Tag Archives: education

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 04 – 05 March 2015: Another debt collector bites the dust! Capitalism blamed for killing off Lifestyle Lift! Obamacare to cause “more change than we’ve seen in the past 75 years combined.”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

What real estate recovery?  Internet based commercial office space seller 42Floors laid off at least 14 people in the cities of New York and San Francisco.  The company halted its commercial real estate brokerage ops and will focus on providing internet searches and listings only: “Over the past few months, 42Floors has experimented with being a brokerage in addition to being a commercial real estate data and search website. We’ve decided today to stick with what we’re best at…”-Jason Freedman, founder

U.S. based barrel maker Greif Incorporated announced it will end metal barrel production in two U.S. states, and in Germany.  The number of jobs to be lost were not made public.

Spain based ‘fast casual’ restaurant Mondatidos chain has placed 1-hundred of its U.S. restaurants into chapter 11 bankruptcy. It should be noted that none of Mondatidos restaurants in other countries are part of the bankruptcy, apparently the economy is that bad in the U.S.

Alabama: Bogue’s Restaurant now chapter 11 bankrupt busted: “A prime motivation factor for Bogue’s filing its reorganization case was to be able to pay its tax debts in an orderly manner.”-Bradley Hightower, attorney

California:  What housing market recovery?  Agoura Hills based InterThink sold off its mortgage division, resulting in at least 70 people being laid off.

Colorado: In Longmont, ‘spy’ satellite operator DigitalGlobe laid off 64 people.   It’s part of the company’s plan to kill 155 jobs across the United States!  Company administrators have been reporting profits but said their outlook for the future of the economy is grim, so they’re cutting jobs now.

Florida:  In Tampa, Ohio Retail Security & Mainstreet Maintenance issued a WARN saying at least 49 people will be laid off by the end of May.

Idaho: Will nuclear power plant operator Areva shutdown their Eagle Rock project?  The French government owned Areva revealed they lost more money.  This time they lost $5.4-billion USD, and as a result they will begin cutting back on their international operations (they refuse to give details about those cuts).

Indiana: In Vincennes, flat glass maker Schott Gemtron laid off 65 employees.  News reports did not indicate why.    hhgregg appliance store chain announced they will shutdown stores in Indianapolis and Richmond, at least 30 employees affected.  Two other stores are being consolidated.

Massachusetts: In Fenway, after four years Jerry Remy’s sports bar and grill shutdown.

Michigan: Byron Township based grocery chain owner SpartanNash announced they will shutdown ten grocery stores in their “western store base”. They say it’s necessary as part of their plans to “expand”.   In Flint, Kroger shutdown yet another grocery store. They shutdown their Davidson Road store, 65 jobs lost.

Minnesota: Bus operator SmartLink Transit announced they will layoff employees, including all its drivers, due to the loss of several contracts.  Company administrators say they will now contract out all the jobs, for less pay and no benefits.

New Jersey: Kean University announced it will layoff 54 janitors and grounds keepers.  The jobs will be contracted out.  University administrators claim they’re trying to cut $3.4-million per year, yet this didn’t stop them from spending $219-thousand on a conference table made in China!

New York: In Cortland, fishing materials supplier Cortland Line shutdown their three years old Riverside Plaza store.   In Orleans County, Brown’s Berry Patch shutdown its retail berry picking ops.  At LaGuardia Airport Terminal D, Airserv issued a shutdown WARN saying they lost their Gate Aviation contract and 178 people will become jobless at the beginning of June!  News reports claim that call center operator Sitel issued a WARN on 02 March, saying 120 people at their Painted Post call center will become jobless by April, however, I checked the New York Department of Labor’s WARN site and couldn’t find any such notice dated 02 March.  The same news reports said Sitel also WARNed in January they would layoff 278 people, but again, I couldn’t find the WARN on the New York Department of Labor’s website.   Pioneer Credit Recovery lost their federal contract to harass people who owe money on student loans.  4-hundred debt collectors to become jobless (That’s good news)!

North Carolina: Thinking about getting that plastic surgery?  Lifestyle Lift suddenly began shutting down their clinics, with no notice or explanation.  News reports say employees have been working without pay!  One doctor blames capitalism: “The more it’s treated like a commodity, the more you’re going to see failures like this.”-Stephen Finical

Ohio: The Buckeye State losing at least five CPS Operations owned Sears Appliance & Hardware stores, and possibly two Abtroit Limited Partnership owned Sears Appliance & Hardware stores by May (or until merchandise is sold out). They employ about 15 to 20 people each. Apparently the franchise owners of Sears Appliance & Hardware did not want to renew their contracts with Sears Holdings.

Pennsylvania: In Saint Marys, hospital Penn Highlands Elk announced they will eliminate 43 jobs and reduce the hours for 25 employees.   A local news report blamed “systemic changes implemented under the Affordable Care Act”.  Hospital administrator Raymond A. Graeca said “We’re facing a very different healthcare delivery environment today than we were five years ago, and the American Hospital Association is projecting that the next five years alone will hold more change than we’ve seen in the past 75 years combined.” 

Virginia: In Bristol, the soon to be officially owned by Staples Office Depot announced it will shutdown its customer care center, causing 140 people to become jobless by the end of May!  According to local news reports the shutdown was actually planned after Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013.   In Fredericksburg, home decor store This and That shutdown their brick-n-mortar op.   One of the co-owners is pursuing a job in healthcare.  Apparently they still sell on the internet.

01 – 03 March 2015: “We weren’t expecting this at all!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 01 – 03 March 2015: “We weren’t expecting this at all!” More bad news from Target! Oil company blames ‘climate change’ for bankruptcy! New term for downsizing; “Accelerating Reduction Leverage”!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Bermuda based on-shore oil rig company Nabors Industries revealed they’ve killed off at least 35-hundred jobs in the United States!   While administrators told news media it was because of oil prices, CEO Anthony Petrello admitted to investors that the true reason is “They are shedding rigs based on a lack of long term contracts….”  CFO William Restrepo expects their U.S. rig count to fall by 50%.

Pepsi and Coca-Cola announced they will each shutdown at least one of their bottling ops in Russia, blaming U.S. sanctions.

California:  Employee management company Scarborough Management finally revealed they’ve gone bust and began shutting down offices across The Golden State starting back in January, more than 9-hundred jobs lost by May!  In Costa Mesa, hotel Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa issued a WARN saying they will temporarily shutdown in May, 85 jobs lost.  Colorado based solar power panel installer RGS Energy announced it will layoff 1-hundred Californians!  Company administrators say it’s the result of their new business model.

Florida: In Tampa, professional-tech services company Leidos issued a WARN saying 85 people will be laid off in April.  In Hollywood, military uniform maker and taxsucker Short Bark Industries issued a layoff WARN for May, saying 156 people will become unemployed!

Hawaii: Switzerland based GMO seed maker and farm chemicals seller Syngenta laid off 23 Hawaiians.  Administrators say it’s part of their “Accelerating Reduction Leverage program” meant to cut $1-billion USD in operating costs by 2018!  Proof the economy is not recovering.

Illinois: City administrators of Madison warned of layoffs for firefighters and police.  The Village of Madison is short $8-million, due to crashing tax revenues, which is caused only by a suck-ass-economy.   In Chicago, housewares retailer Crate & Barrel laid off under 30 of its HQ employees.  Administrators admit they don’t see any economic recovery happening, saying they need “to align our work force with our future business strategies.”  Also in Chicago, Oprah Winfrey turns her back and is moving her Harpo Studios to California, 2-hundred jobs lost!

Louisiana: Tulane University warned it must consider layoffs due to being constantly $20-million in the hole, year after year.

Massachusetts: State administrators warned they will force 45-hundred taxsucking state employees into early retirement starting in July!  The gov’na also wants to layoff an undisclosed number of state workers, saying the land of Boston Weak needs to cut $178-million from the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.  In Springfield, private Curtis Blake School shutdown with short notice to parents.  Administrators blame what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome), as usual parents were shocked by the bad economic news: “This is a big huge blow, we weren’t expecting this at all!”-Melissa Sullivan

Minnesota: Minneapolis based Target announced they will kill off several thousands of jobs by 2017!  It’s part of their plans to cut $2-billion in operating costs!  More proof there is no economic recovery.

