Tag Archives: crime

Idaho

More Economic Decline: Vanity dies in Idaho

22 March 2017 / 21:07 UTC-07 Tango 06 (03 Farvardin 1396/24 Jumada t-Tania 1438/26 Gui Mao 4715)

The struggling to come back from the dead (under new management) Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck, and the Grand Teton Mall in Idaho Falls, and Boise Towne Square mall in Boise, and in Coeur d’Alene, and in Twin Falls, all losing yet another national/regional tenant; women’s clothier Vanity.

Vanity is now bankrupt dead and shutting down all 137 stores across 27 U.S. states.

Statements by Vanity admin, and so called retail experts, both blamed internet sales for the demise of local malls, but I’ve been witness to the decline of brick-n-mortar retail long before internet shopping skyrocketed, and have documented the decline of Chubbuck’s Pine Ridge Mall (a former employer of mine) on BlindBatNews.

When I worked for Pine Ridge Mall, under the original owner J. Price and then under GGP (General Growth Properties), surveys were constantly taken of mall shoppers as to what stores they wanted to see in the mall.  The overwhelmingly consistent number one response was “more clothing stores”, specifically more “women’s” clothing stores!  Idiots!  At that time more than half the mall was filled with stores selling women’s clothing or accessories!

Even today, Pine Ridge Mall with less than half of available spaces filled (within the original mall location) still consists mainly of women’s clothing retailers!  And that’s the true cause of the death spiral of women’s brick-n-mortar stores; there are too many of them selling the same ugly ‘shit’ for way too much dollars (even with their fake discounted pricing, yeah every friggin’ week that I worked at Pine Ridge Mall, JCPenney would have a huge sale on clothing, the result was after a while nobody but an idiot would shop there during the work-week ’cause they knew prices would drop for the weekend)!

Even when my daughters were in high school they hated shopping at brick-n-mortar stores for clothes “because the clothes suck!”  What is really driving people to shop on the internet, for clothing, is true variety in style and pricing of clothing.  So whose really to blame for the death spiral?  The corporate weenie heads who run those brick-n-mortar clothing stores!

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

Sears Kmart Death Spiral: “substantial doubt exists related to the company’s ability to continue”

U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, January 2017: “I DON’T SLEEP AT NIGHT, IT’S KILLING ME” MASSIVE MACY’S MELTDOWN?

MORE ECONOMIC DECLINE: WHO IS THE NEW OWNER OF CHUBBUCK’S PINE RIDGE MALL?

REIT PLAN TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP, AND THEY BLAME YOU THE SHOPPER!

Business/Economics

“I don’t sleep at night, it’s killing me” Massive Macy’s Meltdown? : U.S. Retail/Banking/Service Sector collapse, January 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss announcements and shutdowns made or announced in January 2017:

Alabama: Tennessee based Fred’s Discount Store announced it will shutdown at least three stores in The Yellowhammer State by the end of February, blaming crashing sales (or is it really because of Fred’s $90-million USD takeover of RiteAid?).  Best Buy shutting down its electronics store in Florence, 60 jobs lost in February.

Alaska: After 20 years gift shop Flypaper shutdown: “I watched the foot traffic slowly drop off. Whether those people are going to big box stores or online shopping or not shopping, I don’t know.”-Kim Barret, owner

Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart suddenly laid off “hundreds” of corporate and regional office employees (and that’s not including the store shutdowns and layoffs, read on)!

 California: Vernon based clothing retailer BCBG Max Azria Group warned it must shutdown brick-n-mortar stores across the United States, no numbers given. In Berkeley, an American Apparel store shutdown as part of the dead company’s plan to shutdown all 110 stores by April (after selling out to an evil British empire Canadian competitor)! In Santa Barbara, after 63 years Kernohan’s Toys shutdown, the owners said increased competition from big players, and increased operating costs, are killing mom-n-pops.  Ohio based Macy’s issued multiple shutdown WARNS for stores in Santa Barbara, San Diego and San Francisco, more than 310 jobs lost by March! Arkansas based Walmart laying off 174 people at their San Bruno location, by the end of March!  Too Big to Jail San Francisco based (and Warren Buffet owned) Wells Fargo shutting down more than 4-hundred offices by the end of 2018!  San Francisco based GAP laying off 216 people by the end of March!  Wet Seal shutting down their Irvine operations, 148 jobs gone by mid-March! In Petaluma, the decades old Petaluma Valley Athletic Club shutdown because “the economics of this town have changed”, it was sold to a local church.  In Burlingame, Alaska Air Group finally notified state employment development administrators that they eliminated 275 jobs back in October 2016! Utility company Pacific Gas & Electric eliminating more than 250 jobs by mid-March, that’s a according to WARN filings, but local news reports say as many as 450 in-house jobs and 8-hundred contractors will be let go in favor of foreign workers!!!  In Foster City, VISA eliminating 58 jobs by mid-March.  San Diego Sportservice issued a mass shutdown WARN, 1-thousand-130 Qualcomm Stadium  jobs gone by the end of March! Penske Vehicle Services shutting down their Westlake Village ops in April.  In Irvine, live entertainment company Live Nation Worldwide issued a mass shutdown WARN, 905 jobs gone by the end of April!  Bank of the West laying off 47 people in San Ramon, by April.  The Lake Tahoe Ritz Carlton shutting down, 225 jobs supposedly temporarily lost starting in April!  Nordstrum’s shutting down their iconic MainPlace location in Santa Ana, 195 jobs lost in March! In Thousand oaks, Magic Planet costume shop shutdown due to declining profits caused by increased competition and increased rent: “… the rent keeps going up where it’s too high for us to continue. And internet sales. More people are, unfortunately for us, feeling comfortable at home on their computer…”-Michael Brotman, owner

Colorado: After 30 years Boulder Map Gallery shutting down by March, the owner blaming increased use of digital maps by his two largest clients (the federal government and an unnamed corporation) for declining hard copy map sales.  In Cortez, after 70 years Havran Dry Cleaners shutting down, the owner says declining sales means it’s time to retire.

Connecticut: In Stamford, evil British empire based Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) issued yet another layoff WARN, this time 21 people jobless by mid-March. Hotel chain Marriott eliminating 50 jobs in Stamford by the end of March. Penske Vehicle Services shutting down ops in Danbury.  Waterbury based Webster Bank shutting down eight offices across four states.

Florida:   Ohio based Macy’s issued multiple shutdown WARNS for stores in Oviedo, Sarasota and Tampa, 272 jobs lost by mid-March! In Tampa, Advantage-EZ Rent-a-Car laying off 25 people in February.  Also in Tampa, Binder & Binder-Lake Pointe One eliminating 65 jobs by the end of March.  Palmeto based Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey issued a shutdown WARN, 462 jobs gone by the end of May! Circus administrators blame their lack of ticket sales on being forced to stop using elephants in their acts.  Arkansas based Walmart eliminating 79 jobs at their Saint Petersburg store, by the end of March.  In North Miami Beach, Equity One eliminating 48 jobs by June.  In Jacksonville, PHH Mortgage eliminating at least seven jobs by mid-April.  Boca Raton based Home Depot suddenly began eliminating corporate jobs, no warning or explanation to local news media.  Local news media say they were notified by now former employees.  In Orlando, after only five years shopping center Artegon Marketplace shutdown, it was revealed it was put up for sale back in August 2016!  California based Cost Plus World Market shutdown its Coconut Point Mall location, no reason given.

Illinois: Seaway Bank & Trust failed, FDIC turned assets over to State Bank of Texas.  Arkansas based Walmart issued a shutdown WARN for its Chicago store on West Monroe Street, 96 jobs gone by mid-March.     Ohio based Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Bloomingdale location, 95 jobs gone by mid-March.  California based GAP suddenly shutdown its Factory Store in Bradley, 20 jobs lost.  The Fitzpatric Company shutting down their Elmherst services ops, 63 jobs gone by the end of March due to “poor economy”.  Jewlery retailer Zales shutdown their Sandburg Mall store, no reason given. ZaZu Gifts shutdown two stores, one in Rockford and one in Roscoe, due to the owner’s health propblems (supposedly diagnoised by a doctor as stress caused by running a mom-n-pop operation). In Douglas, after 95 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Meyers Ace Hardware shutdown due to five years of crashing sales: “I don’t sleep at night, it’s killing me. I still need a job. I am by no means getting rich on this deal.”-Dave Meyers, owner

Indiana: Ascena Retail Group shutdown its women’s clothing store Loft, at the Circle Centre Mall.

