Tag Archives: education

Business/Economics

New Race War killing mom & pops! Proof Google rips off taxpayers!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 10 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Redlands, after ten years Treasures Antiques shutdown.  Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, this time 37 people to be unemployed in September. ObamaCare forcing nursing home operator Hank Fisher Properties to layoff 242 people between September and December!  ObamaCare forced Abbott Vascular to layoff 244 Californians!  In Paso Robles, the SPS Distribution Center will shutdown in September. In Ripon, Ruan Transportation is shutting down by September, 78 jobs lost.  In San Juan, Armstrong Growers shutting down in September, 56 jobs lost.  In Salinas, Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates shutting down in September, 38 jobs lost.  In Los Angeles, Turf Terminators laid off 94 employees.  In Santa Monica, Buca Restaurants 2 issued a shutdown WARN for September, 61 jobs lost. In Trona, CR Briggs laying off five employees in September.  In San Diego, United Technologies issued a shutdown WARN for September, 21 jobs lost.  Boston Scientific announced they’re shutting down their Fremont and San Jose operations in October, 455 jobs lost!  In Mountain Pass, Molycorp Minerals laying off 474 people by the end of the month!  In Oakland, Owens-Brockway Glass Container shutting down by October, 202 jobs lost! The Hilton San Francisco Union Square laying off 78 people in October.  In Orange, Binder & Binder shutting down in September, 70 jobs lost.  Bankrupt busted Anna’s Linens announced they’re shutting down their Costa Mesa store in September, 29 jobs lost.  It’s part of their plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores across the U.S.

Massachusetts: In Boston Weak, after 96 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Quinzani’s Bakery shutting down next week, and being sold-off, 90 jobs lost.  Local news reports say the area has become a revolving door of failed businesses (“rapidly gentrifying”).

Michigan: According to local news reports dozens of protestors accuse the administrators of Saginaw of skin colorism after several ‘black’ owned businesses were suddenly shutdown!  Lonnie’s Lounge and Terry’s Place were shutdown after a triple shooting that took place in the same neighborhood.  Security camera video shows the bars were already closed for business when the shootings happened! Protestors say city administrators made the decision in secret: “I understand the police and the city have the right to shut down businesses, but I feel it shouldn’t be a closed session. There should be something more public and more people should have a say.”-Tobias Young

In addition access to a popular gathering spot, Ojibway Island, has been blocked by police after 16:00 hours: “It seems like we are being profiled and grouped together as violent and disrespectful, and I feel there are more of us that are tax-paying citizens than the few bad apples…..They are subconsciously telling African Americans that they are not welcome on the island….”-Irie Sample

New Mexico:  The administrators of Google aren’t that smart after all, they just have too much money to play with.  Google suddenly pulled its Titan Aerospace solar powered drone program from Moriarty Airport, the problem is that state taxpayers shelled out $955-thousand USD upgrading the airport just for Titan Aerospace.  State administrators claim they’ve successfully forced Google to pay back the “economic assistance funds”.  Yeah, like Google needs economic assistance?

New York: What housing market recovery?  In Geddes, after 45 years Jerry’s Carpets shutdown.

North Carolina:  What automotive industry recovery? In Raleigh, Advanced Auto Parts laid off 50 former General Parts International employees.  In Durham, the Foster Street Daisy Cakes bakery shutting down next week, supposedly a popular donut shop is moving into the shop sometime this winter.

Ohio: In East Cleveland, Too Big to Jail KeyBank shutting down their office on Euclid Avenue, by November.  It’s part of their plan to shutdown 30 offices across the U.S.

Oklahoma: ObamaCare forcing residents of Broken Arrow to choose between the city’s new subscriber only LifeRide emergency medical services or paying outrageous ambulance fees.  City administrators say forcing residents to pay a “subscription” for ambulance service is the only way they can address skyrocketing costs.  Most residents will be automatically forced to subscribe as part of their city utilities service, while others have until the end of the month to “opt out” and hope they never need an ambulance.

Virginia: What automotive industry recovery?  Roanoke based Advanced Auto Parts laid off 50 corporate level employees, and will begin eliminating certain store “projects”.  It’s blamed on their take over of General Parts International.

08-09 August 2015:“…like chopping off the finger….”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics

“…like chopping off the finger….” National Guard shutdowns! “We are reducing…to reflect the new reality…”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 08 – 09 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In San Jose, after ten years “ultra lounge” Fahrenheit shutdown. The operator blames the property owner for jacking up the rent, saying the cost to do business in San Jose is “on a more rapid upswing”.

Kentucky: In Louisville, after five years Hillbilly Tea shutdown without warning.

Louisiana: After promising to hire 8-hundred people in exchange for $20-million USD in state tax breaks, Monroe based cable-phone-internet service provider CenturyLink announced they will eliminate 1-thousand jobs across the U.S., administrators blame crashing profits, partly caused by ObamaCare: “CenturyLink’s results for the second quarter were below our forecast and Street consensus, primarily due to continued pressure on wholesale revenues and higher employee and benefit costs.”

