Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Idaho

Some Economic Recovery? Sportsman’s Warehouse returns to Pocatello! More proof the evil Too Big to Jail banks are behind the economic disaster!

16 July 2014 (20:18 UTC-07 Tango 15 July 2014)/18 Ramadan 1435/25 Tir 1393/20 Xin-Wei 4712

Years after Gottschalks went bankrupt busted, a new tenant is moving into the vacant building in Pocatello, Idaho: Sportsman’s Warehouse.  Sportsman’s Warehouse is not new to Pocatello, but it is a victim of the Too Big to Jail banks.

Today the Sportsman's Warehouse signs went up on the abandoned Gottshalks location, ending months of rumors.

Today the Sportsman’s Warehouse signs went up on the abandoned Gottschalks location, ending months of rumors.

In 2006 Sportsman’s Warehouse opened a large store in the Pocatello Square area (which was created by forcing dozens of home owners out of what was once a residential area), it was part of a 23 store expansion.   By 2007 the company was expanding faster than it could handle, they needed a new inventory/distribution system, which was going to cost millions, so they turned to the Too Big to Jail banks for massive financing.   By 2009 those Too Big to Jail banks turned on Sportsman’s Warehouse and attempted suck back every penny loaned out:  “Within a period of three weeks, we lost $110 million in liquidity.  The way the banks took money away from us was incredible. It all happened so fast.”-Stuart Utgaard

Stu Utgaard, the now former owner of Sportsman’s Warehouse, even turned to a British empire operation for help, Canada’s United Farmers of Alberta.  But even they short changed Sportsman’s Warehouse.

The Canadian deal was supposed to invest $90-million USD, but for some reason they backed out after spending only $30-million.  The only option left was to close or sell off the 23 new stores and declare bankruptcy.  2300 U.S. employees became unemployed!

Utgaard himself went bankrupt.  No thanks to the Too Big to Jail banks, Utgaard reported a personal loss of $10-million! He also lost his job as senior executive.  At one point Utgaard faced charges for shooting off a shotgun in his home.  That’s a far cry from where he started in 1996, with one store.  He published a book about the whole fiasco called The Sportsman’s Warehouse Story.  At last report, Utgaard is running a successful olive oil business in Kentucky, and he thanks his true friends for believing in him: “When I came here, I literally had $20 in my pocket.  But some of my friends were still crazy enough to loan me money after I went bankrupt.”

Dick’s Sporting Goods now resides in the ‘old’ Sportsman’s Warehouse location.  The ‘new’ Sportsman’s Warehouse location might be smaller than the old location, but it’s probably more efficient.  Sportsman’s Warehouse is now a privately held company with their HQ in Midvale, Utah.

 

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 14 – 15 April 2014: “the…market…is fully saturated.” “…pray for me, my family and my employees.” ObamaCare more powerful than God as thousands more Christian healthcare workers become unemployed! Warren Buffet kills hundreds more U.S. jobs! More massive education cuts!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns.

California:  Southern California Edison killed more Golden State jobs, this time 500 in-house employees and 500 contracted employees!  Utility company officials admitted to state officials that they hired way more employees than their revenues can support!  These job cuts are on top of the 600 jobs lost due to the shutdown of the San Onofre nuclear power plant!    In San Diego, 71 employees connected to the San Diego Opera losing their jobs.   Who said the internet is killing brick & mortar jobs?  In Roseville, caranything.com warned it must kill 99 jobs.

Connecticut: In New Canaan, after 21 years Forest Street Deli shutdown.  The deli owner blames the property owner, who sold the property out from under his feet!

Delaware: In Seaford, Sears shutting down in summer, 30 jobs lost.