Kansas: Topeka based Payless shoe seller suddenly laid off 110 HQ employees!  Elsewhere, another 55 Payless employees were suddenly dumped.  Local news media say laid off employees were given no notice and were escorted out by security guards!  Payless representatives said the decision to suddenly dump 165 employees was made after a review of company performance.  After 52 years Tiffany Town gift store shutdown in Prairie Village, the retiring owner blamed decreased sales and increased rent and operating costs.  Derby Antique Market shutdown due to declining sales.

Maryland: In Baltimore, after 85 years Kurek’s Hardware shutdown, it’s up for sale so the owner can retire.

Massachusetts: In Brocktown, after six years Hogie’s Hobbies shutdown, but continues to run its model railroad museum.  The owner blames customers for his hobby shop shutdown saying for the month of December he had a measly $5-hundred USD in sales: “There’s a lot of people downtown, but they don’t spend their money downtown. The whole atmosphere for people actually shopping here is not here.”-Bill Hogan

Michigan:  Christian founded Habitat for Humanity shutdown two Detroit area ReStores (for lack of sales) and laid off an undisclosed amount of people, blaming it on the fact that more than 40% of the families living in Habitat for Humanity houses can’t pay their supposedly ‘affordable’ low income mortgages! (that’s right, those Habitat for Humanity houses are not free)  In Bay City, after 117 years (surviving numerous recessions and depressions) Utermalen Furniture went out-of-business, the family owners said “Sales were down”.   Benton Harbor based appliance maker Whirlpool said it will eliminate 5-hundred jobs with its Europe, Middle East and Africa dryer manufacturing operations!  In Traverse City, after 34 years Kim’s Hallmark shutdown due to jacked-up rent.

Minnesota: TCI Financial shutting down ten offices located in Cub Food grocery stores, blaming increased rent and decreased customer usage.  Bank UMB shutting down their Warrensburg office, on North Holden Street, in mid-April. Ascena Retail Group suddenly laid off 165  Maurices employees and reassigned 180 jobs, due to crashing brick-n-mortar store sales!  DICK’S Sporting Goods shutdown their Rochester store, on short notice, no reason given.  Dunham’s Discount Sports shutdown their Waite Park store with only two weeks notice, no reason given.

Missouri: Springfield based Bass Pro Shops suddenly laid off HQ employees, supposedly “less than 20” due to ” the dramatically shifting retail landscape”.  In Saint Joseph, after 17 years Once Upon a Child hand-me-down clothing store shutting down in March.

New Hampshire: Still kickin’ but dying Radio Shack shutdown their store in Keene.  What’s left of the Radio Shack chain is now owned by Standard General LP.

New Jersey:  Harvest Community Bank failed, FDIC turned assets over to First Citizens Bank & Trust.  Ohio based Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Moorestown store, 117 jobs gone by mid-March!  Zoo Printing laying off 65 people in West Deptford, by the end of March.  Public transportation contractor Transdev eliminating 64 jobs in Union, by the end of March.  The British empire based christian Salvation Army shutdown its Newark Family Thrift store due to crashing sales.  City administrators are worried as the thrift store helped fund local social programs.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, Hey Johnny shutdown their brick-n-mortar store, the owner blamed the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project for literally driving away potential customers from the Nob Hill area.  In the same city, Shoes on a Shoestring shutting down its store on Coors NorthWest, as soon as inventory is sold.

New York:  Ohio based Macy’s issued multiple shutdown WARNS for stores in Douglaston, Johnson City, Clay and Rochester, more than 3-hundred jobs lost by mid April!  In Brooklyn-NYC, after 29 years the Sport Prospect store shutting down in February, so the owner can retire.  In NYC, GL Bus Lines eliminating 80 jobs by April. In Queensbury, the Aviation Mall hit by the shutdown of four tenants; Zumiez, a Hallmark, Ye Olde Gift Shoppe and a Harley-Davidson themed store.  Local news media reports that since December the mall lost ten stores! At Terminal 7, JFK Airport, Aviation Safeguards shutting down their baggage handling ops, 63 jobs lost by the end of March due to contract being canceled by evil British empire British Airways.  At LaGuardia Airport Delta-Flight Center, Terminal D, Gate Aviation Services shutting down due to loss of contract with Delta, 203 jobs lost by April!  Advertising company Gordon Sinclair getting the hell outta The Empire State, at least 81 production jobs moving to Pennsylvania by April.  The evil family Clinton Foundation killing more jobs, this time 22 Global Initiative people unemployed by mid April (they laid off 74 people right after Xmas 2016).  In Buffalo, Operations of Global Spectrum shutting down due to loss of contract with Spectra at Canalside, 194 jobs gone by the end of March!  In NYC, Bit’z Wits kids store shutting down its six years old location on Greenwich by March. Despite making custom clothing for First Lady Michelle Obama, snooty Bibhu Mohapatra now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.   After 30 years Pets NYC-Metro Pets shutdown, the owner Gene King bitched about a common problem saying “In a nutshell, the rent is not affordable”, as well as jacked up costs of pet supplies and local taxes.  In Brighton, after 20 years Cinemark Movies 10 shutdown, probably in connection to the 2016 takeover of Cinemark by AMC Theaters.  In New Hartford, after more than 30 years Tracy’s Hallmark store shutting down by the end of February, the owner blamed competition and the new minimum wage hike. After 34 years The Village Toy Shop shutdown, the owner blamed crashing sales.  Also in New Hartford, after 20 yeras Joette’s Gifts announced a shutdown by the end of Summer: “Most people do not support local business and there are too many copycats.”-Joette Swisher, owner

North Carolina: Mooresville based home improvment retailer Lowes eliminating 2-thousand 4-hundred full time jobs at stores and distribution centers across the United States! Administrators blame it on “dramatic shifts that are reshaping the retail landscape”. Family Dollar shutdown its store in Old Fort, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.  Wyndam Capital Mortgage suddenly laid off 74 HQ employees, blaming “changing market conditions.”  In Morganton, Vivian’s Sewing Shop shutdown after 24 years: “I’m 68 years old and I need to go ahead and retire so I can enjoy some time with my husband before we end up taking care of each other.”-Vivian Cantor

North Dakota: New York & Company shutdown its West Acres Mall women’s clothing store, no reason given.

Ohio: Stow Sports and Promotions shutting down its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales only because “The model of having store hours and purchasing a half-million-dollars worth of merchandise and second guessing what customers want has changed.”  Camping retailer Gander Mountain shutting down its Sheffield Village in February.  Despite claiming to be “in a season of growth” Gander Mountain admin apparently decided not to compete with a Cabelas store that recently opened in the area. In West Chester, Sharon’s Hallmark shutdown, local news media indicated that no reason was made public. New Albany based Abercrombie and Fitch suddenly laid off 150 HQ employees due to “the current retail environment”!  Columbus based clothing retailer The Limited now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, 250 stores up for sale, about 4-thousand jobs lost! In Worthington, after almost 23 years Wren House Gifts shutting down in February. The owner blamed lack of customers who actually buy something, jacked-up operating costs and a new landlord.  Elder Beerman shutdown its Ohio Valley Mall department store, the space will now be chopped up into smaller retail ops. Ascena Retail Group shutdown its Ann Taylor clothing store in the Summit Mall.  Maumee based general store chain The Anderson’s gave up and suddenly shutdown all remaining stores, 1-thousand-50 jobs lost!  Macy’s shutting down 68 stores and increased its previously announced layoffs to 10-thousand-1-hundred: “We continue to experience declining traffic in our stores…..we are closing locations that are unproductive……due to changes in the local retail shopping landscape.”-Terry Lundgren, ceo

Oregon:  Ohio based Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Portland store, 96 jobs gone by March. Connecticut based printing company Cenveo suddenly shutdown their Portland ops, 91 jobs lost.

Pennsylvania: California based clothing chain PacSun shutting down two stores, one in Tanger Outlets Hershey and one at Colonial Park Mall. California based Victoria’s Secret shutdown its Former Mall store. Ohio based  Bath & Body Works shutdown its Former Mall store.  Ohio based Macy’s issued multiple shutdown WARNS for stores in Bensalem and Monaca, 267 jobs gone starting in March!  In Doylestown, after almost 69 years Foster’s Toys & Party Center shutting down in February.  According to local news media, it was increased rent and increased competition that did them in.  Artfully Elegant shutdown its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales only.

South Carolina: In Wellford, non-profit Hollywild Animal Park laid off the majority of paid staff and is now relying on unpaid volunteers.  Administrators blame lack of donations and warned that 5-hundred animals could be culled because they are not “releasable”.