Montana: In Kalispell, Obama Care forcing 30 patients to find a new assisted living center by April.  Reports indicate that the owner of Greenwood Village assisted living center can’t make money under Obama Care funding, so he’s turning it into a hotel!

New York: In East Elmhurst, Clarion Hotel issued a shutdown WARN for May, saying at least 44 employees will become jobless.  In North Syracuse, Seneca Data Distributors amended their 2014 WARN, saying their shutdown will take place by the end of April.  They are joining the mass exodus from The Empire State and moving to Arizona.  In Painted Post, Sitel Operating Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for April, due to the loss of a major client, 120 jobs lost!  In Huntington, Obama Care forcing mental healthcare provider The Pederson Krag Center to sell its offices across New York, at least 85 jobs lost between March and April (not known if new owner will continue operations).   Bank of New York Mellon issued a shutdown WARN for their One Wall Street office, saying 50 people will become jobless by July.  The Mondrian Soho Hotel issued a shutdown WARN for May, saying 201 employees will become jobless due to the property being foreclosed on!  The New York Times ended its Home section, several jobs lost.  Also in NYC, after 78 years the last sheet music store shutdown.  The owner of Frank Music Company blames crashing sales: “We went from seeing 15 to 20 people per day to seeing two or three. I went from feeling like I was at the center of the world to feeling invisible.”-Heidi Rogers

Oklahoma: WPX Energy announced it will layoff 83 natural gas industry workers across the U.S.  Also, most of the 156 employees in Colorado will be relocated to Oklahoma.  Company administrators admitted they never budgeted for a drop in natural gas prices: “We’ve evaluated many options to adjust our cost structure, and no solution is perfect.”– Rick Muncrief, CEO

Oregon: After 11 years U.S. Postal mail digitizer Earth Class Mail is now chapter 11 bankrupt, but only to make their sale more easy.  Earth Class Mail (Document Command and Remote Control Mail) turns your snail mail into electronic form so you can read it on your smart-phone.  The debt loaded Earth Class Mail (which has lost money every year) is being sold to an unnamed company.

Pennsylvania: In Canton, reports that after 40 years of doctor office operations Arnot Health Systems shut it down.   Local news reports say administrators with Arnot Health Systems would not talk to them.

South Dakota: In Aberdeen, after 106 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) the family owners of Webb Shoe Company announced they will shutdown by May.  The owners said they will try to rent out the property, but a fundamental shift in local economies has taken place: “It’s a whole new ballgame. Downtowns everywhere have been changing. They aren’t like they were in the 1970s and ’80s and mid-’90s. Downtown businesses have more of a niche feel now, with specialty shops and restaurants…. People come in now, look for a certain size, then go buy online somewhere.”-Jon Webb

Tennessee: After 70 years the Christian God refuses to stop the shutdown of Tennessee Temple University.   Local news reports say some student athletes were told about the shutdown, and were also told not to tell anybody about it.

Texas:  Wisconsin based Hamilton Scientific issued a WARN revealing they shutdown their Round Rock operations, 67 jobs lost.  Administrators blamed “unforeseen business circumstances”.   Evil call center contractor Convergys announced they will layoff 281 people at their Pharr call center, by the end of April!   Administrators blamed the property owner saying “Basically our lease on the building will expire on August 31 and we decided not to renew the lease in that location.”  Houston based off-shore oil rig company Cal Dive now chapter 11 bankrupt busted after failing to make the $2.2-million interest payment on a massive loan!  Don’t blame oil prices, company administrators say they’ve been losing money since last year, after bad weather canceled at least two major projects: “Our business has experienced several adverse events that were beyond our control, and with our current capital structure, we are no longer able to financially withstand the industry downturn.”-Quinn Hébert, CEO

Virginia: In Midlothian, Kids R Kids daycare center shutdown with only one weeks notice.  The operators said they’ve “experienced a period of financial difficulty and can no longer sustain ongoing operations.”  180 children affected.

West Virginia: First Community Bank announced they will shutdown their Mercer Mall office in May, blaming lack of “traffic”.

27 – 28 February 2015: “we have not been spared”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 27 – 28 February 2015: “We have not been spared…” “…1,200 plus employees may not be getting a paycheck.” Obamacare at it again! More BS in the oil sector! Harassing A-hole debt collectors soon to join unemployment line!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

An east coast health insurance company is killing jobs, no thanks to Obama Care.  Highmark laid off almost 1-hundred people in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia!  Administrators admit that since Obama Care went into effect they’ve actually lost customers, so much so that they have to make drastic cuts!  Apparently Obama Care favors Highmark’s competitor Aetna as many of Highmark’s customers were forced to change insurance plans and become Aetna and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center customers.    One report says Highmark lost 60% of “market share” just in the western half of Pennsylvania!   What was that about Obama Care increasing access to healthcare?

Arizona: In Green Valley, after 14 years The Old Time Butcher Shop announced it will shutdown in March. The owners say a 60% drop in business is a sign to spend more time with their great-grand-children.

California:  Castaic Union School District has approved the elimination of at least 43 jobs.  Those still employed will be forced to take unpaid days off (furlough).   It’s blamed on what I call DSS (Disapearing Student Syndrome), district administrators say the school system has lost more than 1-thousand students over the past ten years!

Colorado:  In Denver, after 35 years the owner of Hollywood Posters announced he must shut it down by April.  It’s blamed on evil landlords jacking up the rent: “We’re seeing a re-gentrifying of East Colfax. Rates are going crazy!”-Carolyn Martinez, commercial real estate agent

Connecticut:  Evil Too Big to Jail Royal Bank of Scotland (aka RBS) announced it will eliminate more than 1-thousand U.S. jobs in Stamford!  The British empire bank said it’s part of their plans to cut global operations down from 38 countries to just 13.

Idaho: The Idaho Department of Labor has finally posted some past due WARNs issued by Kimbal and Plum Creek Timber (in my earlier Job Loss reports I noted that no WARNs had been posted concerning their layoffs-shutdowns).  Also, a WARN was posted by food producer Simplot saying 20 people will be laid off from their Aberdeen ops in April.

Illinois:  In Peru, OfficeMax is quietly shutting down its call center, 275 employees were ordered to keep their mouths shut!  Local news reports say the shutdown will happen in March.  Apparently OfficeMax is moving the call center offshore to India.  The 42 years old Aurora Child Development Center shutting down due to state funding problems.  Administrators say the great state of Illinois is at least three months behind on their Child Care Assistance Program payments!

Indiana:  US Steel (aka USS) shutting down the last of their Gary coke factories by May, 3-hundred jobs lost!  Administrators blame the crashing steel market and the fact that they’ve spent big bucks on building a new coke factory in Alabama.

Michigan: Evil debt collector Asset Acceptance Capital announced it will layoff 125 call center employees in May!  Good, now those harassing ass-holes will know what it’s like when you can’t pay your bills!

Missouri: A major advertising company in Saint Louis laid off 15 people.  Administrators of Osborn Barr blame crashing orders for advertisements from its primary client; the farm industry.

New York: Bankrupt NYC based women’s clothing chain Cache issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their administrative offices by March, 1-hundred jobs lost!  Is Obama Care responsible for the shutdown of Jewish home healthcare services?  In Bronx, FEGS (Federation Employment and Guidance Services) Family Care Services (Jewish Home Healthcare) issued a WARN saying they lost their contract with the state Children Services, 80 jobs lost by March. FEGS also issued a WARN saying as a result they must “restructure” resulting in at least 206 employees across the state becoming jobless by May!  In West Point, Land O’Frost announced it will shutdown its recently acquired Wimmer’s Meats factory by Autumn. Company administrators claim they had plans to operate the factory for years to come, but the economy is worse than they thought, 125 jobs lost!

Ohio: Amazingly TimkenSteel is blaming low oil prices for laying off 52 steel workers in March!  Apparently TimkenSteel customers work in the oil industry and orders have crashed.

Puerto Rico: The FDIC seized the assets of Doral Bank and turned them over to Banco Popular of Puerto Rico.

Texas: Oil industry tool maker Dresser-Rand announced it will kill off about 650 jobs!  Administrators blame crashing orders from the oil industry, however, the true reason could be that Dresser-Rand is trying to make itself look lean and mean as it hopes to sell itself to Germany’s Siemens for $7.6-billion USD.

