Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Idaho

“I’m not going to put a gun to anybody’s head & make them buy a lottery ticket…” Powerball sales crash?: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 16 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: Another coal miner going down, this time Walter Energy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The bankruptcy will affect mining ops in Alabama and West Virginia, but will not affect operations outside the U.S.

California:   In Camarillo, Semtech laying off 8% of employees. Back in 2014 they eliminated 6% of their jobs.  It’s blamed on crashing sales: “Given our recent revenue decline driven primarily by weak Korean smartphone demand, we have made the very difficult decision to reduce our headcount and operating expenses across a majority of Semtech’s locations.”-Mohan Maheswaran, CEO

Connecticut: ObamaCare forced non-profit Eastern Connecticut Health Network to layoff 24 employees, eliminate 14 vacant positions and cut hours for other employees.  It’s directly blamed on lower Medicaid reimbursements and higher taxes.  In Rocky Hill, news reports revealed that KS Partners replaced about 20 of their long term career janitors with cheap migrant workers: “They put in new people. No benefits. Minimum wage.”-Domingo Guerrero, 16 year employee replaced with new immigrant labor

News reports say administrators with KS Partners refuse to comment.

Idaho: KPVI revealed that Walmart was ripping off a Pocatello business.  The owners of Pocatello based American Built Apparel (not associated with troubled California based American Apparel) discovered Walmart was selling shirts with their logo on it, but they weren’t made by them!  The shirts were made by a company Walmart contracts with, called Hybrid Apparel, and Hybrid Apparel decided to settle the lawsuit brought by American Built Apparel.  American Built owner Nicholas Carson said the U.S. corporate system is unfair: “You jump through all the hoops, jump through the legal system to get a federal trademark to protect your business, and a big company comes in and steps all over it!”-KPVI interview

Pocatello administrators have revealed their hyped up deal to bring a major employer to Pocatello Regional Airport is dead, for now.  Administrators have been claiming since November that an unnamed company code named Project Pipe was about to set up shop at the airport.  One problem, the operation might be in conflict with FAA environmental regulations.  The so called Project Pipe company has announced they are not going to wait any longer for a decision by the FAA regarding the environmental impact of the project, and will go elsewhere to set up shop: “Project Pipe needed to be in place by a certain date. We were already five months behind schedule and we were getting bogged down in the environmental review process.”-David Allen, Pocatello Regional Airport press release

‘Pokey’ administrators will now play a shell game to rezone some of the airport land as no longer being airport land, to avoid the FAA rules: “We are taking the necessary steps to remove about 900 acres of land from the official Airport property map. This land was already released by the FAA for non-aeronautical use and can be removed from the map under proper procedures. The City will still own the land, it will still be annexed into the City limits and it will still have advantageous access to air transportation. But once it is no longer Airport property, it no longer falls under FAA rules. When future projects are identified, the City would only have to ensure the project does not create an aviation hazard or otherwise impact aviation.”-David Allen

Right to Work you over gov’na Butch Otter is forcing taxpayers to give ‘lawmakers’ multi-million dollar retirements!  Idaho Freedom Foundation reports that Dean Cameron of Rupert has been promised $1.4-million USD if he stays in office for only four years!  Bob Geddes of Soda Springs is being promised a little more than $1-million if he remains the Department of Administration’s director for a mere 30 months!  Gov’na Otter told Boise radio interviewers that his offers of huge pensions to at least 11 ‘officials’ were “miniscule”!  Powerball Lottery administrators in The Gem State have revealed that their kickbacks to the state are crashing.  The state dividend from Powerball fell by 8% compared to 2014.  It’s the first time the lottery dividend dropped from the previous year.  Right to Work you over gov’na Butch Otter stopped short of mandating lottery ticket purchases: “I’m not going to put a gun to anybody’s head and make them buy a lottery ticket…We can do marketing; we can encourage people in a responsible way.”

Interestingly lottery administrators said they were not going to spend anymore money on advertising, when you couple that with Otter’s statement it suggests that Idaho taxpayers will be funding the “marketing” Otter proposes.  And now for an update on the scandal ridden and now defunct Idaho Education Network (IEN); news reports say gov’na Otter and his cronies spent at least 1-million taxpayer dollars paying attorneys to defend the IEN!  This is on top of the millions of taxpayer dollars that will be spent settling lawsuits with Syringa Wireless, Education Networks of America and Qwest Communications!

Missouri: Bermuda based Bunge shutting down its cooking oil packaging factory in Bradley by 2016, about 210 jobs lost!  Administrators are consolidating operations.

Ohio:  Fiat-Chrysler announced they are considering shutting down their Jeep Wrangler factory in Toledo. However, it’s not due to bad sales but because the 2017 model Wrangler is so radically different they must re-tool the factory to build it.  The factory could be closed for at least 60 days.   Owens Community College revealed what I call massive Disappearing Students Syndrome.  In 2009 they had 23,606 students, by January 2015 they were down to 11,719!  Despite the crashing enrollment, administrators claim they will not layoff anymore employees (they’ve already eliminated 50 positions, and ask employees to take time off without pay).

Rhode Island: In Woonsocket, J’s Deli shutdown due to lack of employees, despite the fact the owner pays more than minimum wage: “Due to our repeated unsuccessful efforts to hire a full team of quality associates to join us at this location of J’s Deli, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations at this location only.”-sign on door

Texas: After taking-over 99 years old competitor Forest Oil, Houston based Sabine Oil & Gas now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Administrators blame low oil prices, but maybe it’s really the $2.2-billion in pro forma debt as a result of taking over Forest Oil.  It’s been revealed that L3 Communications has laid off 207 people at the Corpus Christi Army Depot!  Those layoffs took place over the past six months and more could be coming due to L3 losing its tax-sucking military contract.

Virginia: In Buena Vista, packaging label maker Mundet-Hermetite is shutting down, at least 40 jobs lost by September.

Wisconsin: In Superior, after 16 years Joe’s Pagoda restaurant shutdown.

15 July 2015: “The whole market is surprised at the rapid plunge…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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, U.S.

U.S. Food Crisis 15 July 2015: Idaho wheat crop dying!

Idaho’s Clearwater County declaring a state of emergency as the 15 years long drought has killed off 66.67% of the local wheat crop!

County administrators say the recent rain was too late, and rain coming now will actually cause sprout damage for the remaining wheat crop.

The Gem State is the 5th largest wheat producer in the U.S. 

Drought turning fresh water poisonous….killing pet dogs!

Business/Economics, Idaho

“The whole market is surprised at the rapid plunge…” Union Pacific, BNSF & Ford to kill thousands of jobs! Micron turning Chinese?: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 15 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alaska: Maxine’s Firewood Bistro shutdown, an unnamed employee said the owners were moving to a new location.