Tennessee: Fred’s Discount Store shutting down a store in Johnson City, in March.

Texas: Dallas based fitness retailer Luke’s Locker now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Stores across The Lone Star State were shutdown temporarily, for about one week.  Mormon Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples shutting down its store in Lubbock, as part of plans to give up on its brick-n-mortar ops and focus on the internet.  Lone Star National Bank shutting down a San Antonio office on San Pedro Avenue, supposedly due to lack of customers.

Virginia: California based clothing chain PacSun shutdown its Manassas Mall store, with less than a week’s notice.  In Fredericksburg, Sweet Caroline’s kids clothing store shutdown. Privately run nonprofit Colonial Williamsburg suddenly laid off 70 people due to lack of funding. I was there in the mid-1970s, made me feel patriotic and reminds you who the mortal enemy of the U.S. of A. is; the evil British empire!  Clothier J.Crew shutdown their Lynchburg Clearance Store, administrators admitted they were getting away from brick-n-mortar ops to focus on internet sales.

Washington:  Ohio based Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Everett store, 135 jobs gone by March!

West Virginia: In Charleston, after 60 years Sneed’s Vacuum & Sewing Service shutdown, the family owners said “Someone made us an offer out of the blue, we….decided it was a good time to retire”  In Triadelphia, Michael’s crafts store shutting down by the end of February, administrators said it wasn’t worth renewing the lease.

Wisconsin: MC Sports shutting down its ten years old Plover store as soon  as inventory is gone.  Northwestern Mutual warning of mass layoffs, said to be in the “hundreds”, even though the Too Big to Jail bank is spending $450-million USD building a new corporate HQ!  In Greendale, after only three years Ascena Retail Group shutdown its women’s clothing store Loft, at the Southridge Mall location.  In Portage, local government jerks shutdown and stole the property of 33 years old Gruber Automotive auto shop, using ’eminent domain’ as the excuse!

Wyoming: Outdoor clothing chain Sierra Trading Post laid off 40 employees at its Cheyenne ‘fulfillment center’ due to “restructuring”.

Retail/Banking/Service sector December 2016: “I AM FIGHTING….AN UNWINNABLE FIGHT.”

JCPENNEY HIT-LIST REVEALED, 5-THOUSAND JOBS GONE BY JUNE 2017!

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL BEGAN UNDER BARACK’S WATCH

ObamaCare (ACA) Death Spiral, January 2017: “A STREAMLINING OF OPERATIONS.”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., January 2017: “I’M SCARED….FOR A BAD REASON!”

U.S. Food Crisis, January 2017: “IT’S GETTING TOUGH OUT THERE.”

U.S. Hi-Tech/Communications breakdown, January 2017: “I FEEL LIKE WE ARE BEING BLED.” “AND IT’S GETTING WORSE.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification.

I found a 2010 AFL-CIO analysis (titled The Public Availability of WARN Notices: Lack of Accessibility and Disclosure…) which proves what I’ve been suspecting in my search of state WARN notices; most states are not complying with federal WARN regulations and are not publicizing or tracking mass layoffs.

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

International

Obama Legacy: China kicks America’s Ass in jobs for Africa!

19 March 2017 (15:58 UTC-07 Tango 06) 29 Esfand 1395/20 Jumada t-Tania 1438/22 Gui Mao 4715

“China ranks the 7th in terms of project numbers in Africa, but it created the most jobs, which is unexpected by many people.”-Jeremy Stevens, Standard Bank Group

During the last two years of the Obama regime China has become the number one creator of jobs on the African continent, despite billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars spent by the evil USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and USAfriCom (United States Africa Command).

At an economic meeting last week (in Kenya) it was revealed that in the past two years China has created nearly 30-thousand jobs in Africa!  Last year the U.S. based World Bank admitted that despite propaganda from the Obama regime, 93% of Chinese companies in Kenya are hiring Africans.  (interesting that China is doing so well in Barack Obama’s paternal homeland of Kenya)

Why is China so successful and the U.S. not?  Simple, China is spending its taxpayer’s money on creating jobs while the U.S. spends money on so called disaster relief and supposedly fighting ‘terrorism’.  At this past Friday’s economic meeting in Kenya African leaders stated that job creation is all they’re looking for from foreign investments. In other words they want butter, not guns.

But lets not put all the blame on Barack Obama, last week Donald Trump quietly banned one hundred Africans from attending a economic forum here in the U.S.  To add insult to injury, the economic forum was focusing on trade with Africa!

Kenya to drop U.S. dollar for Chinese Yuan

 Trump slashes financial aid to Kenya’s health sector in budget proposals

ARKANSAS MILITIA DEPLOYS TO AFRICA!

U.S. AFRICOM: FROM WAR ON TERROR TO WAR ON POACHING

SOUTH AFRICA ACCUSES OBAMA’S USAID OF COUP ATTEMPT!

OPERATION JUPITER: EBOLA COMES ROARING BACK IN USAFRICOM’S LIBERIA! DON’T EAT YOUR DOG!

Business/Economics

JCPenney Hit-List revealed! 138 stores begin shutting down in two weeks!

17 March 2017 (12:02 UTC-07 Tango 06) 27 Esfand 1395/18 Jumada t-Tania 1438/20 Gui Mao 4715

Texas based iconic U.S. retailer JCPenney revealed its 1st half 2017 store hit-list, 138 stores going down and as many as 6-thousand jobs being culled from the U.S. economy!

Two weeks from now 138 stores across the U.S. will begin liquidation sales, however, contrary to reports in February which said the stores would close by May many stores will now have until June to shutdown.  Also, JCPenney administrators claim they’ll keep the amount of job losses to a mere 5-thousand.

Alabama:  Auburn Mall-Auburn, Tannehill Promenade-Bessemer,  Gadsden Mall-Gadsen, Jasper Mall-Jasper.

Arkansas: Military Plaza-Benton, Chickasaw Plaza-Blytheville.

Arizona: Riverview Mall-Bullhead City.

California: Downtown Bishop-Bishop, Sunwest Plaza-Lodi, The Village at Orange-Orange, Hilltop Mall-Richmond.

Colorado: Fort Morgan Main Street-Fort Morgan, Glenwood Springs Mall-Glenwood Springs, Saint Vrain Centre-Longmont, Broadway Plaza-Sterling.

Connecticut: Connecticut Post Mall-Milford.

Florida: Jacksonville Regional Shopping Center-Jacksonville,  Palatka Mall-Palatka.

Georgia: Dublin Mall-Dublin, Macon Mall-Macon, Milledgeville Mall-Milledgeville, Gateway Plaza-Thomasville, Tifton Mall-Tifton.

Iowa: Downtown Decorah-Decorah, Crossroads Mall-Fort Dodge, Penn Central Mall-Oskaloosa, Quincy Place-Ottumwa.

Idaho: Snake River Plaza (apparently the last remaining tenant of the mall)-Burley.

Illinois: Eastland Mall-Bloomington, Fulton Square-Canton, Village Square Mall-Effingham, Freestanding-Macomb, Peru Mall-Peru, Northland Mall-Sterling, Centerpointe of Woodridge-Woodridge,

Indiana: FairOaks Mall-Columbus, Connersville Plaza-Connersville, Huntington Plaza-Huntington, Jasper Manor Center-Jasper, Logansport Mall-Logansport.

Kansas: Chanute Square-Chanute, Downtown Great Bend-Great Bend, Hutchinson Mall-Hutchinson, Lawrence, Winfield Plaza-Winfield.

Louisiana: Cortana Mall-Baton Rouge, Park Terrace-DeRidder,  North Shore Square-Slidell.

Massachusetts: Berkshire Mall-Lanesborough.

Maryland: Easton Marketplace-Easton.

Maine: Rockland Plaza-Rockland.

Michigan: Lakeview Square Mall-Battle Creek, Delta Plaza-Escanaba, Westshore Mall-Holland, Copper Country Mall-Houghton, Birchwood Mall-Kingsford, Midland Mall-Midland, Cascade Crossings-Sault Sainte Marie.

Minnesota: Central Lakes Crossing-Baxter, Five Lakes Centre-Fairmont, Faribo West Mall-Faribault, Irongate Plaza-Hibbing, Hutchinson Mall-Hutchinson, Red Wing Mall-Red Wing, Downtown Thief River Falls-Thief River Falls, Winona.

Missouri: Maryville Center-Maryville.

Mississippi: Leigh Mall-Columbus,  Southgate Plaza-Corinth, Greenville Mall-Greenville, Bonita Lakes Mall-Meridian, Oxford Mall-Oxford.

