining) industry (coal transportation down 10% in past 12 months).  

In Canton, Blackbird Cafe shutting down on Friday, instead of the promised renovations, 11 jobs lost.  The upstairs music venue Parkview is also shutting down.   The owner of both establishments blames the decision to shutdown (instead of renovating) on a sudden 50% crash in sales since last year!  The owner suspects that two new restaurants are to blame (and this is a sign the local market can’t support that many eateries).

North Carolina: In Elkin, after 18 years the owner of Song’s Jewelry shutting it down in June so she can ‘retire’ to pursue other interests.

Ohio: Sears Holdings shutting down their Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June.  They’re also shutting down their Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June.  Despite better than expected earnings, Columbus based Limited Brands (aka L brands) is going ahead with its restructuring of Victoria’s Secret, Pink and Victoria’s Secret Beauty, resulting in 2-hundred administrative jobs being culled in Ohio and New York!

Oklahoma: In Broken Arrow, after 37 years the Army & Family Surplus store being forced to shutdown by an A-Hole landlord who gave them a 30 days eviction notice. The A-Hole local news media downplayed that important fact and instead reported that the owners were retiring!   John Daniel Footwear joins the growing list of retailers exiting the Utica Square plaza.  Local news reports say it’s the third Utica Square store in the past five months to shutdown, long time loyal shoppers are upset: “Over the last 10 or 15 years most of the smaller family owned stores are no longer here. Not to say anything about the other stores, but you kind of miss that family, that private service, the local service that you get.”-Marilyn Mabrey Sullivant, Utica Square shopper for past 50 years

Pennsylvania: Sears Holdings shutting down their Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July. Pittsburgh based US Steel announced yet more layoffs, this time 750 salaried employees are being kicked to the curb.  Local news reports say in the past five years US Steel has eliminated 8-thousand 3-hundred jobs in North America and Europe, blaming competition, the oil industry and currency wars. Overall, steel companies in the United States have eliminated 12-thousand jobs!  US Steel reported a loss of $1.5-billion USD in 2015.

Texas: CleanFUEL USA now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming “the changing dynamics in the alternative fuel industry.” 

Washington DC:  U.S. Department of Education has revealed that their economic outlook for the future of the United States is so bad that 43% of us fools who got into debt to get a higher education will never be able to pay-off that debt to the government!  As of January 2016, 3.6-million former higher education students had defaulted (meaning they stopped making payments, you can’t declare bankruptcy against student debt) on $56-billion USD worth of student loans!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

05 April 2016: “…no realistic prospects for a return to profitability…” 10-million+ unemployed!

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

Sears Kmart update 06 April 2016 : Ohio hit hard! “Slap in the face!” as Sears shuts down profit making stores!

After three years of hard work by Sears franchise owners Sears Canada told Spencer and Theresa Toepfer to take a hike as Sears Canada now wants to shutdown their Osoyoos Sears Hometown Store.  The Toepfers swear their store is actually making a profit but Sears Canada refuses to renew the lease: “….we get another call two weeks ago telling us we have less than two months before they close the door. What a slap in the face! We just couldn’t believe it! It’s hard to believe that you take over a store and completely turn it around and then the management drops something like that on you. It’s pretty hard to take.”-Spencer Toepfer

For even stranger administrative decision making, Sears Canada is selling its Toronto tire distribution center to a competitor, and then renting it back!  Canadian Tire is reportedly buying the Sears property for $84-million CAD.  This is just an extremely short sighted way of raising quick cash for the struggling Sears brand, especially since they’re now going to be paying rent to a competitor.

18 March 2016: “We will rightsize the labor…”

Here’s the updated list of U.S. store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011, new closing revelations in BOLD:

Arizona: The Prescott Valley Kmart shutting down by April 2016. No word on how many jobs lost, but one employee was quoted by local news as saying “Walmart won.” Local news reports say there is a Now Hiring sign posted on the Kmart store front. 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!

Alabama: The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost by the end of 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).

