Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics

“we have exhausted our emotional reserves” Macy’s holiday sales sucked green Grinch weenie! 8,000+ jobs gone! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 07 January 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alabama:  In Selma, the Winn-Dixie grocery store shutting down in February, apparently due to low sales.  Local loyal customers are pissed off, Gracie Bennett exclaimed “I don`t want to hear that! I won`t like that at all! It is just an inconvenience.” referring to the long drive she’ll have to make to go to the nearest grocery store.

California: In Hanford, the owners of ‘new age’ Cosmic Corral shutting down their brick-n-mortar store and shifting to internet sales.  Medical device maker Abbott Vascular confirmed it is shutting down its Redwood City operations blaming ObamaCare for “…an ever-changing environment.”  In San Francisco, Yellow Cab CoOp now chapter 11 bankrupt busted saying they see no economic recovery in their future: “We are in a midst of serious financial setbacks….due to business challenges beyond our control and others are of our own making…Today we are faced with fiscal obligations that far exceed expected income.”-Pamela Martinez, president

Connecticut:  A shutdown that’s actually good news, the Niantic Prison Annex shutting down this week due to lack of prisoners.  News reports say the prison population has dropped from 585 to just 44, the govna claims it’s because they “…are making real progress in Connecticut to change lives and break that cycle of poverty, crime and prison…”.

Florida:  After 40 years popular nightclub Nightown shutdown without warning or explanation.     More proof high-tech based businesses are not recession resistant; despite winning a lawsuit against Japan’s Mitsubishi,  Naples based Grail Semiconductor now chapter 11 bankrupt busted saying their debts are far greater than the money they’re supposed to be getting from Mitsubishi.  In Mount Dora, after at least four years the arrogant Bowersock Gallery shutdown, insulting locals by saying  “The art market here couldn’t sustain the quality of art that we were carrying.”  The Hampton’s Drive-in eatery in DeLand shutdown by greedy property developer.

Hawaii: After more than 50 years Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel shutting down at the end of the month, 37 jobs lost.  The operators blame the never ending demands of state regulators: “We have spent more than simply money in attorney’s fees, appraisal evaluations, business plans and, not to mention, keeping an aging property in service beyond its functional capacity; we have exhausted our emotional reserves…”-Aaron Whiting

Illinois:  Restaurant III Tomassos Italian Bistro in Springfield shutting down next week, blaming lack of development and lack of neighboring tenants for lack of customer traffic in the new Legacy Pointe complex.  Also in Springfield, Brickhouse Pub & Grill Downtown and Julia’s Kitchen shutdown.

Indiana: Emmis Communications warned of layoffs at its radio stations, exact numbers not given.

Iowa: New York based clothier Ann Taylor shutting down their Jordan Creek Town Center store by the end of the month, publicly/officially refusing to say why.  It’s becoming clear that Ann Taylor is joining the club of shutting down stores as leases expire.   A pizza joint known for helping homeless people, Rock Power Pizza, shutting down due to escalating operating expenses and de-escalating sales/donations: “It’s going to affect hundreds and hundreds of people, and we don’t know where that’s going to take it. That’s the part that really tears me up.”-Derrick Walton, owner who says he was once homeless

Maryland:  Florida based Acosta Sales & Marketing eliminating 93 jobs at it’s Hanover food service ops, WARNing that more layoffs are in the works over the next three months!   More proof being green (ecology) does not equate to seeing green (economy); Illinois based taxsucking electronics recycler Sims Recycling Solutions shutting down its Elkridge operations due to losing a federal contract, 160 jobs lost!   In Silver Springs, after 11 years restaurant Jackie’s shutting down in March, the owner has too many other projects to worry about. 

Michigan: Ottawa County’s Community Mental Health continues to kill jobs, this time 20 people laid off due to A-hole state ‘lawmakers’ reducing taxpayer funding.

Missouri: Evil Saint Louis based chemical & GMO maker Monsanto continues to kill jobs, this time 1-thousand people added to the previously announced 2-thousand 6-hundred job eliminations to take place later this year!

New York:  In Brooklyn, after 32 years Fiorentino’s Ristorante shutting down next week.

North Carolina:    Morrison Healthcare laying off an additional 47 food service workers due to losing a contract with Carolinas HealthCare Systems.  News reports say a total of 127 jobs will be lost!  So-called affordable home furniture store Rooms to Go issued a layoff WARN saying 98 distribution center employees will become unemployed by March.

Ohio:   Upscale outdoor clothier Eddie Bauer shutting down its Groveport call center and distribution center, at least 311 jobs lost by May!

Cincinnati based retailer Macy’s revealed end of Gregorian year holiday sales flushed their optimistic outlook down the financial toilet, ongoing store shutdowns will continue and as many as 4-thousand 8-hundred people will become unemployed!!!  These job losses and store shutdowns will also include the store brand Bloomingdales, which is owned by Macy’s.

Macy’s released a list of store shutdowns scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2016:  California; Irvine, 112 jobs!  Sacramento, 111 jobs!  Los Angeles, 108 jobs!  Connecticut;  two Enfield locations,  104 jobs!  Georgia;  Decatur, 89 jobs. Hawaii; Kailua, 57 jobs.  Idaho; Moscow, 47 jobs. Illinois; Peoria, 62 jobs. Louisiana; Baton Rouge, 62 jobs.  Maryland; Hagerstown, 59 jobs.  Massachusetts; Lanesborough,  58 jobs.   Springfield,  71 jobs.  Missouri; Columbia, 81 jobs. New Jersey; South Plainfield, 69 jobs.  New York; two Buffalo locations, 75 jobs. Horsehead, 79 jobs. Kingston, 72 jobs. Williamsville, 80 jobs.  Cary, 63 jobs. Ohio; Akron, 63 jobs. Elyria, 64 jobs.  Oklahoma; Oklahoma City, 87 jobs.  Oregon; North Bend, 54 jobs.  Roseburg, 59 jobs. Pennsylvania; Ardmore, 74 jobs.  West Mifflin, 101 jobs! Texas; Fort Worth, 92 jobs. Virginia; Chesapeake, 69 jobs. Glen Allen, 81 jobs. Hampton, 109 jobs! Norfolk, 95 jobs. two Richmond locations, 135 jobs! Washington; Spokane, 94 jobs.