California: Florida owned San Mateo based 11 Main internet selling site eliminating about 150 jobs!  11 main was once owned by China’s Alibaba, who sold it to Harris Corporation’s OpenSky last month.  Unnamed 11 Main employees report that the San Mateo HQ is shutting down.  Prior to the Alibaba sale of 11 Main to OpenSky, Alibaba laid off dozens of people at 11 Main as well as U.S. subsidiaries Auctiva and Vendio.  San Diego County has decided to shutdown its child prison known as the Juvenile Ranch Facility in Campo.  The good news is that administrators blame a lack of child prisoners (but really they’re trying to save $700-thousand USD per year in operating costs).  In Napa, Fagiani’s Bar and The Thomas Restaurant shutdown to make room for a New York based property developer’s bigger restaurant.  In Half Moon Bay, after 40 years the Bay Book store shutdown.

Connecticut: After two years the owner of S&S Sweet Treats shutting down her Torrington ice cream shop in September: “Essentially there is a lack of support for small businesses and a small business simply cannot exist without its community’s support.”-Tina Pesillo

Florida: Triangle Service of South Florida apparently lost their trash contract with the Tampa International Airport, they issued a WARN saying 249 jobs will be lost by the end of September!  The Red Cross shutting down their West Bradenton ops and consolidating to Lakewood Ranch.  In Sarasota, for the second time in as many years the Oriental Buffet shutdown for failing health inspections.   Florida has had a spat of restaurant shutdowns due to health code violations.  Vero Beach based Piper Aircraft announced “As a direct result of the slowdown in sales, Piper Aircraft….will require that the current workforce be reduced. While the total number of impacted employees is not yet confirmed, the company expects that the reduction will involve approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of the current workforce.”

Hawaii: After eight years Hank’s Haute Dogs will shutdown in August.

Idaho: Boise based micro chip maker Micron is about to be sold-off.  The potential buyer is China’s Tsinghua Unigroup, which is offering $23-billion for the troubled company.  If Micron agrees the deal must be accepted by the Committee on Foreign Investment.   In Meridian, after 26 years Miss Tami’s restaurant shutting down.  The owner said the economy is forcing them to scale down to a catering/drive thru operation only.  Payette County administrators have a plan to take advantage of neighboring Oregon’s new legalized marijuana; instead of jailing pot heads that cross the border into Idaho they simply fine them.  They save money by not packing their county jail full of weedies, and they’ll make money off the thousands of fines they expect to collect.

Iowa: Interstate Power and Light-Alliant Energy could shutdown five coal fired electricity generating power plants, hundreds of jobs lost!  Iowa’s second largest electricity maker must also spend $7-million in pollution controls on other coal plants, or switching to natural gas. It’s the result of being fined by the U.S. EPA and Department of Justice for violating pollution regulations.

Kansas: Wichita State University shutting down their 35 years old Lake Afton Public Observatory in August, due to lack of funding.  Also, the number of people who look to the stars has crashed by 50% compared to public attendance when it first opened in 1981.

Louisiana: News reports say that presidential hopeful gov’na Bobby Jindal killed 8,442 state classified jobs since he became gov’na in 2008!   That number does not include unclassified positions that were also eliminated.

Maine: After 28 years Videoport shutting down, owner Bill Duggan said “We can’t raise prices anymore, because of competition, so it’s hard to keep up with costs.”

Michigan: What auto industry recovery?  Despite reporting profits Ford is threatening to shutdown its massive factory in Wayne and move production of C-Max trucks and Focus cars to Mexico, 4-thousand jobs could be lost!

Minnesota: South African based Sappi Fine Paper shutting down their Cloquet paper mill for a one week furlough “Due to global market conditions…”.   In 2014 Sappi eliminated 110 U.S. jobs!

Missouri: Canadian news reports revealed that Kansas City based Kansas City Southern Railway will layoff at least 110 people!  Women’s homeless shelter Shalom House shutting down and being sold-off after 47 years.  Administrators blame crashing donations for forcing them to abandon 4-hundred women!

Nebraska: Canadian news reports revealed that Omaha based Union Pacific Railroad will furlough at least 1-thousand employees!  Union Pacific is the largest U.S. railroad operator by sales.  The Canadian news reports said it wasn’t just Union Pacific but several railroad companies across North America will be eliminating jobs due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries: “The whole market is surprised at the rapid plunge, especially in coal volumes. The challenge is trying to align the size of the network in real time with demand that’s shifting in surprising ways.”-Keith Schoonmaker, Morningstar railroad analyst

Nevada: In Reno, clothiers Gap and Ann Taylor shutting down in The Summit Mall.  The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority eliminating 45 jobs as it switches to contractors to do the work, in an attempt to close a $1.8-million shortfall.

New Jersey: God refuses to stop ‘his’ 54 years old Mount Laurel Monastery from shutting down. Monks say it’s due to lack of work, however, local journalists discovered the property has been zoned for residential use and valued at $1.3-million, and church administrators had conducted an audit of assets on the property. Sounds like the false christians are about to sell their souls, I mean property for money.  Food flavor additive maker Frutarom shutting down their North Bergen operations by August, 50 jobs lost.  It’s blamed on the millions of dollars spent taking over British empire United Kingdom company FoodBlenders and Belgian company  Taiga International.  Sears Holdings announced the Vineland Kmart will shutdown in October, 74 jobs lost.  In the land of presidential candidate gov’na Chris Christie, the state Supreme Court revealed it is truly an economically Failed State and gave local governments the go-ahead to eliminate union jobs at will: “….municipalities acted for reasons of economy based on municipal fiscal distress existing at the time, rendering the management choice to use a temporary or permanent layoff solution one that constituted a managerial prerogative not subject to negotiation.”-Jaynee LaVecchia, Supreme Court judge

New York: NYC based drugs pusher Pfizer is shutting down their 50 years old drugs factory in Navi Mumbai/Thane, India. Company administrators revealed they halted drugs production at the factory back in 2013, affecting at least 212 jobs!  Reports reveal that the computer crash at the New York Stock Exchange might have been caused by the mass layoffs made by the new owner of the NYSE.  In 2012 InterContinental Exchange (ICE) took over the NYSE, and some reports say as many as 8-hundred people were laid off, including many techies!  NYC based IBT Media owned Newsweek will end its European hard copy publication just 18 months after it started!  Newsweek’s Europe/Middle East/Africa edition will apparently be edited in NYC instead of London, U.K.: “We felt that this was an important moment to create a more unified editorial platform…”-IBT Media

North Carolina: ObamaCare forcing Winston-Salem based Novant Health to layoff 4-hundred people!  Administrators said Novant Health is “financially healthy and strong today” but that ongoing “declining reimbursements and many other challenges” caused by ObamaCare are forcing them to re-organize.

North Dakota: In Fargo, Metro Drugs shutting down by the end of the month, blaming crashing sales despite the recent oil boom that skyrocketed the population.