Washington:  In Everett, Illinois based Boeing has notified 319 employees that they will become jobless in April!  In late 2013 state politicians extended tax breaks for Boeing for the sole purpose of keeping jobs alive, now they’re trying to get that money back.    After less than one year of operation Trios Medical Center now in big financial trouble no thanks to Obama Care (referred to as “the changing healthcare market”) with CEO Glen Marshall explaining that “The national trend has and will continue to be one of doing more with less. We have not been spared in that regard.”  40 employees laid off without notice and hospital assets are now being sold off.  An unnamed employee told local news media “On Fridays, on paydays, people are frantically checking their bank accounts to see if they’ll get paid. It’s a real fear that 1,200 plus employees may not be getting a paycheck.”

Wisconsin: Pay/Half clothing store shutting down in the Regency Mall.  No closure date was reported, and neither was an explanation given.

23 – 26 February 2015: “…the economy has dictated.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 23 – 26 February 2015: “The shop was losing so much money…” “…a huge drop in sales…” “…the economy has dictated.” “…makes it financially impossible…”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Once again Boeing issued several WARNs, this time at least 94 people will be laid off by the end of April.  Due to the hostile take over by Cerberus Albertsons, Safeway issued several more WARNs saying at least 132 people will lose their jobs in Pleasanton and Dublin.  In San Diego more job destruction; DialAmerica issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down their factory by May, 227 jobs lost!  Midland Credit issued a WARN saying 40 people will be laid off in May.  Active Network issued a layoff WARN saying 53 people will become jobless at the beginning of May.  In Los Angeles, is Obama Care behind the layoff of 15 employees at the Bienvenidos Children Center?  The WARN only says the layoffs will take place in April.  In Torrance, Japanese CD maker Panasonic issued a WARN saying they will shut down their disk factory by the end of April, at least 87 jobs lost.  In Pittsburg, steel maker USS-POSCO issued a WARN saying they must “temporarily” shutdown their factory at the end of April, at least 666 jobs lost!  In Valencia, Better Bakery issued a layoff WARN for April, 45 jobs lost.  In San Francisco, RealPage issued a shutdown WARN for April, 89 jobs lost.  In Shafter, more Baker Hughes oil employees getting the shaft as 50 were rendered jobless without warning.  Don’t blame oil prices, blame the take over by Halliburton.  In Vernon, V&L Produce issued a layoff WARN saying 87 people will be laid off by the end of April.  Palo Alto based Hewlett Packard (HP) announced it will kill off even more jobs, just as soon as it’s done killing off 55-thousand jobs currently!  It’s part of the company’s plans to be split into two separate entities.  Maker of revolutionary Light Field Cameras, Lytro is reportedly laying off 50 employees, apparently because the successful company is shifting focus to internet-social media and video.

Colorado: Lakewood based Einstein Bros Bagels announced it will shutdown 39 stores across the United States, apparently due to lack of sales: “After careful evaluation, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (“ENRGI”) has come to the difficult decision to close 39 underperforming restaurants, effective Tuesday, February 24, 2015.” 

Connecticut: Ohio based grocery store XPect Discounts announced it will shutdown all remaining stores in The Constitution State by the end of 2015!  Local news reports say no ‘official’ reason was given.  In Southbury, after 12 years the owners of Koenig Art Emporium announced they will shutdown in March saying “as the economy has dictated.”

Florida: Another women’s clothing operation going down; local news reports say Fort Myers based Chico’s is about to layoff huge numbers of employees due to the failure to find a buyer.  120 stores will be shutdown by 2017, with a minimum of 240 jobs lost! Company administrators blame an “unexpected” jump in operating costs, and blames bad sales on those evil fickle female shoppers.

Illinois: In Naperville, the Hollywood Palms Theater is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and up for sale.  The owner was recently arrested and charged with fraud and tax evasion.

Indiana: ModusLink issued a WARN saying 320 people will become jobless in April!  Administrators say they lost a major client.

Massachusetts:   It may have survived the Marathon bombing but it can’t survive the Boston Weak economy; the iconic FORUM Bar & Restaurant shutdown, the owner blames evil property owners for killing it off: “After the tragic events of the 2013 Boston Marathon….four long months of reconstruction…bureaucracy…the current real estate climate on Boylston Street has motivated FORUM’s landlord to raise rent…nearly three times our current rate…makes it financially impossible…”

Michigan: In Mount Morris, after 43 years meijer department and grocery store shutdown. Administrators basically said the sales were not high enough to justify renewing the lease. News reports say the building will be torn down, but no other info was available, 190 jobs lost!   In Port Huron, after more than ten years the Backyard Soaps and Candles retail outlet shutdown.  The owners blamed the bad economy saying “The shop was losing so much money…we didn’t get enough foot traffic.”  The soap maker still sells over the internet.

Missouri: Toys R Us is shutting down their Ferguson store in March, 36 jobs lost.  The property is up for sale.

Nebraska: Italy-Netherlands based New Holland farm equipment maker CNH Industrial announced they will layoff 136 U.S. citizens at their Grand Island factory by the end of July!  Company administrators blame the bad global economy for crashing sales.

Nevada: In Reno, after 11 years the Tronix Nightclub shutdown, blaming “a huge drop in sales and customer’s support”.

New Jersey:  After 65 years the Surflight Theater now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and dead.  The operators blame years of bad sales and a 2012 fire followed by damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.  In 2014 they tried to raise money through private donations, but failed.  Pennsylvania based arena operator Aramark announced that more than 17-hundred jobs will be lost when they shutdown the Izod Center after March!  Administrators blame crashing ticket sales.

New York:  Sears Holdings issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Bay Shore Product Rebuild Center in May, 134 jobs lost!   Internet based real estate company Trulia issued a WARN saying they will layoff a small number of employees by August, it’s connected to the hostile takeover by internet based Zwillow.  Peninsula Counseling Center issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Valley Stream Article 31 Clinic in April, 77 jobs lost (is Obama Care to blame?).   Too Big to Jail Community National Bank issued a WARN relating to their 2014 sale to Bridgehampton National Bank (aka Bridge Bankcorp), more than 1-hundred jobs could be lost by May!  Too Big to Jail Bank of America announced that 53 people will become unemployed as they shutdown their Jericho mortgage office.  In NYC owner of Comedy Central and MTV, Viacom is warning of massive layoffs, blaming crashing ratings.  Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase announced they will shutdown 3-hundred offices over the next two years, blaming new rules penalizing big banks for having large uninsured accounts.

North Carolina: Charlotte Marriott City Center hotel laid off 68 people, blaming remodeling work.  In Charlotte, famous chef Emeril announced he is shutting down his e2 emeril’s eatery and e2GO in April: “The restaurant was never able to achieve the volume projected…”-facebook statement

Pennsylvania:   O’Hara based Giant Eagle owned Good Cents Grocery shutting down all eight stores in Pennsylvania and Ohio, in March. Administrators with Giant Eagle blamed the bad economy for the failure of their Good Cents Grocery chain. Some of the Good Cents Grocery stores had been open for only one year, replacing Valu King stores! Each store has about 35 employees.   Noble Energy announced it is shutting down it’s 83 years old Ardmore office, 125 jobs lost!  Company administrators blame the volatile oil industry, and also warned they will consolidate their Texas ops saying “by the end of April, folks will know whether they do or don’t have a position”.

Rhode Island: Obama Care destroys 41 jobs at the Women & Infants Hospital. Work hours for other employees are being reduced.  Local news reports referred to Obama Care as a “challenging healthcare environment”.

Texas: Oil field company Tenaris announced it will shutdown its Conroe ops by April, 230 jobs lost! But wait, don’t blame it all on oil prices, company administrators say the main reason is “Record levels of unfairly traded imports of OCTG (oil country tubular goods) from South Korea…”  In Waco, aircraft company L-3 laid off 115 people!  Company administrators blamed “reduced volume of work”.