Pennsylvania:  Pier 1 Imports shutting down two stores, one in South Middleton and one in Shrewsbury.  It’s blamed on crashed sales in 2015.  In Flourtown, after 65 years eatery Cisco’s shutdown.  In Philadelphia, Marabella Meatball restaurant shutdown.  Bring Your Own Beverage restaurant Blue Cat shutdown because sales sucked: “I was burned out. Business was OK, but it was not worth it, I was shopping by myself, cooking everything. There’s no lunch business up there….”-Guy Shapiro, co-owner

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics

“…some extremely shady circumstances….threats have been made…” Owe taxes, IRS can seize your Passport! Apple 6s sales suck! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 06 January 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Career Trends used data from the U.S. Census Bureau to create their top ten list of U.S. industries destroying U.S. jobs: Nondurable Goods makers, Durable Goods makers, Transportation-warehousing-utilities, Mining-Logging, Real Estate (what housing market recovery?), Retail, Hotel-Food Service, Business (legal, medical, etc) Service, Construction, and the number one job killing industry is Arts-entertainment-recreation.

Alabama: In Shelby County, Jesse Creek Mines eliminating 170 jobs due to the crashing coal market!

California:  American Medical Response shutting down their Modesto billing center in February, laying off the final 47 remaining employees, in total 330 jobs were eliminated!  Cupertino based Apple is drastically cutting production of its new iPhones by 30%!  This is causing the factory in China to conduct mass layoffs, and forced the city of Zhengzhou to pump $12.6-million USD into the factory to minimize the impact.  Apple stocks lost 24% of their value from last year!   It turns out that sales of the new Apple iPhones are not as great as what the mainstream news media was reporting!

Connecticut: In New Canaan, after six years popular Chicken Joe’s restaurant shutdown by astronomical rent.

Delaware: In Dover, 94 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) jewelry store Forney’s shutdown without warning,  local news reports say the owners refuse to explain why.  More job killing by DuPont, this time 2-hundred highly educated people (many with doctorates) at the Central Research and Development division at the Experimental Station in Wilmington now unemployed: “As part of this restructuring, we are redesigning the existing Central Research & Development operating model to assess and seed new, transformational science-based ventures as the next step in the evolution of corporately funded R&D for DuPont.” 

  Georgia:  In Rome, Ohio based clothing store Express shutting down their Mount Berry Mall store by the end of the month, no reason given.

Florida:   After two years The Juice Spot in the Brickell area of Miami shutting down.  There are signs the owners, the LeBron James family, is hurting for cash as the basketball star sold his Miami mansion in August for $13.4-million USD.

Illinois:  State tax administrators are holding back on tax refunds until at least March claiming it’s their way of preventing tax fraud, however, it’s more likely because Illinois is financially broke!   God refuses to stop the shutdown of three of ‘his’ Christian schools; Saint Agatha Catholic Academy, Saint Peter elementary and Seton Academy.  It’s blamed on The Rapture, I mean what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.

Kansas: New York based clothier Ann Taylor shutting down their Wichita store by the end of the month, publicly/officially refusing to say why.   State administrators shutting down the Cheney Lake Marina by February.  The state is forcing the operators of 17 years out and placing the marina store up for contract bidding.  The operators say they were not given a reason but were told they could bid on the new contract, but bidding won’t start until they’ve vacated the property.

Maryland: The Baltimore School Board approved the shutdown of four schools; Westside Elementary School, Maritime Industries Academy High School, Baltimore Community High School and the Maryland Academy of Technology & Health Sciences.  The school board is considering shutting down a fifth school as well.  The shutdowns are blamed on poor academic performance and what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.  Baltimore County Public Schools shutdown Deep Creek junior high school due to lack of heating.

New Jersey:  Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH), a group forcing homosexuals into heterosexual lifestyles, shutdown by lawsuits brought by former clients who said the ‘conversion’ therapy didn’t work!

New York:   NYC based Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings revealed they laid off employees but refused to say how many.  The convicted fraudster Martha Stewart reportedly gave the employees the bad news herself.  The layoffs are connected to the fact that Martha Stewart no longer owns her namesake, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is now owned by Sequential Brands Group.

North Carolina:  In Raleigh, after less than ten years restaurant The Borough shutting down, the owner saying she has to sell it.  

Ohio: In Columbus, after only one year the Bosco Lanes bowling alley suddenly shutdown.   The operators blame a surprise eviction notice by the greedy landlord, describing it as “…some extremely shady circumstances….threats have been made…”    The Ohio Health Nelsonville Medical and Emergency Services facility shutdown their emergency room operations earlier than expected.  Administrators blame ObamaCare for forcing 80% of customers to go to urgent care operations instead.

Oklahoma:  After 105 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) iconic elitist Miss Jackson’s upscale retail store in Tulsa shutdown, word is it was no longer “sustainable” in the new economic reality.   God refuses to stop ‘his’ bankrupt busted Teen Mania Christian recruitment op from shutting down due to massive debt and legal problems.

Pennsylvania:  Philadelphia eliminating at least three jobs as part of the magazine’s restructuring.  In State College, Callao Cafe shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.

Texas:  Retailer Macy’s shutting down their Ridgmar Mall department store.   Local news sources reporting that the city of Houston lost more than 60-thousand oil jobs since April 2014, and is expected to lose another 30-thousand oil jobs in 2016!  And what housing market recovery? Despite crashing employment the cost of housing in Houston is still so high that there is an exodus of young people from the city: “Too many young people are living outside Houston because they can’t find housing in this city.”-Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston

Virginia: Capco Machinery Systems suddenly laid off 40 employees on New Year’s Eve and shutdown, no warning or explanation.  The shutdown was revealed by former employees who went to local news media, Capco administrators refused to comment.  Local news reports say the company announced expansion plans in 2013, even began excavating ground for a new building, but suddenly stopped.  County administrators even offer tax breaks to restart the expansion, but nothing happened.   In Roanoke, WDBJ television station was sold-off.  WDBJ is the TV station that saw two reporters killed, by a former employee, live on TV.  The once Indiana owned WDBJ is now owned by a company out of Georgia.  As a former local TV news producer I can tell you that TV station takeovers always involve people losing their jobs.

Washington:  In Bellingham, God refuses to stop ‘his’ bible software company Faithlife Corporation from laying off 60 Christians, due to declining demand for their Logo software.

Washington DC:  A new law secretly passed last year gives the federal tax collector (Internal Revenue Service, IRS) and the Department of State the power to prevent you from leaving the country if you owe $50-thousand USD or more in taxes.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

04 – 05 January 2016: “It’s part of our new business model…” Idaho hit with skyrocketing poor U.S. migrants! 

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics, Idaho

“It’s part of our new business model…” Idaho hit with skyrocketing poor U.S. migrants! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 04 – 05 January 2016

Arkansas: Kroger shutting down one of four of their North Little Rock grocery stores by the end of the month, blaming low sales.  State ‘lawmakers’ shutting down three National Guard Armories due to lack of money.   Near Strong, after 70 years Herring Furniture shutdown.