Ohio: Yet another Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples store shutting down, this time in Moraine.  It’s preparation for the pending merger of Staples and Office Depot.  Staples will shutdown a total of 225 stores while Office Depot will shutdown 135, by the end of the year!

Texas:  Canadian news reports revealed that Forth Worth based Warren Buffet owned BNSF Railway laid off an undisclosed number of employees, due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries.  BNSF is the second largest U.S. rail operator by sales.

Utah: In Logan, the World’s biggest maker of fitness equipment Icon Fitness & Health will layoff 4-hundred people by October!  Administrators blame competition and crashing profits.  Local news reports say local police were called to the factory before the announcement was made, as part of factory production was suddenly shutdown.

Virginia: In Portsmouth, the civil war between the Sheriff and the Courthouse is ramping up.  A few months ago the Sheriff was reprimanded for trying to hoist the U.S. flag on the Courthouse property.  Then the Sheriff was forced to layoff 25 deputies, so he chose those deputies who specifically handle Courthouse security.  The result is long lines of citizens trying to get into the Courthouse to conduct legal business.

Washington: So much for legalized pot!  The city of Seattle has created new licensing laws that will result in dozens of marijuana shops being shutdown!  It sounds likes city administrators aren’t happy with the explosion of new ganja shops since 2013, and neither are the owners of several ganja shops that opened prior to 2013 (guess they can’t handle the competition).  On top of that, King County administrators revealed they’ve shutdown 15 marijuana shops in the past few weeks!

Wisconsin: In Milwaukee, after two years the now bankrupt Blue Jacket restaurant shutting down in ten days, their chef already quit.     In Sturgeon Bay, God refuses to stop ‘his’ United Methodist Church’s addict recovery Kimberly House from shutting down.  It’s blamed on crashing donations, and crashing funding from United Way.  The city of Madison warned of mass layoffs due to a shortfall of $7.9-million: “Unfortunately because of the situation we’re in, it’s really going to be incumbent upon people to focus on what they want to retain in terms of city services and city programs rather than exploring new areas.”-Paul Soglin, mayor

14 July 2015: “I sold the land…to put food on the table.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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 sold the land…to put food on the table.” California company to kill 4,000 jobs! VA to close more hospitals!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 14 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: Sears Holdings announced the Bel Air Mall Sears Store and Auto Center will shutdown between August and September, more than 100 jobs lost!

Arkansas: Jefferson County going the way of Greece, announcing that they will barley be able to pay their employees for work in July.  County administrators warned that layoffs for ten employees are coming due to crashing tax revenues.  Administrators blame their own dumb-ass department heads for ignoring a hiring freeze ordered two years ago: “Now we are in a tough situation.”-Dutch King, County Judge

California: In Sacramento, after almost 100 years Porter-Sprague Auto Shop shutdown.  The owner’s secret for success is “good vodka.”  In Fullerton, after 20 years Steamers Jazz Club & Cafe shutdown. The owner admitted he’s been trying to sell the place for the past four years, apparently he finally sold it to a brewery. San Diego based semiconductor maker Qualcomm warned of massive layoffs; 4-thousand!  More details will be revealed by the end of the month.  Qualcomm eliminated 1-thousand 4-hundred jobs back in December!  It’s blamed on the crashing computer chip market.  City administrators of Atwater revealed that Sears Holdings will shutdown the Kmart in October.

Colorado: Business owners in Idaho Springs say construction work on Interstate 70 is killing their local economy.  Despite promises to have the road construction done in time for the tourist season, the road work is still ongoing, ever since Autumn 2014.   Local news reports say sales for Idaho Springs shop owners are down 60%!

Georgia: Shaw Industries shutting down their Augusta Evergreen Carpet recycling operations, 70 jobs affected.  Recycling ops are being moved to a new facility.

Idaho: In yet another example of failed state ‘lawmakers’ wasting taxpayer money, The Gem State now owes Syringa Wireless $930-thousand USD!  It’s connected to the controversial and now defunct Idaho Education Network scandal.   Syringa sued the state after being blocked from the IEN contract.  Of course state taxpayer funded lawyers are appealing the case, but wait there’s more!  Education Networks of America and Qwest Communications are demanding at least $6-million for unpaid work they did on the IEN project!  Idaho ‘lawmakers’ have a history of wasting millions of taxpayer funding on attorneys.  The Right to Work you over gov’na Butch Otter refused to comment.

Illinois:  In Chicago, Cyrano’s Farm Kitchen has been sold and will shutdown in August, the now former owner saying “I just need to move on.”  Obama regime stoogie Rahm Emanuel warns that Chicago Public Schools is facing another $60-million in cuts on top of the recently announced 1-thousand 4-hundred layoffs!  He said while 2-hundred schools are reporting student enrollment increases they’re being outpaced by a mass exodus of students at more than 4-hundred other CPS schools!  CPS is short $1-billion in taxpayer funding!  Also in Chicago, for-profit DeVry Education Group shutting down their office in September, 90 jobs lost.  The failing higher education outfit also returned $100-thousand of local taxpayer financing to the city.  After warnings from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, it’s been revealed that Eastern Illinois University has not renewed contracts for at least 10 faculty members, and 26 contracted faculty members have not been given teaching assignments.  Three faculty members have had their hours cut in half.  In Joliet, Glasscock Farm shutdown their corn growing ops. The owner said he had to sell most of the property as a matter economic survival: “…I sold the land at 125 times what my father paid for it back in 1959, and now I have an inheritance to put food on the table.”-Scott Glasscock

Indiana: Dean Foods (aka Dean’s) issued a WARN saying it will shutdown its Rochester factory, 138 jobs lost in October!

Iowa:  In another example of Failed State-ism, state ‘lawmakers’ want to eliminate prison programs and conduct mass layoffs of prison personnel in order to save money, despite the fact an audit showed at least $1-million is wasted on perks for top prison managers!

Louisiana: In New Orleans, four Freret Street businesses shutdown; Freret Garden Center, Freret Auto Service Center, Jaques Clothing and Full Blossom Chic.

Massachusetts: JCPenney is shutting down their eight years old Natick Mall store in August, 95 jobs lost.

Michigan: Texas based Pier 1 Imports shutting down yet another store, this time in Genoa Township.  It’s part of their plan to eliminate at least 1-hundred stores in three years.

Minnesota: California based clothier Gap and Gap Kids shutting down their stores in the IDS Center.  It’s all part of their plan to shutdown 175 stores.

Missouri: Software company Answers Corporation eliminated 1-hundred jobs last week!  It was revealed by former employees. It’s the result of Answers’ takeover of Michigan tech company ForeSee.

Montana: Stillwater Mining laid off 11 employees.  It’s blamed on crashing prices of platinum and palladium.

