Category Archives: Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 28 – 29 August 2014: “We’ve run out of money and we’ve run out of people…” Angry Christian God raptures people & money, killing more jobs? More housing market implosion!

November 1, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: What housing market recovery? British empire Australia based real estate company Colliers International says land sales in Phoenix have crashed 40% in the first half of 2014!

California: Yet another video game company killing jobs. In San Francisco, CCP Games shutdown an office and laid off at least two executives (although CCP swears the execs voluntarily quit). Los Angeles International airport (LAX), Menzies Aviation warned it will kill 65 jobs in November. In San Diego, Stingaree nightclub warned it will shutdown in November, 111 jobs lost! Owners claim it’s only temporarily, for six months of renovations. In Mountain View, tech company Symantec laid off another two employees. In Laguna Beach, The House of Big Fish and Ice warned it will shutdown by the end of October, 58 jobs lost.

Connecticut: In Norwalk , after 29 years the Appliance Servicecenter shutdown. The owner is losing his eyesight.

Florida: In Orlando, Too Big to Jail SunBank shutting down their fraud call center, killing 105 jobs by the end of October! After 81 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Pearl Artist & Craft Supply shutdown. The store went bankrupt busted and never recovered.

Illinois: In River North, after only two years the Tavernita restaurant shutdown, without notice. The owners lost their booze license, and allegedly owe hundreds of thousands in unpaid taxes, although restaurant reps claim the taxes were paid. In Streeterville, after a year of promises ‘organic’ grocery store Mrs Green’s Natural Market canceled plans to open a new store. Company officials blamed the bad economy for “timing and logistical” problems.

Iowa: After 57 years God refuses to stop the Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church from shutting down. It’s now for sale, the pastor blaming the rapture of people and money: “…we’ve run out of money. We’ve run out of money and we’ve run out of people at the same time.”-Gregory Cluts

Kansas: In Hesston, maker of farming equipment AGCO laid off 24 factory workers and cut the hours for everybody else. It’s blamed on crashing sales. Company officials warned that more layoffs will be forthcoming. Union officials believe 80 more workers will become unemployed.

Maine: In Bangor, God refuses to stop the Christian Life Academy Daycare from shutting down. The church pastor blames crashing donations: “We have cut everywhere we can cut, we are heartbroken that the daycare has to close too.”-Russ Hewett

Michigan: What housing market recovery? British empire Australia based real estate company Colliers International shutdown their Detroit office. Company officials blame it on the loss of their brokers.

Montana: In Columbia Falls, F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber laid off ten sawmill employees. It’s blamed on a federal court ruling that says no logging can be done in ‘protected’ grizzly bear habitat.

Nebraska: In Grand Island, farm equipment maker CNH Industrial America announced it will kill 238 jobs by November! They blame crashing sales.

Nevada: In Reno, Morrison University warned it will shutdown after the 2014-15 school year! It’s due to the allegedly criminal actions of the owner, Anthem Education. To make things worse for the students, they were told the university’s transfer credits are no longer recognized!

New York: What housing market recovery? In Brooklyn, pre-fab building maker FC + Skanska Modular warned they are shutting down in October due to a lost contract, 157 jobs lost! In Salamanca, a Parkview Supermarket grocery store shutting down in December, 72 jobs lost in time for Xmas.

Pennsylvania: Atlantic County lost 36-hundred jobs in July!

Tennessee: Memphis based Fred’s Super Dollar announced they will shutdown 70 stores by the end of 2014, hundreds of jobs lost! Company officials said it’s their way of raising cash to buy up pharmacies!

Wisconsin: Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) shutting down their print and mail ops, 32 jobs lost.

26-27 August 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 26 – 27 August 2014: “There’s no way they can propose this plan without threatening patient care!” Ignorant healthcare workers cry foul, yet refuse to blame the Obamacare BullShit! More massive Obamacare shutdowns!

October 30, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: The city of Hartselle laid off three employees, blaming the the iconic taxpayer subsidized TVA. Taxsucker Document and Packaging Brokers (Docupak) lost a major contract with the National Guard Bureau and will kill an undisclosed amount of jobs. Birmingham based Simply Fashion has taken over New York based bankrupt busted Dots women clothing retailer. Dots had already shutdown 400 stores! Simply Fashion claims they will re-open 120 Dots stores.

Arkansas: Obama Care was the final straw that killed off the Crittenden Regional Hospital and clinic system! However, there are charges that administrators mismanaged the healthcare system, lawsuits and possible criminal charges are pending. In Marion, Texas based Clark Freight Lines shutdown. Company officials say there are too many trucking companies to compete with.

California: In Cayucos, after more than 20 years highly praised Hoppe’s Garden Bistro shutdown. In Palo Alto, Disney killing off more jobs, this time 55 Disney Interactive employees were laid off. In Sunnyvale, Aruba Networks killed off 116 jobs! In Los Angeles, healthcare management company Precyse Solutions warned they will kill 61 jobs in November. Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital killing 120 healthcare jobs! Hospital administrators say insurance written Obama Care (Affordable Car Act) is forcing them to cut back in the name of being “efficient”. However, like frogs in a boiling pot, it’s obvious that the ignorant healthcare workers are still oblivious to what Obama Care is doing to them, instead blaming the hospital for reducing access to medical care: “There’s no way they can propose this plan without threatening patient care!”-Damian Tryon, California Nurses Association

Florida: After 24 years elitist residential Marcus Pointe Golf Club announced they’re shutting down in time for Xmas.

Illinois: In Palantine, after 14 years non-profit cancer center Wellness Place shutdown. Officials blame the bad economy for reduced donations.

Indiana: Trucking company Talon Logistics Services announced they will kill 60 jobs in September.

Iowa: In Sioux City, after 85 years (and surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) the Green Gables restaurant shutdown. The family owners say they cannot survive this so called ‘recovery’.

Kentucky: T-shirt shop Cafe Press shutdown their store in the Mall Saint Matthews.

Nebraska: In Omaha, McKenna’s Blues Booze and BBQ shutdown.

New Mexico: According to the New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA) Obama Care is destroying access to healthcare! 20 of New Mexico’s 44 hospitals have killed jobs and cut services as a direct result of insurance payment reductions mandated by Obama Care: “…. key services are being eroded around the state at the very time when services are needed to respond to the growing demand resulting from coverage expansion.”-Jeff Dye, NMHA

New Jersey: Atlantic City is blaming the massive casino shutdowns for forcing them to kill off 300 city jobs!

New York: In NYC, Food Emporium #36-719 shutting down in November, 76 jobs lost. Due to Obama Care Eastern Niagara Hospital ceased its inpatient care services at its Newfane hospital, and ceased its ER ops at its Lockport hospital, 185 jobs lost as a result! Hospital administrators say they’ve lost $1.7-million USD since Obama Care went into effect!

