The non-profit Sesame Workshop, producer of PBS’s Sesame Street, laid off 30 employees. It’s blamed on reduced funding due to the bad economy.

Cactus Grill in Twin Falls, Idaho, closed despite seven years of booming business.  The eatery operation located on the property of Home Depot was shut down by the very same Home Depot corporation (the Home Depot manager was unaware of the corporate decision).  It was part of Home Depot’s plan to end eatery operations just outside their store exits.  Cactus Grill owner, Billy Elser said “It was a blow, cut us off at the knees. That’s how I make a living!”  Now, Elser is looking for backing to open a full blown restaurant.

In Oregon, the C&K Market closed in Waldport: “Due to the continued decline in the economic climate, which has negatively affected the tourist business along the coast, the difficult decision to close the doors of the Waldport C&K Market location was made earlier this month.”-Company statement

The largest manufacturer of roofing materials in North America, GAF, laying off at least 57 employees in California, by October.  They’re closing their Fresno operation.  Local news sources were not able to get a reason why.

After 80 years of business the B&B Sporting Goods shut down in Minnesota.  The owners tried to sell the iconic store for the past three years, because they wanted to retire, but the economy is so bad in Minnesota there were no takers.

In Arkansas, Pinky Punky in Little Rock closed.  The owners of the 40 years old “fun” women’s clothing store retired.  Hastings books, video games, music and trendy stuff stores shut down in Springdale and in Fayetteville.  Company officials said the stores weren’t making a big enough profit!  At least 60 people unemployed.

There were reports that the Jenny Craig’s weight loss center in Westborough, Massachusetts, shut down.

Evil mortgage foreclosure company EC Closing/Cal-Western Reconveyance now bankrupt.  No tears shed!

In Tennessee, a judge has ruled that the state government can proceed with axing 200 jobs!  The Tennessee State Employees Association said the state failed to give proper notice.

The Germany based JK Products & Services factory in Arkansas is closing.  123 employees affected, at least 85 to be laid off.  Production is being moved to Germany.  In Conway, Starstruck Video and Wonderland Flea Market closed after 21 years in business.  A recent legal ‘incident’ was the final straw.

After 40 years, the Christian God can’t stop the Chesnutt Furniture store from closing in Alabama.  The owner blamed the bad economy.  The building is actually owned by the First Baptist Church, and they’re tearing it down to make room for a parking lot.

In Pennsylvania, Stacy’s of York now bankrupt.  The supplier of plants to retail markets is being sold.

The Christian God can’t stop Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, in New York, from eliminating 50 jobs and closing a medical/surgical unit.  Officials blame reduced Medicaid/Medicare payments.

In West Virginia, Putnam County Health Department laid off 13 employees.  The department is in such debt that it hasn’t paid its rent!

Pocketful of Rye jewelry and local art collectibles store shut down in New Hampshire. The owner said she had to focus on her real job with corporate America.

In Indiana, the Indianapolis Public Schools laid off 109 people!  More could be on the way.  Officials blame lack of students: “We are not going to be able to eliminate the $30 million budget deficit and maintain the current buildings that we have. Because we just don’t have the students to support that.”-John Althardt

In Illinois, Jean’s Hallmark in Lemont closed.  It’s part of Hallmark’s plan to close stores across the U.S.

Too Big to Jail Bank of America laying off 411 people in Texas!  In Longview, CDs and More closed down. The owner is pissed at the digital generation: “It’s sad. It’s bittersweet. I’m fed up with it, and I’m sad to see it go….everybody’s downloading their stuff. They’re putting the small guy out of business.”-Tom Shomaker

Another mega law firm lays off 60 people.  Weil, Gotshal & Manges basically said there is no economic recovery: “We must now make the adjustments we avoided over the last few years to position the firm to continue to thrive.”

In Arizona, the oldest dance club in Scottsdale closed down.  Axis-Radius is being turned into a beer/concert hall.

The World’s largest gold miner, Canada based Barrick Gold, laid off 55 employees in Utah and Nevada.  They claim gold prices are too low!!!

After 45 years in business the Continental Greek Restaurant & Pastry Shop closed in Washington.  It’s the third Greek restaurant to close in the past 12 months.  The owners wanted to retire.

In California, the 44 years old Sea D Sea dive shop closed in Redondo Beach.  The owner said the bad economy and his poor health forced him to retire.  Evil Verizon Corporate Resources Group laid off 57 people in Irvine.  And non-profit Dignity Health laid off 464 people!

21 August 2013 (16:58 UTC-07 Tango)/14 Shawwal 1434/30 Mordad 1391/15 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

“This change is consistent with the way many large employers are responding to the costs associated with the Health Care Reform legislation.”-UPS memo to employees

United Parcel Service (UPS), a major employer in the United States, has canceled insurance policies for spouses of employees.   15-thousand spouses now have no health insurance!

UPS officials told Kaiser Health News that the Obama/Romney Care is actually causing health care/insurance costs to skyrocket, and they can not afford to provide insurance to so many people.

Another reason for the drop of 15-thousand people from the UPS provided insurance plan, is that UPS officials said the Obama/Romney Care law claims everyone will end up being covered anyway.  But, UPS said it will continue covering spouses who don’t work, or who work for companies that do not provide insurance.