Florida: Duval County Head Start more than 300 people will become unemployed by the end of May, due to loss of funding!  The education program is forced to rely on cheap contractors.   In Saint Augustine, after 36 years Pot Belly’s movie theater and model kit and toy car museum shutdown.  The owner said he needs to retire and nobody is worthy enough to take over the business: “The kids couldn’t handle all this. It’s just too much stuff. What do you do? Do you store it? I’ve got two sheds already full of it!”-Kenny Pierce

Georgia: In Atlanta, video game maker CCP laid off 56 employees.  They canceled their latest video game production because it wasn’t meeting their expectations.

Illinois:  Peoria School District 150 killing 200 jobs!  District officials blamed crashing funding from federal and state tax revenues, and even crashing local property tax revenues.   In other words, the economy sucks ass!

Kansas: In Lawrence, after 37 years Buffalo Bob’s Smokehouse shutdown: “…the restaurant market in Lawrence is fully saturated.”-Bob Schumm, founder

Kentucky: In Louisville, Jamba Juice shutdown, no reason given.  In Paducah, The Pasta House Italian Restaurant shut down without notice: “…I am unable to continue. Please pray for me, my family and my employees.”-statement posted to front door

Maine: Calais Regional Hospital announced they must kill an undisclosed number of jobs, and reduce the hours for 30% of remaining employees.   They blame Obama Care for reducing the number of people going to hospitals for help.

Michigan:  In Keego Harbor,  Jeremy Restaurant & Bar shutting down in May.  But this is a success story!  The owner said he made so much money that he is going to open an even bigger restaurant.

Minnesota: After only two years party supply store Little Green Balloon shutdown.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, a Schnuck Markets grocery store shutting down in May. Company officials said it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease, and they will try to find jobs for the 65 employees.

New York: Silicone and quartz producer Momentive Performance Materials now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  It’s blamed on the 2006 takeover by Apollo Management Group, which left Momentive with billions of dollars of debt. Too Big to Jail Citi Markets laying off 300 employees, according to a unnamed inside source.  In Syracuse, Rosewood Heights Health Center shutting down their nursing home by June, at least 25 jobs lost.  Obama Care drastically cuts government and insurance industry payments for inpatient care services.  What automotive industry recovery? In Owego, France based automotive electronics maker Asteelflash laid off 34 U.S. employees, blaming the bad economy.  In Brooklyn, after 52 years God refused to stop the shutdown of Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School.  School officials blamed it on a 75% drop in student enrollment!  In Amherst, Primary Financial Services warned they will shutdown their call center in July, 121 jobs lost!   Across New York, VNS CHOICE Community Care expanded its previously announced layoffs, an additional 100 healthcare workers to become unemployed in July!  In NYC, clothing retailer Juicy Couture announced they will kill an additional 26 jobs in June, due to sale of company.

North Carolina: God refuses to stop Obama Care from killing jobs at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.   The Winston Salem Journal says unnamed inside sources revealed as many as 1-thousand healthcare workers will become unemployed by the middle of 2015!  Unnamed sources say the job culling has already begun.  That’s on top of the 950 laid off by the middle of 2013!  It is blamed on Obama Care: “The medical center is deeply engaged in its annual budgeting process and is continuing to proactively address the challenge of declining reimbursement for health care services.”-official hospital statement

Ohio: In Mason, after 24 years Bob Evans Restaurant shutdown.  The corporation is remodeling all Bob Evans restaurants, but a survey of the Mason store revealed it was too old and too costly to remodel so they decided to shut it down.  Company officials claim they’ve found jobs for the 40 employees.

Pennsylvania: Concurrent Technologies Corporation announced more layoffs.  CTC laid off employees in 2013 and 2012 as well.  The company is undergoing radical restructuring.    Bethlehem Area School District eliminating 22 teacher positions, despite local tax increases.  Apparently Pennsylvania school districts cannot layoff employees due to economic reasons, so the district is blaming the ongoing trend of disappearing students.   District officials also pointed out that even at maximum local taxes they still won’t have enough money to pay all the bills.  In Pittsburgh, Wall Street wunderkind Warren Buffet killed more Heinz jobs.  775 people have been offered buyouts!  Reports say the offer is being made to other Heinz operations.  Local biased Pennsylvania news media failed to point out that Heinz is now co-owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway.  They only mentioned Brazil’s 3G Capital.  Hey Pennsylvania news media, why didn’t you mention Warren Buffet’s involvement?  By the way, the June 2013 takeover of Heinz by 3G and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway resulted in an instant killing of 600 U.S. and Canadian jobs, followed by the announcement of several food factory shutdowns and hundreds of more layoffs for the 1st quarter of 2014!