North Carolina: Dosher Memorial Hospital now asking that all healthcare workers who’re 60 years of age and had five years of employment, to take early retirement! If that’s not enough they’ll be forced to outright layoff healthcare workers. Hospital officials blame the bad economy made worse by reduced insurance payments due to Obama Care. Administrators with giant Vidant Health are directly blaming Obama Care for crashing revenues, which are forcing them to kill 175 healthcare jobs! Vidant Health runs eight hospitals in-state and was planning on spending $128-million for upgrades, but officials say if the Obama Care insurance payments reductions get worse then the upgrades are off.

Ohio: The Buckeye State lost 12400 jobs in July!

Pennsylvania: After 31 years all Fun Party Stores being shut down! Once there were five, but now none. Fun Party Stores joins a competing party store chain which shutdown three stores, in all eight party stores shutdown over an eight months period! The owners of Fun Party blames ‘big box’ stores and the internet (even though many ‘big box’ stores are shutting down ops, and internet businesses are suffering crashing revenues as well. After all, Fun Party could sell on the internet as well). The oldest public library in the United States, the Darby Free Library, warned it could shutdown due to state taxpayer funding cuts. Library officials say the funding cuts come at a time when their costs of operations are skyrocketing. The library was built in 1743!

Texas: Denmark based Maersk Oil revealed they killed off 215 jobs! Company officials basically said the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t have the oil that it was first thought to have, and they’ve lost money on trying to extract it. Houston based Waste Management warned of massive job cuts across the country. The hazardous waste mis-management company is facing $2-billion in fines for failing to properly manage dioxins!

Washington: More proof the internet is not killing brick-n-mortar stores. Social media company Simply Measured laid off 15 employees, just five months after getting $20-million from venture capitalists. Washington state’s Employment Security Department killing off 149 jobs in October!

23-25 August 2014

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Food Crisis, March 2014: “Sadly we have been unable to recover……” “…It’s not fun anymore!” “It’s like a death in the family.”

October 30, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of March, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Arizona: In Phoenix, after 50 years Karsh’s Bakery shutdown. The owner blames the failed economy: “It’s sad to say we are closing today because of the economy and stuff, we’ve tried to come back from 2008.”-Wayne Kinding

California: In Oakland, Mexico owned Bimbo Bakeries shutdown, about 160 jobs lost! In Sacramento, The Fresh Market grocery store chain shutdown three stores! The company blamed the bad economy. Kroger shutdown two more Ralph’s grocery stores, 107 jobs lost! In Fair Oaks, after more than 50 years Sam’s Kosher Style Restaurant & Deli shutdown. In Truckee, after 13 years Dragonfly Restaurant shutdown. The owner said he was made an “offer he couldn’t refuse” by aggressive property developers. In Napa, after 29 years the Golden Carrot Natural Foods store shutdown. In Vernon, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown, about 160 jobs lost! In Los Angeles, The Fat Cow burger joint shutdown, 92 jobs lost. In Torrance, after more than 40 years Vince’s Spaghetti shutdown, 35 jobs lost: “The last three or four years have been a real struggle to make ends meet. It’s like a death in the family. For the past few years its been like watching a patient on life support.”-Gregg Parras, general manager

Colorado: In Steamboat Springs, state tax collectors seized the Bakery Restaurant. The Colorado Department of Revenue says the restaurant owes about $8-thousand USD in sales taxes. The city officials of Steamboat Springs says the restaurant owes them $4-thousand in taxes. Apparently the restaurant also owes the federal IRS $26-thousand in payroll taxes! This is what happens when the economy sucks ass!!!! At least the restaurant was keeping people employed, now everybody’s unemployed! In Denver, Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group shutdown two restaurants; Restaurant Kevin Taylor and Prima Ristorante. In Manitou Springs, the Craftwood Inn shutdown without notice. The owners blame it on the many wildfires and flooding in recent years: “I just found out yesterday. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m pretty sure that they could not recover from the last two summers. The fires and floods hurt business so much the last few years that Dave and wife Kathy could not keep up.”-Matt Schee, hotel chef

Connecticut: After only six years Mitchell’s Fish Market shutdown, no reason made public.

Florida: In Lakeland, after only five years DC’s Sports Bar shutdown. And the Fishin’ Shed Tackle Shop shutdown. The owners blame Walmart. In Tampa, after 13 years The Palm restaurant shutdown. The owners blame the f*cked up economy: “Unfortunately, we are not able to continue to operate our restaurant into the rest of 2014.”

In Boca Raton, after only two years and $250-thousand in remodeling upscale Red, The Steakhouse shutdown. The owner was shocked at how much business crashed since last summer: “We are dumbfounded it came to this!……..When summer hit, there weren’t enough people…..No energy!”-Brad Friedlander

Georgia: In Richmond Hill, after more than 33 years manufacturer of foodservice and food retail products, Hobart, shutting down, 50 jobs lost. Operations are being consolidated to Ohio.

Hawaii: In Waikiki, ice cream shop Cold Stone Creamery shutdown. The owner blamed it on the greedy landlord who jacked up the rent.

Idaho: In Nampa, food producer Simplot announced they will shutdown operations at the end of May, 206 jobs lost! It’s part of their ongoing consolidations of food processing.

Illinois: In Lakemore, after 38 years Le Vichyssois restaurant shutdown. In Saint Charles, after only five years Dolce Bakery and Cafe shutdown without notice. In Chicago, Angel Food Bakery shutdown, the owner Stephanie Samuels blames the gott damned economy, saying “I have given my heart, soul, and just about everything else I’ve got to this project of mine, but I have not been able to make it sustainable for me….”

Indiana: In Evansville, after 20 years Maxine’s Café and Bakery shutdown. The owner blamed declining business.

Iowa: After 18 years Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe shutdown three restaurants! In Sioux City, after 30 years Rhonda’s Speak Easy shutting down, 10 jobs lost. Blame Obama Care! The bar owner is going to take advantage of Obama Care’s focus on in-home healthcare, and she’s going to start an in-home healthcare service.

Kansas: In McPherson a major food processor, Nation Pizza and Foods, ending operations. As many as 195 jobs lost!

Kentucky: Two Shoney’s restaurants, in Henderson and Owensboro, shutting down. It’s blamed on a franchise dispute and court fees.

Maryland: British empire Canada based Saputo announced they were shutting down their Hancock cheese factory. In Gambrills, after 14 years Caribou Coffee shutdown.

Michigan: In Clinton Township, after only six years Tin Fish 3 restaurant/nightclub shutdown. The owners hadn’t been able to pay half-a-million in back due rent!

Minnesota: In Shoreview, after 40 years Kozlak’s Royal Oak Restaurant shutdown. The property was sold to make room for a nursing home co-op. In Hibbing, after 30 years Zimmy’s restaurant shutdown. The owner was unable to pay taxes and lost their booze license. In Saint Cloud, the owner of Bo Diddley’s Pub & Deli announced he was shutting it down in April. Who said high tech jobs are recession proof? Food processor Cargill announced it will kill 900 IT jobs across the country, 300 of which are in Minneapolis–Saint Paul! Cargill will now rely on lower paid contractors.