Washington: Reports that student travel company People to People laid off about 50 people in Spokane.  Local news reports say company administrators refuse to comment.  At one point the company had 2-hundred employees but is apparently down to just 50 after this latest round of layoffs.  The owner of Boat Street Cafe says she will shut it down in May, she still has two other restaurants.  Redmond based Microsoft announced it will shutdown two factories in China by the end of March, killing off 9-thousand jobs!

19 – 22 February 2015: “It absolutely killed us…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 19 – 22 February 2015: “It absolutely killed us…” ObamaCare kills off 191 years old company! “There’s money here….but the future is a question.” “We will truly miss you.”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: Local news media claiming the biggest employer in the Grand Canyon State, Asarco mining company, will layoff 160 people  in Pinal and Gila counties!  Asarco administrators blame the layoffs on an 80% crash in the price of copper.

California:  Iconic Frederick’s of Hollywood announced it must shutdown at least 31 stores across the U.S., including their original store in Hollywood!  Company administrators warned more stores could be shuttered saying “These stores should have been closed years ago.”   Safeway grocery chain issued a WARN saying another 213 jobs will be lost in April! Blame Cerberus Albertsons for the hostile takeover of Safeway.  In Los Angeles, after getting $24-million USD from ailing Warner Brothers, and claiming to be seeking to hire 15 people, internet video game company Machinima laid off 13 employees.  San Diego based taxsucking military contractor Cubic Corporation is combining two ops in order to cut $17-million, at least 150 people will be laid off!

Colorado: Lakewood based Einstein Bros Bagels announced it will shutdown 39 stores across the United States, apparently due to lack of sales: “After careful evaluation, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (“ENRGI”) has come to the difficult decision to close 39 underperforming restaurants, effective Tuesday, February 24, 2015.” 

Hawaii: A month after shutting down their Kihei, Kona and Hilo stores, Hilo Hattie declared chapter 11 bankruptcy, for the second time in seven years.  The new owners blame the bad economy saying “…our plan was finding a retail footprint that fit today’s market, and that has proven elusive.”  The lease on their Nimitz store is now for sale.

Louisiana: The Pelican State’s Secretary of State Tom Schedler said he is laying off 24 museum employees and reducing operating hours for state run museums in April.  A special election is being postponed until October.  It’s part of a plan to cut state spending by $61-million.  Politicians are blaming crashing tax revenues from the petroleum industry caused by ‘low’ oil prices.

Massachusetts: In Tauton, the last old school silversmith,  191 years old (surviving the Long Depression, Civil War, Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Reed & Barton now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down in June!  The CEO said insurance industry written Obamacare was the final straw as it caused their employee retirement plan costs to skyrocket to as much as $18-million per year: “It absolutely killed us….We hung on as long as we could…it’s been all-consuming for the past year and half.”-Tim Riddle

Nebraska:  After 37 years, the new owner of Duggan’s Pub (formerly Sam’s Pub) announced it will be shutdown in March. The new owner is a property developer.

New Jersey: Camden based iconic soup maker Cambells announced it will begin massive job destruction in order to cut $200-million over the next three years. For proof there is no economic recovery, company administrators say company profits have been crashing steadily since 2008, with no end in sight: “Like other companies in our industry, we’re contending with now not just the long term impact of the Great Recession on consumer purchasing behavior, or the increasingly complex public dialog when it comes to food, or the regulatory environment for food.”-Denise Morrison, ceo

New York:  In NYC and Jericho, Too Big to Jail Bank of America Global Tech issued a WARN saying 88 people will become unemployed in May.  Too Big to Jail Capital One announced it will shutdown its Jamesport office in April, admitting the economy is so bad it is forcing them to work “as efficiently as possible”.   Advertising company Leo Burnett announced they will join the exodus from New York and shutdown their NYC office in order to focus on “the broader global network.”

Ohio: In Mansfield, School Specialty revealed it had laid off an undisclosed number of employees last week, this after they claimed to be investing $7-million into a new school supply warehouse.

Pennsylvania: Comcast cable company shutting down three service centers sometime after the first of April.  Customers who walk in their payments in Dallas, Duryea and Scranton will have to find another way to make their payments.  No indication how many jobs will be lost, but Comcast says the shutdowns are precisely because fewer people have been making their payments in person.

Tennessee: A 2014 University of Memphis study stated that only seven of the 77 low income areas of the city have full service grocery stores, now that might be down to six; a Kroger Food & Drugs on the 4000 block of American Way shutdown with short notice and without explaining why.  In Rogersville after 63 years the city’s only furniture-appliances store, Otis Home Center, shutdown.  The third generation owners blame recent battles with cancer: “One thing my father told me shortly before he passed away was, ‘Phillip if you want to travel and see the world and go on some trips…..you need to do it before you get in the shape I am and can’t go nowhere.'”-Phillip Henard

Texas: Marathon Oil announced they will layoff as many as 4-hundred mainly “above-the-field and support services personnel” by the end of 2015!  France based petroleum equipment maker Technip reduced its fleet of Texas based oil service ships from 36 down to 21. It’s part of the company’s 18-hundred job cuts worldwide!  Norway based oil service company Aker Solutions issued a warning from its Houston office saying “As we see it today, these challenges will continue through 2015 and possibly also into 2016.”  Their first action to deal with the “challenges” is to layoff 3-hundred people in their home country of Norway!  Will their ops in Texas be next?   Baker Hughes laid off 58 people at its Kilgore ops. Don’t blame oil prices, blame the takeover by Halliburton, one clue is that Baker Hughes told city administrators that the layoffs were “permanent”.

Vermont: In Burlington, the owners of Apple Mountain gift store shut it down saying “Unfortunately, the costs associated with running a locally owned business here has outpaced our means. We will truly miss you.”   Taxsucking military armor supplier Plasan announced they will shutdown their Bennington ops in July, 62 full-time jobs lost: “Unfortunately, economic realities in the defense industry have forced us to consolidate our facility in Michigan.”

Wisconsin: In Greenfield, after more than 30 years Naked Furniture will shutdown at the end of April.  The owner says the store was profitable but sales have been steadily crashing and he wants to get out while he’s ahead: “There’s money here and there’s profit here, but the future is a question.”-Eric Lois

17 – 18 February 2015: “It’s all over!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Food Crisis, February 2015: No more Poppin’ Fresh? Boston Weak property owners more destructive than terrorists! No more Chiquita bananas? USDA warns of becoming dependent on food from other countries?

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of February, 2015: 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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) February Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade shows continuing declines in U.S. exports to other countries “…down $2.0 billion from the November forecast and $11.0 billion from fiscal 2014.”  The amount of food being imported into the U.S. is growing “…at a record $119.0 billion, up $3.0 billion from November, and $10.0 billion higher than in fiscal 2014.”  As a result U.S. trade surplus is “…down from $43.3 billion in fiscal 2014…the smallest surplus since fiscal 2007.”

Arizona: In Green Valley, after 14 years The Old Time Butcher Shop announced it will shutdown in March.  The owners say a 60% drop in business is a sign to spend more time with their great-grand-children.

California:  Safeway grocery chain issued a WARN saying another 213 jobs will be lost in April! Blame Cerberus Albertsons for the hostile takeover of Safeway.   Food and coffee supplier Farmer Brothers issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in Torrance, 271 jobs lost by May! In Santa Monica, International Coffee & Tea issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in April, 69 jobs lost. In Fresno, historic Tailspin Tommy’s Aerodrome Eatery shutdown, local news media said “money ran out”.  In Bakersfield, Caesar’s Italian Delicatessen shutdown: “February 13th will be our last day…..We first opened our doors in June of 1971…..It’s been a profound honor to serve everyone who has walked through our doors over the years and this is an incredibly sad day for us.”-owners facebook posting

Colorado: Lakewood based Einstein Bros Bagels announced it will shutdown 39 stores across the United States, apparently due to lack of sales: “After careful evaluation, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (“ENRGI”) has come to the difficult decision to close 39 underperforming restaurants, effective Tuesday, February 24, 2015.”

Connecticut: Ohio based grocery store XPect Discounts announced it will shutdown all remaining stores in The Constitution State by the end of 2015! Local news reports say no ‘official’ reason was given.

Delaware: In Bethany Beach, the Harris Teeter grocery store shutdown, 39 jobs lost. This comes after company administrators said they were going to expand the grocery chain.