New York: In Buffalo, California clothier Gap announced it will shutdown its 39 years old Boulevard Mall store.  Gap stores in Syracuse and Ithaca are also being shutdown.  The city of Tonawanda shutdown the Wheeler Street fire station.  Administrators hope their budget shortfall is temporary.  NYC based CBS Radio (formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation) eliminated 2-hundred jobs across its U.S. network, and the latest reports say more heads are gonna roll!  Some of the news reports I’ve read say radio personalities who’ve been on air for at least 20 years have been laid off, other reports said some of the stations affected are the top ranked in their market, yet I found no explanation for the mass layoffs.  Another report I read said CBS Radio has no massive debt, but might be prepping itself for sale, or station swap, to a company called Entercom.

North Carolina: Stokes County School Board voted to shutdown their Francisco Elementary School.  It’s blamed on what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome, enrollment is down to 50 students.

Pennsylvania: Consol Energy conducted a new round of layoffs.  The news is so new that it’s unknown how many people got canned this time.  Back in April 190 people lost their jobs!  Consol administrators also said that due to the Supreme Court’s ruling on ObamaCare they will end healthcare benefits for retired employees!  After 15 years the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network shutting down.  Local news reports said the Network didn’t explain why.

South Dakota: Printing company Midstates laid off 55 employees last week, blaming crashing sales.

Texas: Houston based Noble Energy (the company heavily involved in Israel’s Leviathan gas fields, which is the true cause of unrest in the region) announced it will shutdown the Rosetta Resources HQ, 306 jobs affected!   Noble Energy took over Rosetta Resources back in May.   Once California based but Germany owned Fireman’s Fund Insurance shutdown their Dallas office.  Local news reports say at one time their Ross Tower location employed 4-hundred people!  Fireman’s Fund was taken over by Germany’s Allianz in the 1990s. But since the implementation of ObamaCare, Allianz has been carving up and selling off Fireman’s Fund.

Virginia: Norfolk based Freedom Home & Electronics shutting down 11 stores near military bases.  The company targets military personnel.  Administrators blame increasing rents, and decreasing profit margins that cannot be offset by increasing sale volumes.

Washington: Spokane based Ambassadors Group shutting down by the end of 2015.  The travel company has been laying off employees for years now, last year they were down to 170.  Administrators blame it on crashing sales.

Washington DC: The Veterans Affairs announced it will shutdown more VA hospitals due to a lack of $2.5-billion in taxpayer funding.  VA administrators claim they’re forced to use $3-billion in Veterans Choice funding to make up the difference.

Wisconsin:  What construction industry recovery? After 38 years construction company TCI issued a WARN saying they’re done!  39 jobs already eliminated and more to come as the company shuts down in December.

13 July 2015: “prepare for a steady decline”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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 closings 14 July 2015: Sears hires another executive known for corporate cannibalism!

New Jersey losing another Kmart by October.  Layaway customers are responsible for moving their layaway purchases to other stores.   Vineland city administrators said they are not surprised because a couple of months ago a property developer made inquiries about the Kmart property.

California losing another Kmart, in October.  Local news reports say the Kmart is the third major employer to leave Atwater this year, and was a major tax generator for the city: “It’s obviously going to be a hit economically, and for jobs going to be lost, it will be a double hit!”-Jim Price, mayor

Alabama losing a Sears and Auto Center by August, however some local news reports say employees were told the store would shutdown before the end of September.

Sears Holdings has hired on yet another executive known for running corporations into the ground.  Joelle Maher used to run children’s clothing-merchandise chain Gymboree.  Here’s what I found out about failing Gymboree: Bloomberg just reported that California based Gymboree (as well as other clothing chains) are doing little to break stereotypical girls and boys clothes; pink for girls blue for boys, so how does that set Gymboree apart from the retail herd?

Last month, California news reports said Gymboree joined the Sears Holdings trend of selling off its own properties and then renting them back.  Gymboree sold its Dixon distribution center for close to $27-million USD back in May, then they turned around and signed a 15 year lease with the new owner!

You have to think of corporations selling off their own properties only to rent them back as a type of corporate self cannibalism; they’re broke, so to raise cash they sell off parts of their bodies hoping in the long run they can grow back those parts they cannibalized.

In April, Gymboree announced they lost $7.4-million in their 4th Quarter 2014.  As a result they’re in the process of shutting down 40 stores across the U.S.

02 July 2015: Barnes & Noble going the way of Sears Holdings! 

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

Arizona: 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: 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), recently revealed Sears Store and Auto Center at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile (more than 100 jobs lost).

California: 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 (number of employees affected not made public, no WARN filed), 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.  Recently revealed Atwater Kmart (so far no mention how many 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: 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).

Georgia: 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: 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: 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). Across the street, in Pocatello, the property where the Kmart is located has a “pad site available” sign, posted ever since the Kmart bankruptcy. The Kmart building takes up most of the ‘pad’. Latest news from inside sources say Sears Holdings will not comment on any plans to expand the small amount of Craftsman products already being sold at the Kmart, or shift the Kenmore products line, from the closing Chubbuck Sears to the Pocatello Kmart. In fact all plans for the Pokey Kmart are in a ‘holding pattern’.

Illinois: Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost?) revealed is now a perpetual closing sale Kmart At A Discount store, Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost), White Lake Township Kmart (42 jobs lost), Orland Park Sears Appliance, Collinsville Kmart (84 jobs lost), Crystal Lake Kmart (at least 77 jobs lost), Danville Sears store & Auto Center (63 jobs lost), Forsyth Sears store & Auto Center (45 jobs lost), Peoria Kmart (73 jobs lost), Forest Park Kmart (107 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North and Harlem avenues, supposedly it’s being replaced (most likely at taxpayer expense) with a new building and it will become a Sears-Mariano’s store, Bloomington Kmart (79 jobs lost), Hoffman Estates Headquarters 100 jobs eliminated, another 15 corporate jobs eliminated elsewhere, Chicago-Wicker Park Kmart (106 jobs lost), abandoned Market Place Mall Sears location to be occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. North Mayfair Kmart (99 jobs lost), Chicago Kmart at 5033 North Elston Avenue (99 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state. The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Indiana: Anderson 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 (“approximately” 68 jobs lost), Bloomington Sears to be replaced by Whole Foods grocery store.

Iowa: 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).

Kansas: 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). Rural King farm & home store has taken over the abandoned Wincester Kmart.

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).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost).

Michigan: Novi 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: 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: 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: 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), recently revealed Vineland Kmart (74 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: 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 Sears & Auto Center (109 jobs lost), Lancaster Kmart sold for $1.7-million to Dave’s Christmas Wonderland.

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.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

Ohio: 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), recently revealed 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: 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.

Puerto Rico: Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

South Carolina: 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).

Tennessee: 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).

Utah: Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon controlled 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: Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost).