West Virginia:  In Nitro, legal drugs pusher Rite Aid shutting down their distribution center by November 2017.  200 jobs will be lost, with layoffs starting in July 2014!

Wisconsin: Delavan-Darien School District eliminated 18 positions, mainly teachers.  Obama Care is partly to blame, for jacking up health insurance premiums and forcing changes to retirement plans.

11 – 13 April 2014: “…I can’t do it anymore.” “We will not survive!” 

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 shut down.

“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, International

BRICS to destroy U.S. dollar with new Global Bank! British empire connection! BRICS put all blame for World problems on United States!

15 July 2014 (13:14 UTC-07 Tango)/17 Ramadan 1435/24 Tir 1393/19 Xin-Wei 4712

At the start of the sixth meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) the members agreed to the creation of their own world bank, currently being called the BRICS Development Bank ( officially called the New Development Bank or NDB).

Each BRICS member is contributing billions in cash to fund the new global bank ($50-billion initial capital, $100-billion in emergency reserve funds called the Contingent Reserve Arrangement), which will focus on loaning money to ‘developing’ countries.  The HQ will be in Shanghai and its first president will be from India.

The NDB will compete directly with the U.S. based Wold Bank and IMF.

Members of the BRICS said they were forced to create their own global bank because the United States “continued delay in progressing the IMF quota and governance reforms” and “does not solve its political problems.”

India and South Africa are still members of the British empire (aka commonwealth, officially called Commonwealth of Nations).

Germany, U.K. & Greece now part of Chinese “Strategic Partnership” 

Business/Economics, International

Greece joins China to destroy the U.S. dollar! Germany, U.K. & Greece now part of Chinese “Strategic Partnership”!

14 July 2014 (03:03 UTC-07 Tango)/16 Ramadan 1435/23 Tir 1393/18 Xin-Wei 4712

“Your tyranny I was part of is now cracking on every side.  And your own life is in danger, your empire is on fire!”-Gripped by Fear by Front 242, 1991

“The Chinese side will continue to support Greece on sovereign debt issues and efforts to promote economic recovery.  China is ready to share its development opportunities with Greece and further enhance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.”-Xi Jinping, President of China

“The Greek side highly appreciates China’s achievements in its reform and opening-up, and believes that China will play an increasingly more important role in the world. Greece is firmly devoted to deepening bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.”–Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of Greece

Greek President Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras have agreed to join China’s Strategic Partnership.   Greece joins United Kingdom and Germany in doing so.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Greek officials over the weekend, and is now on his way to South America to pitch China’s Strategic Partnership plan to Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba.

Xi will also be attending the sixth annual meeting of the growing superpower known as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

“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

Germany on witch hunt for U.S. spies!

“Total collapse” of U.S. GDP!

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 11 – 13 April 2014: “…I can’t do it anymore.” “We will not survive!” ObamaCare kills another hospital! No more Goodwill? Proof that being good at your job is a job killer! Mormon takeover attempt and federal investigation causing newspaper layoffs?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns.

Arizona: In Phoenix, Pennsylvania based PaperWorks box maker shutting down.  The company is consolidating production.  100 jobs to be lost by the end of July!

California:  Too Big to Jail Bank of America killed more Golden State jobs, this time 358 people will be joining the ranks of the unemployed!  In McClellan AFB, taxsucker Servicelink killed 97 jobs.  In Sacramento, law firm Downey Brand laid off another 17 lawyers.  23 lawyers were laid off at the beginning of the year.  In Santa Monica, Universal Music Group announced it will be killing jobs at its east coast music operations.  At least 12 people already laid off.  In Milpitas, Lifescan killing more jobs, this time four people let go.  In Temecula, The Outdoor Channel laid off 45 employees.