Mississippi: Oregon based ESCO laid off 56 people at their Newton ops: “Despite the continuous best efforts of those in Newton, and the Mining Division in general, demand for mining products has not resumed to a level that will support ESCO’s current manufacturing capacity levels.”

New Hampshire: God refuses to stop ‘his’ 50 years old Pelham Saint Patrick Catholic School from shutdown. It’s called The Rapture, I mean enrolment has crashed to just 32 students! (I call it Disappearing Students Syndrome)

North Carolina: The 352 years old (surviving French-n-Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War 1, Great Depression, World War 2, Korean conflict, Vietnam conflict, Desert Storm, War on Terror)“Relevant since 1663” state militia has shutdown and sold two National Guard armories to local municipalities on orders from the federal National Guard Bureau: “It’s kind of like chopping off the finger of a community. But that’s just the realities, the Army is getting smaller and we are getting smaller.”-Mike Waite, National Guard Association

Texas: In San Antonio, after 37 years the small amusement park Malibu Grand Prix & Castle shutting down in September.  The operators blame the property owner for jacking up the rent.

West Virginia: The 113 years old Kanawha Manufacturing Company revealed they’ve been eliminating jobs, and blame the crashing coal mining industry: “We are reducing and reforming our operations to reflect the new reality of the markets we serve.”

Wisconsin: In Columbus, Hydro Street Brewing & Eatery shutdown after failing to pay back a taxpayer funded loan.  In Oshkosh, Packers Pub, known for making customers “feel at home”, shutdown after 38 years of serving drinks to locals.

07 August 2015:“We’re in a dire state!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics

“We’re in a dire state!” “…we just couldn’t do it anymore.” Code words used for coming Depression!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 07 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Money manager at Janus Capital Group, Bill Gross, warned of coming Depression using code: “…dangerously close to deflationary growth.” 

California: In San Francisco’s South Park, Jeremys department store shutdown.  The owners blame a bad mix of technology and demographics: “We found that the technology demographic doesn’t really shop as much at Jeremys as the more creative types that used to live in South Park when we started.”-Jeremy Kidson, founder

Georgia: Toys R Us is shutting down their 19 years old Buckhead store, in September.  In Decatur, after almost three years Paper Plane bar and eatery shutdown, the owners didn’t say why, but tried to fool their fans by saying they had been taken over by Walmart.

Illinois: Gov’na Bruce Rauner wants to layoff 33 Conservation Police, unions say 34 counties will be without an officer.  The oldest executive outplacement firm in the U.S., Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said there were at least 105-thousand layoffs in July, the most monthly layoffs in the past four years!

Indiana: After 40 years the Wadesville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) shutdown: “We didn’t have enough members actively participating. We’ve kept it going for a long time with a bare minimum of people and it got to the point where we just couldn’t do it anymore.”-Jim Tomes

Kansas: The Clarette Club shutting down in favor of a chain restaurant called The Peanut.

Kentucky: After 30 years non-profit Kentucky Harvest warned they’ll be no more food for the poor: “We’re in a dire state! We’re inside four months operating cash left before we have to cease operation.”– Brent Smith, chairman

News reports indicate that donations to Kentucky Harvest are down partly because one of the founders is now in federal prison for stealing donations!

Nebraska: Julio’s Old Market restaurant shutdown because the property owner sold the building.

New York: Rumors are building that the Food Emporium on Greenwich Street in NYC is shutting down due to jacked up rent. The store manager is reported to have said “That’s news to me.”  That Which Cannot Be Named refuses to stop ObamaCare from forcing Menorah Licensed Homecare from laying off 63 people in Getzville, by September. In North Syracuse, hotel chain Ramada issued a shutdown WARN, 81 jobs lost in September.

Pennsylvania:Too Big to Jail Bank of New York Mellon issued a mass layoff WARN, 280 people to become jobless in Philadelphia!  Illinois based Atkore International announced it is shutting down its steel fence framework and sprinkler pipe products maker Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation in Philadelphia. They issued a shutdown WARN for October, 217 jobs lost!  Another 1-hundred Atkore jobs will be eliminated across the U.S.!  In Dubois, Fezell’s Sandy Township Shop N Save issued a shutdown WARN for October, 50 jobs lost.  In Delano, Leggett & Platt issued a shutdown WARN for October, 61 jobs lost.  In Williamsport, Universal Well Services finally notified state employment administrators that they shutdown back on 31 July, 77 jobs lost.

Texas:  In San Antonio,  Big Easy Cafe being forced to shutdown and look for a new home.  In Mineral Wells, NOV Fiberglass shutting down, 110 jobs lost in time for Xmas! Local news reports say most employees have already been let go, city administrators say they had no warning: “We had no advanced knowledge of this. Certainly any kind of closure is extremely undesirable.”-Lance Howerton, city manager

Virginia: A 26 years old locally owned Roanoke Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown due to crashing sales.

06 August 2015:Robots killing jobs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Kit Bashing

Model-land ‘deaths’, 2013-15!

Image

Incomplete list of hobby shop shutdowns.