Montana: Capital Hill Mall-Helena, Sidney Main Street-Sidney.

North Carolina: Albemarle Crossing-Albemarle, Boone Mall-Boone, Eastridge Mall-Gastonia, Blue Ridge Mall-Hendersonville, Monroe Crossing-Monroe, Becker Village Mall-Roanoke Rapids.

North Dakota: Prairie Hills Mall-Dickinson, Buffalo Mall-Jamestown, Downtown Wahpeton-Wahpeton.

Nebraska: Fremont Mall-Fremont, Downtown McCook-McCook, Platte River Mall-North Platte.

New Jersey: Rio Grande Plaza-Rio Grande.

Nevada: The Boulevard-Las Vegas.

New York: Dunkirk-Fredonia Plaza-Dunkirk, Westfield Sunrise-Massapequa, Palisades Center-West Nyack.

Ohio: Findlay Village Mall-Findlay, New Towne Mall-New Philadelphia, Richmond Town Square-Richmond Heights, Saint Mary’s Square-Saint Marys.

Oklahoma: Altus Plaza-Altus, Ne-Mar Shopping Center-Claremore, Ponca Plaza-Ponca City, Pioneer Square Shopping Center-Stillwater.

Oregon: Astoria Downtown-Astoria, Grants Pass Shopping Center- Grants Pass, La Grande Downtown-La Grande, Downtown Pendleton-Pendleton, The Dalles Main Street-The Dalles.

Pennsylvania: Columbia Mall-Bloomsburg, Clearfield Mall-Clearfield, King of Prussia Mall-King of Prussia, Philadelphia Mills-Philadelphia, Bradford Towne Centre-Towanda, Lycoming Mall-Pennsdale, Willow Grove Park-Willow Grove.

South Carolina: Citadel Mall-Charleston, Town ‘N Country-Easley.

South Dakota: Palace Mall-Mitchell, Northridge Plaza-Pierre, Watertown Mall-Watertown, Yankton Mall-Yankton.

Tennessee: Greeneville Commons-Greeneville, Knoxville Center-Knoxville, County Market Place-Union City.

Texas: Athens Village Shopping Center-Athens, Borger Shopping Plaza-Borger, Heartland Mall-Early, El Paso Downtown-El Paso, Marshall Mall-Marshall, McAllen Downtown-McAllen, University Mall-Nacogdoches, King Plaza Shopping Center-Seguin, Bosque River Center-Stephenville.

Virginia: New River Valley Mall-Christiansburg, Tanglewood Mall-Roanoke.

Washington: Pilchuck Landing-Snohomish.

Wisconsin: Pine Tree Mall-Marinette, Marshfield Mall-Marshfield, Richland Square Shopping Center-Richland Center, Rapids Mall Wisconsin-Rapids.

West Virginia: Foxcroft Towne Center-Martinsburg.

Wyoming: Downtown Sheridan-Sheridan.

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL UPDATE, MARCH 2017

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S.

“substantial doubt” : Sears Kmart Death Spiral update, March 2017

“Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.”-Sears Holdings, 2017 annual 10-K report

CNBC: Sears suppliers hold back shipments; “We have to protect ourselves from the risk of nonpayment.”-unnamed supplier

USAToday: Sears bankruptcy threatens pay for retirees!

Business insider: “The warranties are going to be a huge issue. There’s a real risk that they will not be honored.”

“We have a valuable real estate portfolio, which at the end of the fourth quarter comprised 1,050 leases with significant optionality, as well as 380 owned stores, many in prominent locations. We will continue to assess opportunities to right-size our store footprint and inventory levels aligned to our ongoing transformation to an asset-light integrated retail model.“- Jason Hollar, Sears cfo explaining how they plan to generate more liquidity

Sears Canada took-on a $300-million CAD loan from KKR Capital.  It’ll be split over time in two issues, however, it is dependent upon viable assets presented to cover the loan. It’s for ‘general’ corporate use.

Sears Holdings hinted at more plans to sell-off more stores and eliminate more jobs, and the investors loved it (they showed their approval by driving up the stock price, only to realize days later that it was hopeless and drove it down again).

Seeking Alpha: “There appears to be another error in the financial presentations released by Sears.”

Forbes: “…declines at Kmart were driven by declines in consumer electronics, grocery & household, apparel and toys categories. Meanwhile comps decline at Sears was driven by declines in home appliances, apparel, consumer electronics and tools categories.”

Eurweb.com: KMART DISCONTINUES RAPPER’S CLOTHING LINE

RetailDIVE: “Alasdair James, president and chief member officer of Sears Holding Co.’s Kmart unit since 2014, has left the company…”

In February, Sears Holdings announced they were laying off 130 corporate employees as part of a plan to “create a more nimble operating structure capable of driving the company’s strategic transformation forward.”

In California, WARN filings revealed the Sears Hometown store in San Leandro shutdown at the end of December 2016, and the historic Santa Monica Sears is shutting down, 80 jobs lost by April.  Local news reports say the Santa Monica Sears building is being redeveloped.  In North Hollywood, local news media reporting that a very profitable Sears store suddenly began a ‘remodeling’ project by ripping up the flooring.  Loyal, and apparently plentiful, customers were afraid the store was being shutdown.  But Sears reps told the local press that they are making improvements as the store because “This store is a very successful store for Sears. We are very busy and very profitable.”

In Florida, evil Sears Holdings spawn Seritage Growth Properties notified local government administrators that it plans to shutdown a Kmart near North Miami, and chop it up into smaller retail spaces.

In Hawaii, local news media reporting that the only Kmart on Maui (in Kahului) is shutting down by mid-June.

In Michigan, local news media reported that the Livonia Kmart was shutting down by mid-April.

In Pennsylvania, local news media reporting that the Bald Eagle Township (Mill Hall) Kmart is shutting down by mid-June, when the lease expires.

JANUARY 2017, SEARS KMART SELF-DESTRUCT: MORE CRIMES, AS CUSTOMERS STILL OBLIVIOUS TO MASS SHUTDOWNS!

U.S.

“a streamlining of operations.” : ObamaCare (ACA) Death Spiral, January 2017

Incomplete list of healthcare related layoffs and shutdowns, January 2017:

Arizona: In Tucson, mental healthcare facility La Frontera Arizona laid off an additional 30 people, less than a month after laying off 22 employees, due to funding cuts: “They do more than just give medications and things like that. They are there for support and without that, we are not going to have anything.”-Jennifer Dobbertin, patient

California: San Francisco based digital mental health therapy op Joyable laid off 20 people as it shifts from targeting individuals with anxiety to providing employers with a service to treat their stressed out employees (is anybody going to treat the 20 people who lost their jobs with Joyable?).  Palo Alto based blood tester Theranos issued a layoff WARN, 150 jobs gone by March as part of its plan to ‘commercialize’ their MiniLab service!  Bio-tech/DNA testing company Counsyl laid off 24 sales employees, apparently no reason given.  In Newport Beach, Pacific Life Insurance issued a layoff WARN, 95 jobs gone by mid-March. In Santa Barbara after 70 years one of the last independant pharmacies, L.M. Caldwell Pharmacists, shutdown. The family owners officially retired, but implied that ObamaCare was the final straw saying that at one time there were 45 mom-n-pop pharmacies in the elitist city.  MemorialCare issued a mass layoff WARN, eliminating 422 jobs between now and the end of March at its hospitals in Long Beach, straight-up blaming ObamaCare: “Like many hospitals in California and nationwide, we are experiencing much higher costs, decreasing reimbursement and increasing numbers of government-sponsored patients.”-John Bishop, ceo

Connecticut:  Drugs maker Bristol Myers Squibb eliminating 29 jobs in Wallingford by the end of March, as part of their plan to shutdown operations by 2018.

Florida: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Adventist owned Florida Hospital Medical Group from outsourcing 67 jobs to a cheapo contractor.  In Miami Beach, Oceanside Extended Care Center finally revealed to state employment admin that they killed 235 jobs at the end of December!  Healthcare and social assistance company Fluor Federal Solutions issued a WARN, 120 jobs in Gainesville gone by the end of February!  Florida Institute for Cardivascular Care issued a WARN, 109 jobs gone by the end of March!

Illinois: Buffalo Grove based nursing home operator PrimeSource Health Care Systems shutdown and took 179 jobs across three states with it!

Indiana: Indianapolis based drugs maker Lilly USA (Eli Lilly and Company) eliminating 485 jobs after their new Alzheimer’s drug failed!

Kansas: In Prairie Village, after 60 years Bruce Smith Drugs shutdown due to the greedy landlord.