Alabama: Earth Fare shutting down their grocery store in Montgomery by the end of the month, claiming the location was a bad choice.

California: In Fresno, after 75 years Luftenburg’s Bridal shutting down after failed attempts to sell it off.

Colorado: Ganja grower Medical Marijuana of the Rockies (MMR) forced to shutdown their Frisco dispensary due to a lawsuit by an anti-marijuana group who accused MMR of racketeering.

Connecticut: After 17 years restaurant Inn at Newtown shutting down next week.

  Georgia:  Property developers forcing popular restaurant Alfredo’s to shutdown after 41 years, the restaurant owner bemoaned “What can you do? That’s progress. It’s all about the money.”

Florida: In Fort Myers the franchised Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery shutdown without warning, the manager said in the past 12 months sales crashed “we are simply a victim of not enough sales”.   One of the co-owners also pointed out that the location has a bad reputation: “I was warned by many locals of the ‘Curse of the Castle’, that no restaurant had ever made it at that location, but we really thought with our brand and experience, we could make it work. The pub is probably the best building in all of South Florida, but it’s just not affordable.”-Brad Maloney

Also in Fort Myers, after 13 months Belushi’s Comedy Club shutdown blaming crashing ticket sales.  Belushi’s was located on the floor above Tilted Kilt.

Idaho:  The number of Gem State school districts asking for taxpayer burdening supplemental levies has gone up, again.  At latest count 94 of the 115 district need extra money to function in the 2015-16 school year, even though state tax funding is back to ‘pre-recession’ levels!    One reason for the demand for strapping taxpayers is increasing numbers of domestic economic migrants flooding into Idaho, the majority being low income.  Domestic migrants, along with high birth rates, accounted for 75% of Idaho’s population growth in 2015.  According to the Shifting Sands: Idaho’s Changing Student Demographics and What it Means for Education  study domestic migration is going to continue, and the overwhelming majority of the U.S. migrants into Idaho will be tax burdening (maybe not so tax burdening as Idaho has piss-poor social programs) low income families: “The state is expected to see net growth in lower income households and net declines in households with incomes above $50,000.  Much of the state is projected to see an increase in the share of households with an income of less than $25,000.“     (I’ve lived here for 20 years and my income has always been “less than $25,000”, I even went into deep debt getting a degree from Idaho State University in 2006 and my income actually crashed!)

Illinois:  In Chicago, after ten years clothier Haberdash shutting down by the end of the month.  The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery shutdown in the Chicago Ridge Mall.  Skin care products maker H2O shutdown their Michigan Avenue store without warning saying “It’s part of our new business model…”

Indiana:  Two shops shutdown in the Southlake Mall; Tilted Kilt and Jamba Juice.  The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery shutdown without warning, in fact it was shutdown during the lunch hour!  Essentially the franchise owner baled under the excuse of sudden retirement.  News reports say the mall’s Jamba Juice also shutdown without warning or explanation.

Iowa: In Forest City, Spahn & Rose Lumber shutdown without warning, no reason given.

Massachusetts:  In Northampton, Amazing.Net shutdown, local prudes are now worried that no new business will want to move into a former porn shop.

New Hampshire:  After more than 40 years Zip Type Printing Services shutdown by merging with competitor Harborside Printing.

New Jersey:  In Westfield, Robert Treat Delicatessen shutting down by the end of the month, the owners blamed their ongoing personal health problems.

 

New York: Village Care Plus issued a shutdown WARN for their NYC family healthcare services, 387 jobs lost by April 2016!   

North Carolina: Cole Haan shutting down its shoe store in the South Park Mall by the end of the month, no reason given.  After months of posting a store closing sign 27 years old discount store Rose’s, in Weaverville, finally shutdown.  In Elizabeth City, taxsucking military contractor DRS Technologies laid off 30 employees.

Daimler Trucks laying off 936 people in Cleveland!  It’s blamed on decreasing orders for Freightliner and Western Star trucks.  This mass layoff comes after city dip-noodles approved a taxpayer funded five years $940-thousand USD plan to help pay for Daimler to expand their Cleveland factory.   Hmmm, they got the city to give them $940-thousand in tax breaks by claiming they need to expand their factory when in reality their orders for new trucks are crashing?

Ohio:  The Lynchburg Police Department shutdown due to lack of tax revenues.  What automotive industry recovery?  After 47 years Buehler’s Fresh Foods shutting down their Delaware store in February, 131 jobs lost!   In Lancaster, the Hallmark gift store in the River Valley Mall shutting down due to the lease not being renewed.   Another Ohio Big Lots! shutting down, this time in Lancaster’s Plaza Shopping Center, no reason given.

Pennsylvania:  In Queen Village, after eight years  Cafe Fulya shutdown.  What automotive industry recovery?  Gander Mountain ATV dealer shutting down their Lower Paxton location, the lease is not being renewed was the only reason given.

Tennessee: In Gatlinburg, Davy Crockett’s Tennessee Whiskey shutdown without warning or explanation.

Texas: In Wichita Falls, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers in Sikes Senter shutting down next week.  It’s connected to the 2014 takeover of Jos.A.Bank by competitor Men’s Wearhouse.   Houston based oil driller Swift Energy became the 40th oil driller to go bankrupt after eliminating 20% of its jobs.  New York Life Insurance eliminating 50 jobs in Austin.  Apparently failed ObamaCare is forcing New York Life to shift from in-house employees to using cheaper contractors.

Virginia:  In Lexington, Healthy Foods Market & Cafe shutting down by the end of the month, the owners blame increased competition for their decreased sales.  What automotive industry recovery?  In Staunton the Elliott Auto Group car dealership suddenly shutdown, claiming they’re undergoing “renovations”.  However, dozens of former employees said that was the plan before the end of December, but after New Year’s Day they were told the shutdown was permanent!

Washington:  Precise Shooter shutting down their Seattle gun shop after the city imposed a new gun violence tax.  Precise Shooter is the only gun shop in the city and the owner of the shop points out that not only will the city not collect any gun violence tax but will also be losing normal sales tax revenues: “…there will be a net loss for this city. This location brings in roughly $50,000 in sales tax revenue, so that is all going to be gone …”-Segey Solyanik

Washington DC:  After ten years clothier Toro Mata shutting down by the end of the month, blaming skyrocketing costs of operations.

West Virginia:  Pinnacle Mine laid off nearly 2-hundred employees in Wyoming County!