California: After 67 years a hobby shop I loved to check out whenever I was forced to visit my child hating Oma, Dave’s Hobby Central, in Santa Barbara closed down: “It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I must to tell you that today we have closed the doors for good! After a long and fruitless year I have no choice but to fold up the doors.”-store statement on Facebook

Hawaii: Toys N’ Joys shut down after 30 years in business.

Idaho:

Current location, in Chubbuck, Idaho. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, November 2014.

In Chubbuck, at the end of 2014, and after 23 years the iconic local Dapco Hobbies went up for sale.  Employees said the current owner was selling everything off and wants out of the hobby business.  But at the beginning of 2015 Dapco Hobbies relocated to a much, much smaller place in Pocatello (across the street from Bamboo Garden Chinese buffet), apparently to pleas from customers (and the employees) that it not shutdown.  Dapco Hobbies was originally located on Garrett Way in Pocatello (according to the BBB, that was beginning in 1991).  After Corey & Melia took over Dapco relocated to Chubbuck around 2007-08.  For a very brief time Dapco Hobbies had a shop in Ammon, then Idaho Falls (apparently they left about the same time the ‘big box’ Hobby Town left Idaho Falls), and they even had an internet website.  Dapco Hobbies started out focused on trains, then shifted to RC when that got big.  I went there for the plastic model kits (and I still do, unfortunately they got hit by RC burglars right after they moved into their current Pocatello location off Yellowstone Avenue).

Illinois: Plastic model kit company Testors laid off 107 employees at its Rockford plant!  Testors has operated out of Rockford since 1929, they also make paint and other model building supplies.  Company officials say the bad economy is forcing them to eliminate some of their model supply brands.  This means closing their 84 years old Blackhawk Park Avenue building, and moving operations into a smaller building.

Kentucky: In Louisville, model train store L&N Trains and Things shut down after 32 years. The owner blames health problems (just in time for Obama Care).

New York:   In Fairpoint, after 30 years Toy Soldier shutdown.   In Farmingdale, Model Power, a major internet model railroad retailer, is being killed off by Too Big to Jail banks: “After nearly 50 years serving the hobby industry, our 3rd generation family business will be closing effective immediately to the public. We will be reaching out to our clients over the next few weeks to settle any demand needs that they may have.

In 2007, our banks began an aggressive deleveraging process. They no longer approved of a profitable and paying client such as ours, which had been reliant on inventory. This is why one of the industry’s most extensive lines, had begun to see much of its products unavailable on the market. Now it will no longer be seen at all.

During these past 7 years, we had made changes to the business in order to accommodate and adjust to the changing nature of the business relationship with our lenders. We had offered multiple solutions to our lenders in order to ‘fix’ our situation, all were rejected, came with different restrictions, or offered too little too late. In all our efforts, no arrangements by our lenders would allow for Model Power to arrive at a position in which we could get back to fill our customer needs.

We would like to take the time to thank all of those whom we have worked with the past 50 years. To our customers and competitors within the industry, we thank you.

Sincerely,
The Model Power Family”

I’ve been reporting on the deleveraging conspiracy by the Too Big to Jail banks, read the articles and weep: De-leveraging will continue until the economy improves, and that means you!,  it’s called Deleveraging and it’s a sign we’re in a “Terminal Downturn”!, 4,000 people stranded when….airline is suddenly deleveraged, All part of the IMF’s orders to deleverage!, IMF pushes for U.S. consolidation, code for even more drastic deleveraging!

Ohio: In Lakewood, after 67 years Wings Hobby Shop shutdown.  The owner blames lazy young people: “We peaked out, volume-wise, in 1995.  Little by little it started to go away, because we weren’t getting any young people……Society has evolved into a mode of instant gratification…….They want to have a collection to look at, but they don’t want to build anything. “-Al Cicerchi

Wisconsin: In Wausau a 50 years old hobby store shutdown.  The owner of Pope’s Hobbyland said it was time he retired.   After 50 years iconic Greenfield News and Hobby store shutdown.  The store was up for sale, with no luck.   “A lot of kids aren’t picking up these hobbies either because they’re being priced out … or because they’d rather go to online or home video games, and it’s hard to counteract that.”-Jeff Reich, editor of Model Retailer,  Kalmbach Publishing

Obama regime using 2011 financing order to shut down successful ebay model kit sellers! 

If you like building model planes, then you are a terrorist! 

Styrofoam containers, boards or sheets, we model builders have been recycling them into diorama bases for years. 

Hot Wheels, Matchbox & other toy cars are the new way to protest your corrupt local government!

Iran to display life size model of U.S. Stealth Drone, sends Obama a smaller hot pink version 

Kit Bashing & Education Reform: Idaho Students Building Model Kits 

Business/Economics, Idaho

Robots killing jobs! Coal mines stick taxpayers with the bill! Idaho shells out $1.5-billion to shady contractors?: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 06 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In San Jose, mom & pop Paolo’s Italian restaurant shutdown by the landlord.  The property owner is getting more money by turning the location into a cafeteria.

