Tag Archives: closing

U.S. Food Crisis, May 2014: No more KFC, Red Lobster, Pizza kitchen, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Ralph’s, Rainbow, TGI Friday’s??? Where’s the beef-n-cheese?

November 2, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of May, 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.

California: In Atwater, Mi Pueblo Foods shutting down in August, 279 jobs lost! In San Francisco, Grand Cafe shutting down in July, 63 jobs lost. In West Covina, California Pizza Kitchen announced they are laying off 60 employees in August. Also, San Francisco based Golden Gate Capital could be the new owner of Red Lobster restaurants. The agreed to buy it for $2.1-billion USD! However, the sale won’t be finalized until the first half of 2015. No word on what Golden Gate Capital has in plan for the restaurant. The executives of the original owner, Darden Restaurants, blames the sale on pressure from stockholders. In Riverside, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store announced they will shutdown in July, 80 jobs lost. In La Quinta, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store announced they will shutdown in July, 60 jobs lost. In Laguna Niguel, Kroger announced it is shutting down their Ralph’s grocery store in July, 66 jobs lost. In Ventura, New French Bakery/Starbucks Coffee announced they are shutting down in July, 90 jobs lost.

Georgia: In Tybee Island, after six years Doc’s Bar shutdown due to rent issues.

Illinois: In Chicago, after only four years Ing restaurant shutdown. In Bolingbrook, meat processor Quantum Foods lost a major contract. Company officials told 11-hundred employees not to come to work! The company has been losing revenue since 2012. In Rockford, Schnuck Markets killed 163 grocery store jobs! Schnucks began “restructuring” operations at its two largest stores, and shutdown two smaller stores that were suffering from crashing sales.

Michigan: In Lansing, Cup of Dessert (aka Decker’s Coffee) shutdown. In Ann Arbor, Kroger grocery store on South Industrial Highway shutting down in June, 103 jobs lost! It sounds like the property owners jacked up the rent, they claim they had rented the property out to Kroger at “dramatically under market” rates for decades and it was time they made a profit. A 35 years old Le Dog hot dog stand shutdown. After only four years Mercy’s Restaurant shutdown. The owners blamed the bad economy for creating inconsistent business. In East Lansing, after 50 years (some reports say 77 years) Goodrich’s Shop-Rite grocery store shutting down in July, 80 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the property owners who have new plans for the property. In Saline, after 22 years The Drowsy Parrot coffee shop shutdown without notice. Local news reports said employees were just as shocked as customers. There was no explanation from the owner, only confirmation via text message (the owner didn’t even have the guts to tell employees in person).

Minnesota: Grocery store operator Roundy’s sold off 18 Rainbow grocery stores, 1-thousand jobs affected! At this point the new owners say they will continue operating the stores, but the names might change. The owner of dozens of Minnesota Taco Bells and Pizza Huts is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted! 140 jobs threatened! Border Foods and Sky Ventures already sold off 54 Pizza Huts back in December. They’ve already been sued for $8-million in back due rent! The company is asking the bankruptcy court to allow them to sell off more restaurants. Company officials cry ‘What economic recovery?’: “Sales have remained stagnant, costs have increased….The combination of the factors has led to a condition where the….margins have decreased and making additional capital investments….is not prudent.”-Barry Zelickson, VP

New York: In NYC, Dallas Restaurant Management renovating Fireside Restaurant and Lounge, 38 jobs lost until the renovations are completed. National 42nd St. Realty/LIR Management shutting down their TGI Friday’s Restaurant, Tim Horton’s/KFC Food Court restaurants in August, at least 130 jobs lost! Company officials blame the bad economy.

North Carolina: In New Bern, after 79 years Maola Milk & Ice Cream announced they will shutdown in July, 98 jobs lost.

North Dakota: In Harvey, after several years of operations (and several shutdowns) the Branded Beef & Pack is being auctioned off on 04 June. The owner, Minnesota based Maas Companies, says the operation cost them more money then they were making: “Due to challenging economic conditions during the start up phase, the plant was forced to cease operations.”

Ohio: The new company created by the merger of Anchor Hocking and Oneida kitchen ware, EveryWare Global, is in big trouble. Even with huge layoffs and factory shutdowns in Ohio the company is reporting it lost $38.4-million in its first quarter of 2014! EveryWare Global is based out of New York, and was created by Monomoy Capital Partners. In Dayton, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery shutdown. The owners admitted that running a food truck doesn’t jive with raising children.

Pennsylvania: In Monaca, kitchen utensil maker Anchor Hocking laid off 400 employees “temporarily”! Company officials say it is a money saving move. Anchor Hocking was consolidated with Oneida under the new EverWare Global name.

Texas: In Houston, after 19 years Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana shutdown. The property owner sold off the property to a developer who wants to tear everything down. In Austin, after 36 years the Tamale House shutdown, the owner died.