Designer of trade show and event exhibits, VisionStream, now bankrupt.  Company officials hope another company will merge with them, or buy them, so they can survive.

In Michigan, Genesys Health System laid off 100 employees: “….these initiatives were necessary due to reduced reimbursement brought about through the Accountable Care Act [aka Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act] and Sequestration. For instance, it is estimated that for its fiscal year 2014 Genesys will have an $11 million reduction in reimbursement for the same amount of patient care it is delivering today.”   In Plainfield Township, Eastern Floral shut down.   The company is focusing on internet sales.

In Arizona, the Christian God couldn’t stop Carondelet Health Network (Southern Arizona Catholic/Ascension Health) from laying off 40 people: “The effects of sequestration, the increased cost of caring for the uninsured, and national trends toward fewer people seeking inpatient hospital care were all factors.”

In California, the approved Fresno City budget means 30 people will be unemployed.

The Oregonian newspaper laid off 95 employees.  The newspaper is switching to digital service.

In Pennsylvania, Aramark Educational Services lost its dining services contract with Duquesne University.   358 people out-o-work!

In New York, PJ’s Pub and Grill closed in Syracuse.  It was sold.  In  Westchester, Buffet de la Gare closed after 33 years of business.  The owner wants to retire, her co-owner husband (and the restaurant’s chief chef) died in 2011.  In Medina, the Worthington Industries BernzOmatic factory is shutting down.  174 people out-o-work!  Production being moved to Wisconsin. Too Big to Jail, Bank of America, closed its Getzville office.  1320 people laid off!!!!  The office was sold to M&T Bank, which might hire on some of the former BoA employees.

The Swank outlet store in Taunton, Massachusetts, closed.   The new owners say economic conditions don’t justify keeping the store open.  It sounds like the company will focus on distribution of products to customers like Macy’s and Kohl’s.  The company first started in 1897.

In Missouri, Milbourn’s Family Restaurant shut down.  It’s blamed on the property owner (Farris Truck Stop) who demanded the restaurant operator leave, and then terminated the lease.  There was no explanation by the property owner.

Bodytalk women’s clothing store in Westport, Connecticut, closed after 20 years of business.  The 81 years old owner said “We’re closing for a whole bunch of reasons.”

The University of Maryland Medical Center laid off 65 people, and warned of more layoffs in August.  Also, vacant positions have been eliminated and contract positions will be reduced.  Hospital officials blame the federal government (Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act/sequestration).

In New York, Archcare closed its Kateri Residence nursing home in New York City.  At least 555 people unemployed (some reports say 592)!  Archcare is selling the property.

In Vermont, the Rutland Manor assisted living facility shutting down in September.

South Carolina based Stacy’s Garden Center bankrupt.  The company has stores in 24 states.  It’s not clear why they went bankrupt, their liabilities are not much more than their assets.  The company has been for sale for several months.

In New Jersey, the Atlantic City Housing Authority laid off four employees.  It’s blamed on federal funding cuts.

After 38 years of business the mom & pop Ed’s Riverside Market grocery store in Pennsylvania, shut down.  19 employees out-o-work.  It’s blamed on the bad economy, even Mennonites started shopping at Walmart!

In Connecticut, Cable Ready now bankrupt.   It’s blamed on the current economy: “…due to industry consolidation, mergers and acquisitions of production companies, larger competitors paying higher and higher advances for programming or networks retaining all rights, and the uncertain global economy squeezing independent companies like ours, Cable Ready was left with no choice but to seek protection.”

In Wisconsin, Kohl’s laid off 67 employees.  They contracted out their accounts payable and sales audit department.  In Milwaukee, the wine store Vino 100 closed down.  Typical of business owners, they denied they were closing for several weeks, before finally announcing a “…monster farewell party.”

In Ohio, the massive Jones Day law firm laid off 65 IT employees.  The IT director was also let go.  In Cincinnati, the Whiskey Bar shut down. The property owner sold the building and the lease was bought out.  The child prison known as Ashland County Juvenile Detention Center closed down.  The 83 years old prison building was deemed too old to economically upgrade.

In Louisiana, the child prison system known as Saint James Parish Youth Detention Center closed down.  It’s blamed on the high prices they charge to come close to properly housing child prisoners.

In Chicago, Illinois, Goose Island brewery shut down.  The brewery owners asked the property owners to reduce the rent by 30%, the answer was no.  In Woodridge, Allstate insurance company shut down a 12 years old call center.  Originally Allstate promised the local government that they would create 700 jobs. 348 people now unemployed! (is the new call center in Chubbuck, Idaho, next to be shut down?)

In Indiana, the Tri-Way Drive-In Theater warning it will have to close because it can not afford to buy new digital projectors.

Cooper Lighting shutting down their factory in Eufaula, Alabama, by October.  Mayor Jack Tibbs called it “Our worst nightmare!” More than 300 employees will be directly affected!  Two smaller companies will also be affected. Cooper Lighting is moving production elsewhere.

In Oregon, Lucy’s Tool Store closed after 20 years of service.  The owners (who’ve worked decades of other jobs before becoming business owners) want to retire, finally.