Hawaii: After only three years The Grove in Kailua was discovered to be shutdown. News reports indicate the restaurant actually shutdown back in December, no comment from the owners.

Illinois: In Chicago, after 18 years Carmichael’s Steakhouse announced it will shutdown in March, blaming the greedy property owner.  The property was sold off and will be used to build an apartment complex.  The restaurant manager is pissed, as his business was good: “It’s unfortunate that we have to close when we’re still doing really good business.”-Ben Sawyer

Indiana:  After seven years Richmond chocolate shop Ghyslain Bistro shutdown.  The owner said he’s focusing on his stores in Kentucky and internet sales.

Kentucky:  Remke Markets announced they could not afford to renew their lease on their Newport grocery store.  The store will shutdown at the beginning of March, 58 jobs lost.

Massachusetts:  It may have survived the Marathon bombing but it can’t survive the Boston Weak economy; the iconic FORUM Bar & Restaurant shutdown, the owner blames evil property owners for killing it off: “After the tragic events of the 2013 Boston Marathon….four long months of reconstruction…bureaucracy…the current real estate climate on Boylston Street has motivated FORUM’s landlord to raise rent…nearly three times our current rate…makes it financially impossible…” 

Michigan: Ciolino Fruit and Vegetable Market shutdown its Monroe store, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.  In Kalamazoo, with little notice to employees the Harding’s grocery store on Howard Street was sold off and is being shutdown, 60 jobs lost.   In Northville, decades old Starting Gate Saloon restaurant shutdown and was sold-off.  In Mount Morris, after 43 years meijer department and grocery store shutdown.  Administrators basically said the sales were not high enough to justify renewing the lease.  News reports say the building will be torn down, but no other info was available, 190 jobs lost!

Missouri: A major advertising company in Saint Louis laid off 15 people. Administrators of Osborn Barr blame crashing orders for advertisements from its primary client; the farm industry.

Nebraska: After 19 years the Herbs & More store shutdown.  The owner is retiring due to massive competition.  After 37 years, the new owner of Duggan’s Pub (formerly Sam’s Pub) announced it will be  shutdown in March.  The new owner is a property developer.   Italy-Netherlands based New Holland farm equipment maker CNH Industrial announced they will layoff 136 U.S. citizens at their Grand Island factory by the end of July! Company administrators blame the bad global economy for crashing sales.

New Jersey: Camden based iconic soup maker Cambells announced it will begin massive job destruction in order to cut $200-million USD over the next three years.  For proof there is no economic recovery, company administrators say company profits have been crashing steadily since 2008, with no end in sight: “Like other companies in our industry, we’re contending with now not just the long term impact of the Great Recession on consumer purchasing behavior, or the increasingly complex public dialog when it comes to food, or the regulatory environment for food.”-Denise Morrison, ceo

New York: In West Point, Land O’Frost announced it will shutdown its recently acquired Wimmer’s Meats factory by Autumn.  Company administrators claim they had plans to operate the factory for years to come, but the economy is worse than they thought, 125 jobs lost!  In Fredonia, food company ConAgra-The Carriage House issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in May, 423 jobs lost! They also revealed the layoffs actually began back in October!

North Carolina:  The new Brazil based owners of iconic Chiquita is shutting down the Charlotte HQ beginning in April, between 262 and 350 jobs lost!  State and local administrators are demanding Chiquita pay back all the tax incentives it got.  Brazilian Cutrale and Safra group took over Chiquita late last year.   In Charlotte, famous chef Emeril announced he is shutting down his e2 emeril’s eatery and e2GO in April: “The restaurant was never able to achieve the volume projected…”-facebook statement

Ohio: After more than 70 years the owners of Springboro Hardware announced they will shutdown in March. They blamed a crash in customer traffic on the shutdown of the nextdoor IGA grocery store. Food maker General Mills confirming it will shutdown its 56 years old New Albany Pillsbury dough factory by the middle of 2016, at least 440 jobs will be lost! General Mills and worker’s union administrators claim the employees will get a generous severance package if they stay on until the shutdown, and could even make 26 bucks per hour. The shutdown will also affect 70 contracted workers at the nearby package making factory Sonoco (they make the tube cans for the Pillsbury Pop-n-Fresh dough products). The New Albany Pillsbury dough factory is the lifeblood of the community, half of the employees will be retired early: “My brother’s been there as long as I have, my dad retired from there, my wife works there, her nephew works there, so it’s a big family thing. These people have been around each other all this time, and it’s coming to an end.”-Steve Early, employed at the mill for the past 21 years

Pennsylvania:  Conshohocken based Saladworks now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and up for sale.  Administrators claim the bankruptcy shouldn’t affect their more than 100 restaurants.  The bankruptcy is blamed on internal fighting between top brass.  O’Hara based Giant Eagle owned Good Cents Grocery shutting down all eight stores in Pennsylvania and Ohio, in March.  Administrators with Giant Eagle blamed the bad economy for the failure of their Good Cents Grocery chain.  Some of the Good Cents Grocery stores had been open for only one year, replacing Valu King stores!  Each store has about 35 employees.

South Dakota: Michigan based grocery store owner SpartanNash announced they will shutdown their Rapid City food distribution center in April, 49 jobs lost.  Company administrators say the bad economy is forcing them to consolidate warehouses.

Tennessee: A 2014 University of Memphis study stated that only seven of the 77 low income areas of the city have full service grocery stores, now that might be down to six; a Kroger Food & Drugs on the 4000 block of American Way, in Memphis, shutdown with short notice and without explaining why.

Virginia: In Martinsville, the owners of 50 years old Snow’s Sandwich Shop say the bad economy is forcing them to shutdown at the end of March, unless somebody loaded with cash can take it over.  In Arlington Heights, Panera Bread shutdown: “For 15 years, the Panera Bread bakery-cafe on Evergreen Street has been privileged to serve our neighbors in downtown Arlington Heights. With the expiration of our lease, we have decided to close this location on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.” 

Washington:   The owner of Boat Street Cafe says she will shut it down in May, she still has two other restaurants.  More proof you can’t blame the internet for stealing business from brick-n-mortars!  Internet based ‘organic’ food promoter Farmstr shutdown.  Ignorant company administrators blamed competitors like California based GoodEggs, which if you read my January 2015 Food Crisis report you’ll see even GoodEggs is in trouble!  In other words, it’s the overall bad economy not competition.

Wisconsin:  In Milwaukee, Love Handle Restaurant shutdown.  Apparently the economy is so bad in The Badger State the owners decided to “head back to Indiana to start on new projects.”

January 2015: “we’re losing everything”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 13 – 16 February 2015: “I don’t think the entire truth is here because it’s NOT about money!” California flooded with massive WARNs about massive layoffs & shutdowns for April!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: The day after I wrote that state Employment Development Department stopped posting WARNs, BOOM, now there’s a whole lotta new WARNs posted! Apparently a lot of companies were late in notifying state administrators about their layoffs and shutdowns! In Santa Monica, International Coffee & Tea issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in April, 69 jobs lost.  At Los Angeles International Airport, Menzies Aviation issued a WARN saying 134 people will become jobless in April!  In Palo Alto, Hewlett Packard revealed they laid off another 52 employees.  In San Diego, United Technologies issued a WARN saying at least four employees will be laid off in April.  Also in San Diego, EverQuest maker Daybreak Game finally issued a WARN revealing they will kill 140 jobs in April! In Novato, Fireman’s Fund Insurance issued a WARN saying they laid off 23 people. In Foothill Ranch, legal drugs pusher Pfizer issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in May, 70 jobs lost.  Mitt Romney’s evil Massachusetts based wunderkind Staples issued several WARNs saying they will shutdown in La Mirada and Los Angeles by the end of April, more than 200 jobs lost!  Food and coffee supplier Farmer Brothers issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in Torrance, 271 jobs lost by May!  In Korbel, Washington based Green Diamond Resource issued a shutdown WARN for April, at least 12 jobs lost. In San Ramon, AT&T issued a WARN saying 74 people will be laid off in April.  In Vista, free PennySaver newspaper issued a shutdown WARN for April, 131 jobs lost!  In Truckee, Marriott hotels issued a shutdown WARN for April, 259 jobs lost! In Chico, what automotive industry recovery?  Courtesy Motors issued a shutdown WARN for April, 91 jobs lost.  Obama Care forcing El Centro Medical Center to issue a WARN saying 20 people will be laid off in April. In San Pablo, Obama Care forcing Doctors Medical Center to issue a shutdown WARN for April, 709 jobs lost!  In San Francisco, VPM Maintenance issued a WARN saying they’re laying off 35 people in April.  Also in San Francisco, Marriott hotels issued a layoff WARN for April, 24 people will be laid off.  In Compton, Nabors Completion & Production issued a WARN saying 136 people will become jobless in April!  In Willmington, joint Norway-Sweden based Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics issued a WARN saying 96 people will be laid off in April.  In Fresno, historic Tailspin Tommy’s Aerodrome Eatery shutdown, local news media said “money ran out”.  Taxsucking military contractor DynCorp International issued several WARNS saying they are shutting down ops in El Centro and San Diego in March, 93 jobs lost.  More proof you can’t blame the internet for crashing sales at brick-n-mortar stores; Sunnyvale based Yahoo eliminated about 200 jobs in Canada and California!  It’s assumed most of the layoffs were in Canada becasue Yahoo never submitted the required WARN in California.  Back in September Yahoo shutdown their Carslbad ops, eliminating 59 Golden State jobs.  The job culling is the result of Yahoo taking over numerous smaller competitors/start-ups.   In Auburn, after 40 years Mountain Mama clothing store shutdown.  The owner thinks by shifting to internet only sales she’ll be able to stay a float.