Missouri: In Jefferson City, after more than 30 years Mortimer Kegley’s Bar & Grill shutdown. The owner, Jason Jordan, blamed social media and a ban on smoking saying “When that smoking ban went into effect, I lost 30% of my customers straightaway!”

Nebraska: In Omaha, after 61 years Broadmoor Market shutdown. The owners blamed the crappy economy: “Thank you for all your support and patronage over the years. It is unfortunate that circumstances have changed.”

New Mexico: In Farmington, after only three years My Big Fat Greek Restaurant shutdown, 38 jobs lost. The restaurant owner blamed the greedy property owner.

New Jersey: In Bordentown, maker of cranberry based juices Ocean Spray killing 138 jobs! They’re shutting down their factory and moving to Pennsylvania. In Jersey City, iconic Casa Dante restaurant shutdown without warning. A finance company stated that the restaurant owners hadn’t paid rent since October 2013! News reports say it was a court order that shutdown the Italian eatery & music joint.

New York: Dallas Restaurant Management Company shutting down Fireside Restaurant and Lounge in June, 38 jobs lost. FLIK foodservice company shutting down in May, 46 jobs lost. Food supplier ConAgra announced it will kill at least 425 jobs when it shuts down operations in Dunkirk and Fredonia, in 2015! In Amsterdam, Quandt’s Foodservice Distributors moved their planned layoffs to the end of April. The company was sold off, 116 jobs will be lost! In Brooklyn, Voila Sweets announced it is shutting down in June, 72 jobs lost. In Long Island, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutting down their Entenmann’s Bay Shore bakery, 178 jobs lost!

North Carolina: In Winston-Salem, after 16 years Ollie’s Bakery shutdown. The landlord is the suspect. Hartigan’s Irish Pub shut down. The owner blamed safety issues with the 100 years old building. In Raleigh, after 29 years Fat Daddy’s Market & Grill shutdown, 45 jobs lost.

Ohio: Grocery store Giant Eagle shutting down two stores, one in Toledo, one in Rossford, 179 jobs lost! Company officials say there are too many grocery stores in the U.S.

Oregon: In Portland, Ivories Jazz Lounge and Restaurant shutdown. No reason given, but reviews of the restaurant were hit & miss. Many customers were shocked by the unadvertised cover charge for the bands.

Pennsylvania: At State College, after only four years Quizno’s sandwich shop shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy and what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome). In South Union Township, after 22 years Cherry Tree Cafe shutdown.

South Carolina: In Charleston, after 27 years upscale Carolina’s restaurant shutdown. In Rock Hill, grocery store Compare Foods shutdown. 50 jobs lost. The manager blames the suck ass economy: “The recession hit Rock Hill pretty hard and we’ve been suffering from that as well. There are a lot of businesses that have been dealing with that.”-Omar Jorge

In Richmond, the Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown, 37 jobs lost. In Landrum, Ken’s Meats & Seafood shutdown after only three years of operations. The owners said everything was going good until summer 2013, when sales crashed: “We just didn’t have enough local support to sustain us for the long run. Unfortunately I can count on two fingers how many local businesses bought from us and that was unfortunate…..demand for my products is just not here in our local community.”-Ken Brackett, co-owner

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, after 60 years Sid’s Liquor shutdown. The president of Sid’s blamed his crashing sales on state officials who, in 2008, passed a law that allowed big corporations to have more than one liquor license: “It’s like there’s a liquor store on every block. And we saw our sales decline by over 1-Million dollars a year! Which was a real kick in the pants. And we started losing money, and the losses just keep getting bigger!”-Paul Damyan

Tennessee: In Gallatin, after only two years Butterbean Bakery and Bistro shutdown.

Texas: In Oak Cliff, Frito-Lay announced they will shutdown a factory and a warehouse in August, 163 jobs lost! Frito-Lay is owned by anti-2nd Amendment Pepsi. In Sherman, two restaurants shutdown; the six years old Little Italy and the 37 years old Braums on North Travis. The owners of Little Italy says city officials forced them to close. No explanation was given by the owners of Braums. In Midland, Walter’s family restaurant shutdown. The restaurant owner blames the greedy property owner for jacking up the rent. In Sugar Land, after less than one year the Fiesta Market Place grocery store shutdown! I couldn’t find any reports that explained why.

Vermont: After 22 years the Shaftsbury Country Store shutdown.

Virginia: In Parsley, 20 employees of Fresh Pride now unemployed. The company that owns Fresh Pride, Camellia Food Stores, has a history of shutting down stores without notice, even on the day after Xmas. In Charleston, reports that the Sushi Atlantic market shutdown. In Virginia Beach, after 40 years That Which Cannot Be Named refused to stop the shutdown of The Jewish Mother Hilltop restaurant and dance club/music venue. The Jewish Mother Hilltop has been plagued by lawsuits, financial problems and recent health problems for the owner. The owner also admitted that January and February saw crashing revenues, and he was unable to pay rent. The 3rd largest privately held foodservice company in the U.S. killing jobs. Reinhart Foodservice announced they were laying off 49 employees by April. Company officials refused to explain why. In Bristol, after ten years Inari Wines shutdown: “It’s been slowing down and slowing down. Sales have been flat.…It’s not fun anymore!”-Paul Brandt, co-owner

Washington: After less than five years Savour specialty food store shutdown.

West Virginia: In Charleston, Thelma Fay’s Cafe shutdown, it’s blamed on that massive chemical spill by Freedom Industries: “Sadly we have been unable to recover our losses during the water crisis……”

Wisconsin: Ice machine maker Manitowoc Company killing 150 U.S. jobs! The patriotic ‘American’ company is moving production to Mexico and China. In Lodi, after more than 93 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Weber’s Bakery shutdown. The owner Noel Weber blamed the not-so-recovered economy stating “…we can’t continue this way and we have to call it a day!” In Appleton, reports that after 21 years supplier to home beer, wine and soda pop makers, Homebrew Market, shutdown. Grocery store Supervalu shut down their Pleasant Prairie regional office, 155 jobs lost! Another 200 jobs will be eliminated across the country! British empire Canada based Saputo shutting down their New London cheese factory.

U.S. Food Crisis, February 2014

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart closing update, 30 October 2014: A Kmart becomes NFL pilgrimage site, or Alien Abduction drop off zone? Three more shutdowns!

October 30, 2014 Hutchins AAron

In Colorado, a 53 years old Denver Broncos fan went missing after watching a game with friends and family. He was found almost five nights later, 177km (110 miles) away at a Kmart in Pueblo. Pueblo police interviewed the man, who swears he walked the whole way, saying he “had his fill of football and decided to go for a walk……somewhere warmer.” He admitted to police that while on his trek he dumped all clothing that had any reference to the Denver Broncos, even though his fave team won the game against California’s San Diego Chargers!

Police also say the man did not look like somebody who just trekked 177km while sleeping in “treed areas” , supposedly without eating or drinking, and he showed no signs of not having a bath. Police say they so far have no evidence that he hitch-hiked a ride, the man swears he walked, although one of his friends remarked that the man seemed “confused”. X-files material, he was abducted!?