Colorado: More layoffs in Fort Collins.  After only eight years Full Cycle Bikes shutdown.  The owners said that despite good sales they were forced to sell the property.

Idaho: Sandpoint based women’s clothing retailer Coldwater Creek now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down all 365 stores.  More than 1-thousand jobs will be lost across the U.S.!  Idaho will lose 490 of those jobs by June!

Kentucky:  In Dover, the last grocery store in town shutdown!  After more than 45 years Don’s Place (home to the Rock-n-Roll liars bench) closed for good.   The owner is going blind, and nobody wants to take over the business.

Louisiana: Taxsucker Textron Marine & Land Systems killing 128 jobs due to loss of U.S. Army contract.  Company officials are hoping they can win a new contract.

Maryland: Loyola University eliminated 37 jobs.  It’s blamed on declining revenue due to lack of students.

Michigan:  In Grand Rapids, charity thrift store Goodwill Industries shutting down.  It’s blamed on the bad economy which has not only killed off sales, but donations as well.  In Wyoming, after more than 35 years Gordy’s Market & Deli grocery store shutting down in May.   18 family-like employees now unemployed.  The owner blames the new Walmart that’s about to open down the street from his store.

Mississippi:  Pearl River County Hospital and Nursing Home laid off 19 employees and reduced the hours for all other employees.  County  hospital officials blamed it directly on financial problems created by Obama Care (Affordable Care Act).

Nebraska: For the people of the city of Tilden they will now have to travel 35km (22 miles) to the nearest hospital.  The Tilden Community Hospital shutdown because of gott damned Obama Care: “….we continually had to keep going back to the facts; the data. We will not survive! We won’t survive health care changes!”-Lon Knievel, hospital director

New York:  State officials shutting down four prisons this summer.  It’s blamed on crashing incarcerations, which should be viewed as a good thing, but 235 jobs could be lost!  The prison in Montgomery County has no inmates at all!  In NYC, after declaring that employees have successfully  met all “deadlines” Qatar based Al Jazeera America announced that their success will actually result in job elimination!  Company officials did not disclose how many U.S. citizens will lose their job, but said it’s been part of the plan from the beginning.  Massachusetts based law firm Nixon-Peabody laid off 38 employees in New York.   Across New York, VNS CHOICE Community Care warned that it will layoff 124 healthcare workers in July!

North Dakota: What oil industry boom? In Fargo, Bertrosa’s on Broadway restaurant shutdown with little notice.  The owner Derek Radke said “We’ve gone broke……I want nothing more than to keep doing this. But I can’t do it anymore.”

Utah: In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake Tribune laid off eight employees and ended it’s religious Faith section (19 employees laid off last year).  The newspaper was originally a Mormon (LDS) paper known as the Mormon Tribune,  however it was started by Mormons who did not agree with church doctrine.   At the turn of the 20th century, in rebellion the Mormon owners secretly sold the newspaper to a Catholic senator.  In the 1950s a secret joint deal was made with the LDS church and its official Deseret News.   In 2002 employees rebelled by selling off exclusive info on a now famous kidnapping case.  Now, the LDS Deseret News is trying for a hostile takeover of the ‘independent’ newspaper.   The U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating.

Wisconsin:  What automotive industry recovery?  Taxsucking truck maker Oshkosh killing 760 jobs in June! They blame it on reduced military spending.  Oshkosh killed 900 jobs last year!

08 – 10 April 2014:  “I have no role, no power, no control, no nothing!” 

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 shut down.

“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, International

Germany joins China to destroy U.S. dollar! Germany on witch hunt for U.S. spies! Germans demand alliance with Russia!