Vermont: Keurig Green Mountain (aka Green Mountain Coffee) laid off 12 people: “Over the past several months, we have combined our Massachusetts and Vermont-based consumer-facing teams, allowing us to have a single approach to our consumer care. As a result, we expect a reduction in the number of incoming calls the team will handle directly…”

Wisconsin: In Denmark, after more than 32 years butter/cheese maker Land-O-Lakes shutting down their soft cheese factory in July, at least 90 jobs lost. Company officials say soft cheeses are no longer profitable. An employee who worked there since 1982 called it “a kick in the gut”.

U.S. Food Crisis, April 2014

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 30 – 31 August 2014: “It’s hard work, brother! It’s time to call it quits.” More job killing by property developers! More Obamacare job destruction!

November 2, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Georgia: Troubled Paine College warning of layoffs. The school is facing accreditation violation charges and what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome). The college is short at least $2.4-million USD, and they blame state and federal governments: “These tough economic times are posing unprecedented challenges for colleges and universities like Paine College that have seen changes in federal aid, which include Parent Plus loans, Pell Grants and some state funding.”-George C. Bradley, president

Hawaii: Obama Care killing off 35 healthcare jobs with Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. Hospital administrators said the layoffs will take place in December. They say Obama
Care (Affordable Care Act) caused them to lose at least $48-million!

Indiana: In Franklin, Indigo Duck restaurant announced they’re shutting down in September. The family owners blame the death of the founder last year, and the fact that their lease is expiring and they can’t renew.

Louisiana: In New Orleans, after 22 years the House of Shock haunted house complex announced they’re shutting down after Halloween 2014. The operators said it’s not worth it to continue: “It’s hard work, brother! People think we’re minting money over there….it doesn’t make sense to do it….We invented the idea of the interactive haunted house. It’s time to call it quits.”-Ross Karpelman, co-founder

Massachusetts: In Springfield, JT’s Sports Pub shutdown: “Unfortunately we have not been able to secure a new lease with our landlord so it’s brought an unfortunate end for us. With the casino coming, he has bigger aspirations and feels he could get far more rent.”-Keith Makarowski, owner

Missouri: 66 dairy workers suddenly unemployed after Hazelwood Prairie Farms Dairy laid them off without notice. Company officials say the bad economy is forcing them to change their business ‘model’.

Ohio: Middletown has laid off 11 firefighters. It’s blamed on the Union’s rejection of a generous contract. A firestation was also shutdown. Local news reports say the city offered a contract that actually was going to hire on more personnel, the Union rep said he didn’t understand why the Union members voted against the deal.

Texas: In Houston, J Sussan Interiors shutdown. Local news reports said the owner retired, however, it turns out the entire area is being drastically affected by a huge apartment “tower” building project that’s resulting in many businesses and existing apartments being shutdown!

28-29 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. Food Crisis, April 2014: “…it is clear that the current business environment….cannot be successful.”

November 1, 2014 Hutchins AAron

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of April, 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.

Alabama: In Florence, Hillshire Brands announced they will shutdown their sausage factory in December, 11-hundred jobs lost just in time for Xmas! It’s blamed on skyrocketing meat prices. In Dothan, Wayne Farms kills 560 jobs! The poultry processing company made a deal with its largest customer to supply chicken without deboning it. Turns out the number of people it takes to debone chicken made up more than half its employees!

Arizona: In Tucson, after 55 years Fruit Land Market shutdown. The property owners kicked out the Market owners, so they could sell the land to speculators.

California: In Los Angeles, Contessa Foods failed to file a proper WARN. According to state employment officials the food packager notified the state of a massive layoff the day after it killed 239 jobs! The company shutdown without warning. In Antioch, Stonyfield Farm laid off 58 employees. In Bell Gardens, McDonald’s shutdown, 69 jobs lost. In Cudahy, McDonald’s shutdown, 49 jobs lost. In Los Alamitos, McDonald’s shutdown, 90 jobs lost. In Del Mar, after 46 years Pannikin Coffee & Tea shutdown, the owner blames the landlord: “We’ve been here a long time and we just couldn’t come to an agreement with the mall management on a fair rent so we didn’t renew our lease.”-Shawn Holder

Colorado: In Delta, Dean Foods announced they must shutdown their Meadow Gold Milk plant, 38 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the lost of a major grocery store customer.

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!

Florida: In Boca Raton, after only nine months 101 Cantina bar shutdown. It’s blamed on constant confrontations between college students and police.

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! In Savannah, after ten years Paula Deen’s Uncle Bubba’s Seafood & Oyster House shutdown without notice. It’s blamed on a racism lawsuit brought by a former employee, however, the lawsuit was “dismissed with prejudice and without any award of costs or fees” by the court. Despite that, being called a racist in the United States is worse than being called a terrorist, so down goes the Deen empire. Employees of the restaurant found out when they showed up for work and witnessed everything inside the restaurant being taken away.

Hawaii: In Maui, after more than 20 years Stella Blues Cafe shutdown. The restaurant owner stated that his landlord could no longer cut him a break on the rent.