A company called Sand Hill Property bought a California Sears even though its scheduled to be shutdown! The company also bought a California JCPenney that’s scheduled to be shutdown (170 jobs lost at that one).

Delaware losing a Kmart before Xmas!

I discovered another Michigan Kmart that shutdown!

update 28 October 2014

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.

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).

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), recently revealed Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (number of employees affected not made public, no WARN filed).

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).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), recently revealed 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).

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).

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 going’ down in November (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). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. 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).

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).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), 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, Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost).

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 obvious the last remaining Saginaw Kmart on Gratiot will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January, 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), recently discovered Big Rapids Kmart (about 50 jobs lost).

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).

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.

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).

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), Bozeman Kmart (37 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).

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

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost), 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).

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).

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). 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.

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).

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), BBN reader warns that Oregon City Kmart quietly shutting down.

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), Chambersburg Sears and Auto Center (62 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).

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).

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.

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).

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 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).

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).

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

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 23 – 25 August 2014: “….we lost 60% of our trees….” No more peaches? Thousands (?) could lose their jobs with Ashley Furniture! More coal mine shutdowns!

October 29, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Bellflower Unified School District laid off all ten bus drivers. The reasons are convoluted, ranging from lack of funding to driver misbehavior. Iconic Colorado based canning and packaging company Ball (Metal Food & Household) killing 159 jobs in Oakdale! Company officials say they lost a major contract with ConAgra, providing cans for canned tomatoes. In Pittsburg, taxsucker USS-POSCO Industries warned they are killing 643 jobs in October! In San Francisco, British empire company and U.S. taxsucker BAE Systems announced an additional 87 layoffs for September. In Irvine, legal drugs pusher Allergan warned it will kill an additional 129 jobs in October!

Indiana: Coal mining company Vectren selling off three mines. At least 120 contracted miners will be let go once the mines are sold! More proof the internet is not responsible for killing of brick-n-mortar stores; internet based consumer product reviewer Angie’s List killed 97 jobs. Company officials blamed a loss of $18.4-million USD on increasing costs of operations.

Iowa: Agricultural equipment supplier Demco Products laid off 26 employees, due to crashing sales.

Massachusetts: Brockton School Committee laid off 47 crossing guard positions. This comes after a local newspaper investigated reports that janitors were being paid as much as $50 per hour in overtime to double as crossing guards! And despite all that overtime pay, an 11th child was hit by a vehicle while crossing a street to go to school!

Minnesota: Twin Metals Minnesota eliminated 16 positions as it moves into the next phase of its copper and nickel mine exploration. After 34 years Tatters vintage clothing store shutdown, the owner blamed rising rent, which the landlord blamed on rising property taxes.

New York: An update on the massive job killing at Time Warner Turner Network, employees at CNN and HLN are being asked to quit voluntarily, the company is offering 550 buyouts!

North Carolina: Peat moss distributor Sun Gro shutting down in September, 16 jobs lost.

Ohio: Fruit Growers Marketing Association says don’t expect any peaches in your grocery store: “There’s not much to talk about with the peach crop because, frankly, there isn’t one! There might have been a few farms down south by the Ohio River that weren’t affected, but for the most part this year was a disaster!”-Bill Dodd, Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association

It wasn’t just the fruit that was lost: “…as a result of last winter’s frost we lost most of our older peach orchard. We lost the trees themselves!….we lost 60% of our trees….”-Martha Mora, Johnston Fruit Farm

Oregon: Cooperative Pendleton Grain Growers selling off six AG Supply stores and one Pendleton Automotive Service Center. They hope the stores are sold off by September. Latest news reports say the co-op is not having luck finding buyers, which means a lot of people will become unemployed.

Utah: In West Jordan, California based Fairchild Semiconductor ceasing operations, 500 jobs lost! When combined with their shutdowns in Malaysia and Korea (south), 1350 people will become unemployed! Company officials say they need to cut $55-million from their expenses, as sales are crashing.

Virginia: In Grafton, after 28 years the Adams Shoe Store shutdown. The owner blamed the “slow economy”.

Wisconsin: After getting a $6-million tax break from the state, Ashley Furniture announced they are expanding and killing jobs at the same time! A local news report says the tax deal could end up killing half of Ashley Furniture’s jobs, potentially 1919 employees! In New London, the Occasional Stamper stamping and scrapbooking shop shutdown.

21-22 August 2014

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Food Crisis, February 2014: “It’s just costing so much to maintain that it’s not worthwhile anymore.”

October 28, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of February, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Outback Steakhouse began shutting down 22 Aussie style restaurants across the U.S.A. The restaurants to be shuttered are in Arizona, Iowa, South Carolina, New York, Tennessee and Kansas. Bloomin’ Brands is also closing restaurants under the names of Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, and Roy’s. Bloomin’ Brands officials say the shutdowns are just for the first quarter of 2014, more could follow.

Italian restaurant chain, Sbarro, announced they are shutting down 155 restaurants in the United States! Company officials blame the suck ass economy.

Furr’s Fresh Buffet restaurant chain now chapter 11 busted. 2-thousand jobs affected! There are Furr’s restaurants in New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Company officials blamed “….challenges facing our industry and the liquidity constraints due to our indebtedness and the recent ice storm, we need to explore options to restructure our debt, recapitalize and position ourselves for future growth.”-Barry M. Barron Sr, CEO

Alabama: In Montgomery, after 20 years of food and car shows Flip’s restaurant shutdown. The owner blames skyrocketing insurance rates after an arson fire.

Arizona: In Willcox, NatureSweet laid off 70 employees at their tomato greenhouse operation. Last year they laid off 65 employees. Please note that NatureSweet also uses prisoners as employees, and none of them got laid off. The Willcox operation used to be owned by EuroFresh, and back then they employed 400 prisoners. It was also revealed that for years there has been a “disease” inside the greenhouses, but company officials claim they have it under control.

California: In Carlsbad, the Hot Dog On A Stick restaurant chain is now bankrupt, 93 restaurants affected. In San Diego, Karl Strauss Brewing laid off 67 employees. In San Louis Obispo, after 15 years Cugini’s Pizzeria & Trattoria shutdown. The restaurant owner said the greedy property owner jacked up the rent by adding on a monthly service charge as well as demanding 6% of her restaurant’s profits! She tried complaining to the property management company but they blew her off, then suddenly she got evicted! In Fresno, anti-2nd Amendment company, Pepsi, laid off 50 employees. In Sacramento, Coca Cola laid off about 47 employees. Last year they laid off 60 employees. Kansas based National Beef announced they will shutdown their Brawley meat packing plant in April. 1300 jobs lost! Company officials blame the crashing supply of cows for driving up their costs (supply vs demand). California ranchers blame the decline in cow numbers on the long term drought.