13 July 2014 (01:01 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Ramadan 1435/22 Tir 1393/17 Xin-Wei 4712

“China-Germany relations are at their best in history, strongly underpinned by the pragmatic cooperation between the two economic heavyweights.”-Xinhua News Agency

China has surpassed the United States as being the number three trading partner with Germany.  The number one position is held by other members of the European Union.  The number two trade partner with Germany is the entire Asian region.  The United States is now competing with the African continent and Australia for fourth place.

Germany, the largest economic power in the European Union, is now making even bigger business deals with China.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has overseen the signing of a $400-million USD deal between Airbus and China.

Lufthansa is joining with Air China.

Volkswagen reports huge gains in the Chinese automobile market, a 6% increase compared to the same time last year.  VW will spend $2.72-billion on building two new factories in China.   It has become obvious that Chinese car buyers prefer German designed cars.  VW’s Chinese partners are putting up $24.7-billion to help expand the German carmaker’s presence in China.

German government officials indicated more arrests of U.S. spies could take place.

A survey by TNS Global shows that 69% of Germans no longer  trust the United States, 57% want the U.S. occupiers (that’s right, when the Cold War ended in 1991 the Soviets left, but the U.S. remains) to get out and 40% want more interaction with Russia!

BRITISH EMPIRE …….ACCELERATING DESTRUCTION OF THE U.S. DOLLAR!

Business/Economics, U.S.

Fracking blamed for record 5000% increase in earthquakes in Oklahoma, surpassing quake prone California!

13 July 2014 (23:22 UTC-07 Tango 12 July 2014)/16 Ramadan 1435/22 Tir 1393/17 Xin-Wei 4712

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports Oklahoma has now surpassed California for number of earthquakes so far this year.  On Saturday four more quakes struck, in the past week the USGS recored 26 quakes, in the past month 106.

There’s been more than a 5-thousand percent increase in quakes since oil and natural gas fracking began just over five years ago!

Back in June Oklahoma was in second place for earthquakes, behind California, now it’s the top spot for tremors.  According to Oklahoma Geological Survey 80% of the state is within nine miles of a fracking (injection) well.  The Oklahoma Corporation Commission says there are 4500 active disposal wells.

Despite the fact that the USGS has repeatedly linked fracking to increased earthquakes, most Oklahomans blow it off saying it’s “speculation”.  1 in 6 Oklahomans work for the oil industry.

Proof Fracking uses radioactive material!

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 08 – 10 April 2014: “No more ventures for me!” “I have no role, no power, no control, no nothing!”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns.

California: In Brawley, Packers Sanitation Service shutdown, killing 111 jobs!  Coachella Valley Unified School Board killing 96 jobs this year.  Employees and taxpayers are confused because the district was able to give students 18-thousand iPads last year.  On top of that the state government is supposed to be giving schools extra money for next school year.  Local news reports said district officials made the layoff decision without public discussion.   In Long Beach, taxsucker Boeing announced it will shutdown C-17 production three months earlier than previously planned.  In Fremont, Phoenix Big Cinemas laid off eight employees.

Connecticut: After 30 years, God refuses to stop Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center from drastically reducing the staff in their pediatric unit.  Since October last year the hospital has been eliminating positions, by the end of June there will be only two support staffers on hand.  It’s blamed on reduced customers as Obama Care insurance pushes people away from hospitals.

Georgia: In Newnan, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown their  Colonial Bread Store.  The wimp ass company officials delegated the authority of making the announcement to the store’s cashier!

Illinois: In Champaign, after less than two years Prairie Fire restaurant shutdown without notice: “If we had days like Sunday every day, we’d still be open.  But you will not be a success if your biggest day of the week is Sunday……No more ventures for me!”-Dave Block, burned out restaurant investor

Indiana: In Terre Haute, maker of aluminum products Novelis laid off at least 11 employees.  It’s blamed on declining sales.

Kansas: In Shawnee, marketing company Harte Hanks laid off 93 employees.  It’s blamed on declining sales.