Kentucky: In Lexington, the EMW Women’s Clinic shutdown due to the state government refusing to renew their license.

Massachusetts:  Israel based medical rehab ReWalk Robotics warned of layoffs in Marlborough because of revenue loss caused by ObamaCare’s (ACA’s) “…national insurance reimbursement policies for all eligible spinal cord injury exoskeleton users and device development for stroke victims.”  Merrimack Pharmaceuticals getting the hell outta the cancer drugs business, announcing it is selling off its drugs to a French company and eliminating 320 U.S. jobs!

Michigan: Flint based drugs pusher Diplomat Pharmacy warning of nationwide layoffs, but refuses to give details, saying ObamaCare is forcing them “…to make difficult decisions and change the way we work.” 

New York: In Long Island City, ambulance service LogistiCare Solutions issued a layoff WARN, 158 jobs gone due to losing their taxpayer funded state contract!

North Dakota:  God powerless to stop CHI Saint Alexius from killing 52 jobs in Bismark. Administrators blame ObamaCare for not reimbursing the true costs of healthcare.

Oregon: The Jackson County Health & Human Services warned of as many as 2-hundred layoffs, mainly mental healthcare workers, supposedly because of a contract dispute!  In Eugene, after 20 years Pain Consultants of Oregon shutdown “…due to staffing and financial issues.”

Pennsylvania:  Pocono Medical Center conducted yet another round of layoffs, but didn’t give numbers.  In December they laid off 60 people.  They blamed ObamaCare for creating a  “competitive health care landscape….and the ongoing trend of cases shifting from inpatient to outpatient care.”

Texas: ObamaCare forcing Memorial Hermann Health System to ‘restructure’, resulting in the elimination of 112 jobs!  God powerless to stop ObamaCare from forcing Baylor Saint Luke’s Medical Center to kill more than 2-hundred jobs in The Lone Star State!  In Houston, the MD Anderson Cancer Center eliminating more than 1-thousand jobs, through a combination of forced retirements, voluntary buyouts and outright layoffs (80% of job cuts through layoffs)!  MD Anderson administrators blame ObamaCare for hundreds of millions of dollars in losses! Austin based bio-testing/medical device maker Luminex laid off more than 50 people as part of their take-over of a competitor in Illinois.  Mission Regional Medical Center shutdown its women’s sexual assault operations and laid off 40 people, calling it “a streamlining of operations.” 

Virginia: Drugs pusher Walgreens shutting down their Clarendon store on Wilson Boulevard by the end of February.  No reason was given, but local news media suspect jacked-up rent.

Washington: Spectrum Health finally notified state employment administrators that they shutdown 19 locations across the state, back in December!

Wisconsin: Insurance company Northwest Mutual warning of mass layoffs in the “hundreds” despite spending $450-million on its corporate HQ!  California based drugs maker McKesson Pharmaceuticals eliminating 67 LaCrosse jobs after being fined for violating the Controlled Substances Act (failing to detect and report suspicious drugs orders).  Officially the jobs are being lost due to consolidation of drugs trafficking, I mean distribution ops.

ObamaCare destruction December 2016: “UNCERTAINTY ABOUT FUTURE GOVERNMENT FUNDING”

DUMBING DOWN U.S.: OBAMACARE IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, YOU DUMMIES!

U.S.

“I’m scared….for a bad reason!” : Dumbing Down the U.S.A., January 2017

Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS): A phrase created by me to describe a phenomenon taking place across the United States, affecting both privately and publicly funded schools, from Kindergarten all the way through University levels.

Incomplete list of publicly announced education related layoffs & school shutdowns, January 2017:

California: God powerless to stop the shutdown of five Christian schools in the San Francisco bay area.  The Catholic Diocese of Oakland blames it on The Rapture, I mean what I call DSS.  In Santa Barbara, after 25 years Mesa Bookstore shutdown and sold-off just a year after one local news source called it “Successfully Small”.   It’s blamed on the health problems of the owners.  Pete’s Music shutting down their 39 years old Orange County location, blaming it on jacked up rent: “They’re trying to rationalize us being a mile and a half from Disneyland as a reason to charge more rent, when we don’t get increased business from being a mile and a half from Disneyland. It’s the community that shops here, not tourists!”-Cassie Brueckner

Connecticut: Hartford warning of as many as 2-hundred teacher layoffs based on the proposed education budget for next school year!

Florida:  In Cape Coral, the Smallville Preschool shutdown without warning, the operators blame a sudden increase in rent.  The operators said in-order to pay the rent increase tuition would have to be jacked by 65%!

Georgia: After 20 years Atlanta Gymnastics Center suddenly shutdown its Decatur operations “effective immediately.”  It’s actually the fault of City Schools of Decatur which took over the property and kicked out the gymnastics school!

Illinois: Glenview Public Library laid off ten people because the local taxpayers could not afford another local property tax hike.   Black Hawk College began eliminating dozens of jobs due to state government bullshit: “The biggest factor for us right now regarding budget cuts has been the State of Illinois and the lack of funding for higher education over the past two years. …..we are still about $8-million short of what we had budgeted from the State of Illinois.”-Betty Truitt, college president

Maryland: Allegany College shutting down its Somerset County campus due to what I call DSS. Administrators warned of “…enrollment and revenue losses that are expected to continue.”  Baltimore Public Schools warning that proposed city budget cuts will result in more than 1-thousand school employees becoming unemployed!  The city is short $129-million USD and blames the state government for not increasing education funding: “The bottom-line problem is that state aid to the city school system has been flat for nine years…”-Be Be Verdery,  American Civil Liberties Union.

Massachusetts: After 20 years Willow Books in Acton shutdown, the owner said he wanted to retire but also stated “The world is different than it was 20 years ago and I wouldn’t say the internet was the only reason, but it was a factor….”  Harvard University announced plans to outsource half the jobs with its $36-billion endowment fund.  Harvard Management Company will stop managing its internal hedge funds and will spin-off its real estate funds as an independent company. The move will eliminate about 115 jobs because “The investment landscape has evolved significantly, requiring us to adapt…..”

Michigan: In White Lake, Brooks Elementary shutting down by the end of the school year due to DSS: “A number of years of declining enrollment due to low birth rates and low state funding have combined to create an extremely challenging financial forecast.”-Nancy Coratti, interim Huron Valley Schools superintendent

Missouri: Saint Louis University warned of massive layoffs due to what I call DSS, skyrocketing operating costs and a budget deficit of at least $16-million!

New Jersey: Bayonne Public School eliminated 22 jobs and warned of more job cuts in an attempt to reduce yearly operating costs by at least $315-thousand.   Atlantic Cape Community College began eliminating jobs within its Culinary Arts department due to the massive shutdowns of Atlantic City casinos (like the one Donald Trump co-owned).

New York: NYC shutting down six of its ‘Renewal’ schools by the end of the school year, three in Brooklyn and three in Bronx. Local news media also report that about 61% of the Renewal teachers have quit, or will quit by the end of the school year!  A loyal Renewal Schools teacher revealed to local news media a conspiracy to contract out the Renewal system: “Instead of getting extra resources, we lost half of our classrooms to a charter school co-location. We lost the most valuable teachers that we have in the building that have bilingual licenses. We haven’t had an assistant principal for a year.”-Jim Donohue, English teacher

Tennessee: After 32 years Booksellers forced to shutdown their Laurelwood location, 50 jobs lost despite the efforts of the owner to increase business: “When I stepped in 6 years ago to save this 32-year-old store, we had high hopes of getting things turned around and going forward. Unfortunately, the store size and rent are too much for us to handle combined with slight decline in sales over the last few years. The numbers just don’t work.”-Neil Van Uum

Texas: Vantage College shutdown its two El Paso campuses without warning!  Administrators say the U.S. Department of Education froze all federal taxpayer funding as part of Barack Obama’s executive order investigating student loan debt.  One student exclaimed to local TV station KVIA “I’m scared. I was supposed to be in debt for a good reason but now it’s for a bad reason!”

Virginia: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Fredericksburg Christian School from shutting down its Stafford campus.  Administrators admitted that enrollment hasn’t lived up to expectations, so they’re consolidating campuses.

Washington: University Book Store shutting down its 30 years old Bellevue location because they realized they can make more money renting out the space to somebody else: “…our operations, will be better served by leasing the space that our store currently occupies to another retail tenant.”-Louise Little, ceo

West Virginia: Just weeks after Boone County Schools warned of 45 layoffs they warned that the number of people losing their jobs will go up, and this is after 40 people voluntarily resigned last year!  It’s blamed on a budget deficit of at least $3-million.