Florida: After 42 years the Wine & Cheese Gallery shutdown, their letter implied there was too much competition compared to when they first opened in 1973.  In Miami, Out of the Closet thrift store shutdown.  News reports say it’s the second area thrift store to close this year, due to crashing sales.  It’s been revealed that Broward Clerk of Courts began “…furloughs, reduced hours…employee layoffs…” due to budget cuts.

Idaho: It’s been revealed that the Madison County Sheriff used $42-thousand USD from fees collected for concealed gun permits to put new flooring in his office.  He claimed the tile and carpeting were a “wise use” of money.  $17-thousand was spent buying a new vehicle for a ‘civil’ deputy.  Only a fraction of the fees were spent on things like police gun range maintenance and new guns for cops.  In Boise, Gem State ‘lawmakers‘ have finally realized their contracting system is at the very least a failure (and very likely totally corrupt) so they created a committee to come up with a new system.  Some of the biggest scandals involve the evil for-profit prison operator Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and the state prison which became known as The Gladiator School under CCA’s watch, and the $61-million failure known as Schoolnet.  Auditors say taxpayers were forced to payout $1.5-billion to contractors in 2014!

Illinois: McDonald’s will eliminate 135 jobs from its Oak Brook HQ despite mega-profits!  90 McDonald’s corporate jobs will also be eliminated overseas.  These layoffs are on top of the 128 corporate job cuts made since December 2014!  Administrators blame ongoing sales crash, however, it should be noted that in their last quarter they reported a $1.2-billion profit!  The layoffs can only mean that McDonald’s administrators do not see any economic recovery in the future, they actually see things getting worse.  More proof the internet is not immune from recession; the rip-off DeVry Education Group announced they will eliminate 95 DeVry Online Services jobs by September.  In Cook County, Community Development Institute Head Start will eliminate 215 jobs due to slashed federal taxpayer funding!  In Carol Stream, after less than a year the Butera Market grocery store is shutting down (it was formerly a Piggly Wiggly which didn’t even last a few months).  News reports indicate the property has a history of revolving door grocery store ops, analysts blame intense competition because the area has a lot of grocery stores compared to the population density. In Wauconda, The Rustic Touch shutdown, but only because the owner said he was being swamped with custom T-Shirt and custom furniture orders.  He says he will now focus on custom order ops only. The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency laid off four Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) employees, blaming ‘lawmakers’ for failing to come up with a new budget.  Gov’na Bruce Rauner wants to shutdown the Illinois State Museum, 54 employees have been put on layoff notice.  The gov’na also wants to layoff 40 employees with the Commerce Commission, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Emergency Management Agency.

Minnesota: God refuses to stop ‘his’ Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church from shutting down. It’s blamed on “…the age of the building, the maintenance of the building, the facilities……We have less priests, and we have changes to where people live, work and pray…..We have less people in the pews…”

North Carolina: God refuses to stop ‘his’ First Presbyterian from shutting down their respected First School daycare program, in October.  It’s blamed on The Rapture, I mean their enrollment has crashed to 70 students (reports indicated they normally have 150).

Ohio: In Hamilton, after 98 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Tom’s Cigar Shop shutdown and being auctioned off. The owner said “There’s not enough revenue coming in to pay the bills.” 

Oregon: In Bend, after 37 years The Electronics Shop shutdown.

Pennsylvania:  More proof robots are taking your jobs; Amoroso’s Baking just told 2-hundred Philadelphia employees that many would be laid off as the company is moving to a new automated location in New Jersey.  It’s the result of their merger with Ginsburg Bakery.

Texas: In Jacksonville, Goodwill Industries shutdown their thrift store due to lack of “long term financial performance”.

Washington: 35 years old maker and seller of backpacks and cases for tech gadgets, Brenthaven, is shutting down their Bellingham store.   It’s blamed on competition.  In West Seattle, after six years The Feedback lounge shutdown.  In Seattle, Vespolina italian restaurant shutdown, the owners blamed insufficient sales.  And Hommage restaurant shutting down next weekend.

Wisconsin: In Waukesha, Roundy’s owned Pick ‘n Save discount store shutting down in October, 80 jobs lost.

Wyoming: ‘Lawmakers’ claim the bankruptcy of mining company Alpha Natural Resources will stick state taxpayers with $411-million in mine waste cleanup costs!

05 August 2015: Kmart kills Thriftway!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics

Kmart kills Thriftway! Anti-gun gov’na shuts down World Shooting Complex!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 05 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alaska: The University of Alaska Anchorage eliminating 203 jobs!  Administrators blame $13-million USD in taxpayer funding cuts caused by the crashing oil industry.

California: More proof the internet is not recession proof.  San Francisco based food delivery internet company Good Eggs ending operations in all cities except San Francisco, 140 jobs lost!

Connecticut: The federal tax-sucking Constitution State announced it will eliminate 95 jobs due to crashing federal taxpayer funding.

Georgia: Valdosta State University eliminating 33 jobs, blaming what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome., a 17% drop since 2011

Illinois: Gov’na Bruce Rauner wants to shutdown the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, nine employees are being laid off in September.