Virginia: 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), Wincester 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: 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: 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).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now 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

“prepare for a steady decline” as “more planned layoffs than in all of 2014.” Immigrant Specialists code for Slave Traffickers! NAZI Virginia shutdown, thousands of evil jobs lost!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 13 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: Another oil service company down the drain, but not because of prices.  Mobile based Signal international is accused of joining the growing list of U.S. companies being caught using slave wage trafficked workers.  Signal lost a $20-million USD lawsuit filed by former workers from India, who were trafficked into Mississippi.  Now the oil rig maintainer is chapter 11 bankrupt busted.   Administrators with Signal claim ignorance because they contracted out the hiring of foreign workers to ‘immigrant specialists’.

Arizona: In Flagstaff, taxpayer funded Coconino County dental clinic shutting down by the end of September.  Is crashing patient participation being caused by ObamaCare?  County administrators say in the past year about 50% of patients never showed up for their scheduled appointments!  The patient turnout is so low now that the only county public health dentist quit!

California: Amy’s Baking Company shutting down.  The owners blame the landlord for complaining about “weird odors”.

Connecticut: After 32 years the Red Barn Restaurant shutdown, no explanation.

Georgia: Pediatria Healthcare blames ObamaCare for forcing them to shutdown five of their daycare operations for children with medical problems!  Administrators say since 2013 ‘reforms’ to Medicaid resulted in massive funding cuts and affected patient referrals.  ObamaCare is forcing the families of the “medically fragile” children to care for them at home, on their own: “DCH is working alongside the provider to transition all children to in-home skilled nursing support services. (DCH) is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the parents and guardians are connected to and able to access the full scope of Medicaid services available to their children.”– Department of Community Health

Illinois: Health insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield began laying off 60 employees across the state.  Apparently those jobs are being contracted out so the ObamaCare insurance company can make bigger profits for the shareholders. The Alton Animal Control Department shutting down in August.  City administrators are trying to cut $80-thousand by contracting out the work.

Iowa:  Iowa Student Loan lost their government contract, 60 jobs gone.   Administrators would only say that their “…administration of the program did not live up to goals described when the legislation was approved by Congress…”

Kentucky: In Benton, after 40 years the King Brothers grocery store shutdown.

Massachusetts: Gordon College just added seven professors to the previously announced 14 layoffs.  It’s blamed on what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.

Michigan: In Ann Arbor, tech company ForeSee conducted a second round of layoffs, refusing to confirm how many people are now jobless.  Local news reports say as many as 37 employees were laid off.  Back in January as many as 70 people were laid off.  It’s blamed on ForeSee being taken over by Answers Corporation.  The Bellaire Village Council announced they “have to prepare for a steady decline” in tax revenues due to the collapsing mine industry.  The village also voted to require cash or credit cards for utility payments, no more checks.

New Jersey: Atlantic City has warned all its union employees of massive layoffs this Autumn.

New York: Too Big to Jail KeyBank shutting down their City of Newburgh office by October.  After 13 years the Lit Lounge will shutdown by September, one co-owner blames Millennials who “don’t go out”.   NYC based Barnes & Noble will shutdown all Nook stores outside of the U.S. and U.K.  The book seller will remove their Windows based content and start refunding customers their money.   After seven money losing years the Tourism Center in Queens is shutting down, blamed on lack of tourists.  In 2012 an employee revealed that the majority of visitors to the Center are residents of Queens!

Ohio: In Toledo, God refuses to stop ‘his’ Good Shepherd Parish from shutting down in August.  They lost 65% of their congregation to the Rapture (well, they went somewhere)!

Pennsylvania:  Macy’s is shutting down their Pittsburgh store by the end of September.  They sold their iconic 128 years old 13 story building to a real estate company.  170 jobs affected!

Texas: In Pasadena, the Sun Products household cleaning products factory shutting down in August because “the chemical manufacturing assets” are being sold-off.  115 jobs lost!

Virginia:  The largest employer in Amherst County, Central Virginia Training Center, is shutting down.  Layoffs start this October, more than 1-thousand jobs will be lost by 2020!  But wait, that’s the tip of the iceberg; four of the five taxpayer funded Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Training Centers are being shutdown because of what was revealed in a $2-billion 2012 lawsuit brought by the federal government!  Some people are afraid their disabled relatives will die without the services of the Training Center, even though the 2012 federal lawsuit accused Virginia of “needlessly warehousing” undesirable (disabled) people instead of providing proper medical care.    Here’s a history lesson of why Training Center is evil; NAZI Germany used Virginia’s Training Center as a template for creating one of their ‘final solutions’ for “inferior races”!

Wisconsin: After 65 years the National Ace Hardware on North 4th Street in Milwaukee shutting down.  The Right to Work you over gov’na Scott Walker‘s (and his minion’s) plan to create jobs has done the opposite according to American Bridge 21st Century: “At the halfway point of 2015, Wisconsin employers have already notified the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) of more planned layoffs than in all of 2014.

As of June 30, state employers have notified DWD they will be laying off a total of 6,685 employees. That is higher than the total number for both 2012 (6,511) and 2014 (6,186).

At the current pace Wisconsin would see more than 13,000 planned layoffs announced in 2015, the highest of any year under Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin). The previous high during the Walker administration was just over 9,000 in 2011, his first year in office.”

10 – 12 July 2015: “It was a whole lot easier…up to 2006.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Walmart kills 1,000 more jobs! “It was a whole lot easier…up to 2006.”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 10 – 12 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona:  New York based perfume maker Coty eliminating 205 jobs at its philosophy believe in miracles operations in Phoenix!

Arkansas: New rumors say Bentonville based Walmart-Sam’s Club eliminating 1-thousand HQ jobs by November!  They already eliminated 50 HQ jobs back in February.  In June reports said Walmart was going to charge manufactures for the ‘privilege’ of having Walmart warehouse their products in Walmart stores!   Back in May news reports out of California said Walmart eliminated 2-thousand 2-hundred jobs in The Golden State!  About 429 jobs were lost in Florida!  If Walmart is the ‘bellwether’ of the U.S. economy then there ain’t no recovery.