California: 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 shutting down, 107 jobs lost in 2016! The Chula Vista Kmart, San Mateo Sears and Citrus Heights Kmart shutting down 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: 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: 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: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), Claymont Kmart (87 jobs lost).

Florida: The Lutz Kmart shutting down by March 2016, 62 jobs lost. The 46 years old Daytona Beach Kmart, on International Speedway Boulevard, is shutting down by 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 37 years old Carrollton Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016. Dublin Kmart will 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: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Iconic 25 years old Nimitz HWY Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart shutting down 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: Boise Kmart on Fairview shutting down by mid-March 2016, 56 jobs lost. Pocatello Kmart shutting down by 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: 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: Bloomington’s College Mall Sears & Auto Center shutting down by mid-June 2016, at least 52 jobs lost. In Schererville, Sears Hardware shutting down in April 2016. Terre Haute Kmart by April, 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: Sears Holdings shutting down their West Des Moines call center by June 2016, 162 jobs lost!  Ottumwa Kmart shutting down by 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), 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Fairhaven Sears Appliance & Hardware shutting down by mid-April. 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 shuts down 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: The Bradley Kmart has a new owner who is shutting it down in 2016. Retailer Meijer bought the Kmart property for $5-million USD. The Kmart will be shutdown in May, but the new Meijer store won’t be ready until 2018. The Sears and Auto Center in Fort Gratiot shutting down by mid-March, 48 jobs lost. Ironwood Kmart by 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: Dundas Kmart by April 2016, 32 jobs lost. Thunderbird Mall Kmart shutting down 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: The 44 years old Greenville Kmart shutting down 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: 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: 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: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost), Omaha Kmart near West Maple Road (50 jobs lost).

Nevada: Sparks Kmart distribution center (100 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost), Claremont Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey: Lodi Kmart will 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: 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: Staten Island Mall Sears Auto Center will 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: 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: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

Ohio: 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 shutting down 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 shutting down by mid-April 2016, 46 jobs lost. Without warning the Medina Sears Appliance & Hardware Store shutdown. Warren Kmart on Parkman Road NW will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. Zanesville Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Steubenville Kmart shutting down 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: 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 (60 jobs lost), Enid Sears and Auto Center (at least 38 jobs lost), Tulsa BigKmart (51 jobs lost).

Oregon: 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: 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: Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

South Carolina: 61 jobs lost as the North Augusta Kmart is shutting down 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: The Pierre Kmart shutting down by the end of March 2016, 45 jobs lost. The Michell Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 52 jobs lost. Spearfish Kmart (51 jobs lost), Sturgis Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Tennessee: The Murfreesboro Kmart shutting down by the end of April, 43 jobs lost. A Memphis Sears and Auto Center (on Poplar Avenue) shutting down in April, 109 jobs lost! Clarksville Kmart shutting down in April, 68 jobs lost. Cleveland Kmart shutting down 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: 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: 35 years old Richfield Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. North Logan Kmart shutting down by 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 Bennington Sears Hometown Store shutdown. Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), South Burlington Kmart (66 jobs lost).

Virginia: The Cedar Bluff (50 jobs lost), Covington (36 jobs lost) and Virginia Beach on General Booth Boulevard (no job numbers reported) Kmarts shutting down between March and April 2016! The Sears Hometown Store in Culpeper shutting down by the end of the month. 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: 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: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: Superior Kmart shutting down 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).

In April 2015, Sears Holdings (through Seritage Growth Properties) and General Growth Properties (GGP) became 50/50 joint owners of 12 Sears stores.

Here’s a list of 11 Sears stores 100% owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center (see update above, GGP closing store)

Business/Economics

“…no realistic prospects for a return to profitability…” 10-million+ unemployed! Homeland Security shuts down restaurants! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 05 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Hawaii: Taxpayer funded Wahiawa General Hospital is begging for emergency funding to stop it from shutting down.  Administrators revealed that since ObamaCare went into effect they’ve lost $9-million USD!