Maryland: Sears Holdings announced the Parkville Kmart will shutdown by Thanksgiving, 102 jobs lost!  After 21 years Parker Place antiques shutting down in September.

Michigan: Lincoln Consolidated Schools will eliminate 50 jobs and cut salaries over the next three years.

Minnesota: ObamaCare forcing BlueCross BlueShield to eliminate 450 jobs by 2019!

Missouri: Town & Country based baseball supplies maker Rawlings announced it will eliminate 2-hundred jobs at its Costa Rica factory!  It’s blamed on crashing sales of baseball uniforms.

Montana: In Kalispell, after five years The Zone Family Fun Center shutting down at the end of the month.  The property owner sold the land to a hospital!

New Jersey: Textiles from Europe-Victoria Classics WARNed they will layoff 14 people in Edison by the end of September.

New York: In Ithica, Felicia’s Atomic Lounge and Cupcakery shutting down at the end of the month, the owners have plans for a new restaurant.  Syracuse based commercial laundry service Coyne Textile Services now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, 620 jobs threatened!    In Rouses Point, drugs maker Pfizer issued a shutdown WARN for Xmas.  In Herkimer, Sears Holdings forcing the ‘independent’ owner of a Sears Hometown to shutdown.   In Saranac Lake, Sears Holdings forced the ‘independent’ co-owners of a Sears Hometown store to shut it down: “We wanted to keep it open. We thought there’s potential in Saranac. Sears saw it differently. They came to us and asked us to shut it down……We had big plans. We were going to renovate the place and get it looking good again.”-George Hamelin

Ohio: Sears Holdings announced the Warren Kmart on Parkman Road is shutting down in November, 68 jobs lost.  PNC Bank announced it is shutting down its Campbell office in October.

Pennsylvania: In Sanatoga, after 18 years the Thriftway grocery store shutdown, administrators blame the 2014 shutdown of the next door Kmart for causing a crash in customer traffic.

South Dakota: After 34 years the Kid’s Stuff Superstore shutdown.

Texas: In the Cincinnati Entertainment District in West El Paso yet more shutdowns, including the Cincinnati Bar and Grill and the Corner Tavern.  Local news reports blame high rents and low sales. 

Vermont: Proof the economy is not getting better.  Waterbury based coffee roaster Keurig Green Mountain announced it will eliminate 2-hundred jobs due to expected future drop in sales.

Virginia: Israel based drugs maker Teva Pharmaceuticals announced they will layoff 33 people in Forest.

Wisconsin: In Madison, after five years Catalyst athletic clothing store shutting down, the owners blame increasing competition.

04 August 2015: Office Depot to kill 400 stores!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics

“We’ve put more money into it than we’re making.” God joins exodus from New York!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 03 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Stop blaming the internet: Japan based Sony is ending its Online U.S. shop in August!

Alabama: Food Outlet shutting down their 27 years old Jacksonville grocery store. Administrators say new competition has “split our customer base in half”, combining that with increasing costs of operations it just wasn’t worth while to continue.

Arizona: Illinois based Cochise Regional Hospital shutdown without warning because ObamaCare cut off all Medicare funding!  The shutdown was revealed by Copper Queen Community Hospital administrators who said they were being flooded with patient transfers from Cochise.

California: After 100 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) gourmet grocer A.G. Ferrari Foods shutting down its Castro location.  Since bankruptcy in 2011 the gourmet grocery chain has dwindled from 13 stores to five.

Florida:  In the Miami metro area the Oolite restaurant shutdown without warning, despite being voted best on South Beach.  Gastropod restaurant shutdown.  Food critics were surprised when Pubbelly Boys’ L’Echon Brasserie shutdown.  The L’Entrecote de Paris shutdown as well.  In Fort Lauderdale, Taps Restaurant, Bar and Lounge and Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill both shutdown.  In Latana, Pizzeria Oceano shutdown.

Georgia:  ObamaCare forced non-profit Southern Regional Medical Center to declare chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Reports say the hospital will be sold to a California non-profit. Despite ObamaCare claiming to provide every U.S. citizen with medical insurance, Southern Regional administrators say 30% of their customers are still uninsured, and the hospital is owed at least $21-million USD for services rendered in 2014!

Illinois: Too Big to Jail Mesirow Financial shutting down their bankruptcy consulting ops.  They tried to sell it but nobody wanted to buy, so 50 people will become unemployed and probably, ironically, have to file for bankruptcy (if unAmerican corporate America can do it so easily, why not individuals?).  Taffies Restaurant shutdown: “We just need to find a new location. This restaurant has been here for 35 years. It’s a leased building. We’ve put more money into it than we’re making.”-Angela Van Matre

Massachusetts: After 56 years The Beachcomer shutdown and was sold-off.  The new owner says it will be torn down, and maybe a new ‘high-end’ restaurant will be built.  Cupcake Town shutting down in Mansfield.

Michigan: The Saint Joseph Mercy Port Huron hospital is for sale.  Supposedly California’s Prime Healthcare Services wants to buy it.