California: In Lake Tahoe, after two years Tom Wohrman’s Sports is shutting down and moving to Big Bear Lake.  In San Jose, Maxim Integrated issued a shutdown WARN, 150 jobs lost by March 2016!  In Monterey, McGraw Hill Education issued a layoff WARN, 137 jobs lost by the end of August!   In Palo Alto, Hewlett Packard (HP) issued a late WARN revealing they laid off 65 people back in the middle of June.  Also in Palo Alto, ObamaCare forcing Bosch Healthcare Systems to shutdown by the end of September, 55 jobs lost.   In Carlsbad, ObamaCare medical device taxes forced medical device maker Alphatec Spine to layoff at least 99 employees!  ObamaCare forcing Long Beach Memorial Medical Center to layoff 88 employees by August. Boeing issued yet another layoff WARN, 56 jobs lost in Long Beach by September. In El Segundo, tax-sucking ‘security’ contractor Leidos issued a layoff WARN for September, 72 jobs lost.  In Los Angeles, Encompass Digital Media issued a shutdown WARN for September, 41 jobs lost.  Mountain View based Symantec continues to eliminate jobs, this time 60 people will become jobless by the beginning of August.  In Santa Maria, “customer care, technical support, billing inquiry, inbound sales and retention” Fusion Contacts Centers issued a shutdown WARN, 50 jobs lost in August.  Tech company KLA-Tencor issued a mass layoff WARN for their Milpitas ops, 213 jobs lost in September! A major utility company known for replacing U.S. citizens with foreign workers, Southern California Edison, issued yet another WARN.  This time they’re shutting down their San Clemente ops by September, at least 1-hundred jobs lost!   In Wilmington, State Fish Company shutting down by September, 76 jobs lost.  In San Diego, Bridgepoint Education laying off 22 people by September.  Also in San Diego, Washington based Microsoft laying off 129 people by September!   In San Francisco, once again British empire based U.S. tax-sucker BAE Systems issued layoff WARNs after the fact, revealing they laid off 82 people at the end of June.  Washington based Starbucks shutting down two Bay Bread operations in September.  The closure of Bay Bread’s South San Francisco and San Fernando bakeries will result in 171 people becoming jobless!  In Brentwood, it was discovered by local newsies that Cafe Röckenwagner quietly shutdown two weeks ago.

Iowa: The Ashford University shutting down its Clinton campus in May 2016, due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome: “Ashford’s Clinton campus has been unable to resolve its significant and ongoing enrollment shortfall, a trend that is especially troubling in today’s highly competitive environment.”-Gregory Geoffroy, board of trustees.

Minnesota: What automotive industry recovery?  Maker of cabs for heavy vehicles (and consoles for computers), Crenlo announced 30 people will be laid off by the end of the month.  It’s blamed on crashing sales.

New York: Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples shutting down yet another store, this time their Altamont Avenue store in Schenectady. In Staten Island, after 54 years restaurant supplier Twin Supply blaming the internet for the demise of their last brick-n-mortar store.  The owners should know, they began switching to internet sales in 2000: “In 2002 we took our trucks off the road, we sold two buildings and began to concentrate on the web. A lot of major corporations, and major hospitals are our customers.”

Ohio: The University of Akron announced a three years plan to eliminate at least 215 jobs!  What I call Disappearing Students Syndrome has caused the university to lose $60-million USD.   Another factor is the skyrocketing costs of employee healthcare costs caused by ObamaCare.  Administrators say they will renegotiate healthcare benefits with employees, meaning it will cost the employees more money for the same benefits.

Pennsylvania: In Ridley, Boeing revealed it laid off 49 people back in the middle of June.

Tennessee: In Nashville, after 19 years the bar stool capital of Middle Tennessee, Norbert’s Home Decor, shutting down in August.

Texas: In San Antonio, after 34 years advertising agency Bromley shutdown.  The owner wants to get a PhD in the shopping behavior of sheeple.

Virginia: Tax-sucker Newport News Shipbuilding warned employees of massive layoffs over the next year and a half, due to crashing orders from the U.S. Navy.

Washington: After nearly 70 years the Merry Go Round children’s store shutting down.  The current owner says something sinister happened to the U.S. economy in 2006: “It literally is just a completely different place now. Consumers these days are completely different than they’ve ever been, and the industry is tougher than it’s ever been. It was a whole lot easier to be a small business owner up to 2006.”-Molly Pressey

09 July 2015: No “fairy tale ending” just an “Irish wake”!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

No “fairy tale ending” just an “Irish wake”! Texas college fires employees for revealing the truth? : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 09 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Despite obvious signs of a death spiral economy, the administrators of the Elk Grove Teen Center claim they’re shutting down because of a great economy!  News reports say 4-hundred poor teenagers take advantage of the program, but the administrators are now claiming they can’t justifiably stay open because those poor teenagers are no longer considered poor!? However, administrators also admitted that many of the poor teenagers that come to them for help are not part of the Elk Grove School District and therefore cannot be officially counted in their program!  After 31 years Video Journeys in Silver Lake shutdown:”…Video Journeys will not be getting a fairy-tale ending. The vibe in the place these days is akin to an Irish wake.”-The Hollywood Reporter

Florida: DS Services of America shutting down their Flowery Branch call center, an undisclosed number of people will be laid off as the company consolidates operations.  Local news reports said some employees knew back in April that they would lose their jobs, while others said it was a surprise.  After 70 years Fox’s Lounge (aka Fox’s Sharron Inn) shutting down, property speculators are tearing it down to build a hotel.

Georgia: In Valdosta, the Community Depot thrift store shutting down by the end of the month, blaming lack of community support (yeah, nobody has any money).

Hawaii: ObamaCare forcing the taxpayer funded Leahi Hospital and the taxpayer funded Maluhia Hospital to layoff 64 employees. Administrators said these layoffs, coupled with reducing the number of people seeking medical help, are their last resort in an attempt to prevent an all-out shutdown of the hospitals caused by drastic funding cuts: “We hope that the impacts for current patients will not be severe because we do hope that we will accomplish this by reducing new admissions.”-Linda Rosen, Hawaii Health Systems

Idaho: Liberty Publishers Service and Orbital Publishing have been banned from doing business in The Gem State.  The reason is that they are not ‘publishing’ companies but are debt collectors acting like magazine publishers!  They’ve operated under various names: Allied Publishers Services, Associated Publishers Network, Associated Publishers Services, Magazine Billing Network, Publishers Billing Association, Publishers Billing Exchange, Publishers Distribution Services, Publishers Periodical Services, Publishers Service Exchange and United Publishers Services.

Illinois: The Bunge North America grain elevator in Fulton shutting down by the end of the month: “Fulton requires a significant investment in its barge loading equipment to keep it operating effectively. It would not be cost effective to make the upgrade based on market conditions…”-Deb Seidel

Iowa: Berry Plastics continues its downward spiral, this time they’re shutting down their Iowa Falls factory, selling it to food producer Cargill.

New Jersey: 37 years old Park and Orchard restaurant sold off and will eventually be shutdown by new owner.

New York: Sterling National Bank issued layoff WARNs for at least 59 employees who will become jobless in October.  The Commerce restaurant shutdown due to legal battles with the landlord. Seafood restaurant Barchetta shutdown. The Whiskey Soda Lounge shutdown due to “the fact it never really caught on”.  Reports say Gameloft will shutdown their NYC office, 1-hundred jobs lost!  Company administrators refused to confirm, but did not deny the rumor.  In the Bronx, God refuses to stop ConEd from shutting down ‘his’ Greater Love Deliverance Center.  The pastor says that from May to June their utility bill went from $507.15 to $10,321.89!

North Carolina:  The Roanoke Rapids Staples store shutting down in August, it’s just par for the course with the Mitt Romney wunderkind : “As customers shift online, we are taking aggressive action to right-size our retail footprint.”  