Idaho: National Basketball Association D-league team the Idaho Stampede announced they’re getting the hell-outta Boise and moving to Salt Lake City, Utah.  They’re also changing their name to Salt Lake City Stars.  It was revealed that state taxpayers were forced to pay outrageous three-fold increase in overtime pay to Idaho State Police (ISP) trainees.  ISP administrators explained, without blinking an eye, that it was mainly for trainee commute times to the academy because there was no room in the academy’s dorms in Meridian, or at the National Guard barracks on Gowen Field!  (how many civilian businesses pay their employees to commute?)

Iowa: Sears Holdings shutting down their West Des Moines call center by June, 162 jobs lost!  In Clive, DCG Foods shutting down their Cash Saver grocery store as soon as the inventory is gone.  The Cash Saver used to be a Dahls, which went bankrupt.  The shutdown is blamed on lack of sales.  

Kansas:  In Olathe, popular K-Macho’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina was suddenly shutdown by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, because restaurant owners couldn’t confirm the ‘legality’ of their employees: “K Macho restaurant in Olathe, Kansas, was recently served, via U.S. Mail, an official notice to submit all form I-9 documentation to HSI auditors for inspection.”-Shawn Neudauer, Homeland Security

Massachusetts: Insurance and investment company MassMutual laying off an additional 1-hundred employees!  Last year MassMutual eliminated 3-hundred jobs.  But here’s a paradox, administrators claim those employees losing their jobs can apply for the 230 positions that are still vacant!  What’s the point of layoffs, why can’t MassMutual just transfer the employees to open positions?  Maybe the company wouldn’t have 230 open positions if they hadn’t started mass layoffs? (they want to replace their long term employees with cheaper newbies)

Minnesota: Jos A Bank shutting down their clothing store in the Nicollet Mall by mid-May.

Montana: In Helena, after 41 years the Ben Franklin Crafts shutting down.

New Jersey:  After 42 years Marty’s Shoes shutting down their remaining six shoe stores by the end of May.  Local news reports say at one time Marty’s Shoes had 110 stores!

New York: Liddabit Sweets shutting down their there years old Chelsea Market shop by mid-April.

North Carolina: Charlotte based Too Big to Jail Bank of America asks ‘What economic recovery?’, as its own research shows there are at least 10-million U.S. citizens currently unemployed and unable to find a job!  Teachers Memorial School in Kinston shutting down by August.  Vague news reports say the county questioned the school district’s operating costs.  MillerCoors issued a shutdown WARN for its Eden brewing ops.  The first round of layoffs will begin in June, in total 349 jobs will be lost by the time the brewery shuts down!  Local news reports say at one point the brewery employed more than 5-hundred people.  MillerCoors administrators basically said the bad economy is forcing them to join the growing trend of consolidating operations.  France based aerospace company Nexans shutting down its Elm City wire factory, 113 jobs lost by the end of June!  Nexans administrators say there is not going to be an economic recovery: “This has been the result of continued sales decline combined with the steady decrease in market prices. There are, unfortunately, no realistic prospects for a return to profitability in the medium to long term.” 

Ohio: After 164 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) children’s mental health treatment chain Beech Brook forced to eliminate 179 jobs due to Medicaid funding cuts!  In McArthur, after more than 19 years Gill’s Family Pharmacy shutting down by May.  The drug seller has been praised for community service such as buying computers for county first responders.  In Englewood, Sears Holdings shutting down the Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July.  In Boardman, after 34 years Cards and Collectibles shutting down, the owners are focusing on their wedding and party supply business.

Oregon: In Portland, after three years Yarntastic Fiber Arts shutting down their brick-n-mortar store by the end of the month.  They’ll continue on the internet.