New Jersey: In Parsippany, cereal maker Post Foods issued a WARN saying 48 people will become jobless by the end of September.

New York: That Which Cannot Be Named refuses to stop ObamaCare from forcing Menorah Home & Hospital from issuing a shutdown WARN for their Adult Day Health Center in Brooklyn, 47 jobs lost by October.    News sources report that God has joined the mass exodus from The Big Apple: “Dozens of NYC churches closed this week: Could they be reborn for another purpose?”

“Poor, immigrant communities adversely affected by shutdown of religious centers as Mass attendance drops”

“Sad to report that after 2.5 great years on 2nd Ave, we’ve decided to close Alder at the end of August. The search for a new home begins…”-Wylie Dufresne, celebrity chef

After 16 years Mixed Greens art gallery shutting down by the end of 2015.

Pennsylvania: Lehigh County taxpayer funded Cedarbrook nursing homes eliminating as many as 45 jobs.  Shippensburg and Cheyney universities have warned their unionized employees of mass layoffs.

Texas: National Oilwell Varco issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Willis, 150 jobs lost!  Bankrupt busted Cal Dive International issued layoff WARN saying they will eliminate 126 jobs starting at the end of the month!  45 years old Stanley’s BBQ shutdown.  Two years ago it was sold to a family that tried to keep it alive but failed, blaming crashing sales.

Wisconsin: Ramen noodle joint Tochi shutdown in Shorewood due to problems with the new lease.  The owner is hoping for a new location.

01-02 August 2015: “Help us…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“Help us…” “We are ramping down…experiencing a massive reduction in staff.”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 01 – 02 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Colorado: After 12 years con artists, I mean investment company Curian Capital stopped accepting new suckers, I mean accounts, and said they will shutdown sometime in 2016, at least 3-hundred jobs lost!  Here’s their official reason for shutting down: “Given the industry-wide changes in technology, product offerings and market size, Curian has determined that it is no longer commercially positioned to provide clients high value investment programs over the long term.” (in other words they see the economy getting so bad that even the stock market is going to crash, for real this time)

Florida: Keolis Transit Services issued a shutdown WARN for their Naples ops, 103 jobs lost by the end of September!  At Kennedy Space Center, InoMedic Health Applications issued a WARN saying 172 people will become jobless by the end of September!  ObamaCare medical device taxes, and changes to Medicare, forced home medical device provider Univita to quit!  According to WARNs, 785 people in Miramar are now unemployed!  Last week Univita employees were told “We are ramping down our operations and will be experiencing a massive reduction in staff.”  It should be noted that the privately run Better Business Bureau said Univita was a terrible company.

Georgia: California based bankrupt busted Anna’s Linens announced they’re shutting down their less than two years old Augusta store. It’s the result of the company totally crashing & burning, 2-hundred stores across the U.S. will shutdown!  

Hawaii: No more dinner cruises?  After a month of being idle 102 employees of Roberts Hawaii were laid off with only three days warning!  #Roberts Hawaii No Aloha

Idaho: In Boise, Supervalu grocery store announced they will shutdown in October, 115 jobs lost!  What housing market recovery? Recently KPVI reported on Pocatello housing projects that have sat unfinished for years.

Illinois: In Pontiac, after eight years Joanna’s Floral Creations & Gifts shutting down.  The owner blames the bad economy for destroying her American Dream: “…I have two small children, a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, and it’s just too hard to run a business full time and raise them…If the economy were a little bit stronger…It’s just hard times.
It’s difficult to run a small business the way the economy is right now, especially this type of business.”-Joanna Von Rhein

Kansas: After less than ten months Take Five Coffee + Bar shutdown due to the lack of customers: “We don’t have a choice. There is no option to press forward.”-Lori Chandler, co-owner

Kentucky: Liquor Barn in Saint Matthews shutting down, it might have something to do with their ongoing lawsuit against a local rival.  In Louisville, Target is shutting down their only store on the Dixie Highway, just in time for Xmas.

Maryland: ObamaCare forcing Laurel Regional Hospital to become an outpatient clinic only!  News reports say hundreds of people will be laid off over the next year!  The hospital will be remodeled (at a cost of at least $25-million) and re-open around 2018 as an ambulatory care clinic (walk-ins only).  Many hospital administrators say they cannot make enough money under ObamaCare as a full hospital service, so they are either merging with other hospitals, reducing services to walk-in only clinics, or shutting down all together.

North Carolina:  Administrators with Legacy Paddlesports announced that due to crashing sales they are merging with a rival, and then they laid off 25 employees without warning.

New York: Addiction treatment center Narco Freedom issued a shutdown WARN for all locations in The Empire State, 513 jobs lost by the end of September!  The owners of the non-profit were accused of frauding the government and customers of billions of dollars.

South Carolina: ObamaCare medical device tax killing off medical products maker Hill-Rom, 70 jobs lost.  That’s a huge drop from the number of employees they had in 2008, according to local news reports Hill-Rom at one time employed 4-hundred people in that location.  Hill-Rom is consolidating their manufacturing and call center ops.