Wisconsin: After 50 years elitist Feiler’s Restaurant shutting down this week.  In Milwaukee, after only two years Simmer Cafe shutdown. The owners blamed it on their expensive attempt to start another cafe in the Mayfair Mall.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics

“Retail is a jail.” No more milk, no more steak? No more Barnes & Noble? Obama to give jobs to thousands of immigrants! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 02 – 03 January 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Colorado: In Lafayette, the Crossroad’s Tavern shutdown by the greedy landlord.  The landlord is the Flatirons Community Church.

Georgia:  In Valdosta, Classic Art & Frame shutdown after 37 years.

Illinois:  Missouri based ammo maker Olin Corporation eliminating 35 Winchester related jobs in East Alton, by February.  They blame crashing sales of ammo to civilians in 2015.  In Elgin, Books at Sunset shutdown after 16 years.

Massachusetts: In Spencer, after 174 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ First United Methodist Church.  The local reverend blames it on The Rapture, I mean crashing membership.

Missouri: In Kansas City, greedy landlord shutdown the ten years old recordBar nightclub.

Nevada:  Whole food store Reno Provisions suddenly shutdown.  Reports say the store struggled with problems like lack of revenues, e-coli outbreaks and now a new lawsuit.

New Jersey:  In Bordertown, after 35 years jeweler Golden Pleasures shutting down in February.  The owner, Don Farmer, said he realized that “Retail is a jail.”  New York based clothier Eileen Fisher shutting down their ten years old Westfield store by the end of the month.  It’s the last Eileen Fisher store in New Jersey.  After 37 years the Cherry Hill Coastline Bar and Grill now bankrupt busted and shutdown.

A New Mexico cow killed by Winter Storm Goliath

New Mexico:  Winter Storm Goliath has killed thousands of dairy cows in the Clovis area.  At one point dairy production was down to just 10% of capacity.

Grand Teton Mall store, Idaho Falls, Idaho

New York: NYC based iconic bookseller Barnes & Noble shutting down the last of its Queens bookstores in 2016.  It’s part of their surprise announcement to increase the number of bookstore shutdowns across the United States, thousands of jobs lost!  Over the past decade Barnes & Noble has averaged about 15 store shutdowns per year, they didn’t say how many stores they will shutdown in 2016, but it’s going to be more than 15.  Some analysts suspect it’ll be in the hundreds as leases on 442 stores expire this year, and Barnes & Noble administrators indicated there is no economic reason to renew them!   Honest Weight, one of the last food co-op grocery stores in The Empire State, is warning that state employment regulations will force them to shutdown.  

Tennessee: Shelbyville Record Shop ended its brick-n-motar retail ops but will continue repairing audio and video equipment.

Texas:  Texas Association of Dairymen upped the number of dairy cows killed by Winter Storm Goliath to 5% (one report says at least 40-thousand killed!).  The estimate counts only mature cows.  On top of that, the snow levels are making it almost impossible to bring in all the cows for milking, meaning many cows will stop producing milk.  The Dairymen warn they will probably find even more dead cows as they dig out from Goliath.  Get ready for skyrocketing dairy prices in Texas.  Now if you think beef prices are high enough, add this to the mix; one beef rancher says he lost 350 beef cows to Goliath, and he says there are at least 30 other ranchers in the area with similar losses!  In Dallas, after 40 years the original Black-eyed Pea restaurant was suddenly shutdown due to the company going bankrupt.  At least 15 Black-eyed Pea restaurants have been shutdown in Texas.  The bankruptcy will affect restaurants in the state of Colorado as well.

Vermont: After 142 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Quechee Community Church.  Apparently God needs money because the church is being sold-off.

Virginia: In Alexandria, after 53 years Why Not? children’s boutique shutting down by the end of the month.

Washington DC:  Reports say Barack Obama is about to issue an executive order allowing foreign students to stay in the United States, after they graduate from a U.S. college/university, and take your job!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

01 January 2016: “The city basically doesn’t want us here anymore. We got priced out.” 

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics, Idaho

“The city basically doesn’t want us here anymore. We got priced out.” : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 01 January 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: In Canoga Park, after only a few months ConfeXion Cupcakes shutdown without warning.  News reports say its the first business in the new Village at Westfield Topanga plaza to shutdown, and other businesses are considering leaving as well.  A co-owner of ConfeXion Cupcakes blames outrageous rent.   In Napa, the Scientopia Discovery Center shutting down and in search of a better location.  They also hope to renovate a school bus for mobile exhibits.

Colorado: In Denver, after 48 years iconic Andre’s Confiserie Suisse dessert restaurant shutting down because the A-hole city jacked up the taxes: “The city basically doesn’t want us here anymore. We got priced out.”-Bruno Gegenszhatz, owner

Connecticut: In New Milford, after 24 years restaurant Salsa shutting down next week.  The owner sold it so he could retire.

Idaho:  The city of Chubbuck has admitted that after at least five years their recycling program is a money loser.  It’s essentially for the same reason coal, oil, steel and aluminum operations are going down; crashing commodity prices.  Chubbuck administrators said the recycling contractor is reporting that the price per ton of mixed recyclables has dropped so low that they must now charge the city for the use of what were once free roll-off containers located at City Hall and elementary schools. That ended up causing Chubbuck to suffer a net loss of $2,474 USD in the month of October (even with residents paying for their own individual recycling containers), and as such the city is canceling the use of those roll-off containers.   (Once again people, no glass or styrofoam recycling in southeastern Idaho!) (No Glass or Styrofoam Recycling in SE Idaho?)

Massachusetts: The Hopkinton based company, EMC Corporation, which took over Texas based computer company Dell, revealed they will eliminate $250-million USD in jobs during 2016 as a result of the Dell takeover!

Michigan:  In Davison, the Farmer’s Daughter Country Store shutting down at the end of the month.  City administrators are now foaming at the mouth over the prospects of major redevelopment in the area, now that most of the old businesses are gone.

Minnesota: Globe University (Minnesota School of Business) announced it will shutdown its Moorhead campus sometime during the 2016-17 school year: “As with many colleges across the country, our Moorhead location has seen a continuous decline in enrollment….”  

New Jersey:  God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 113 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Our Lady of Assumption church in Bayonne.

New Mexico:  The city of Santa Fe can no longer afford to pay the rent on the city parking lot on Canyon Road and threatened the property owner to pay them instead, lest they shut it down!  As a result the property owner called bullshit on them and is shutting it down himself!  It’s the only ‘city’ parking lot in the area.

New York: Pier 1 Imports shutting down their Watertown store.  In Nyack, popular Hartell’s Deli shutdown.  Hartell’s has operated in Nyack since the 1970s, no word on why they shutdown.  Too Big to Jail TrustCo Bank shutting down one of two Schenectady offices this month.