Colorado: In Fort Collins, The Black Market Tavern shutdown without warning or explanation. The Wok & Roll Teriyaki restaurant shutdown. The owner realized how bad the economy is when he was faced with the cost of replacing a major charbroiler: “That’s when we began seeing the handwriting on the wall…..It’s just costing so much to maintain that it’s not worthwhile anymore.”-Stephen Moritz

Connecticut: In Mashantucket, Craftsteak Foxwoods restaurant shutdown, 54 jobs lost.

Idaho: Warren Buffet owned Heinz Frozen Food made it official and notified Idaho that it will shutter its Pocatello plant, killing at least 400 jobs! State Department of Labor analysts said the frozen food factory shutdown will have a domino effect and kill an additional 200 jobs in Pocatello/Chubbuck! In Aberdeen, food and agriculture giant Simplot announced they will kill 309 food processing jobs by April!

Illinois: In Monmoth, Olivia’s Cookie Jar and Kitchen announced it will shutdown this year. Owner, Rae Connolly, told local news media it was because of the suck ass economy. In Chicago maker of Nathan’s Famous hotdogs, Specialty Food Groups, killed 250 jobs! No reason given. In Bolingbrook, supplier of food to the U.S. Department of Defense (meaning they’re a taxsucker), Quantum Foods, now chapter 11 busted. Company officials were hoping to sell out to Idaho based CTI Foods, but Quantum’s 1100 employees were warned to prepare for sudden unemployment!

Indiana: In Indianapolis, after 40 years the MCL Restaurant & Bakery shutdown. In Mishawaka, the Save A Lot grocery store shutdown. Company officials blame the bad economy: “After having invested significant marketing and promotional support for the store, as well as fielding a great management and staff team, we’ve come to the realization we cannot anticipate a time when we will generate adequate sales to justify continuing operations.”

Iowa: In Des Moines, after 30 years Billy Joe’s Lounge shutdown.

Kentucky: In Louisville, the Heine Brothers’ Coffee shop shutdown. Company officials said the shop had good business, but it wasn’t good enough to cover the outrageous rent.

Louisiana: In New Orleans, after ten years the Meauxbar Bistro shutdown. The owners sold off the property.

Maryland: Beer distributor Winner Distributing laid off 125 people! Baltimore County officials say they were not told why, other than it sounds like the operation was sold to an unknown buyer!

Massachusetts: In Brookline, Jimmy’s Bar & Oven announced they will shutdown in March. In Ashland, after 25 years The Malt Shop liquor store shutdown. After almost 30 years the South Face Farm restaurant announced that 2014 is its last year of business. It’s one of several restaurants operated by maple sugaring farms to be closed. It’s no longer economically viable to run a restaurant and make maple syrup.

Michigan: After more than 40 years the Swartz Creek Bakery shutdown. The property owner sold off the building. In Detroit, Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe shutdown. The owners blame a 60% drop in sales on competition with mainstream grocery stores. They were hoping that selling alcohol would increase sales, but they found the actual costs of licensing, stocking of wine and liquor, as well as hiring more employees ate up any alcohol profits.

Minnesota: After only five months Captain Jack’s Liquor in Janesville shutdown.

Missouri: In Dutchtown, after 40 years Giuseppe’s Ristorante shutdown. The owners say their crashing restaurant revenues were caused by the temporary closure of Highway 40.

Montana: In Missoula, the Food for Thought college town restaurant shutdown. The owner said she’s been trying to sell for the past four years, because she can’t afford necessary upgrades. Students and employees say they were surprised by the shutdown.

Nebraska: In Omaha, after 60 years Eli Caniglia’s Venice Inn restaurant shutdown. The family owners sold out to an evil property developer.

New York: In Newburgh, Dr. Pepper Snapple announced they will shutdown by April, 35 jobs lost. In Amsterdam, Quandt’s Foodservice Distributors announced they will shutdown by May, 116 jobs lost! In Watertown, after 12 years the Brew Ha Ha coffee house shutdown.

New Jersey: In Westfield, after only two months upscale Grädde Swedish Restaurant shutdown! The owners said screw this and are moving back to Sweden! Wawa convenience store, on Route 70 and Cooper Landing Road, shutdown. Store owners say it’s not worth it to remodel in order to meet new building standards.

North Carolina: In Charlotte, food producer Kellogg shutting down its Famous Amos, Austin Sandwich Creme and Iced Animals factory, 195 jobs lost! Kellogg has been shutting down factories in Australia, Canada and United States, but shifting production to southeast Asian countries under a operation called Project K. After 48 years Arnold’s Family Restaurant shutdown, the co-owner said “It just feels like it’s time.” In Greensboro, after 79 years Ham’s Restaurant shutdown.

Ohio: German importer, Krause’s at Findlay Market, shutdown. No reason given. In Dayton, Champps Americana Grill shutdown without warning, 65 jobs lost: “Despite the best efforts of the team there, this had been a store that had been under-performing for some time.”-Rick Van Warner, F&H Acquisition

Oregon: In Portland, the Wildwood shutdown. The restaurant owner says the property owner wanted to jack up the rent.

Pennsylvania: In Philadelphia, Mondelez International shutting down the former Nabisco/Kraft bakery. 350 jobs lost by early 2015! Union leaders say there was no reason for the shutdown, other than “corporate greed”. In Pittsburg, the Bridge Ten Brasserie restaurant shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy saying “Regrettably, ‘success commerciale’ has proven elusive.” In Lower Saucon Township, the Starters Pub shutdown. Local news reports say it was without warning or explanation.

South Carolina: In Saint Beaufort, a Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown, more than 50 jobs lost. In Orangeburg, a Reid’s grocery store shutdown. In Cayce, a Reid’s grocery store shutdown. In Walterboro, a Reid’s grocery store shutdown. In Aiken, a Bi-Lo grocery store shutdown. All blamed on Bi-Lo Holdings take over of Delhaize America. More grocery store shutdowns to come!

Texas: Gigi’s Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar shutdown, the owner blamed “economic challenges and unforeseen circumstances”. In Dallas, Tom Thumb grocery store shutting down sometime this year. Company officials have given conflicting reasons, one being that they are moving into a bigger location, the other is that California based parent company, Safeway, is going to sell off their Tom Thumb division. In Waco, the Super Plaza grocery store shutdown. A local businessman says the store suffered from bad management: “You’d walk to the bakery, and they’d be sold out of bread. Or there would be a line of 20 customers and only one cashier on duty….”-Raul Vallejo

Virginia: In Reston, a Burger King shutdown. Capital Bagel Bakery store shutdown. The operators blame the property owners: “We were given one month notice to vacate the space due to the landlord’s consideration of Fresh Mart, since they’re carrying bagels as well.”

West Virginia: Kroger announced it will shutdown two more grocery stores, one in Quincy and one in Weston. At least 100 jobs affected!

Washington: Upscale Madison Park Conservatory restaurant shutdown.

U.S. Food Crisis, January 2014

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart closing update, 28 October 2014: Sears turns to ebay! GGP spends $573-million on Sears store it killed! Two more shutdowns!