Texas:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; San Antonio based iHeartMedia warning of bankruptcy due to ongoing lawsuit by creditors.  If they lose the lawsuit they could be required to make an immediate payment of $15-billion USD!  Exterran shutting down their oil-gas ops in Alleyton, 241 jobs lost by the end of June: “We continue to feel the impact of further deterioration of industry fundamentals and our revenues are expected to be under pressure throughout 2016 across all of our business segments…”

Washington DC: What economic recovery?  The U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services remained in deficit by $47.1-billion USD in February.    The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that U.S. factory orders fell by 1.7% in February, more than canceling out January’s piddly increase.   U.S. factory orders have crashed for 14 of the past 19 months!

Wisconsin: Toys R Us shutting down their store on North 76th Street in Milwaukee, 30 jobs gone by the end of the month.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

04 April 2016: 1,000% increase in generic drug prices! 1,700 people lose their final paychecks! 

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

1,000% increase in generic drug prices! 1,700 people lose their final paychecks! Bad Idaho economy forces United Way to expand! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 04 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alaska: Oil drillers Parker Drilling and CH2M Hill both announced layoffs, 113 jobs being lost!  The layoffs with Texas based Parker are what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL) as it’s the result of British Petroleum cutbacks.  Administrators with Parker revealed how short sighted they are when they said “Parker Drilling did not anticipate this unfortunate turn of events…”  Colorado based CH2M also suffering REL after losing a contract to supply labor to Italy based Eni.  Administrators with CH2M stated that so far Eni has not explained the reason for the decision.

Delaware: 1-thousand 7-hundred former DuPont employees were screwed out of their final paychecks when DuPont switched payroll contractors!  Dumb-Ass DuPont administrators told local news “We are also working with impacted employees to correct any miscalculations and address any questions.”

57032af82d0e6.image

Idaho: How many people know the origin of the charity United Way?  It was born in the Coeur d’Alene area of northern Idaho in 1957, with the name United Crusade.  But since then the economy has gotten so bad today the United Way announced it was expanding charity services in its own birthplace: “It is not our intention to have Kootenai County fundraising be spread into the five northern counties, but to grow each county to raise funds where they are, and provide much-needed resources locally. One of the greatest things about the structure of United Way is that all governance, management, fundraising, and funding decisions are made locally. So we want to ensure that happens at the county level as well.”-Mark Tucker, executive director

Kansas: In Hutchinson, after 77 years Fraese Drug Store and Soda Fountain shutting down on Thursday.  A co-owner said ObamaCare and inflation forced him to take a job with a competitor: “We just had no choice but to do this because of decreased payments from Medicaid and Medicare. Also, add into that the huge increase in the cost of generic drugs. A lot of them jumped 1,000%! That really hurt our profitability.”-Don Kaufman

New Jersey: Middleton shutting down their 911 dispatch, eliminating 15 jobs.  911 services will now be handled by Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department.  The 35 years old IHOP restaurant in Raleigh shutting down on Hillsborough Street.  It’s claimed that a new IHOP will be built a few blocks away.

New York:  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Catholic Charities of Buffalo from shutting down their social services operations within taxpayer funded public schools (hey, isn’t that a violation of the 1st Amendment, government shall not recognize a religion?), at least 65 jobs lost by the end of June.   Bankrupt Climax Manufacturing suddenly shutdown their Lowville packaging plant, 158 jobs gone!  In NYC, restaurant 790 French did not renew its lease at The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, 64 jobs lost by the end of June.  After offshoring thousands of U.S. jobs, New York based IBM (International Business Machine) now to eliminate 14-thousand jobs outside of the U.S.!

North Carolina: Connecticut based Xerox laying off 139 people at its State Healthcare operation “due to a business decision of a single client”.  This might be what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL) as many healthcare providers are drastically cutting back on spending due to ObamaCare.

Washington: In Arlington, Cascade Valley Hospital & Clinics shutting down, 418 jobs lost by the end of May!  Connecticut based Xerox issued a layoff WARN for their Kent operations, 98 jobs lost by the end of May.  Massive corruption revealed by the fact the ‘elected’ state leaders cut $10-million USD in funding for the Office of the State Auditor, the very agency in charge of tracking what’s done with your tax dollars.  Mass layoffs are expected.