Ohio:  In Mansfield, after 29 years Lee’s Ancient Wok shutting down, the owners want to retire but their adult son has no plans to continue working the popular restaurant.

Oregon:  In Portland, after 114 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) grocery store Strohecker’s shutting down by the end of the month.  Local news reports say no reason was made public (the corporate owners, Lamb’s Markets, refused to talk). Indications are that the store’s pharmacy operations will continue in a different location.   What’s that about Goodwill creating jobs? In Salem, it was revealed that seven years old Thai Beer Restaurant was forced to shutdown when the property owner sold-out to Goodwill Industries.     In Lake Oswego, mental health clinic for children Youth Villages Oregon (aka Christie Care, Christie Campus) being shutdown after complaints of abuse and sexual contact.  Investigators blamed it on lack of supervision.

Pennsylvania:  In Bridgeville, after 30 years restaurant Tambellini’s shutdown.  The building was sold.

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, DN Nails shutdown by state inspectors.  The inspection was the result of three customers complaining of severe pain and bleeding.  Inspectors found unsanitary conditions like plumbing that didn’t work (sinks backed up with water) and evidence that banned implements were being used.  A local news source called the conditions in the pedicure shop “gross”.

Virginia:  In Richmond, after 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) chain store Pleasants Hardware shutting down its flagship store by February, and selling off the remaining seven stores!   The stores employ about 1-hundred people each!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics, Idaho

“I just can’t compete with what’s going on out there…”: U.S. Job Losses & Closings 31 December 2015

https://youtu.be/WeK3jszNf6Y

National Association of Realtors says pending home sales dropped for the third time in four months.  It’s blamed on high prices and low inventory.

Arizona: In Sierra Vista, after 20 years Peacock Restaurant and Z Bar shutdown, the owners blaming many things but especially a crazy hike in rent.  Tucson based Carondelet Health Network laid off 1-hundred people!

California: Drugs maker KaloBios Pharmaceuticals now chapter 11 bankrupt busted after two of its administrators quit when their former CEO (infamous for jacking up cancer drug prices astronomically) was arrested for frauding investors!   More proof internet based businesses are not recession resistant; a day after grocery delivery service Instacart (once valued at $2-billion USD) revealed it laid off 12 employees, administrators announced they are jacking up their delivery fees by 50%!  In San Diego, after 38 years Pacific Beach Community Garden shutdown after selling out to a property developer.

Connecticut: Hartford Health Care eliminating 120 jobs at Windham Hospital!  

Idaho:  The state Public Utilities Commission has accepted monopoly Idaho Power‘s 20 years operation plan.  The plan includes shutting down a coal fired plant and passing on the shutdown costs to captive customers.  The ‘lawmakers’ of The Gem State allow Idaho Power to operate as a monopoly.

Illinois: In Bloomington, Kep’s Country Kitchen shutting down after selling out to a competitor.  God refuses to stop ObamaCare from forcing ‘his’ Hospital Sisters Health System to end inpatient healthcare services at Saint Mary’s Hospital, other services are being consolidated to other hospitals, 3-hundred jobs affected!   Winter Storm Goliath has shutdown historic sites Fort de Chartres, Fort Kaskaskia and Pierre Menard Home with record floding from the Mississippi River.

Indiana: In South Bend, Yummy Cupcakes shutting down Gregorian New Year’s Eve: “Unfortunately traffic hasn’t been….what we hoped it would be. It just came to the point where there’s not enough coming in.”-Larry Katz, owner

Iowa: Bridgepoint Education-Ashford University moving ahead with shutting down its Clinton campus in 2016, at least 50 jobs lost.  In 2011 the university had 959 full time students, in 2015 full time enrollment dropped to 418!    Pier 1 Imports shutting down their 20 years old Crossroads Center Mall store, no further details given, the mall manager told local news that he only just found out himself.   In Ames, after less than two years Julieann’s home decor shop shutdown: “I just can’t compete with what’s going on out there now.”-Julie Brooks, owner

Kentucky: In Bowling Green, after 25 years the Shake Rag Restaurant shutting down after Gregorian New Year’s Day.

Massachusetts: Partners HealthCare System shutdown their Spaulding Hospital for Continuing Medical Care North Shore, 3-hundred jobs lost! 

Michigan: In Eaton Rapids, Davidson’s Old Mill Yarn shutting down their retail operations after 94 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions).  Wholesale operations will continue, at one point they employed 75 people.

Minnesota: In Minneapolis, the Burnet Gallery shutting down.  It’s located in the Le Meridien Chambers Hotel, which was sold-off in August and the new owners apparently don’t like art galleries.

Missouri:  Winter Storm Goliath has shutdown the Smartt Field Airport with record flooding from the Mississippi River.

Montana: A guest writer (and dairy producer) in The Missoulian has revealed that a state regulation is forcing local dairy producers to shutdown.  It’s called Amended Rule for Milk Inspection Fees.  The writer warns even more dairy ops, like his, are about to be shutdown and he wants the public to take action.

New Jersey: More proof internet/high-tech jobs are not recession resistant; Mercer County Community College announced it is eliminating as many as 24 IT jobs.  After 33 years J&G Pet Food and Supply shutdown after the owner was kidnapped and beaten.  To add insult to injury the owner wasn’t even the guy the retarded kidnappers wanted!

New York:  In Albany, after 56 years restaurant Justin’s being shutdown by the A-hole State Liquor Authority.   In Village of Lyons, no more village police department due to the Village merging with next door Town of Lyons.

North Carolina: In Greensboro, after 66 years Cashion’s Furniture and Decorating shutting down in January 2016.  The current owner will continue as an interior design consultant.

Ohio: In Columbus, after 40 years Bernies Bagels & Deli shutdown due to property re-development in the University District.

Oklahoma: Drysdales Western Wear laid off at least 20 people from its Tulsa warehouse.  It’s part of the company’s plan to shift to more internet sales.

Oregon:  In Eugene, after 56 years Serv-U Market shutdown, the owners sold-out to a big grocery store chain and the sale forbids them from saying which chain.

Pennsylvania: No more Manny, Moe and Jack? Philadelphia based auto parts chain store Pep Boys being sold for $1-billion USD to Icahn Enterprises, expect layoffs and shutdowns.

Texas:  Dallas based phone service AT&T ending its two years contract because it can’t afford to continue subsidizing it.  Starting in January 2016 potential customers will have only two choices of plans.  In Wichita Falls, the last full service Shell fuel station (on Taft and Midwestern Parkway) shutting down.  The owner sold the property, which he admitted had “environmental issues”.

Washington: Illinois based KapStone Paper & Packaging laying off 25 people at its Longview operations, blaming crashing demand for paper products.