Ohio: Texas based industrial pump maker National Oilwell Varco shutting down its Springfield ops, 150 jobs lost!  After 22 years the Duck Creek Antique Mall shutting down in August, 10 jobs lost and more than 1-hundred dealers affected, the owner blames the greedy landlord: “I felt the lease was too high. I love the land, but I’m not willing to put my own personal finances on the line.”-Ginger Dawson

Tennessee: In Hermitage, after 65 years Benson’s Market shutting down: “It’s just time that I got out of the business. It’s a tough business to be in right now.”-Richard Benson

Texas: Kilgore College contracting out their entire maintenance department, employees forced to retire early or be laid off, at least 40 jobs affected. Is it because maintenance employees went to state officials reporting that college administrators deliberately ordered violations of environmental laws?  Willacy County Judge Aurelio Guerra is warning of layoffs, position eliminations and benefit cuts due to the loss of $2.7-million in revenue caused by the shutdown of the county prison (which was caused by a prison uprising due to evil conditions).  The evil county is now relying on revenue loss insurance payments for money.  Hastings shutting down their College Station store, 30 jobs lost “due to store operating profit being less than required by management”.

Vermont: In Shelburne, Archie’s Grill shutdown, the owner sold out to Dunkin’ Donuts saying “It’s about me and my family, that’s what’s first.”

Virginia: Bristol based Alpha Coal (Alpha Natural Resources) revealed they are being sold-off and announced that in preparation 292 people will be laid off at coal mines in Kentucky and Virginia!  What construction industry recovery? In Shirlington, after 50 years ABC Distributors is shutting down their lumber yard by the end of summer: “It’s been a struggle, to be honest with you, in the last seven years to stay in business.”-Bernard Lynch

Washington: Joint Base Lewis McChord about to lose another 1,250 military personnel!  Since 2012, the Department of Defense has laid off 4,721 personnel from Joint Base Lewis McChord!  In West Seattle, Eats Market Café being shutdown by Westwood Village Mall management: “The mall management has decided not to renew my lease. This is a huge loss not just for me but for my wonderful staff and for all of you, my favorite customers. We have all become a family over the last 10 years and it truly breaks my heart to have to say goodbye.”-Toby Matasar

08 July 2015: “It’s out of our hands. We don’t call the shots.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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 out of our hands. We don’t call the shots.” Texas going the way of Greece? : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 08 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Los Angeles based clothier XXI Forever (aka Forever 21) shutting down their Powell and Market streets store by August.  Company administrators said the store is too big and too close to another XXI Forever store.

Connecticut: Missouri based Hallmark continues its death spiral, this time 570 people will become jobless as Hallmark shuts down their 63 years old Enfield distribution center by 2016!

Delaware: NYC based publisher Condé Nast laid off 30 people at its Wilmington Shared Services office. Half of the positions were eliminated outright while the other 15 went to contractors.  Local news reports said the publisher had no comment.  Pike Creek Coffee Roasterie announced that “Due to increasing health concerns of the owner, we are scaling back our business…”.

Hawaii: Krazy Karaoke shutting down by the end of the month, no thanks to the greedy landlord: “We were hoping to renew the lease, it didn’t work out….We’re really sad that we’re going to lose the location. It’s out of our hands. We don’t call the shots.”-Lynn Shiroma, co-owner

Illinois: In Glen Ellyn, after 50 years Katy’s Boutique shutdown, due to the owners third bout with cancer.  In Skokie, after 50 years Jack’s Restaurant shutdown, the property is being sold so the owner can retire.

Kansas: What housing market recovery? Mortgage company Service Link issued a layoff WARN for  53 employees at its Overland Park office.

Massachusetts: In Wayland, J.J. Mckay’s restaurant and Beyond Beans bakery shutdown.  After being charged with fraud and then laying off 25% of employees, Wellesley based Too Big to Jail F-Squared Investments now bankrupt busted and being sold off.

Michigan: What automotive industry recovery?  “Due to loss of customer business and competitive pressures to consolidate our business operations, Visteon Corporation will permanently close our facility located at 915 East 32nd Street in Holland, Michigan.”  151 automotive engineers will become jobless by September!

New York: Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase is paying out an additional $125-million USD in fines to settle new state and federal charges of credit card fraud. JP Morgan Chase has already paid $389-million to settle previous accusations.

North Carolina: Trucking and warehousing company Schenker issued a layoff WARN for 33 employees in September. It’s directly connected to Proctor & Gamble’s consolidation of shipping ops.  After 150 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Raleigh’s Briggs Hardware shutdown.  No reason given, but supposedly the owners are opening a new store in a new location.

Tennessee: In Memphis, after 38 years Buckley’s Antiques shutdown.

Texas: The city of Houston warned of mass layoffs due to massive debt financing of public works.  Sounds like Greece.  City administrators are blaming ObamaCare increases in retirement funds for most of the skyrocketing costs of operations, and said state ‘lawmakers’ are not willing to help out.  A local TV (KPRC) news poll asked cash strapped Houstonians if they were willing to pay more taxes, more than 90% said no!

Vermont: In Williston, after 30 years children’s store Buttered Noodles shutdown.

Washington: As I’ve been warning, Redmond based Microsoft announced mass layoffs (again), this time 7-thousand 8-hundred people (mainly in Microsoft’s cell phone business) becoming jobless!

04 – 07 July 2015: “…we lost money every single month…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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 lost money every single month….Short of winning the lottery, we just can no longer afford to stay open.” More massive ObamaCare cuts! : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 04 – 07 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Modesto, God refused to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 32 years old Grace Lutheran School.  ‘Christian’ administrators admitted they were in so much debt that the current student enrollment couldn’t cover the church mortgage payments!  Los Angeles based American Apparel announced an undisclosed number of stores will be shutdown, and hundreds of employees laid off!  Administrators say they have to cut $30-million USD in costs, and they’re facing lawsuits from former executives. Costa Mesa based bankrupt busted home decor chain store Anna’s Linens announced all 2-hundred stores across the U.S. will shutdown!  In West Hollywood, after 41 years the French Quarter restaurant shutting down ‘officially’ for remodeling, but local news reports say the new owners might actually be tearing the whole thing down for some unknown construction project.

Connecticut: Major ObamaCare insurance provider Aetna has just announced $1-billion in cuts (jobs) between now and 2018! As I warned in earlier posts about insurance companies cornering the ObamaCare market by merging, it’s all connected to Aetna’s takeover of rival ObamaCare insurance provider Humana. Potentially thousands of jobs will be cut, and insurance rates will go up!  After 15 years The Stone House restaurant shutdown due to “Recently, we lost one of our dearest shareholders. This loss has affected some of us greatly, and between the hardships we suffered and this loss, the opportunity that was presented by the unsolicited offer came at a time when some of us needed to rethink our lives and priorities.”-Dolores and Jim Quinlivan, owners

Delaware: In Dover, after 14 years Bell, Book & Candle shutdown: “Like a lot of stores, we were hit by the financial downturn from 2007 to 2009 and never really recovered. Last year, we lost money every single month and that trend has continued this year. Short of winning the lottery, we just can no longer afford to stay open.”-Ivo Dominguez, co-owner

Georgia: In Columbus, after 20 years Millie’s International Market shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.