Wisconsin: The Pic-n-Save in Kimberly shutting down by the end of the year, 57 jobs lost.  Administrators said sales don’t justify renewing the lease.  In Madison, after 15 years Takara restaurant shutting down supposedly because they can’t renew the lease.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

Buffett kills nearly 5,000 more jobs! ObamaCare offshores more U.S. jobs! No more Hancock Fabrics! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 01 – 03 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: More layoffs for the Orange County Register, at least 71 people laid off without warning by new owner Digital First Media.   In San Francisco, KGO Radio laid off as many as 30 people (almost all its newsroom staff) without warning, employees called it a “bloodbath”.  The news came from employees who refused to give their names on account they’ve been threatened with losing their jobs as well.

Florida:  God powerless to stop ‘his’ church organ maker Tadlock Piano Company from shutting down their Dothan store.  They’re consolidating ops to Panama City.

Illinois: College of Lake County eliminating 20 jobs, blaming failed ‘elected lawmakers’ for failing to come up with a budget.   More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; maker of hospital administrative software Valence Health suddenly laid off 75 people, including an executive.  I should point out that in 2014 the company got at least $11.9-million USD from state taxpayers to create jobs in Obama’s homie town of Chicago.

Mississippi: Magee based Pioneer Health Services now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Pioneer Health Services operates hospitals in Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia.  Administrators blame ObamaCare reimbursement reductions and the forced shift to outpatient care.  After already shutting down 81 stores Baldwyn based Hancock Fabrics now bankrupt busted and shutting down the remain 185 stores!  For proof there ain’t no economic recovery, the company has lost money every year since 2009!

Nebraska: After 27 years the Athlete’s Edge store in Monument Mall shutting down by the end of April, or when inventory runs out.

New York: Florida based Jabil Circuit issued a shutdown WARN for its Poughkeepsie ops, 45 jobs lost by the end of June due to end of contract.  In Brighton, after 57 years Clover Lanes shutting down Thursday, to be replaced by a grocery store.

Oklahoma: Integris Health notified employees of massive layoffs, blaming Oklahoma’s version of ObamaCare for “…a 25% reduction in  provider fees…beginning June 1…”   attributed to “…the state’s struggling economy….also…the Affordable Care Act…”   Due to an investigation into massive corruption by ‘elected’ officials Yukon City warned employees in all departments of mass layoffs.  City administrators claim they’ve discovered that $1.3-million USD have gone missing from bond sales and that the city is now in the hole by $3-million USD!

Pennsylvania:  The Society Hill Playhouse shutdown after more than 50 years.  There was no reason given.  Medical device maker Teleflex escaping ObamaCare taxes by offshoring 170 jobs to Mexico and Czech Republic, another 190 jobs will be consolidated to other U.S. locations!

Texas: What I call massive Ripple Effect Layoff (REL) as Fort Worth based, Warren Buffett owned, PBS NewsHour sponsor BNSF railway revealed it eliminated 4-thousand 6-hundred jobs in past months! The layoffs exceed the job cuts BNSF made when the ‘recession’ officially began in 2007!  A hiring freeze is in effect, it’s blamed on the oil industry BS!

Virginia: In Charlottesville, after 70 years Kane Furniture has been sold to University of Virginia Health System, who plans on using the building as an administrative office.

Washington: Federal Way based, largest privately operated mint Northwest Territorial now chapter 11 bankrupt busted after losing defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuits.  The coin maker must pay $38-million USD to hundreds of customers in Nevada and California.   The defamation claims involve fake websites that Northwest Territorial Mint is accused of creating for the sole purpose of making competitors look bad.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

31 March 2016: “We have not paid our employees in over a month!”

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics, Idaho

“We have not paid our employees in over a month!” Shooting forces business owners to choose family over money! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 31 March 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Today is U.S. federal commemorative holiday Cesar Chavez Day.

Industry analysts Challenger, Gray & Christmas report that publicly announced corporate layoffs for the past 12 months are at a 4 years high.