Washington DC: Restaurant Mio shutdown, supposedly a new “concept” will take its place.

West Virginia: Murray Energy laying off more than 1-hundred coal miners due to the crashing coal market.   State ‘lawmakers’ shutting down the National Guard Armory in Keyser.  The ‘lawmakers’ are trying to save money by consolidating armories.

Wisconsin:  Pastiche Bistro and Wine Bar shutting down its Bay View location in favor of its Milwaukee location.   News reports say Jefferson County suffered at least 1-thousand 42 job loss WARNs, making it the hardest hit of Scott Walker’s Right to Work you over counties in 2015!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics, Idaho

“We’re not seeing any growth.” Warren Buffett kills more jobs! Investment funds see 2016 as Bad Year! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 30 December 2015

Alabama:  Yet again, Walter Energy eliminated hundreds of jobs, this time 319!  Earlier the bankrupt coal miner eliminated 794 jobs between July and November!

Arizona: After 46 years Oasis Bedroom shutting down all four furniture stores, blaming competition from national chain stores.  In Prescott, Hooligan’s Pub and the bar Swagger shutting down after Gregorian New Year’s Eve.  The owners blame health problems for forcing them to retire early.

California:  More proof internet based businesses are not recession resistant; grocery delivery service Instacart (once valued at $2-billion USD) laid off 12 employees. Administrators also stated they “no longer need to maintain such an aggressive hiring pace”  in 2016.   Cupertino based Apple computers has essentially admitted to tax evasion charges in Italy.  Apple wil pay the equivilant of $347.7-million USD to settle unpaid Italian taxes from 2008 to 2013.

Colorado: In Colorado Springs, after three years Lucha Cantina shutdown.  The operators are consolidating their food ops to fewer restaurants.

Hawaii:  The Fresh Cafe Downtown and Fresh Cafe Kakaako shutdown with little warning.  It’s blamed on a dispute between the co-owners.

Now employee owned Norco in Chubbuck, Idaho

Idaho:  More rebellion against the 30+ years old Right to Work you over laws as yet another company is taken over by its employees.  Boise based Norco, “the nation’s largest privately owned welding, safety, medical and gas supplier”, is now 35% owned by its employees under the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)!  Utility company Idaho Power begging wealthy customers to make donations to Idaho Power’s privately funded Project Share, which helps low income people pay their winter heating bills.  Between October 2014 and September 2015 a measly $200-thousand USD has been raised for Project Share.  The Gem State does not have taxpayer funded social programs to help people pay their utility bills, yet taxes in the Right to Work you over state are unusually high for so few social programs.

Illinois: Overpriced (at least here in Idaho) Big Lots! shutting down their Rockford East State Street store in January 2016.

Kentucky:  A building collapse has shutdown several businesses in Brooksville, some permanently.   Local news reports say the vacant building along Miami Street had a history of problems, and was last listed as being worth a piddly $1-thousand USD.  City administrators are working with the current owners of the building to figure out what to do.  The owner of next door Carota’s Pizza says “This is devastating to us and other businesses. I hate being closed. We have been trying to shift around employees, but I may lose some employees because they need the work.”

Louisiana:  Department of Wildlife & Fisheries ending deer hunting season early due to radical weather causing record flooding from the Mississippi River.

Minnesota: After 43 years Borgstrom’s Hallmark gift store sutting down in 2016 because “We’re not seeing any growth.”

Mississippi:  Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks ending deer hunting season early due to record flooding from the Mississippi River.

Montana: Signal Peak’s Bull Mountain Mine under threat of shutdown due to state permit problems, 320 jobs threatened!

New York:  NYC based ‘investment’ fund Seneca Capital Investments being shutdown by its owner, all investments supposedly being returned to the investors because 2016 is looking to be a bad year for investments: “I am no longer able to continue making the commitment and sacrifices required to run outside capital. Despite negligible redemption requests and increasing market opportunities that are the result of a challenging year in event-driven investing, I cannot in good faith start next year with the dedication required to manage your capital.”-Doug Hirsch  

North Carolina: DAL (Delta Air Lines) Global Services (aka DGS) laying off 56 employees contracted to work for American Airlines at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.  In Charlotte, after 18 years Cosmo Cafe shutting down in January 2016.  The owner decided he could make more money renting out the property.

North Dakota: In Grand Forks, after 47 years locally owned auto parts store H.E. Everson shutting down, blaming the encroachment of national chain auto parts stores since the oil boom.  At one time there were 19 H.E. Everson stores across two states.

 Pennsylvania:  Once again, God not as powerful as ObamaCare as Saint Joseph’s Hospital is shutting down, at least 675 people unemployed by March 2016!  Because of ObamaCare hospital services are being consolidated into fewer locations.

South Dakota:  Veterans Affairs wants to shutdown the Hot Springs VA Medical Center, 418 jobs lost by 2020!  Analysts say it’ll result in the regional economy losing $55-million per year!

Tennessee: In Memphis, Kroger shutting down their Hickory Hill Road grocery store, blaming 10 years of low sales. Administrators say the 17 years old store has not made a profit since 2006.

Texas:   The second largest U.S. rail company, Fort Worth based and Warren Buffett owned BNSF, laid off 1-hundred people in North Dakota and Minnesota, blaming crashing freight shipments!

Utah: In Logan, the Golden Corral all you can eat buffet shutdown.  According to local news reports this followed a ten week span that saw Gold’s Gym, Dunkin Donuts and Sports Authority shutdown in Logan.  The city’s Economic Development office told local news sources that based on tax revenues the economy is still good there in Logan/Cache County!

Wisconsin: Door County Rubber Stamp & Scrapbooking shutting down their 22 years old Egg Harbor store.  Like many other businesses the owners are consolidating retail operations into fewer stores.

U.S. Job Losses & Closings 29 December 2015: “We were blindsided….It’s like a funeral here.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics

“We were blindsided….It’s like a funeral here.” 70-thousand U.S. oil jobs gone, more of the same in 2016! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 29 December 2015

Arizona:  In Phoenix, after 30 years Ofelia’s bridal shop shutdown.