Connecticut: God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Saint John Paul II School.  Christian officials officially blame lack of money, but one parent thinks it’s a conspiracy: “I don’t think the entire truth is here because it’s NOT about money!”– Ewald Kuchciak, who pointed out that Christian students are being forced into a smaller school building

Delaware: In Bethany Beach, the Harris Teeter grocery store shutdown, 39 jobs lost.  This comes after company administrators said they were going to expand the grocery chain.

Kansas: The owner of The Great Mall of the Great Plains announced they must shut it down by Autumn 2015!  They blame the bad economy.

New York: Cayman Islands based Caledonian Bank now bankrupt busted because the U.S. federal court froze their assets with Northern Trust International Banking and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission says the bank was improperly registering corporations.

North Carolina: What housing market recovery? Bank of America Mortgage laying off 250 people in Charlotte!  Apparently that’s on top of the 540 layoffs announced back in June 2014!

Ohio: More Obama Care cuts! The Youngstown Developmental Center is being shutdown by 2017, at least 500 jobs lost!  It’s part of the massive shutdown being done by the Department of Developmental Disabilities, who blamed crashing government funding and a crashing population.  An ‘elected’ representative was upset: “… I, intend, as a state legislator, to hold the governor accountable.”-Michele Lepore-Hagan

Pennsylvania: Conshohocken based Saladworks now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and up for sale. Administrators claim the bankruptcy shouldn’t affect their more 100 restaurants. The bankruptcy is blamed on internal fighting between top brass.  The  Carnegie Museum of Art revealed they must eliminate seven jobs, but also said they must consolidate other jobs.   Sears Holdings announced they’re shutting down their 38 years old East Towne Mall Kmart in May, 51 jobs lost.

Tennessee:  In Nashville, after 16 years Curious Heart Emporium shutdown.  The owner blamed the bad economy.

Texas: Fort Worth based oil exploration company Quicksilver Resources joins the massive job killing by announcing they will layoff 10% of their employees in the U.S. and Canada.  Company administrators blame crashing oil prices for reducing the demand for oil exploration.

Vermont: The gov’na warned of more than 4-hundred state level job cuts if the state employees refuse to accept massive pay cuts!  It was also revealed that taxes might be raised in order to pay for increased health insurance costs caused by Obama Care!  In Montpelier, after more than 25 years Downstairs Video shutdown. The owner admitted his store was able to survive for so long “Because the broadband in this surrounding area is so bad…”

Virginia: In Martinsville, the owners of 50 years old Snow’s Sandwich Shop say the bad economy is forcing them to shutdown at the end of March, unless somebody loaded with cash can take it over. In Arlington Heights, Panera Bread shutdown: “For 15 years, the Panera Bread bakery-cafe on Evergreen Street has been privileged to serve our neighbors in downtown Arlington Heights. With the expiration of our lease, we have decided to close this location on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.” 

Washington: More proof you can’t blame the internet for stealing business from brick-n-mortars! Internet based ‘organic’ food promoter Farmstr shutdown. Ignorant company administrators blamed competitors like California based GoodEggs, which if you read my January 2015 Food Crisis report you’ll see even GoodEggs is in trouble! In other words, it’s the overall bad economy not competition.

11 – 12 February 2015: “…it’s coming to an end.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 11 – 12 February 2015: “It’s becoming a losing battle.” “…it’s coming to an end.” No more Pop-n-Fresh? GM shuts down Siverado parts center despite increased Siverado sales! California stops posting WARNs!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

What housing market recovery? “The number of future foreclosure auctions scheduled in January continued to increase in many states, foreshadowing more foreclosure spring cleaning to come in the next several months…”-RealtyTrac

Arizona: What building construction industry recovery? The Grand Canyon State lost 43-hundred construction jobs in 2014, the most in the U.S.!  The Associated General Contractors warns that even more jobs will be lost in 2015.  RealtyTrac says foreclosures jumped 100% from December 2014 to January 2015!

California: For some unknown reason the state Employment Development Department has stop posting WARNs.  The last two WARNs are dated 09 February 2015.  San Diego based Daybreak Game Company announced they are laying off employees in California and Texas, directly affecting the popular EverQuest franchise.  It’s the result of Japan based Sony selling them off to New York based Columbus Nova.  What housing market recovery? RealtyTrac reported a sudden jump in foreclosures by the end of January.  In Los Angeles County 1231 homes were foreclosed on.

Colorado: DCP Midstream reducing fracking ops in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, and shutting down offices in Oklahoma, affecting at least 200 jobs!  But don’t blame crashing oil prices, local news reports say company administrators planned the downsizing in summer 2014, before the prices started crashing!  Crashing oil prices only galvanized their existing plans to downsize.

Connecticut: In Berlin, The Learning Experience preschool shutdown with ten days notice.  The operators blamed “several circumstances beyond our control”.

Florida: Suwannee Valley Transit/North Central Florida Transit Authority to layoff six employees in March.  It’s blamed on crashing revenues due to lack of customers and the fact that two former employees absconded with $200-thousand USD!  But wait, there more bull-shit! For all their whining about not having any money the Transit Authority just replaced their board secretary, who was making $175 per month, with a new secretary who’ll be paid $275 per month!  I though they didn’t have any money?

Georgia: What building construction industry recovery?  Maker of concrete reinforcing steel Insteel Industries shutting down their Newnan factory in March, 20 jobs lost.  They are consolidating ops as part of their takeover of American Spring Wire.

Hawaii: In Honolulu, after 42 years Sanders Piano shutdown.  The owners said “It’s becoming a losing battle.”

Idaho: The state Department of Labor stopped posting WARNs, the last one dated 15 December 2014.

Illinois: Employees went public and revealed that the Ace Hardware on East Oakton Street, in Des Plaines, will shutdown by March.  What housing market recovery?  RealtyTrac reports that foreclosures for January 2015 beat out foreclosures for January 2014.  In Cook County there was a 24% increase!

Kentucky: After 25 years JJ’s Consignment Shop shutdown without notice, clients say they’re owed big money!  The owner disappeared months ago and apparently his son was running the store for the last few weeks.

Louisiana:  TeleServices Direct announced they will shutdown their Lafayette office in March, 125 jobs lost!  Administrators blame the bad economy.

Maryland: Spain based Santander Bank announced it is shutting down all ten of its Old Line State offices!  Arrogant bank administrators told customers they could do their banking over the internet.

Massachusetts:  France based legal drugs pusher Sanofi announced it will layoff about 1-hundred employees from several disease research centers!

Michigan: God refuses to stop ‘his’ bible seller, Family Christian, from becoming  chapter 11 bankrupt busted, 266 stores across 36 states now threatened.  The president of the ‘christian’ company, Chuck Bengochea, admitted the want of money caused by the 2008 crash forced them to take “on too much debt”.