Idaho: The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that the net personal income for Idahoans in the 1st quarter of 2015 dropped by $500-million!  In Idaho the state ‘lawmakers’ have realized what idiots they are, especially after years of giving away hundreds of millions of tax dollars to lure foreign companies to Idaho, only to have most of them back out or fail, so now they’ve authorized the Department of Labor, and the Workforce Development Council, to offer a new “micro-grant” to train Idahoans for jobs within The Gem State.  However, the “community based teams” doing the training must be able to 100% match the funding, so good luck.    The Idaho Statesman has revealed that ObamaCare is actually raising healthcare prices in The Gem State through insurance and hospital mergers, which the healthcare system administrators claim is the only way they can survive the ObamaCare reimbursement cuts: “Size matters, and the objective of many hospitals and hospital systems is to get sufficiently big in a given geographic area so that you have leverage over the insurance company, because if you’re big enough, the insurance company needs your facilities in their network, because if they don’t have your facilities in their network, they can’t sell their product to the employers in town or the individuals in town.”– Paul Levy, a former hospital CEO

Illinois:  Taxpayer funded community action agencies and non-profit charities across the sorry-ass state began laying off 1-thousand 5-hundred employees due to drastic funding cuts! ‘Elected lawmakers’ basically said if you’re poor then go die!  What automotive industry recovery? Heavy vehicle maker Caterpillar continues to eliminate jobs due to crashing sales, this time a total of 45 employees are being laid off at their Pontiac factory.  In Peoria, “After more than 30 years of creating ‘smiles made from scratch’ for central Illinois, our last day of operation will be July 11.”–Apple’s Bakery

Kansas: In Hiawatha, the Thriftway grocery store shutting down in the next three weeks.  Administrators blaming “competition is a big factor….We have had declining sales…”, at least 38 jobs lost. 

Kentucky: ObamaCare forced Nurses Registry and Home Health into chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Administrators say they are owed $1-million in Medicaid payments, about 65% of its average monthly revenue! 2-hundred jobs threatened, and 1,350 home healthcare patients affected!

Maine: After 22 years, the Biddeford Free Clinic shutting down in September, the operators say ever since ObamaCare went into effect the number of uninsured patients they see has crashed (they treat only uninsured people).   In Bath, after 57 years Gilmore’s Seafood shutdown, the owner forced to sell the property and blames the bad economy: “…it’s not been as good was it was in the late 80’s early 90’s….nowadays, it’s not the same. A two month gig in July and August, and the rest of the year isn’t that great.”-Ben Gilmore

Michigan: In Dearborn Heights, after 40 years Ken Baron’s Florist shutdown.

Missouri: Administrators with Mercy Springfield Communities directly blame ObamaCare for causing them to lose $30-million, thus forcing them to kill 127 healthcare jobs!  Administrators say the ObamaCare reimbursement cuts actually outpace the increase in their patient volume, meaning they’re doing more work for less money: “Continued implementation of cuts in the Affordable Care Act, cuts in Medicare reimbursement, a switch to value-based payments, and lack of Medicaid expansion in Missouri are among many reasons that the Springfield Communities will see at least $30 million less revenue in the coming year, despite taking care of more patients.”– Alan Scarrow, president

Montana: In Butte, God refuses to stop the shutdown of two churches; Trinity United Methodist Church and Mountain View United Methodist Church.  It’s blamed on the Rapture, I mean “severely dwindling congregations.”

New Mexico: In Santa Teresa, the state Public Education Commission shutdown the Health Sciences Academy after only one year of operations.  State administrators claim the school was being operated fraudulently.

New York: In Utica, ObamaCare forced Bosch Healthcare Systems to issue a shutdown WARN, at least 23 jobs lost in September. ObamaCare also forcing Fresenius Medical Care-Brooklyn Kidney Center to shutdown their Park Slope dialysis center, affecting 65 employees and 150 Medicaid and Medicare patients!  The dumb Medicare and Medicaid recipients are oblivious to the fact that ObamaCare is causing all these healthcare shutdowns. Also in Brooklyn, ObamaCare forcing medical supplies company GeriMedix to issue a shutdown WARN, 52 jobs lost in September.  In Canandaigua, Wade’s Market Center issued a shutdown WARN for September, 133 grocery jobs lost!   In Long Island, the state Department of Labor eliminating 2,540 jobs as the Nassau Coliseum shuts down!  Supposedly a new contractor is taking over and conducting massive remodeling work.  It’s unknown how many Coliseum employees will be hired back, renovations aren’t expected to be finished until December 2016.  After creating 40 jobs in the Rochester area, booze seller Constellation Brands laid off at least 11 people.  In NYC, clothier The Donna Karan Company issued a shutdown WARN for their corporate offices and their West 40th Street store, 133 jobs lost by January 2016!  Administrators say the bad economy is forcing them to “reorganize”.  In North Syracuse, hotel Ramada Syracuse issued a shutdown WARN for September, blaming the bad economy, 81 jobs lost.

North Carolina: The state Board of Education shutdown the Carrboro PACE Academy due to “persistent patterns of noncompliance, low academic performance, and potential financial issues.”

Ohio: In Lorain, the Erieview Motel shutdown, leaving dozens of long term residents homeless. City administrators ordered the motel torn down due to multiple health and safety code violations, and are so arrogant they said they were doing the residents a favor!  However, residents say the city council is not providing them with new living options!  Many of the residents are people who can’t meet traditional qualifications for renting apartments.

Pennsylvania: What automotive industry recovery?  In Somerset, tire retreading company McCarthy Tire Service shutting down, 38 jobs lost in August. Point Park University laid off 32 employees “in response to changing demands in the higher education market”, meaning crashing student enrollment (what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome, DSS).  In Reading, Giant Food Stores shutting down its Rockland Plaza store in August, 90 jobs lost.  Administrators say the crashing economy cannot support all their Reading area stores.  Clothing store Gap shutting down in the Wyoming Valley Mall, as part of plans to eliminate 175 stores across the U.S.

Rhode Island: After 39 years restaurant Rue de L’Espoir up for sale so the owner can retire.

South Carolina: After 94 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Morris Sokol Furniture Company shutdown.

Washington: Redmond based Microsoft has sold part of its bing mapping service to Uber, expect mass layoffs.   From July 2014 to June 2015 Microsoft eliminated at least 18-thousand jobs!  In Seattle, Cinema Books shutdown after 31 years of business.  The owner blames major construction across the street for blocking customer access: “I don’t have the financial resources to hold over many months of having a declining customer base.”-Stephanie Ogle

03 July 2015: “…as if the faucet had been turned off.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”