Tennessee: After 16 years Rhythm & Brews shutting down in September.

Virginia: After 28 years toy store Quilts ’N’ Treasures shutdown, the owner has stage 4 lung cancer.   Collapsing Bristol based coal miner Alpha Natural Resources is making it official and going chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  A Cardinal Camera store shutdown with no warning in Richmond.  No explanation, but a sign taped to the door said “Help us stay in Richmond…..and look for a new home…” implying they lost their lease.

31 July 2015: “…a catastrophic event…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“…a catastrophic event…” “…it had a domino effect.” “It has to come to an end…”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 31 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

“…it’s unfortunate for employees that are put into this situation when it occurs, and you hate to say it, but typically investors reward stocks for these types of layoffs. Stocks react favorable to big announced layoffs.”-Brian Yarbrough, Edward Jones retail analyst

British Petroleum (BP) claims it lost $6.3-billion USD, and as a result “…significant headcount reductions in upstream and downstream as we progress through the year and I think you’ll see more of that before we get to the end of the year.”-Brian Gilvary, cfo

Alabama: Bankrupt coal miner Walter Energy revealed it will eliminate as many as 739 jobs!  US Steel shutting down their Fairfield Works blast furnace next month, the company just posted a $261-million USD loss (more than twice their loss for the same time last year)!  County commissioner Jimmie Stephens calls the Fairfield Works shutdown “…a catastrophic event for western Jefferson County.”

California: News reports say Burbank based visual effects company Stereo D laid off about 225 people!  Work is being shifted to Canada.  In Berkeley, after 40 years Nabolom Collective Bakery shutting down on Sunday. News reports say the operators refuse to explain.   More Haggen grocery store fallout: “When we met with Haggen management prior to the store conversions, they assured us that they were committed to making this takeover a success and that they would do everything possible to keep the customers. It is now apparent that they have not followed through on those commitments and, in fact, have done nothing to assure that customers’ first impressions would be positive. We know that many of you have offered positive suggestions that have been disregarded. Haggen’s failure to live up to their commitments is extremely disappointing.”–UFCW Local 770

Colorado: Switzerland owned Diamond Materials Tech laid off 46 people in Colorado Springs in order to “further optimizing the cost structure and production capacity.” They laid off 43 people in January, and 105 people in October 2014!

Connecticut: Stone House Restaurant shutdown after being bought out by the non-profit Rothberg Institute: “We were just going about our day-to-day operations when a realtor said someone was interested in buying this building. We weren’t actively thinking about selling, but this was an opportunity for us to get out before another storm hit and we were left with nothing.”-Peter Hamme, co-owner

Delaware: Casino Dover Downs revealed it eliminated 48 jobs over the past three months, twice what it originally claimed: “When we cut those table games, it had a domino effect. We ended up not needing food and beverage workers, valet operators and other jobs that provided services during that same time period.”-Denis McGlynn, ceo

Idaho: The city of Coeur d’Alene (population about 45-thousand) must layoff four employees to meet their new budget.  The state Department of Labor reports that personal farm income fell 18%, and profits crashed 23% from the end of 2014!  Economists say expect more crashing & burning: “We’re looking at soft prices for every crop in the state basically, except for beef. Cash receipts will be way, way down this year.”-Garth Taylor, University of Idaho

Maryland: In Joppatowne the only marina is about to shutdown. Gunpowder Cove Marina told boat owners to ship out by November.  Residents are pissed: “They lost the pool, they lost this place, the neighborhood is changing!”-Bill Moore, Joppatowne resident since 1965

Michigan: Five Port Huron firefighters forced to retire early as part of budget cuts.

Ohio: Remke Markets announced they will not renew their lease on their Westwood neighborhood grocery store, 63 jobs lost by October.

Utah: Despite recently announcing the shutdown of their fitness machine factory in Logan (eliminating 400 jobs), ICON Health & Fitness administrators posted a “Now Hiring” sign on the very same factory.  They claim they need to hire 1-hundred temp workers to meet demand before they officially shutdown the factory in October. ICON Health & Fitness is moving production ‘overseas’.

Tennessee: After 42 years shoe store The Athlete’s House shutting down in August: “It has to come to an end sometime….it’s just time while everything is good. It’s best to go out on top.”-David Graeflin, owner

Texas: In Dallas, World of Beer on SMU Boulevard shutdown.  Black-eyed Pea in Preston Center shutdown, employees blame lack of parking for customers.  In Arlington, Olenjacks restaurant shutdown.   In Deep Ellum, BBQ joint Mama Faye’s shutdown. Here’s one reason why the construction industry is not recovering; Gander Mountain retailer shutting down its Corsicana store due to an incompetent building contractor: “Based on the recent recommendation from independent engineering experts, it is apparent that the Corsicana Gander Mountain building has certain significant defects. These defects resulted from mistakes made by contractors during the construction of the building.”