Kentucky: In Louisville, after only 18 months the relish restaurant shutdown without notice.  The owner blamed the small fire safety dictated maximum seating capacity, saying serving a maximum of 53 people at a time wasn’t enough to pay even for overhead.

Massachusetts:  Cenveo Envelope Group shutting down their Westfield factory in June, more than 200 jobs lost!  Boston based law firm Edwards Wildman Palmer laid off 52 employees: “Advances in technology have resulted in a need for fewer support staff and related services in law firms. In addition, we are positioning our firm to reflect the industries and markets we serve.” 

Michigan: One of the largest charity telemarketers, Associated Community Services, now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The operation agreed to pay a $45-thousand USD settlement after being accused of tricking at least 430 old people out of their money.  The company also owes $15.5-million in federal taxes and $1.1-million in state taxes!  Here’s a recent complaint about ACS: “This company calls on a regular basis asking for a pledge on behalf of the Foundation for American Veterans, as well as several other charitable organizations. I recently discovered that only about 30% of the money they receive goes to the organization. I am notifying them that I will no longer donate to any organization they ‘are calling on behalf of ‘, and to remove my name and phone number from their list.”–Eleanor Riley

Minnesota:  Pharmaceuticals and medical device supplier Cardinal Health killing more healthcare jobs.  This time 68 people will become unemployed by the end of the year.  The company is trying to save money for its planned $320-million takeover of AccessClosure.

Mississippi: In McComb, God refused to stop the shutdown of Saint Alphonsus Catholic School, 22 jobs lost.  It’s blamed on a the steady disappearance of students over the past seven years.

Nevada: Reno Fire Department laid off 35 employees.  It’s blamed on the loss of FEMA funding.  On top of that, Reno is ‘browning out’ three fire stations.  This means all personnel and equipment have been removed.  The Southern Nevada Water Authority killed more than 100 jobs!  The agency says it’s short $14-million!

New York: In Niskayuna, Barnes & Noble shutting down in June.  Rome City School District warned 60 teachers of layoff, and is asking another 40 to retire early.  Lockport City School District laid off five employees and eliminated six vacant positions.   District officials warned the job cuts could have been worse.  Vice President David M. Nemi admitted that balancing the budget is “…becoming more and more difficult every year.”  In Brewster, Stanley Black & Decker laying off 35 employees in July.  The tool company is consolidating operations.  In Rouses Point, legal drugs pusher Pfizer said they are shutting down in December, and will begin layoffs in July.

North Carolina: Charlotte based Too Big to Jail Bank of America announced it will kill another 3-thousand jobs, this time mostly tech jobs in other countries.  BoA has killed 46-thousand jobs since the end of 2010!  And Charlotte based Family Dollar announced they will shutdown 370 to 400 stores across the country!  It’s blamed on crashing sales.

Ohio: In North Olmsted, after 26 years Royal Garden Records shutdown.

Pennsylvania:  All three Lehigh Valley Racquet and Fitness Clubs shutdown without notice.  The former founder, John F. Brinson, blamed the Too Big to Jail Banks that took over when the company went bankrupt saying  “I’ve been out of it for two years. I’ve had nothing to do with this…I have no role, no power, no control, no nothing …There is no way I would have done this!”   State College, after 74 years Mr. Charles Shop shutting down in May.  The owner blames the “Sandusky problem”.  In Philadelphia, after 60 years Chestnut Hill Bootery shutdown: “I don’t want to close, but my accountant says I have to make a profit.”-Bruce Freedman

South Carolina: In Blythewood, Amcor Rigid Plastics laid off 40 employees.  It’s blamed on the loss of their main customer.

Texas:  In Houston, after 15 years Dirk’s Coffee (aka Diedrich Coffee) shutdown without notice.

Wisconsin: In Waunakee, Techline USA shutting down in June, 93 jobs lost: “…the company is no longer economically viable in light of industrywide economic conditions over the last decade…”-John Lasky, GM

05 – 07 April 2014: More U.S. job destruction by British empire! 