October 28, 2014 Hutchins AAron

In Fairbanks, Alaska, a man was arrested after entering a Sears store with a pickaxe and a box cutter (oh a box cutter, I scared). A Sears employee says the man told him he was robbing the store and ordered him to call police! The man apparently waited for the cops at the tool counter and was arrested without incident. Sounds like he wanted to be arrested.

Apparently Sears is selling, through ebay, $100 gift cards for only $85.

General Growth Properties (GGP, one of my former employers) bought the Honolulu Sears then shut it down. Now GGP proudly announced it has so far spent $343-million USD rebuilding the former Sears store. GGP’s plan is to turn the giant Sears (which once employed 372 Hawaiians) into, basically, a mini-mall inside the larger Ala Moana Center mall. Analysts think GGP will be able to get more rent by creating numerous small stores in the spaces occupied by old fashioned ‘anchor’ stores. GGP expects to spend $573-million by the time their project is done.

Massachusetts Kmart shutting down soon!

I discovered another Florida Kmart shutting down before Xmas: “There may be confusion as the Kmart store in New Port Richey will close to the public in early December.”-Sears Holdings

update 25 October 2014

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.

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost).

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

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).

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost).

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), recently revealed
Kingston Kmart (73 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).

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

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 Sears distribution center (200 jobs lost), also in Columbus Sears Product Rebuild Center (112 jobs lost), Marion Sears Auto Center (at least nine jobs lost), Springfield Kmart (68 jobs lost), Fairborn Kmart (66 jobs lost), Solon Sears & Auto Center (at least 53 jobs lost). 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.

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 CoolSprings 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).

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.

Vermont: Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 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

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

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 21 – 22 August 2014: “It’s a system that’s beating us….Beating our kids.” Hostess shuts down, again? “We were shocked!” Evil investors want to sell off PetSmart! More raptured students?

October 27, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: In Dothan, after three years Dakota Coffee Works shutdown. The owner blamed skyrocketing costs of operations and crashing sales: “We’re about to run out of gas! Right now it’s doing about 50% of what it needs to do.”-Ron McGhee

Arizona: What housing market recovery? In Phoenix, Distinctive Roofing shutdown. The owners said they never recovered from the 2008 crash. Phoenix based PetSmart announced it could go up for sale. Company officials blame investors who are pushing for the pet supply ‘big box’ chain-store to be sold off, despite increased revenues. In Prescott Valley minor league hockey team, the Arizona Sundogs, shutdown: “Slower than expected off-season revenue along with other league issues have moved us in this direction.”– Brad Fain, majority owner

California: Taxsucking Boeing warned of more layoffs, this time at least 139 people will become unemployed by the end of October! Super Glue (Pacer Technologies) warned of 11 layoffs in October. In San Diego, Angelica Textile Services warned they will shutdown in October, 67 jobs lost. In Los Angeles, Investor’s Business Daily warned of 38 layoffs in November.

Idaho: In Boise, after 30 years Newt and Harold’s snow & skateboarding shop shutdown.

Illinois: In Schiller Park, despite supposedly making a comeback from bankruptcy, Hostess shutting down a bakery already, 400 jobs lost in October! One union official exclaimed to local news media “We were shocked!” The Schiller Park bakery is credited with creating the Twinkie. Northfield based Kraft Foods revealed their inexpensive Jell-O brand is in trouble, with steadily crashing sales. Company officials think it’s because their 100+ years old cheap dessert has no nutritional value.

Indiana: Obama Care killing 361 rescue jobs with ambulance service provider Rural/Metro Corporation! More than 30 communities will lose ambulance service! Company officials directly blamed reduced insurance reimbursements caused by Obama Care. What was that about Obama Care increasing access to healthcare?

Iowa: What automotive industry recovery? In Waterloo, tractor maker Deere (formerly known as John Deere) killing 460 jobs, due to crashing sales! That’s on top of the previously announced Deere layoffs in Illinois.

Kansas: In Wichita, decades old Outback Pools announced it will shutdown.

Maryland: In Rockville, taxsucker General Dynamics (GD) warned it will layoff 61 employees in October. GD failed to get taxpayer funding for a planned massive internet based news service for military and government personnel overseas. (while U.S. taxpayers are forced by their ‘elected’ officials to fund Afghan TV industry development)

Massachusetts: In Sudbury, taxsucker Raytheon announced it is shutting down its integrated defense systems facility over the next few years. In Florence, the World Eye Bookshop shutdown. The owner said “…in Florence there just isn’t enough foot traffic.”

Michigan: After 46 years The Wolverine Food & Spirits shutdown. The property was sold to make way for a 24 hours gas station. What automotive industry recovery? Detroit based General Motors (GM) announced they are cutting back on car production in Russia, due to crashing sales.

Nevada: University Medical Center began a second round of Obama Care healthcare layoffs, this time 200 healthcare workers put out on the streets!

New York: The Buffalo School District killed 63 teaching jobs, some of the teachers had just made tenure. News reports said many of the teachers taught classes for homeless children. One school board member actually blamed the U.S. education system saying “It’s a system that’s beating us.” Another board member added “Beating our kids.”

Ohio: Medical supplies maker Invacare killing 210 healthcare jobs globally, 60 in Ohio, due to bad “…financial results for the first six months of 2014 and the slow sales start to the third quarter.”

Pennsylvania: Medical device maker Echo Theraputics announced they must layoff 35% of their employees. God refuses to stop Christian Geneva College from laying off at least 25 employees, due to what I call the rapture, I mean DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome). And who said the internet is to blame? The Christian college is eliminating its internet ministries courses for the 2015-16 school year! School officials also revealed that the economy is so bad that “nearly 100%” of their Christian students qualify for some type of financial assistance.

Tennessee: In Oak Ridge, after four years Snappy Tomato Pizza shutdown: “We have really tried to hang on; however, things appear to continue to go downhill for us…..Unfortunately, the sales have not been what we need to keep the business going while the new and upcoming retail centers continue to draw business toward the other end of town.”-franchise owners

Vermont: A fire killed 170 jobs at the Rutland Plywood Corporation. Firefighters thought they had put out the fire, but then later the warehouse re-ignited. Firefighters are blaming the fire on mechanical failures.

Washington DC: Revelations that tourism to the capital of the United States is crashing. Tourism tracking companies say international tourists have been declining since 2011, a drop of about 150-thousand tourists!

Wisconsin: Troubled (and federal law breaking ) Anthem College shutting down their Brookfield campus, 30 jobs lost.

20 August 2014

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics

U.S. Food Crisis, January 2014: Tens of thousands of food related job losses announced in just one month!

October 26, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of United States food supply shutdowns for the month of January, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Walmart announced they will kill 23-hundred Sam’s Club jobs in 2014! About 1150 of those job cuts will be salaried managers!

Alabama: In Birmingham, Tavern on the Summit shutdown. After 56 years the Lyric Hotdogs & Grill shutdown. The property owner refused to renew the lease.

Arkansas: The Argenta Market grocery store announced they would shutdown in February. Company officials blamed competition from Walmart, Sam’s and Kroger. However, as you read you’ll see that’s a bogus excuse as Kroger, Walmart and many other ‘big box’ stores are also shutting down.