Dumbing Down December 2016: “THIS IS A BOMB DROPPED ON US!” “I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”

DUMBING DOWN U.S.: OBAMACARE IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, YOU DUMMIES!

Technology

“I feel like we are being bled.” “And it’s getting worse.” : U.S. Hi-Tech/Communications breakdown, January 2017

More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech competition for your demise. Incomplete list of U.S. internet/high-tech/communications job destruction announcements in January 2017:

Internet publisher Medium laid off 50 employees.  CEO Evan Williams (a Twitter co-founder) stated “Upon further reflection, it’s clear that the broken system is ad-driven media on the internet. It simply doesn’t serve people. In fact, it’s not designed to. The vast majority of articles, videos, and other ‘content’ we all consume on a daily basis is paid for — directly or indirectly — by corporations who are funding it in order to advance their goals. And it is measured, amplified, and rewarded based on its ability to do that. Period. As a result, we get …well, what we get. And it’s getting worse.”

Arkansas: Little Rock based communications company Windstream Holdings suddenly laid off 164 people! In November of last year the company merged with competitor EarthLink, but company administrators swear the sudden layoffs have nothing to do with that.

California: In Rancho Cordova, Verizon laid off 1-thousand 70 people, with only two weeks notice to the state Employment Development Department!  Verizon also eliminating 70 jobs in San Jose, by the end of March.  Verizon also laid off 55 Go90 employees as part of its plan to “consolidate offices in Los Angeles, San Jose and New York.”  Mobile game developer Glu Mobile issued a layoff WARN for Long Beach, 70 jobs lost in March.  The owner of anime streamer Crunchyroll, Ellation, laid off 17 engineers apparently because they have too many, despite claiming to be expanding their engineering ops.    In San Jose, Cisco Systems laid off 25 people without warning.  Semiconductor maker Atmel issued a layoff WARN for its San Jose ops.  Also in San Jose, AOL eliminating 80 jobs by the end of March.  France based drone (they used to be called RC aircraft before The War on Terror) maker Parrot warning of massive layoffs (at least 290), Parrot supposedly has operations in San Francisco. In San Francisco, software company DoubleDutch laid off 57 people without warning.   San Francisco based digital (online) mental health therapy op Joyable laid off 20 people as it shifts from targeting individuals with anxiety to providing employers with a service to treat their stressed out employees (is anybody going to treat the 20 people who lost their jobs with Joyable?).  San Francisco based Fitbit eliminating up to 160 jobs in an effort to reduce costs by $200-million USD! Japan based e-commerce company Rakuten issued a shutdown WARN, 73 people in Aliso Viejo jobless in March. iHeartMedia issued a shutdown WARN for their Aliso Viejo ops, 72 jobs gone by April.   Med-Tech company Theranos eliminating 150 jobs by March! Santa Monica based GSN Games laid off an additional 20 people in their ongoing restructuring (layoffs made six months before as well).   In Oakland, Pandora laid off 91 people without warning and despite getting 375-thousand new subscribers. Pandora admin claim that even with the big jump in customers the online music business is so competitive they’re having trouble making profits.   Solar power company Sungevity eliminating 66 jobs in Oakland by March. Cloud company Crownpeak issued a shutdown WARN for their operations in Los Angeles. In Santa Clara, Intel eliminating 54 jobs by the end of February.  Avaya is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to massive debts.  Also in Santa Clara, Oracle America issued a mass layoff WARN, 441 jobs gone by mid-March! Google eliminating 94 Mountain View jobs by March.  NBCUniversal warning of layoffs for its Esquire Network, apparently due to Esquire Network being switched to digital only format.  In San Diego, XETV-Bay City Television-CW6 eliminating 127 by the end of March!

Iowa: HGS (Hindjua Global Solutions) shutdown its 25 years old call center, killing 125 jobs! 

Kansas: Verizon shutdown its store in Atchison due to lack of sales.

Kentucky: Lexington based printer maker Lexmark eliminated 320 jobs “to reduce our costs to be more in line with our revenues”!

Massachusetts: Israel based medical rehab ReWalk Robotics warned of layoffs in Marlborough because of revenue loss caused by ObamaCare’s (ACA’s) “…national insurance reimbursement policies for all eligible spinal cord injury exoskeleton users and device development for stroke victims.”

Michigan: In Detroit, Android Robotics Glue laid off 120 people who were recently hired! It’s blamed on the cut-backs in the automotive industry.

New Jersey: France based driverless vehicle developer Transdev will kill 64 jobs in Union, by March. Comcast Cable issued a WARN for its West Deptford ops, 88 jobs gone by June.    Internet based printer Zoo Printing eliminating 65 West Deptford jobs due to being shutdown.  Virginia based news media giant Gannett killed an additional 130 jobs at The Record, just two months after killing 141 jobs!  It’s the result of Gannett’s massive takeover of smaller news operations back in Summer 2016.

New York: General Electric (GE) issued a shutdown WARN for their Industrial Automation Systems Department in Albany, 75 jobs lost between March and May.  GE also shutting down its Current Powered Storage Unit in Schenectady, 41 jobs gone by mid-April. Local news media also reported that GE laid off an undisclosed number of people at its Niskayuna Global Research Center. VaynerMedia suddenly laid off about 30 NYC employees, apparently in connection with its takeover of pro-female sexist digital media company PureWow.  Instant messenger service VSCO shutdown its NYC office as it consolidates ops to California.  In NYC, now bankrupt internet based auctioneer Paddle8 issued a layoff WARN, 24 people out-of-work by March.  Knowledge Systems issued a layoff WARN for their Syracuse call center, 60 jobs lost by mid-April due an increase in people refusing to take part in phone surveys.  In Brooklyn-NYC, US Mobile Phones issued a shutdown WARN, as many as 121 jobs affected as the company moves its distribution ops to New Jersey!  Optoelectronic company Meopta issued a shutdown WARN for their Hauppauge ops, 42 jobs moving to Florida by mid-April.  NYC based Wall Street Journal warning of massive layoffs at its European and Asian ops, due to crashing advertising revenues.  New York Times warned employees of yet more layoffs because “The world is changing really rapidly”.  In Utica, Alorica eliminated 2-hundred call center jobs as part of its plan to consolidate ops!

North Carolina: Info-Tech company Pomeroy shutting down its Charlotte ops, 85 jobs lost by June due to the merger with Tolt creating “redundancies”.  California based Facebook forced its now former security contractor SIS to layoff 96 people in Forest City.  Facebook is now using the evil British empire founded torture specialists G4S! Ohio based Ameridial lost their Spindale call center contract, 160 jobs gone by March!  Cloud based ‘document outsourcer’ Novitex suddenly lost its contract and will eliminate 51 jobs in Charlotte.

Oregon: California based Facebook forced its now former security contractor SIS to layoff 85 people in Prineville.  Facebook is now using the evil British empire founded torture specialists G4S!

Pennsylvania: Technicolor Home Entertainment eliminating 96 jobs in Olyphant, by March.  Philadelphia Magazine suddenly shutdown a supposedly popular section on their website and laid off employees saying they’re “ceasing publication of new material on Birds 24/7, effective today” and blaming too much “competition and now there is a glut of coverage.”

Texas: Grapevine based GameStop shutdown all 50 brick-n-mortar Simply Mac stores! GameStop-Simply Mac store managers gave a variety of reasons to local news media, from corporate restructuring to crashing revenues to even blaming Apple for canceling the contract with GameStop.  Apple denied the last explanation.  CompuCom turns out to be a liar as it issued a WARN saying 144 Texans will soon become unemployed!  A month prior CompuCom revealed it was moving its Dallas HQ to South Carolina, but promised the move would not affect its jobs count in Texas!  Austin based on-demand delivery service Favor killed service in five U.S. states, and Canada, and is focusing on The Lone Star State only! Favor CEO Jag Bath said it was all about “profitability while still maintaining an impressive rate of growth” (Bath must’ve gone to the Orwellian school of public relations because drastically cutting back on service is not an impressive growth rate, unless the growth rate is all on paper and about profits only). Austin based National Instruments warning that it must cut back on labor costs after crashing earnings due mainly to the strong USD reducing international sales.  San Antonio based Mission Solar conducted more layoffs due to “current market conditions.”  They didn’t say how many people were laid off, but four months ago they laid off 87 workers.

Utah: Endurance International Group eliminating 440 Bluehost jobs as it shuts down its operations in Orem! Bluehost ops are being consolidated to Arizona.