California:  More proof video games are not recession resistant; on Xmas day Laguna Hills based Red 5 Studios informed its employees it did not have enough cash to issue their Xmas time paychecks!  Unconfirmed reports that Red 5 Studios also laid off employees in November and December.  All year long clothing maker Hudsloan Enterprises advertised that it was looking for employees for its “rapid growing clothing” operation. Now Hudsloan is shutting down its Los Angeles operations in February, 265 jobs lost!   Upscale sunglasses maker Oakley issued a layoff WARN in Foothill Ranch, 76 jobs lost in February 2016.   Failing to prove its graduated students can find good paying jobs France based Le Cordon Bleu shutting down its Pasadena cooking school in February, 126 jobs lost!  In Fontana, motion control company Parker Hannifin issued a shutdown WARN, 69 jobs lost in February 2016.  In San Francisco, British empire based U.S. taxsucking BAE killing more U.S. jobs, this time 63 people laid off.  Tax sucker Boeing issued several layoff WARNs, 79 jobs lost in February 2016.  TGI Friday’s shutting down their Carlsbad restaurant, 45 jobs lost by the end of February 2016.  In Los Angeles, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza shutting down in March 2016, at least 796 jobs lost!  In Kerman, massive farm layoffs as Gerawan Farming-Prima issued a shutdown WARN for February, 2-thousand 551 jobs lost due to the ongoing drought!

Georgia:  In Atlanta, after five years Cafe Jonah and the Magical Attic shutting down by the end of February 2016: “Our landlord is not renewing our lease and intends to sell the property. I have been searching for the past year for a comparable space that we could call home, but have not found anything…”

Indiana: Michigan based Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern shutting down seven restaurants due to lack of sales.  Only one Bagger Dave’s will remain in Indiana.

Iowa: In Cedar Rapids, a 30 years old Burger King fast food joint shutting down in January 2016, because of the greedy property owner: “The lease came up and our rates went up. We wanted to do a scrape and rebuild, but we just couldn’t do it economically on a leased piece of ground. It just doesn’t make sense.”-Perry Beaton, franchise owner

Kansas: In Topeka, Mad Eliza’s Cakes & Confections shutting down their brick-n-mortar store and focusing on catering only: “The many extra expenses and workload of keeping and stocking a storefront can only be justified when there is a line at the counter a large portion of the time…”-Mark and Peggy Murnahan, owners

Maryland: The GAP clothier shutting down in the Westfield Annapolis Mall.  After 33 years the last Wavedancer store in Baltimore shutting down in January 2016.

Massachusetts:  After almost six years Persnickety Toys shutdown their Pittsfield location due to down holiday sales: “I did have the option to not close dependent upon the outcome of the holiday season, but I’m afraid that while it was pretty busy, it just wasn’t busy enough.”-Mike Moore, owner of Pittsfield store

Another 30 years old fast food joint shutdown, this time in Hadley.  The KFC (aka Kentucky Fried Chicken) shutdown due to low sales and higher labor costs: “We just can’t make money here anymore with the minimum wage increase and new part-time sick leave. Things weren’t that great anymore, but those things were the final nail.”-Mike Houston, franchise owner

Michigan: Only seven years old Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern chain shutting down a restaurant in Detroit, blaming lack of sales.   Bankrupt California based American Apparel shutdown its Lansing store without warning.

Missouri: In Jefferson City, after 37 years Kirlin’s Hallmark gift store shutting down by the beginning of January 2016.

Nebraska:  In Lincoln, the Russ’s Market (formerly Food-4-Less) at 70th and Van Dorn streets shutting down by the end of January 2016, the parent company is consolidating grocery ops into fewer stores.

New Mexico: In Silver City, after ten years non-profit fiber art store The Common Thread shutdown.  The operator said sales weren’t high enough to pay the utilities.

New York: In Soho, Italian steakhouse Costata shutdown and looking for a cheaper location.

Pennsylvania:  In York, Metso Minerals issued a WARN saying 71 jobs lost by February 2016.  Too Big to Jail FNB-Metro Bancorp-Metro Bank eliminating 230 Dauphin County jobs by February 2016!  In Pottsville, Ryder issued a WARN saying 95 jobs lost by March 2016.  In Brackenridge, ATI Flat Rolled Products issued a WARN saying they will eliminate 259 jobs by the end of February 2016!  After 101 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) the non-profit Mahanoy City Visiting Nurse Association killed off by skyrocketing costs and lack of donations.    In Wayne, after 34 years Newman and Saunders Galleries shutting down next week.  The owners are selling the property and will focus on internet sales only.   The state Game Commission says not enough hunting licenses were sold and they must furlough two employees.  In Reading, upscale clothier The Archive shutting down, the owner blames low sales on a bad location.  Michigan based DTE Energy shutting down their Shenango coke plant in January 2016, 173 jobs lost: “We were blindsided….It’s like a funeral here.”-Mike Ruane, employees’ union rep

Texas: The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas estimates that since October 2014 at least 70-thousand oil industry jobs have been lost: “Job losses and falling energy prices portend continued distress for the oil and gas sector in 2016…..      If bankruptcies continue at this rate, more may follow in 2016. Upstream firms have also adjusted to low oil prices by slashing capital expenditures; spending is down 51% from fourth quarter 2014 to third quarter 2015.”

Washington: In Bellingham, after 20 years Vis Seafoods shutdown its brick-n-mortar store and shifting to internet orders only.

Washington DC:  After eight years the Hello Cupcake shop in Dupont Circle shutting down.

West Virginia: In Montgomery, after 107 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Elk Furniture shutting down: “It’s um something I have been seeing come, for several years business has slowed down. You can’t run a business without money…..we don’t see how things are going to pick up any time soon.”-Ella Mae Jones, owner

U.S. Job Losses & Closings 28 December 2015: “this will be an humanitarian crisis under the flag of the United States” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics

U.S. cities declare war on homeless people! “this will be an humanitarian crisis under the flag of the United States” : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 28 December 2015

In 2015 dozens of evil U.S. cities, and even states, ‘declared war’ on homeless people despite the fact that the Failed State policies of ‘lawmakers’ are creating more and more homeless families: Portland, Oregon.  Seattle, Washington. Boise, Idaho. Denver, Colorado. Hawaii. Etc.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently released their 33rd annual assessment of hunger and homelessness in 22 U.S. cities.   The capital of the United States, Washington DC, leads the pack with an explosive 60% jump in homeless families!  Families becoming homeless far outpace individuals becoming homeless, and many city administrators see no change for 2016.  If that isn’t proof your system qualifies as an official Failed State, then you’re a proverbial Frog in a Boiling Pot.

Alaska: Proof of a Failed State; ‘lawmakers’ in The Last Frontier state are now considering a personal income tax for the first time in 35 years, blaming crashing revenues from the oil industry.  Never mind the fact that ‘lawmakers’ just spent bookoo bucks on building themselves a “palatial” new legislative building.

Arkansas: After 25 years Mister Magic brick-n-mortar shop shutting down and shifting to internet sales only.