Minnesota: Minneapolis based retailer Target laid off 550 people at its HQ!  It’s part of Target’s massive and sudden exit from Canada.  The Imperial Room bar and restaurant shutdown after losing its license to operate due to failure to pay taxes.

New Jersey: The Trenton School District says it must eliminate 113 teaching jobs due to a $19-million shortfall!  But wait there’s more, previous announcements said a total of 350 jobs could be lost, once the state government puts out its final funding numbers for the 2015-16 school year! (and those layoffs are for just one of many school districts!)

New York: What construction market recovery?  In Alden, building contractor Gamma North issued a WARN saying they will layoff 81 of their 99 employees by April.  Administrators also admitted they already started layoffs back in January.

North Carolina: For the third year in a row Durham based legal drugs pusher Quintiles announced layoffs, this year at least 270 people will become jobless!   Monument stone provider North Carolina Granite laid off 28 people.  The 125 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) company has been laying off people since the early 2000s, reports say they are down to only 97 employees.  What housing market recovery? RealtyTrac ranks North Carolina number 10 for zombie foreclosures (foreclosure of abandoned homes), at 3177 by the end of January!

Ohio: The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities announced plans to shutdown the Montgomery Developmental Center by 2017, at least 213 jobs lost!  Apparently Obama Care is forcing them to consolidate operations.  What automotive industry recovery?  General Motors (GM) is in the middle of shutting down their contractor run Trotwood distribution center, 107 jobs affected! This is strange because GM’s global profits are coming thanks to a 10% increase in Silverado sales (in 2014), especially in China and Venezuela  which are the two countries the Trotwood distribution center ships Silverado parts to!   Food maker General Mills confirming it will shutdown its 56 years old New Albany Pillsbury dough factory by the middle of 2016, at least 440 jobs will be lost!  General Mills and worker’s union administrators claim the employees will get a generous severance package if they stay on until the shutdown, and could even make 26 bucks per hour.  The shutdown will also affect 70 contracted workers at the nearby package making factory Sonoco (they make the tube cans for the Pillsbury Pop-n-Fresh dough products).  The New Albany Pillsbury dough factory is the lifeblood of the community, half of the employees will be retired early: “My brother’s been there as long as I have, my dad retired from there, my wife works there, her nephew works there, so it’s a big family thing. These people have been around each other all this time, and it’s coming to an end.”-Steve Early, employed at the mill for the past 21 years

Oklahoma: In Jenks, after only ten years the RiverWalk movie theater shutdown by property developers who claim they will spend the next few years building a mega entertainment center.

Oregon: China based Hanjin Shipping has ended its operations at the Port of Portland, $83-million per year in wages and tax revenues lost, as well as 657 jobs!

Pennsylvania: Latrobe based industrial supplier Kennametal trying to bribe 1-thousand employees to quit by offering buyouts, administrators blame the oil, coal and construction industries!  Administrators also revealed they began laying off employees back in December.

South Carolina: Milliken announced it will shutdown its Greenville textile mill starting in April, 200 jobs affected! Company administrators say the bad economy is forcing them to consolidate operations.

Tennessee: Illinois based R.R. Donnelley shutting down their Nashville printers, 133 jobs lost!

Texas: Houston based FMC says it will eliminate 2-thousand jobs, blaming the oil industry for projected crashing sales of its fracking equipment!

Wisconsin: After only one year the Shops of Grand Avenue Office Max shutdown!   What housing market recovery? Lighting company Orion Energy Systems laid off 40 people. Company administrators said of the economy “The issues we face today are far more complex.”   In De Pere, Furniture and Appliance Outlet being shutdown due to “The building has been a challenge to operate since the storefront itself got blocked by highway construction.”  University of Wisconsin Madison warned of layoffs: “I just want to say how sorry I am. Because some of the people in this room are going to be impacted by cuts. I know how hard you work for this university and this state… we will get through this.”-Rebecca Blank, Chancellor, apologizing for the actions of Right to Work you over gov’na Scott Walker

07 – 10 February 2015: “You’ll starve to damn death….!”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 07 – 10 February 2015: “You’ll starve to damn death….!” LEGAL immigration kills thousands of jobs in California while Off shoring of U.S. jobs continues!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: Georgia based EarthLink laid off 110 people in Anniston and Arab!

California: It’s being revealed that the thousands of jobs held by U.S. citizens, that Southern California Edison killed off (and continues to kill off), actually went to LEGAL immigrants with H-1B visas!  In Sacramento, Practice Yoga shutdown.  The owner, Jim Cahill, blamed “The business climate and rents in downtown don’t support small enterprise.”

Connecticut: What housing market recovery? In Wallingford, Acuity Brands Lighting issued a WARN saying it will shutdown in April, 93 jobs lost.  It’s part of the company’s consolidation plans.   In Fairfield, after 82 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Blinn’s toy store shutdown.  The co-owner said the economy is worse now than in 2008: “Things were going pretty normal until about two years ago. Two years ago was bad, but the last year was just terrible!”-Mark Crofutt

Florida: After more than 20 years the Myrtle Beach Flea Market shutdown.   The owner blamed the suck-ass economy: “I’ve lost my butt here in the last five years. I lost my life savings and everything I made here in the six or eight years it was good……You’ll starve to damn death on local business!”-Jim Lee

Idaho: What housing market recovery?  Washington based wood products company Plum Creek Timber announced it will sell-off its Meridian remanufacturing factory in March, at least 61 jobs lost.  I did not find any WARN issued by the company.

Indiana: At the South Bend International Airport, Towne Air Freight was sold-off to Tennessee based Forward Air, layoffs will be next.

Iowa: In Muscatine, Kirlin’s Hallmark shutdown: “…in today’s challenging economic climate, we sometimes have to take the difficult step of closing a location.”

Louisiana: The Gov’na warned that more than 1-hundred state parks employees could become jobless due to crashing tax revenues.  The Pelican State must cut spending by $103.5-million USD before the end of June!  The Gov’na also warned of massive layoffs for the university-higher education system, saying there’s a $1.6-billion shortfall!

Massachusetts: Legal drugs pusher Synta Pharmaceuticals announced it will layoff 20% of its employees.  They laid off workers last year.

Michigan: Ciolino Fruit and Vegetable Market shutdown its Monroe store, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.  In Northville, decades old Starting Gate Saloon restaurant shutdown and sold-off.

Missouri: What housing market recovery? Ten years old Town & Country Masonry and Tuckpointing now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Nebraska: After 19 years the Herbs & More store shutdown. The owner is retiring due to massive competition.

New York: In NYC, GL Bus Lines issued a WARN saying they will layoff 149 people in March!  In Hauppauge, God refuses to stop Obama Care from forcing ‘his’ Catholic Health Services from issuing a WARN saying they will shutdown their Home Support Services in May, at least 40 jobs lost.

North Carolina: The new Brazil based owners of iconic Chiquita is shutting down the Charlotte HQ beginning in April, between 262 and 350 jobs lost! State and local administrators are demanding Chiquita pay back all the tax incentives it got. Brazilian Cutrale and Safra group took over Chiquita late last year.

Ohio: In Lancaster, boiler cleaner Diamond Power International laid off 23 employees.  Union reps said the company is contracting out operations, which could result in more layoffs of in-house employees. Evil Texas based fracking company GoFrac announced it will exit the Utica shale fields near Cambridge, after buying 90 acres and promising to hire 250 people!

Pennsylvania: British empire Canada based clothing retailer Lord & Taylor announced it will shutdown its Wilkes-Barre Township store.  Company administrators blame their own successful internet sales!  The store is being closed so they can expand their warehouse to meet internet sales demands.

South Dakota: Michigan based grocery store owner SpartanNash announced they will shutdown their Rapid City food distribution center in April, 49 jobs lost. Company administrators say the bad economy is forcing them to consolidate warehouses.

Tennessee: In Nashville, after 70 years Travel shutdown. The owner of the travel agency blames competition and health problems.