Virginia: Internet based Relay Foods shutting down two distribution centers due to merger with a competitor. Local news media were only able to confirm that more than 48 people will lose their jobs.  McLean

Washington:  Redmond based Microsoft suddenly laid off 7-hundred people as part of their plan to kill more than 2-thousand jobs by the end of the year!  Redwood City based digital advertising company Rocket Fuel warned it must layoff 93 of its employees as part of its plan to shift to ‘the cloud’. Bellevue based digital advertising company AudienceScience warned it must eliminate 25% of its jobs to “…reflect our increasing shift towards better serving the agency side of the advertising business”.  Mobile game developer Glu Mobile issued a layoff WARN for Bellevue, 58 jobs lost in March.  Also in Bellevue, Voicebox suddenly laid off 115 people!  Seattle based environmental website Grist laid off 90% of its full-time writers, shifting to cheaper freelance writers. Local news media reporting that Seattle Times eliminated 23 jobs. Sinclair Broadcasting Group (SBG) suddenly laid off ten KOMO newsroom employees, despite advertising that they’re hiring.   SBG admin would only say that they needed to restructure, a unnamed KOMO employee told local news media “I feel like we are being bled.”

Washington DC: 21st Century Fox owned National Geographic conducting more layoffs due to an “evolving media environment”.

Tech/Communications shutdown December 2016: “…IS GRINCH MAKING THESE DECISIONS OR HUMAN BEINGS…?”

Technology

Facebook joins forces with evil ‘christian’ inquisition machine G4S!

05 March 2017 (15:58 UTC-07 Tango 06) 15 Esfand 1395/06 Jumada t-Tania 1438/08 Gui Mao 4715

A G4S advertisement posted in Mexico says Facebook will let you know if the government is watching you, but who is watching Facebook-G4S?

In January 2017 Facebook suddenly switched to a new data collection contractor for all its data centers around the United States; evil G4S Security Solutions (aka Rent-A-Thug, aka Shadow CIA).

BlindBatNews has well documented how evil the so called christian founded and run G4S really is, from providing lax security at U.S. nuclear power plants to running covert prison torture operations at locations around the world!

The Canary: G4S lobbied the BBC to drop a damning documentary and it worked

The Electronic Intifada: Fourth UN agency in Jordan dumps G4S

MintPressNews: Shadowy Global Security Firm G4S Guarding Dakota Pipeline As Protesters Attacked By Dogs

Fox News: Former G4S employee “…complained to his superiors several times about Mateen [aka Orlando Shooter] but they refused to take action because….. Mateen was Muslim.”

Luxemburger Wort: “…heavily armed men attacked the headquarters of the security company G4S in Gasperich.”

OPERATION JUPITER: G4S CALLS JUPITER HOME, RIGHT NEXT TO ORLANDO SHOOTER’S NON-PROFIT!

FALSE FLAG: BOTH ‘CHRISTIAN’ PRIDE FESTIVAL ATTACKER & ‘MUSLIM’ ORLANDO SHOOTER WERE SECURITY GUARDS!

FALSE FLAG: ‘MUSLIM’ ORLANDO SHOOTER WORKING FOR ‘CHRISTIAN’ G4S!

BRITISH EMPIRE CONTROLS UNITED STATES….THROUGH EVIL CHRISTIAN G4S

U.S.

“It’s getting tough out there.” : U.S. Food Crisis, January 2017

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of January, 2017: 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, spread of disease and extreme weather.

Alabama: In Huntsville, after 15 years Little Paul’s BBQ shutdown.

California: Real Mex Restaurants suddenly shutdown 14 Chevys Fresh Mex eateries for lack of profits, news media reported that not one employee was notified, each restaurant averaged 40 employees!   Dole shutting down their packaged foods ops in Stockton, according to the employee’s union 30 jobs lost due to crashing sales.  For-profit food delivery service Munchery laid off 30 people in San Francisco, after being accused of wasting food.  In Los Angeles, after 80 years Gill’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream forced to shutdown by the impatient/greedy owners of the Original Farmers Market.  Also in San Francisco, decades old restaurants Kuletto’s, Sushi Boat and Lori’s Diner all shutdown by the new owners of Union Square.  In Oakland, after six years restaurant Hawker Fair shutting down because the property was sold to an ‘investment group’.  Leftist Michael Moore promoted Alvarado Street Bakery eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs across The Golden State due to “a very competitive market.”  Moran Foods shutting down their Los Angeles ops, 35 jobs gone by February.  Morton Salt shutting down their Newark ops, 70 jobs gone by April. TGI Fridays shutting down a restaurant in Yorba Linda, 42 jobs gone by March.  CKE shutting down a restaurant in Carpenteria, 25 jobs lost by March.  In Walnut Creek, after 39 years Crogan’s Sports Bar & Grill shutdown due to a conspiracy by local police and city administrators: “…the city has made in clear that they have very specific ideas in mind for what Walnut Creek should be and Crogan’s no longer fits into their narrative. Ultimately, we have been forced to closed our doors.”

Colorado:  Idaho based but evil Cerberus owned Albertsons shutdown one of their Grand Junction grocery stores and is renaming another store Safeway.  It’s all part of the evil plot started in 2015: ALBERTSONS-SAFEWAY MAKES “BILLIONS IN PROFITS” YET PAYS EMPLOYEES WELFARE WAGES!

HAGGEN SELLING OUT TO ALBERTSONS-SAFEWAY

HAGGEN GIVES UP THE GHOST, SHUTS ’EM ALL DOWN!

HAGGEN ACCUSES ALBERTSONS OF SABOTAGE!

IT’S OFFICIAL, ALBERTSONS KILLED HAGGEN!

MORE ALBERTSONS BULLSHIT!

“IF WE WEREN’T A FOOD DESERT BEFORE, WE CERTAINLY ARE NOW!”, ALBERTSONS SAFEWAY UPDATE 23 JULY 2015

Arkansas based Walmart shutting down one of their stand alone grocery operations in Denver, known as Walmart Neighborhood Market, 95 jobs lost by the end of March.  New Jersey based Pinnacle Foods shutting down a Boulder Brands food factory and eliminating as many as 73 jobs by March.  Production is being moved to Arkansas.  In Louisville, after 98 years the Blue Parrot restaurant shutdown, the owner for the past 47 years said “I’m tired of cooking and washing dishes.”

Connecticut: Liquid Lunch shutdown their Milford location after ten years of soups and sandwiches.

Florida: In Gainesville 40 years old Burrito Brothers Taco joint shutdown, the family owners blame crashing sales on a massive  construction project. They even tried raising money on social media to save the eatery, but got barely a fraction of what was needed.  In Orlando, after ten years the Citrus restaurant shutdown by the new owners who claim they’ll open a different restaurant.

Georgia: After about four years Buca di Beppo shutdown their Augusta Mall restaurant, no reason given, some employees got short notice.

Hawaii:  Once again GGP strikes again, this time Nitrogenie ice cream shop in the Ala Mona Center being forced to shutdown after less than a year!  After more than 15 years Pinky’s Pupu Bar & Grill suddenly shutdown after a wave of negative Facebook comments about the food being too expensive for it’s lack of quality.

Illinois: Frozen food maker Luvo issued a shutdown WARN for their Schaumberg ops, 59 jobs lost by the end of February.  In Chicago, Goose Island Beer Company laid off 51 people under the guise of remodeling their restaurant.  In Bedford Park, food service contractor Aramark laid off 65 people after suddenly losing their contract.  Arkansas based Walmart shutdown its Presidential Towers Walmart Neighborhood Market. Now called a “farm to fork fiasco” Geneseo based Alexander King Farm now chapter 12 bankrupt busted after failing to deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of beef and pork to customers who already paid!  A leaked internal email revealed that Texas based Whole Foods is shutting down their store in Evanston, by mid-March: “We are nearing the end of our lease term and we have decided that the investment required to remain in this location does not warrant the continuation of our business.”-leaked internal email

Indiana: In Huntingburg, Cool Beans Cafe-Milk Parlor shutdown after four years, it’s now for sale.  Marsh Hometown Market shutting down at least one grocery store in Indianapolis saying they can’t afford to  renew the lease.  Local news media revealed the grocery store chain is in trouble financially having missed rent payments and failing to pay suppliers.  Bourbon Street Distillery shutdown after 15 years of booze and food making, it’s up for sale.  Restaurant Dandy Inn shutdown after 40 years of Irish bia.

Iowa: SpartanNash shutting down their Wholesale Food Outlet store in Muscatine, in February, due to not being able to find a buyer before the lease expired.  After 31 years restaurant Marion Maid Rite shutdown.