Illinois: Kraft Foods announced they are killing 285 jobs! Most of those jobs will be in-house trucking jobs, which will now be contracted out. In Evergreen Park, after 60 years Snackville Junction shutdown. The eatery’s signature was delivering your food on model train cars along a railroad track: “Unfortunately our last days are ahead…..We hope that somewhere somehow the Snackville Junction choo-choo will return…”-Facebook posting

In Urbana, maker of plastic eating utensils Dart Container Company laid off 36 employees. 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

Iowa: In Beardstown, after more than 30 years IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) hometown grocery store shutdown, 27 jobs lost: “You know Walmart came to Beardstown about five years ago and the business climate, at least for us, has declined because of that big box store. It’s just deteriorated to the point that it’s not profitable to keep the store open.”-Steve Kremer, owner

Kansas: In Leawood, after 25 years Hy-Vee grocery store announced it will shutdown in June. Company officials said the store needed $4-million+ in remodeling but the city council actually passed ruling that forces them to shutdown: “In light of the city of Leawood’s recently passed moratorium on new development along the 135th corridor, it is clear that the current business environment in Leawood is one in which Hy-Vee cannot be successful. Two attempts to find a solution acceptable to both parties –one that allows us to continue serving our customers with the products, services and amenities that they deserve and expect — have been resisted by city officials. The first was in May 2013, when we attempted to remodel the store at its current location, and now, our most recent application to build a new store at the corner of 135th Street and Roe Avenue. Because lack of city support prevents us from providing customers with the best shopping experience we have to offer, we will be closing….”

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

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. 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. 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

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. 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.

Minnesota: In Mankato, after 33 years Mexican Village restaurant announced it will shutdown in May. Upscale Fresh Seasons Market grocery store shutdown two stores, one in Victoria and one in Minnetonka. The arrogant owner admitted there isn’t enough rich people to make their format work: “The idea was that it was supposed to be an upscale market, to be able to offer fresh goods and unique ingredients to people and this great shopping experience. We didn’t get a big draw.”-Tom Wartman

Mississippi: In Pontotoc, Southern Quality Meats announced they will shutdown in June, 110 jobs lost! Operations are being consolidated to Alabama. Abner’s Famous Chicken Tenders now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. In 2004 it was named one of the fastest growing businesses in the Magnolia State. Company officials say sales are not the issue, but necessary daily operating capital from debt financing is being cut off, so they’ve been forced to file bankruptcy by the Too Big to Jail banks.

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. In Saint Louis, after 53 years property speculators killed the Majestic Restaurant and Bar.

New Jersey: In Medford, Murphy’s Market shutdown a 17 years old grocery store. Company officials blamed the greedy property owner: “After great expense and effort it comes with much heartache, we as a company, were unable to reach a reasonable agreement with the building’s landlord.”

New York: After ten years the Beast Bar shutdown.

North Carolina: In Gaston, after 42 years Mr. T’s Place restaurant shutting down in May. The owners are demanding to know when the economic recovery is going to take place! In Hendersonville, after 18 years Cypress Cellar restaurant shutdown. The owner said it’s no longer worth the amount of time she puts into the business.

Ohio: In Riverside, Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant shutdown without notice. Company officials blamed the property owner for jacking up the rent. They also shutdown a restaurant in Urbana in December. In 2008 Ohio based Ponderosa and Texas based Bonanza restaurants merged (controlled by Homestyle Dining). 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: 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! In Intercourse, after who knows how long the iconic W.L. Zimmerman & Sons grocery store shutdown. The store was used in the movie Witness. The owner, Kristine Shirk, blames the bad economy saying “there wasn’t enough margin to work with any more.”

Tennessee: In Hixson, Nana’s Frozen Custard brick & mortar store shutdown, now for sale. They’ve switched to a mobile truck frozen custard shop. The award winning owners blamed the suck ass economy: “High fixed costs and lower revenue make the current business model unworkable. Our re-opening day sales were disappointing, down approximately 25% as compared to the same date last year.”

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

Virginia: In Lightfoot, after 40 years The Candy Store shutdown.

Washington: In Kelso, after only nine years Chuck E Cheese pizza place shutdown. Company officials said it was a “strategic decision”, meaning the economy sucks. In Seattle, after 25 years Maple Leaf Grill announced it will shutdown in May.

U.S. Food Crisis, March 2014

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

“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

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. 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

Sears & Kmart closing update, 25 October 2014: Kmart fails to file WARN on 102 job losses in California!

October 25, 2014 Hutchins AAron

A Kmart in California, with 102 employees, is shutting down just in time for Xmas! Local news reports said the store began liquidating merchandise at the end of September, but only now has it become obvious the store is shutting down. I checked the California WARN postings and discovered there are no Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notices from Kmart or Sears. The federal WARN law says if 50 or more employees are affected you must issue a WARN, which should be made public by state officials.

update 23 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.

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), recently revealed San Leandro Kmart (102 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).

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).