Arizona: In Tucson, Nimbus American Bistro & Brewery shutdown. In Marana, Monkey Business restaurant shutdown. After nearly 100 years the Skull Valley General Store shutdown: “…the economy has dropped off too much and the revenue isn’t there. The volume of business is down considerably. It doesn’t look like the economy will be picking up anytime soon…..revenue is down, but the expenses don’t go down!“-Archy McDonald, owner

California: In Fresno, after 37 years the Ripe Tomato restaurant shutdown. In La Mirada, Red Robin restaurant shutdown, 72 jobs lost. In Castaic, a Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store shutdown. In Reseda, Kroger owned Ralph’s shutdown yet another grocery store, 55 jobs lost. Two long time successful Whiskey Creek restaurants were shutdown in the cities of Mammoth and Bishop, 100 jobs lost! The owner blamed shenanigans by creditors, as well as recent wild fires that killed business. In San Jose, PF Changs China Bistro shutdown, 66 jobs lost. In Daly City, Joe’s Westlake Restaurant shutdown, 105 jobs lost! In Saint Helena, Portfoli Hotels & Resorts Harvest Inn shutdown, 53 jobs lost. Allied Beverages shutdown operations across the Golden State, 422 jobs lost! In Brawley, Leucadia Beef shutdown their factory, 13-hundred jobs lost! Company officials say the higher prices they have to pay for cows is killing their profit margin. In Los Angeles, at the international airport (LAX) McDonald’s laid off 68 employees. In Yuba City, the Save Mart grocery store shutdown. Company officials blamed “The slow economic recovery….”

Colorado: In Boulder, after 20 years the Olive Garden restaurant shutdown. Restaurant officials said their economic survey of the area suggests the local economy is not good enough to continue operations.

Florida: In Ocala, after 35 years Abio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria shutdown by the landlord. The greedy property owner said he’s been offered more rent by another business. In Tampa, Sweetbay Supermarkets shutdown, 346 jobs lost! In Orlando, Darden Restaurants laid off 20 HQ employees. 85 HQ employees were laid off in September, 2013. Restaurant officials blame the crashing economy.

Georgia: In Dacula, Shane’s Rib Shack shutdown.

Hawaii: In Kauai, after at least 89 years the Hanamaulu Cafe shutdown. Customers of the popular restaurant were shocked, and local news sources say the 3rd generation owners gave no explanation. The successful Ige’s Restaurant & 19th Puka shutdown. The owner retired, and apparently nobody wanted to buy it.

Idaho: In Pocatello, the short lived Marhaba restaurant shutdown. The building was auctioned off at the end of January. In Gooding, Glanbia Foods officials warned of layoffs saying “….we are actively pursuing a number of strategic growth opportunities, the current milk supply situation in Idaho is extremely tight.” Glanbia Foods claims to be the number one manufacturer of American Style Cheese, with four factories in Idaho and the world’s largest cheese factory in New Mexico! In Garden City, after 54 years The Stagecoach Inn shutdown. The owners blame “not enough business” for their failure to pay taxes and the loss of their booze license.

Illinois: In Batavia, a White Castle burger joint shutdown without warning or explanation. In Moline, reports that the Bon Air Tavern closed down. An IHOP restaurant shutdown due to the lease not being renewed. The only two Belgian Inn restaurants shutdown. Local news reports say the owners called it quits. The restaurants were famous for their Rueben style sandwiches. In Geneva, Great Harvest Bread store shutdown. The co-owner blamed inflation for killing his operation: “…..we can’t compete with the supermarkets….they can get ingredients for pennies on the dollar. For me, the price of ingredients has gone up 400%, and my prices can’t keep up with that! Nobody’s going to buy a $40 loaf of bread!”-Marty Kane

Indiana: Marsh Supermarkets shutdown eight grocery stores!

Iowa: In Cherokee, Tyson Foods killed 60 jobs, blaming the bad economy.

Maine: Amato’s restaurants shutdown in Houlton and Presque Isle: “Its the economy, I am experiencing some health issues, and it is tough to be in two locations at once.”-Micah Desmond, co-owner

Massachusetts: In Malden, a Stop&Shop grocery store shutdown. Basically company officials don’t think the suck ass economy can support all their stores. In Webster, Shaw’s shutdown a grocery store. Company officials said they are forced to close “unprofitable stores”.

Michigan: In Kentwood, more food crisis as major packaged food producer ConAgra announced it will shutdown its energy/granola bar factory in July, 260 jobs lost! To add insult to injury, less than four years ago the company got massive local tax breaks! Local news reports say ConAgra gave no reason for the shutdown! Employees told local news reporters that they’ve known for at least three years that something was going to happen. One compliant wimp-ass fatalistic employee stated “That’s just business I guess, there’s nothing you can really do about it.” In Dearborn, after 50+ years Kiernan’s Steak House shutdown.

In Marquette, Farmer Q’s Market shutdown. The owner said despite making profits he can see the writing on the wall for the U.S. economy: “When you start a business from ground zero or scratch and build into what it is after eight years, it’s bittersweet to be closing a profitable business in this economy. However, you have to look at the future and what the future is.”-Tom Brian

Minnesota: In Saint James, Tony Downs Foods shutdown, 75 jobs lost. The Napa Valley Grille in the Mall of America shutdown. In Pine Island, Pine Cheese Mart shutdown after 44 years in business. It’s blamed on local government planners who, in 2013, decided to implement new road construction that actually made it more difficult for customers to get to the shop! In Twin Cities, Rainbow Foods shutdown two more grocery stores. Company officials blame the suck ass economy for its ongoing store closures: “The economic downturn over the last few years, coupled with an increased competitive footprint from the likes of Walmart and others, has made it hard to control costs and remain competitive in the geographies where we have closed stores.”-James Hyland, Roundy, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications

Mississippi: In Corinth, anti-2nd Amendment Pepsi shutdown a warehouse, 31 jobs lost.

Missouri: In Kansas City, Swagger Fine Spirits & Food shutdown. After 28 years Kabuki Japanese Restaurant shutdown. The property owners claim the restaurant owner hadn’t been paying rent! In Maryland Heights, Coca Cola shutdown its bottling factory, 102 jobs lost! Local Fox news TV station said Coca Cola officials refused to say why.

Nebraska: In McCook, Mexican owned Bimbo Bakeries shutdown their Old Home Bakery Outlet.

New Mexico: In police state controlled Albuquerque, after 30 years La Esquina restaurant shutdown. The owner, Roy Venaglia, blamed the bad economy saying “I think Downtown is weak. The phone company is gone. PNM is smaller. The gas company, they’re gone. It’s just a weird atmosphere that is getting a little scary!” Of course, who wants to do business in a city where the U.S. Department of Justice proved that the city cops were routinely and intentionally killing people on a massive scale!