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 shut down.

“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

Sears & Kmart closing update 10 July 2014: Occupied Kmart store quietly sold off, at a loss!

Michigan losing a Kmart in October, 155 jobs lost!

Minnesota losing another Kmart.

Georgia losing a 39 years old Kmart.

Oklahoma losing a Kmart, and the arrogant and ignorant Sand Springs chamber of commerce blames the local residents for not spending their rarified cash at the Kmart!

In Hesperia, California, the Kmart building just sold for $5.25-million in cash.  According to the real estate agency that made the sale, a private California based Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) bought the former Kmart “…at substantially below replacement cost…”, in other words it was sold at a loss.   There are no reports about what is going to happen to the Kmart store.

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings 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).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 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), Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears (jobs lost unknown), recently revealed Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT.

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).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart.

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, recently revealed Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost).

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

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).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!), 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). No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers? On 07 November 2013, GGP sold off the Pine Ridge Mall for a paltry $9 million USD. 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”.

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).

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?) recently 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). 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.

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).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown).

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.

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Sears (80 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears (115 jobs lost).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed.

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, Flint Kmart (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), recently revealed Southgate Kmart (155 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), recently revealed Winona Kmart (67 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).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost).

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

New Jersey: Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost).

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

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).

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

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). 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), recently revealed Sand Springs Kmart (52 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).

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 Kmart (jobs lost unknown, but the store was advertising for new hires!), Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 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).

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).

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’re reporting that the building has just been demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported).

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).

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).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 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 (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (no job loss info given).

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, Idaho

More Economic Decline: East Idaho city in Death Spiral as stores ramp up shutdowns!

10 July 2014 (21:26 UTC-07 Tango 09 July 2014)/12 Ramadan 1435/19 Tir 1393/14 Xin-Wei 4712

The aged Westwood Mall in Pocatello, Idaho, recently made a partial payment on back due taxes (actually it was just an interest payment), narrowly avoiding takeover by the government.  But that’s not stopping its tenants from shutting down (like rats from a sinking ship).

Click the pics to see more

The Westwood Mall is one of the oldest in the area, it used to have carpeted floors and felt very 1960s-70s.  The carpeting is now gone, and the inside has been walled up, making it feel like a labyrinth (it’s actually perfect for the RPG gaming store that’s hidden away in one corner of the labyrinth).  The latest tenants to leave are Family Fun, a mattress store, Industrial Tool & Supply and soon C-A-L Ranch.

But these aren’t the only stores that the city of Pocatello has lost in the past month.

The Works Deli & Grill is supposedly moving to a new location, which hasn’t been disclosed.

Outdoor clothing store The Raven’s Nest is now being used as a mattress warehouse.

I spent almost four years working at KPVI, helping to turn their 6 & 10pm newscasts in to the number one rated 6 & 10pm newscasts in the area by 1999.   Jim Rogers inherited the reins to Sunbelt Broadcasting and at the end of 1999 decided to bring in new management who wanted us to go back to the old dumb ass way of reporting local news.  Those of us who refused were pushed out, the first to go was Leslie Austin (Leslie Schei), then Carey Wickersham, then me, then John Young and Dave Reichelt and Scott Stevens (who now runs his own weatherwars.info website. Hey Scott why don’t you mention me, your former KPVI News Producer AAron Hutchins?), just to name a few.    Now KPVI barely even ranks in the ratings, and now its in-house construction shop is up for sale!

For more than a decade now our exalted local leaders keep pronouncing that they’ve got big employers lined up, ready to move into the area just as soon as the proper “infrastructure” is constructed (at taxpayer expense of course).  Working class people can’t wait a decade for a turnaround (which explains why east Idaho has a high exodus rate, according to the Gem State’s Department of Labor), and neither can retail store owners (which have become the only ‘industry’ in town).