30 July 2015: “…taxpayers were…underwriting a vast criminal enterprise…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“…taxpayers were…underwriting a vast criminal enterprise…”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 30 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) has revealed that Washington based grocer Haggen has drastically reduced working hours for hundreds of cashiers.  It’s part of Haggen’s drastic cuts eliminating 8-hundred California jobs after taking over 83 California Albertsons-Safeway stores.  Another Golden State tech company in trouble, Santa Ana based Ingram Micro lost $34.3-million USD in its 2nd quarter, prompting administrators to warn of $100-million worth of mass layoffs!  Cetera Financial Group shutting down their J.P. Turner & Company operations, 3-hundred “advisors” affected!  Is it the result of $1-million USD in fines by FINRA? 

Florida: ObamaCare forcing Southeast Homecare to eliminate 217 jobs by September!  Layoffs have already begun.  In Lake Park, the only Dunkin’ Donuts with waitresses is shutting down.  The 53 years old uniquely rebelious Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant also served burgers-n-hot dogs and other things the other Dunkin’ Donuts joints don’t serve, but corporate communist weenie heads cracked down and are forcing it to turn into a plane ol’ boring Dunkin’ Donuts shop. In Tallahassee, after 30 years Tally’s Grille shutdown without warning, loyal customers lamented “We just came here for regular breakfast and saw the sign on the door. …don’t know what we’re going to do now!”

Idaho: Once again, in the land of Republicans, Idahoans ripped off! Despite taxpayers shelling out $180-thousand on an anti-distracted driving campaign, the Idaho State Police report a 61% spike in deaths by car accident compared to the same time last year (from Memorial Day weekend through July 29)!  Gov’na Butch Otter spending big taxpayer dollars on a new Cyber Security Task Force, claiming that “We have seen dozens of cyber attacks that seem to be increasing in frequency and boldness, costing our businesses and taxpayers untold billions of dollars each year.”  But that’s at the national level, not state level, you numbskull!  The Idaho Falls Regional Airport is spending money on a new website in an attempt to attract more customers.  They claim it will show how much money you can save by using a smaller airport.  Also in Idaho Falls, the 135 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Post Register newspaper is up for sale.  The president of the family owned newspaper told employees “…I have nothing more to add to the welfare of the company.”  Turns out the newspaper has been for sale for quit some time, but nobody wants to buy it.

Illinois: Deerfield based food conglomerate Mondelez International announced it will eliminate 6-hundred jobs in Chicago, as part of a new round of $130-million USD in ‘investments’ into “…four state-of-the-art manufacturing lines — ‘Lines of the Future’ — at….Salinas, Mexico.”  In other words, automated bakeries.

Indiana: Pennsylvania based Too Big to Jail PNC will shutdown the only bank in Monroeville!

Louisiana: After four years satirist Mid-City Theater shutting down.

Maryland: The Baltimore City Detention Center being shutdown, after investigations proved the prison employees were corrupt gangsters (“…guards ran a criminal conspiracy inside vermin-infested, 19th-century walls and thwarted decades of attempted reforms.”-Associated Press).  However, the real reason for the prison shutdown is ostensibly to save taxpayers $15-million per year (or protect the ‘lawmakers’ from big lawsuits?): “…taxpayers were unwittingly underwriting a vast criminal enterprise run by gang members and corrupt public servants. Ignoring it was irresponsible and one of the biggest failures in leadership in the history of the state of Maryland.”-Larry Hogan, gov’na

Massachusetts: The Boston Globe revealed it will eliminate more jobs in an effort to attain a “modest profit”.

Michigan: ObamaCare forcing HealthPlus to begin “voluntary separations”.  So far 250 people will be let go! Outright layoffs will begin at the end of September, company administrators reportedly have a goal of eliminating 5-hundred jobs!  In May the insurance company got out of the Medicaid business by selling off its Medicaid and MIChild operations.

Nebraska: In Lincoln, after almost nine years The Yarn Shop shutdown.

Nevada: Grocer Fresh & Easy shutting down three stores in the Las Vegas metro area, by the end of next week.

New Jersey: Home to 425 race horses, Showplace Farms shutting down in October.  Elitist supporters want taxpayers to bail the horse racing industry out!

North Carolina: A National Public Radio report revealed a booming business; new cemeteries for the thousands of veterans allowed to die by the evil hands of the Veterans Affairs; As Cemetery Building Booms, Veterans Hope To Be Buried Close To Home

Pennsylvania: Non-profit Channels Food Rescue shutting down because “it is not a viable, sustainable business model any more”, according to executive director Vicki DiSylvester.

Oklahoma: Colorado based natural gas supplier QEP Resources announced it is shutting down its regional office in Tulsa, 70 jobs lost. QEP joins dozens of other U.S. companies consolidating operations due to the bad economy.

Texas: Despite reporting “better than expected” profits, Houston based oil company ConocoPhillips stated they will continue eliminating jobs.  Since 2014 the “World’s largest independent E&P company” has eliminated 1-thousand 5-hundred jobs, but says that because they expect oil prices to crash they want to cut another $1-billion in costs (mainly jobs) over the next two years!

29 July 2015: “…economic conditions dire…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”