Texas:  Maryland based Apex Tools announced they are shutting down their Garland factory and moving production to South Carolina, 261 jobs affected! In Orange, after 40 years a Conn’s department store shutdown. The administrators of the 120 years old company said the economy isn’t strong enough to support all of their stores.  Infamous fracking company Halliburton upped its kill-off of jobs, from 1-thousand to 65-hundred around the World! Ignorant main stream news media blamed crashing oil prices, but guess what? It’s really because of the Obama regime imposed sanctions on Russia, ebola/civil war turmoil in west Africa, plus their takeover of Baker Hughes.  Oil company Forestar Group announced it will shutdown their Fort Worth office, but don’t blame oil prices, company administrators said the decision to halt their north Texas production was pushed on them by their ‘investors’!   Fort Worth based RadioShack has made public a massive list of 1784 stores across the United States that will be shutdown by the end of March!

Wisconsin: Mitt Romney’s evil Massachusetts based wunderkind Staples announced it will layoff 53 people at their Oak Creek Tech Solutions operations.  In Janesville, industrial supplier Grainger laying off 30 people outright, as well as transfering 130 jobs out-o-country to Panama beginning in October!  Reports say it’s just the “first wave” of layoffs-transfers!  Too Big to Jail Bank Mutual announced it will shutdown seven offices, because it expects to lose $1.5-million!

05 – 06 February 2015: Staples kills off 1-thousand stores!

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 05 – 06 February 2015: More proof you can’t blame low oil prices for layoffs! Staples kills off 1-thousand stores! More proof Obamacare kills off access to healthcare! RadioShack is Dead, long live Sprint?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: Obama Care forcing Alabama Psychiatric Services to shutdown.  250 jobs lost and 28-hundred patients affected!  Administrators say Obama Care created a situation in which Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama pushed the majority of people into more expensive insurance plans, and effectively killed off most of Alabama Psychiatric Services business!  (What was that about Obama Care increasing access to healthcare?)   The U.S. Army announced it will kill off 190 jobs at its Anniston Depot: “The reason we’re releasing the temporary employees is due to a change in the workload.”-Colonel Brent T. Bolander

Arizona: Phoenix based Sleep America shutdown after being taken over by Mattress Firm.

California: Iconic Chico Sportsman’s Den shutting down in two months, the owner says he’s ready to retire.    In Bakersfield, Caesar’s Italian Delicatessen shutdown: “February 13th will be our last day…..We first opened our doors in June of 1971…..It’s been a profound honor to serve everyone who has walked through our doors over the years and this is an incredibly sad day for us.”-owners facebook posting

Florida: At Patrick Air Force Base, taxsucker Computer Sciences Raytheon issued a WARN saying 420 people will be jobless by April!

Idaho: It’s official, six (of approximately 24) Gem State RadioShack stores will be shutdown; in Chubbuck, Meridian, Nampa, Pocatello, Post Falls and Rexburg.  Some stores have already shutdown.

Illinois: The Chicago-Wicker Park area Kmart is shutting down, 106 jobs lost!  Lowe’s apparently paid Sears Holdings in order to take over the Wicker Park Kmart lease, but will not set up shop until 2016.  Also in Chicago, after 18 years Carmichael’s Steakhouse announced it will shutdown in March, blaming the greedy property owner. The property was sold off and will be used to build an apartment complex. The restaurant manager is pissed, as his business was good: “It’s unfortunate that we have to close when we’re still doing really good business.”-Ben Sawyer

Indiana: After seven years Richmond chocolate shop Ghyslain Bistro shutdown. The owner said he’s focusing on his stores in Kentucky and internet sales.

Maryland: The White Flint Mall shutdown and will be demolished.

Massachusetts: Mitt Romney’s evil Farmington based wunderkind Staples is the new owner of Office Depot after trading $6.3-billion USD worth of stocks for it, 1-thousand stores will be shutdown!  The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently signed a deal with Staples to kill off your local Post Office jobs! 

Michigan: In Kalamazoo, with little notice to employees the Harding’s grocery store on Howard Street was sold off and is being shutdown, 60 jobs lost.

Minnesota: Colorado based Arrow Electronics issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Saint Paul operations in March, 77 jobs lost. Company administrators are moving their electronics salvage ops to Ohio.

Montana: Bilderberger vaccine pusher GlaxoSmithKline announced they’re shutting down their Hamilton research center during 2015, at least 27 jobs lost.  Administrators also warned shutdowns and layoffs will take place elsewhere: “Other parts of the business are facing similar restructuring. It’s happening companywide, not just Hamilton, but all parts of GSK’s business.”-Melinda Stubbee

New Jersey: The Sports and Exposition Authority announced they will shutdown the 34 years old Izod Center in March, 17-hundred jobs lost!  Administrators say the sports arena has been losing money big time, and expects it would lose $8.5-million in 2015, if they kept it open.  In Middletown, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Mater Dei Prep school: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Mater Dei Prep will close at the end of this school year, June 2015.  Over the many years, Mater Dei Prep has been running large financial deficits. It had been the hope of the Parish Finance Council and myself that these trends could be reversed. However, the 2014-2015 projected loss is close to one million dollars.”-Jeff Kegley, pastor

Camden based iconic soup maker Cambells announced it will split into three division and begin massive job destruction in order to cut $200-million over the next three years!  For proof there is no economic recovery, company administrators say company profits have been crashing steadily since 2008, with no end in sight: “Like other companies in our industry, we’re contending with now not just the long term impact of the Great Recession on consumer purchasing behavior, or the increasingly complex public dialog when it comes to food, or the regulatory environment for food.”-Denise Morrison, ceo

New York: Lucky Magazine laid off at least 12 people.  In Rouses Point, legal drugs maker Pfizer issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by June.  In NYC, clothing retailer Jack Spade and Kate Spade Saturday issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in May, 47 jobs lost, saying they are undergoing a “brand overhaul”.

North Carolina:  Obama Care forcing Transylvania Regional Hospital to shutdown its  labor and delivery services.  Women in the area are complaining they must now travel out of the area to give birth.  (What was that about Obama Care increasing access to healthcare?)  In Raleigh, decades old Crowley’s restaurant and bar shutdown, with no explanation.   In Research Triangle Park, Massachusetts based data storage company EMC warned of layoffs in an effort to cut $150-million!

Ohio: In Youngstown, France based Vallourec Star announced it will shutdown its oil industry seemless pipe operations for at least three weeks, more than 5-hundred jobs affected!

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, Texas based Team Oil Tools announced they will shutdown in April, 93 jobs lost.  Administrators tried to blame low oil prices but a local Fox23 news TV station discovered the company has been having money problems for a long time.  Oklahoma City based PostRock Energy announced it will kill off 25% of its jobs, conveniently blaming oil prices for its decision to halt oil drilling for 2015.  The ignorant administrators revealed they had assumed WTI oil prices would average $92.73 per barrel through to the end of 2016!  Guess they didn’t think the fact that Islamic State selling off oil on the black market would affect oil prices.  And who’s buying that Islamic State oil? 

Oregon:  Portland based software company VendScreen laid off more employees, earlier this year they had 30, now it’s reported they’re down to 19.  Helicopter maker Erickson laid off 150 people!  Administrators admitted it was connected to their take over of competing companies in the U.S. and Brazil.

Texas:  It’s official, iconic 94 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) RadioShack now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down as many as 25-hundred stores across the country, the other 15-hundred will be sold to cell phone service company Sprint! Oil service company  Weatherford International killing off 8-thousand jobs, blaming low oil prices!  However, an official company statement revealed it was actually due to “quickly changing market conditions”.  It was revealed that company administrators have been making personnel and operations changes for months now.  Houston based fracking company Royalty Partners now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, don’t blame oil prices, the relatively new company owes more than $1-million in rent and to lawyers.

Wisconsin: Gov’na Right to Work you over Scott Walker will preside over the killing of 446 state jobs!  The Right to Work you over policies have resulted in The Badger State facing a $2-billion shortfall!   Right to Work you over Walker says he will also steal $2-million from the Educational Communications Board!  In Janesville, Veterans Affairs contractor Data Dimensions laid off 120 people without warning or explanation: “I got this job and I was so happy, because it was full time and I got off of food stamps, no more W2…..came as a complete surprise to us, because we have been being pushed for months to produce more and more and more.”-Karly Yager, laid off six hours into her shift

01 – 04 February 2015: “All good things come to an end.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.