Kansas: Wichita based franchise operator Capital Pizza Huts now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, no word on any restaurant shutdowns, apparently the restaurant operator employs thousands of people across several states.  In Wichita, after 35 years Charlie’s Famous Burgers suddenly shutdown, local news media reported that the popular eatery was put up for sale a few months ago.

Kentucky: In Newport, the owner of EI8HT BALL Brewing shutting it down so he can focus on distilling bourbon instead.  In  Louisville, Hillbilly Tea restaurant shutdown not even a year after its grand re-opening, supposedly the owners are now focusing on restaurant supply. In Lexington, JDI Grille & Tavern shutdown without warning as a result of an ongoing lawsuit between the family owners!

Maine: Horton Specialty Foods shutdown their 18 years old Public Market House location, apparently because of the new owners of the Market.

Maryland:  Dave White’s Pittsville Dinette shutdown, the owners told the public “It isn’t fun anymore.”

Michigan:  Battle Creek based Kellogg eliminating 250 mainly corporate level jobs, as part of its ongoing Project K job killing operations, I mean Project K restructuring! 

Minnesota: In Saint Cloud, Gold n Plump poultry processor being forced to layoff 30 corporate level employees by its new Colorado based owner Pilgrim’s Pride.

Missouri: More than one thousand jobs lost as Earth City based grocer Save-A-Lot shutting down all operations in California and Nevada, starting in February: “After rigorous review and analysis, Save-A-Lot has announced the company’s decision to exit the California and Nevada markets. This decision will impact 13 corporate locations, a retailer-owned store and our Rancho Distribution Center.”  

In Saint Louis, Atlas Restaurant shutting down in February due to jacked-up rent.  In Kansas City, Apple Market shutdown their Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard grocery store, local news media say no reason was given but discovered several health code violations.  And after 30 years upscale Houston’s restaurant at the Country Club Plaza shutdown due to the California owners not liking the demands of the property owner: “Despite good faith efforts on both sides, an agreement to extend our tenancy at the Plaza could not be reached with the Lessor. Details surrounding infrastructure improvements that sought to temporarily close the restaurant proved to be insurmountable.”

Montana:  In Missoula, after 45 years Tower Pizza shutting down by the end of Spring, the long time owners didn’t say why but promised a big pizza party on the last day of business.   

New Hampshire: In Concord, after 15 years Chandler’s Cake & Candy Supplies shutdown because of jacked up operating costs, and it’s also too expensive to move the business: “We didn’t think we’d close this way, but I couldn’t justify paying that much more.”-Sue Chandler

New Jersey: ACME Market shutdown their Burlington grocery store due to “under-performance”.  Local news media say it’s the second grocer in-town to shutdown in the past 12 months.  General Mills began eliminating 338 jobs at its Progresso Soup factory in Vineland!  The factory is being shutdown.   Atlantic Cape Community College began eliminating jobs within its Culinary Arts department due to the massive shutdowns of Atlantic City casinos (like the one Donald Trump co-owned).

New York: Uno Pizzeria & Grill shutdown their Destiny USA location without warning, no reason given.  Grocery chain Price Chopper suddenly shutdown their store in Menands claiming it’s too small to compete.   British empire’s Australia based Gloria Jean’s Coffees shutdown their Staten Island location.  The Gloria Jean’s corporation blamed it on the franchise owner for not renewing the lease.  In Scarsdale, the 1-hundred years old owner of the 50 years old Candy n Cards shut it down.  In Nyack, 30 years old ‘health food’ store Sweatpea’s Market shutting down by the end of February. In Manhatten-NYC, after 25 years restaurant China Fun shutdown by city regulations: “The state and municipal governments, with their punishing rules and regulations, seems to believe that we should be their cash machine to pay for all that ails us in society.”-note found taped to restaurant door

In NYC, restaurant Annisa shutting down after 17 years due to jacked-up property taxes.  The owner says her property tax has been jacked-up by a sinful $80-thousand USD: “I always wanted to have a restaurant that takes care of its employees…..But I can’t do that anymore.”-Anita Lo

North Carolina: After six years Tribeca Tavern shutdown their Falls of Neuse Road location.  Arkansas based Walmart shutting down a Charlotte Walmart Neighborhood Market, 95 jobs gone by March.

Ohio: The Columbus Fish Market shutdown its Crosswoods location, local news media reported that the Texas based corporate owner refused to explain why.  Jolly Pirate Donuts shutdown their Grove City location, news media reported that it’s the second Jolly Pirate Donuts to shutdown in The Buckeye State.  Cookery seller Williams-Sonoma shutdown their ten years old Columbiana store.  Giant Eagle shutting down three grocery stores by March.

Oklahoma: After more than four decades iconic Route 66 BJ’s Pit Stop shutdown due to big box chain stores hustling in.

Oregon: Zupan’s Markets shutdown its 20 years old Belmont District grocery store.

Pennsylvania:  In York, after five years upscale Park Street Pantry shutting down by the end of February due to the owners having full time jobs elsewhere.  Discover Teas shutting down their location in the Village Shops at Kingsmill, as part of plan to consolidate stores.  Weis Markets shutting down their decades old Williamsport grocery store on West Third Street, saying it’s too small to properly upgrade, 50 jobs affected.  In Macungie, after 65 years Willows Family Restaurant suddenly shutdown by the new owners who have “other plans for it.” In Scranton, after 43 years Heil’s Bar shutdown.  After 34 years Verona Village Inn restaurant shutdown because “We have lost our lease for available parking and will not be able to operate as a viable restaurant.”

Rhode Island: Doherty’s Lakeside Ale House-Tiogue Tavern suddenly shutdown despite an extensive remodel last year. The owner, depressed after waiting for business to pick up, said “… the tax man and the banks wait for no one.” 

Texas: In El Paso, after 55 years Charcoaler Drive-In shutdown, the owner admitted he wanted to shut it down since last year “for personal reasons.”   In Schulenburg, after 88 years Frank’s Restaurant to shutdown in Autumn, the property was sold to a developer.  In Austin, after 60 years El Gallo shutdown due to jacked-up property taxes.  Local news media checked and discovered that in 2015 the property tax was $16-thousand-337 USD but then jumped to $28-thousand-877 in 2016!  Dallas based Chili’s laid off 80 corporate and regional employees and warned of more layoffs as part of their new restructuring plan.  Without warning the owners of Rick and Carolyn’s Burgers and Fries shutdown one of their three restaurants in Abilene.  Local news media say no reason was given.  In Dallas, exotic beer seller Bottle Shop shutdown after six years due to unrealistic city parking projects: “Greenville is not the same street as it was when we opened. …..the parking isn’t really conducive for retail business, i.e: You can’t just park, run in and get a growler filled or grab a six pack and get outta there without having to valet park or walk half a mile.”-Stephanie Roethlisberger, now former general manager

Virginia: Buffalo Wild Wings shutting down its 20 years old Charlottesville location.  Company administrators say they can’t afford the new lease, but claim they’ll open a new joint as soon as they can find an affordable location.  In Richmond, Dog & Pig Show eatery shutting down in February, the owners promised their customers they would return with a new food joint.  Less than eight months after opening in Ashburn, Texas owned Hail & Hog Kitchen and Tap now chapter 11 bankrupt busted!  In Roanoke, after ten years pub Annie Moore’s shutdown, the owners claim they’re moving to a new location.  Internet based Relay Foods shutting down two distribution centers due to merger with a competitor. Local news media were only able to confirm that more than 48 people will lose their jobs.

Washington: Idaho based but evil Cerberus owned Albertsons shutting down a grocery store in Richland, and two stores in Spokane, by the end of February supposedly because of crashing sales.  In Liberty Lake, after only a year Bellacrosta Bakery and Fine Foods shutdown, the owners saying they’re “on hiatus to regroup”.  In White Center, after eight years Big Al Brewery shutdown. The owner,  Alejandro Brown (who quit his regular job to start the brewery), complained about skyrocketing competition by revealing a 35% crash in sales, saying “It’s getting tough out there.”  Local news media report that the city of Seattle, alone, has as many as 40 craft breweries!

Washington DC: Hawk n Dove bar chapter 11 bankrupt busted for failing to pay taxes.

West Virginia: In Brushfork, a small Save-A-Lot grocery store shutdown, 11 jobs lost with no reason given.  Local news revealed the property lease with Save-A-Lot is still valid.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, December 2016: “…SALES HAVE BEEN DOWN 50% THE PAST FOUR YEARS…”