New York: In Great Neck, La Gioconda restaurant shutdown. In NYC, Pulino’s Bar & Pizzeria shutdown, 83 jobs lost. Park Avenue Café shutdown, 135 jobs lost! Bice Ristorante also shutdown, 66 jobs lost. Pastis Restaurant also shutdown, 200 jobs lost! After 55 years The Famous Oyster Bar shutdown. The restaurant owners pasted a big sign on their door saying “This restaurant has been here since 1959 and will be closing at the end of the weekend due to exorbitant rent prices.” After 66 years the Joe Abbracciamento’s Restaurant and Catering shutdown. TGI Friday’s restaurant announced it will shutdown in April, 73 jobs lost. In Utica, popular Toma’s deli shutdown. The owners said the economy is so bad most of their regular customers stopped showing up.

North Carolina: In Swansboro, Nicky’s restaurant shutdown without warning, blaming the bad economy. Fizzys Soda Pop & Candy Shop shutdown after only two years of operations saying “Since a buy-out and subsequent closure of our primary distribution center early last year, it has been difficult to obtain most of the more popular premium glass-bottled sodas we have become known for……Our costs for products have risen considerably since February. We have managed to hold the line on our pricing, but don’t feel we could continue to do so if going forward.”

Ohio: Three Tumbleweed Tex Mex Grill & Margarita Bars shutdown, 150 jobs lost! In Cleveland, the Blind Pig restaurant shutdown. Management refused to say why, but the co-owner of another restaurant blamed the suck ass economy: “People just aren’t coming to the Warehouse District in the numbers you used to have. You don’t see 5,000 people on a Friday or a Saturday and New Year’s Eve was a disaster down there because everyone was at Public Square. Places are struggling and it’s a shame to see a longtime place like the Blind Pig close.”-Hank LoConti

Oregon: In Albany, the Albertsons grocery store shutdown. C&K Markets chapter 11 busted! At least 15 of their Ray’s, Shop Mart and LoBucks grocery stores shutdown! In Medford, Togo’s Great Sandwiches shutdown.

Pennsylvania: In Pittsburgh, Momo Japanese restaurant shutdown. Acme Markets shutdown two grocery stores in West Chester and Exton, 120 jobs lost! It’s blamed on the take over by Cerberus owned Albertsons. BC Chicken shutting down operations in Fredericksburg and Denver, 680 jobs lost!

Tennessee: In Nashville, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown, 84 jobs lost. In Ooltewah, the Southern Burger Company shutdown. In Frayser, after 59 years Kroger grocery store at 3226 Thomas shutdown, 52 jobs lost. In Green Hill, Nero’s Grill shutdown.

Texas: In Nacogdoches, Sav-A-Lot grocery store shutdown amid rumors the New York based property owner jacked up the rent. In Wichita Falls, Pasqual Restaurant shutdown, the owner said the suck ass economy was the reason.

Virginia: In Galax, Kroger shutdown another grocery store, saying “….the store has been losing money for years.” 53 jobs lost.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 20 August 2014: “Why do they want to break people’s hearts?” More video game makers going down? California ‘cloud’ company increases job culling!

October 26, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: In Tucson, California based Intuit killing 200 jobs!

California: In Woodland Hills, tech company Intuit continues massive job killing, this time 120 employees! Company officials say it’s part of its shift to ‘cloud’ operations. In Yuba City, Valley Fine Foods laid off 30 employees. Company officials say they hope the layoffs will be temporary.

Florida: In North Palm Beach, Panama Hattie’s Seafood House shutdown by the County government, 45 jobs lost. County officials say the restaurant failed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for numerous code violations.

Illinois: In Arlington Heights, California based Intuit shutting down and killing 104 jobs!

Iowa: In Ankeny, after 13 years Mattress Outlet shutdown.

Massachusetts: After 177 years (surviving the Great Depression & numerous recessions) kitchen utensil maker Lamson & Goodnow Manufacturing now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Company officials say sales have crashed so much they cannot pay back millions of dollars worth of federal government and private loans. In Mansfield, after 31 years Sweet-N-Crafty Italian ice cream shop shutdown. Local news reports said it was the second oldest business in the area, and had donated a lot of money over the years to the community.

Michigan: In Ionia County, Central Michigan University shutdown a school for poor kids. The university revoked the charter for Threshold Academy, affecting more than 150 students. The elementary school principal blamed economic instability for what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome). A young student confronted the principal saying “Why do they want to break people’s hearts?” The school’s motto was “Small School – Big Heart”. In Muskegon, after 25 years Omni Fitness shutdown. The owner blames the bad economy: “The enormous amount of money that is required to operate and maintain this building, along with substantial loss in memberships, has strained our budget to the point where just keeping up with maintenance is challenging – let alone trying to budget for future improvements, new equipment, etc. Our costs have continued to rise, but our revenues and membership levels have not kept pace.”-Lana Carson

North Carolina: What automotive industry recovery? In Charlotte, Ireland based clutch maker Eaton killing 84 jobs and moving production to Illinois and the country of Mexico. Too Big to Jail BB&T killing off an undisclosed number of offices and jobs due to the bad economy: “In response to a challenging economy and competitive environment, BB&T is restructuring and, in some cases, consolidating positions in several areas of the bank.”

Ohio: Too Big to Jail U.S. Bank announced it will shutdown its Oakwood office in November.

Virginia: In Stafford County, California based Intuit killed 159 jobs!

Washington: In Bellevue, a patent company with a convoluted operating plan, Intellectual Ventures, announced they will kill off 140 jobs! Sony owned video game maker Sucker Punch laid off an undisclosed number of employees.

19 August 2014

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Blind Bat News

Category Archives: Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 28 – 29 August 2014: “We’ve run out of money and we’ve run out of people…” Angry Christian God raptures people & money, killing more jobs? More housing market implosion!

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 26 – 27 August 2014: “There’s no way they can propose this plan without threatening patient care!” Ignorant healthcare workers cry foul, yet refuse to blame the Obamacare BullShit! More massive Obamacare shutdowns!

U.S. Food Crisis, March 2014: “Sadly we have been unable to recover……” “…It’s not fun anymore!” “It’s like a death in the family.”

Sears & Kmart closing update, 30 October 2014: A Kmart becomes NFL pilgrimage site, or Alien Abduction drop off zone? Three more shutdowns!

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 23 – 25 August 2014: “….we lost 60% of our trees….” No more peaches? Thousands (?) could lose their jobs with Ashley Furniture! More coal mine shutdowns!

U.S. Food Crisis, February 2014: “It’s just costing so much to maintain that it’s not worthwhile anymore.”

Sears & Kmart closing update, 28 October 2014: Sears turns to ebay! GGP spends $573-million on Sears store it killed! Two more shutdowns!

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 21 – 22 August 2014: “It’s a system that’s beating us….Beating our kids.” Hostess shuts down, again? “We were shocked!” Evil investors want to sell off PetSmart! More raptured students?

U.S. Food Crisis, January 2014: Tens of thousands of food related job losses announced in just one month!

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 20 August 2014: “Why do they want to break people’s hearts?” More video game makers going down? California ‘cloud’ company increases job culling!

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