California: In Berkeley, The Bone Room curiosity shop (selling preserved bones of animals, etc) shutting down their brick-n-mortar shop by June, blaming rent and utilities.  They’ll continue on the internet and at local events.  After only two months “high-priced” restaurant Antoinette shutdown due to disagreements with the Claremont Club & Spa hotel.

Colorado: In Steamboat Springs, after 34 years La Montana shutdown today, after being sold off. It’s hoped the new owner will keep the 38 workers employed with a new establishment.

Florida: Yet more medical school shutdowns!  The first victim of non-profit Zenith Education Groups massive cutbacks; Everest University announced it must shutdown campuses in Lakeland, Brandon and two in Tampa Bay, affecting at least 343 medical students: “It’s a slap in the face for everybody really!”-Angela Adams, medical billing student

Idaho: Evil Blue Cross of Idaho ended its ObamaCare exchange coverage of dialysis, resulting in many Idahoans with no way to pay for treatment. The Idaho Statesman newspaper says Blue Cross is refusing to cover any medical service provider that is not willing to take Blue Cross’ cutthroat rates. The Idaho Department of Insurance refuses to comment about the issue, claiming they’re investigating it.  Dozens more Idahoans could die.: “…we were with Blue Cross last year, when I was diagnosed with kidney failure…started…hemodialysis…..then we got a bill for $115,000…..  Blue Cross of Idaho did not re-up our contract…”-Debbie Birch

The Post Register reporting that a yet another newbie to The Gem State (who moved here from a more ‘socialist’ state) got a big shock when he enrolled with Blue Cross through Idaho’s ObamaCare exchange (Your Health Idaho).  The man is suffering from cancer but recently was told by the pharmacy that his prescriptions would not longer be filled because of Blue Cross.  Let me explain how evil Blue Cross of Idaho is; the cancer patient’s treatment is so expensive that he’s getting financial help from charities on top of his Affordable Care Act insurance, however, Blue Cross told him ObamaCare does not allow “third party funding” of medical treatments!  But get this, in a follow up interview with Blue Cross the Post register said that suddenly everything is fine and they will go ahead and pay for the man’s prescriptions! 

Iowa: Chain restaurant Village Inn shutdown its Lindale Mall location without warning, administrators blamed it on high rent.  What automotive industry recovery?  Eaton Corporation revealed it will shutdown its Shenandoah transmission factory by mid-April.  I’m not sure if this is part of the 250 layoffs announced back in February.  Local news reports say employees are already listing their homes for sale.  An unnamed employee says the factory shutdown will kill the community: “There’s no rhyme or reason to much anymore. Shenandoah is already seeing a hit. It will kill this small town.”  

Louisiana: In Lafayette, after 42 years Doucet Heritage Hardware shutting down by mid-May. Despite having the reputation for carrying stuff people can’t find at ‘big box stores’ the owners blame competition with the big box, as well as increasing costs of operations and decreased sales.  But the final straw was when they witnessed people being shot that caused them to realize that family time was more important than trying to make money: “I just never had that kind of panic, never in my life. It just made me realize how fast something can happen. My family is so important to me…….It was a really big eye opener.”-Laura Leblanc, co-owner

Massachusetts: Southcoast Health System laying off at least 95 employees in its hospital chain due to crashing revenues caused by ObamaCare.  It should be noted that Southcoast Health System is trying to merge with another hospital chain that’s also eliminating jobs; Care New England of Rhode Island.  After 32 years Au Bon Pain  shutdown their Harvard Square restaurant apparently because of property remodeling by Harvard University.  Administrators say “We continue to search for a location in this area.”