California: Abercrombie Kids shutting down their Milpitas clothing store in January 2016, at least 41 jobs lost.   New York based clothier Suchman issued mass shutdown WARNs for several locations across The Golden State, 204 jobs lost by April 2016!    In Santa Clara, more proof high-tech not recession resistant as Citrix Systems issued a layoff WARN, 54 jobs lost in January 2016. In Brea, customer management company Alta Resources laid off 121 employees!  In San Diego, Bridgepoint Education laid off six people.  What construction industry recovery?  In Fresno, PPG laying off 45 people from their residential glass factory in January 2016.  In Carson, HVAC company Anemostat revealed they laid off 89 people. Morrison Healthcare Food Service ended their Chico operations, 87 jobs lost.  In Rancho Santa Margarita, RSM Automotive & Towing issued a layoff WARN, 77 jobs lost by February 2016.   The Montecito Country Club issued a layoff WARN, 44 jobs lost in February 2016.  In Pleasanton, Albertsons-Safeway continues with the layoffs, this time 66 people unemployed by February 2016.

Georgia:  In Gainesville, after 31 years Frames You-Nique shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.

Florida: In Mission Bay, the Toys R Us shutting down by the end of January 2016.

Illinois:  Since October the Illinois State Museum has been closed due to the Failed State ‘lawmakers’ failing to come up with a budget.  Now local news reports say two thirds of the staff have been forced to retire early, or quit!

Indiana: After 45 years the Mark III Tap Room shutting down at the end of the month.

New Jersey:  Bankrupt California based American Apparel shutting down their Newport Centre store in January 2016.  It should be noted that the bankruptcy documents partly blame skyrocketing rents.

New York: In Buffalo, Dog é Style hotdog joint shutting down by January 2016.

North Carolina: In Oak City, the owner of Klub Xplosion shutting it down due to increasing violence.  In Cary, Firewurst sausage joint shutting down: “After nearly 3 years of toil and sacrifice to build a local brand that could ultimately become a national franchise, we have come to the conclusion that our brand is…..not sustainable.”

Puerto Rico: The governor of the U.S. territory stated they cannot continue making payments on the government debt: “We’re out of cash…..there are no more tricks…this will be an humanitarian crisis under the flag of the United States very soon if Congress do not act.”-Alejandro Garcia Padilla, interviewed by CNN

South Carolina:  More proof internet/high-tech is not recession resistant; 3D Systems shutting down its Cubify.com website and ending its retail 3D printed operations.

U.S. Job Losses & Closings 25 – 27 December 2015: Nevada penalizes homeowners for going ‘Green’!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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

Business/Economics, Idaho

Idaho employees still behind the 8-Ball despite 3% pay raise! Nevada penalizes homeowners for going ‘Green’! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 25 – 27 December 2015

Japan based Toshiba concluded an internal investigation into book-cooking and discovered that past corrupt administrators ripped off the company by at least $1.3-billion USD.  The result is that 7-thousand 8-hundred people around the world will lose their jobs!  This affects Toshiba ops in the United States, such as the South Texas Project (Toshiba owns 87% of Pennsylvania based nuclear power plant maker Westinghouse).

California: In Newark, bio-company StemCells warned 25% of its employees of impending layoffs due to “restructuring” caused by legal tangles involving the state stem cell funding agency CIRM.    In South San Francisco, drugs maker Threshold Pharmaceuticals announced layoffs that would leave it with only 20 employees! It’s blamed on their Phase 3 failed drugs.  Another drugs maker, KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, in big trouble after two of its administrators were arrested for frauding investors!  The company now faces NASDAQ de-listing.

Connecticut:  Failed golf TV network Back9Network now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Back9 went off the air in February and laid off most of its employees.

Georgia: In Decatur, after 39 years the 17 Steps gift shop shutting down by the end of January.

Idaho: State ‘lawmakers’ decided to give state employees a 3% pay raise, yet the Idaho Press-Tribune says state employees are still paid 22% below the ‘market average’ for state government employees across the U.S.  My own short experience working with state employees at Idaho State University revealed that the pay disparity gets even worse when you break it down by region, yes, state employees are not paid uniformly across The Gem State.  It was also revealed that the state Department of Health and Welfare experienced a 15% employee turnover rate in 2015, blamed mainly on low pay rates!  So much for Right to Work you over laws!  For more news on the sad state of Idaho, the U.S. Department of Education says Idaho’s High School graduation rate is 41st out of the 50 states and Washington DC!

Indiana: What automotive industry recovery?  New car parts maker Indiana Marujun (IML) shutting down its Winchester factory, 750 jobs lost by the end of 2016!  It’s blamed on the planned shutdown of the Honda factory.

Kansas: In Topeka, the non-profit health care Marian Clinic shutting down affecting at least 4-hundred low income patients.  Local news reports say the Shawnee County Health Agency is experiencing a steady increase in patient inquiries since the announcement that Marian Clinic was shutting down.

Maryland: In Westminster, after 25 years the Hickory Stick bangle shop shutdown: “Expenses are up, and the sales are not following suit.”-Sandy Scott, owner

Nevada: Proof government doesn’t want ‘green’ businesses and there is no such thing as ‘free market economics’ in the United States; California based solar panel maker SolarCity leaving The Silver State because the state Public Utilities Commission jacked up fees charged to people who put solar panels on their homes, and reduced how much electric power companies have to pay those home owners for extra power generated by the solar panels.  The net result is that people who put solar panels on their homes will actually see their electricity bill go up by about $40 per month!  Up till now analysts say Nevada homeowners with solar power panels had reduced their electricity bill by a measly $15 per month.  Evil utility companies demand that even people who go off the power grid should still have to pay to support that evil grid!  SolarCity’s exit from The Silver State could affect at least 2-thousand jobs!

New York:  In Manhattan, restaurant City Hall shutting down on New Year’s Eve.

North Carolina: Morrison Healthcare Food Service shutting down their Pinevale operations, 80 jobs affected by February 2016.   Morrison lost their contract with Carolinas Healthcare System.

Ohio: God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 1-hundred years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Mansfield.  Supposedly it’s being taken over by a competing version of christianity.

Oklahoma: The state Board of Equalization predicts $900.8-million USD less in tax revenues for next fiscal year due to the collapsing oil industry.

Texas: In Austin, it was revealed that Mijos Tex-Mex Cantina shutdown without warning, back in November.

Utah: In Orem, after 53 years the Vineyard Garden Center shutdown, the owner said “Too old, too tired.” 

Virginia: In Alexandria three local mom-n-pops shutdown; Bradlee Shoe Repair, Monroe’s Shoe Repair and Mancini’s Cafe & Bakery.

Wisconsin: In Wausau, after 51 years Hadley Office Products shutting down.  The retiring owners found a buyer for the business, hoping to keep the employees employed.    Reports say the new owner will keep on ten employees.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

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