Michigan: Feeding America shutting down its warehouses in Ishpeming and Sault Set Marie, claiming they’re moving to a larger operation.  However, several food banks are reporting that the move by Feeding America is actually forcing them to shutdown.   The Ishpeming Food Bank and Tom’s Pantry in Quinnesec both point out that even though Feeding America’s is moving to a larger location the delivery times aren’t compensating for the further distance, meaning food banks will have to expanded refrigerated storage and/or hire delivery trucks to make extra food runs: “Because they only come up twice a month, you’re going to have to have a lot more refrigeration space than what I have. You’re going to have to have pickups and trailers in order to pick up your food. This is going to cause us to have to close.”-Mary Dixon, Tom’s Pantry

New York: Too Big to Jail NYC based ‘asset manager’ BlackRock reportedly will eliminate 4-hundred jobs in the next two weeks!  The news comes from unnamed insiders, who pointed out that the company also plans to continue hiring new employees while they layoff old employees.  After more than 30 years of school bus service, Carrier Coach issued a shutdown WARN for multiple locations, 224 jobs lost by the end of June due to “economic” reasons!  In Montauk, the Sloppy Tuna restaurant shutdown due to the co-owners filing lawsuits against each other.

North Carolina: After ten years and without warning the Park West Barber School shutdown four of its campuses.  The school’s website had the following message: “IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS AND REGRET THAT WE MUST INFORM YOU THAT EFFECTIVE TUESDAY MARCH 29, 2016 PARK WEST HAS MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO CLOSE…..THINGS SEEMED PROMISING, BUT UNFORTUNATELY AT THE FINAL HOUR, OUR ONLY OPTION WAS TO CLOSE.”   

Pennsylvania: In Richland, the Planet Ice ice rink shutting down July, it’s blamed on competition and will be re-purposed.

Vermont: In Stowe, after 25 years dog themed restaurant Gracie’s shutting down so the owners can retire.

Virginia: Just short of a year Shoryuken Ramen shutting down its noodle eatery on Virginia Commonwealth University campus in May.

Washington: Socialist yet ‘wants everything for free’ Seattle city leaders are upset that a major homeless shelter is shutting down, even threaten them if they do.  But SHARE/WELL (Seattle Housing Resource Effort, Women’s Housing Equality Enhancement League) says they can’t pay the bills due to drastic cuts in county level funding and the high cost of living in Seattle, so they’re forced to close 15 shelters: “So we can’t pay the money out if we don’t have it, and we’ve fallen behind $75,000 right now, so we can no longer operate. We have not paid our employees and they’re all minimum wage employees. We have not paid our employees in over a month!”-Clint Wade

Wisconsin: In Middleton, Max’s Farm Table shutdown. The pissed-off owner revealed he recently spent $1-thousand USD for one week of advertising, yet still his restaurant went several hours per day without a customer: “Sales aren’t even close to where they need to be to justify continuing to invest. Not even close!”-Max Harn, who also said the rent was too high for the unpredictable location

Wyoming: In Casper, what I call Ripple Effect layoffs (REL) as oil industry equipment supplier Power Service laid off at least 50 people.  And Wyoming Machinery is begging employees at its five locations to retire early.  Missouri based Peabody Energy handed out new layoff notices at its North Antelope Rochelle mine, employees say actual number of layoffs won’t be revealed until Friday.  Earlier this week I revealed that Peabody Energy is threatening bankruptcy as one way to get out of paying for mine waste cleanup in Illinois.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

30 March 2016: Too Big to Jail kills 7,000 additional jobs! Major insurance company admits ObamaCare is a Major Failure! New Obama sanctions against Iran kills Boeing! 

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

Electronics maker Sharp admits it lied about sales, loses $1.5-billion!

30 March 2016 (12:28 UTC-07 Tango 01) 11 Farvardin 1395/20 Jumada t-Tania 1437/22 Xin Mao 4714

On the verge of a takeover deal from Republic of China’s (Taiwan) Hon Hai (Foxconn), Japan’s Sharp has admitted it’s been cooking its books to make itself look like a good buy.

Up ’til now Sharp claimed it was going to make a profit for 2015, but now it estimates a loss of $1.5-billion USD!  Amazingly, Hon Hai says it will go through with the takeover, officially by this weekend.  However, Hon Hai will pay $1-billion less than what it originally offered.

No more electronics maker Sharp! Foxconn beats out Samsung!