Tag Archives: food

Business/Economics

Cuba Rising: New deals with Europe, Asia, North & South America will leave the U.S. economically isolated?

08 November 2014 (05:03 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Muharram 1436/17 Aban 1393/16 Yi-Hai 4712

Cuba is stirring trouble in the ‘backyard’ of the United States, again.  This time it looks like Cuba wants to beat the economic pants off Uncle Sam, but it’s Uncle Sam’s own doing.

A year ago Cuba opened the port of Mariel to international investment and development projects, such as renewable energy, logistics, biotechnology, food and light industries.

As of 06 November at least 36 countries have expressed interest.  Cuban administrators are narrowing down the candidates to the top offers, including offers from Spain, Italy, Vietnam, China, Russia, France, Brazil, Netherlands and Canada.  Acceptance of the top offers will be made sometime between now and the end of 2015.

On 07 November, a representative of the European Union told a crowd at Havana’s International Trade Fair that the EU is ready to pour money into Cuba (supposedly while the EU is struggling economically itself).  The massive investment will be through the Cuban Portfolio of Projects for Foreign Investment.

After decades of nationalized sugar production (part of the reason for the Revolution), Cuba is now opening its sugar industries to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).  This means sugar producers in the United States could be faced with a new competitor, and perhaps sugar prices will go down.

Cuban administrators are asking for a minimum $40-million USD investment for each of its sugar producing projects.

The British empire’s United Kingdom (the true mortal enemy of the United States) has signed a memo of “Understanding” with Cuba.  The United Kingdom has already been busy investing in the Caribbean country.

Cuba and Mexico have agreed to expand economic cooperation.  31 Mexican economic projects are being considered by Cuba.  Despite protests by the United States, Mexico resumed diplomatic relations with Cuba.

At the beginning of September, the Obama regime renewed the 54+ years of economic sanctions against Cuba.  Ironically the only ones getting hurt this time are U.S. corporations who could be making bank doing business with Cuba.

In October, and for the 23rd year in a row, the United Nations overwhelmingly told the United States to end its sanctions against Cuba.  The vote is symbolic, but for two decades the only countries voting in favor of the United States are itself and evil Israel!

International, U.S.

Ebola Update, 08 November 2014: Five U.S. military bases designated for quarantine! More proof it’s all about the money!

In the United States a recent Nightly Business Report (NBR) revealed that the EVD scare is a big boon for the pharmaceutical industry, with investors buying up pharma stocks like crazy.  Even the World Bank and IMF have created new types of loans for countries fighting outbreaks.  Notice in the following how many legal drug makers, health service providers and international bankers around the World are jumping on the ebola bandwagon.

Australia: The British empire country has hired contractor Aspen Medical to staff a British empire military field hospital in Sierra Leone.  The contract is worth $20-million AUD.   350 Aussie healthcare workers immediately “volunteered” to be hired by Aspen Health.

China:  Hong Kong has begun ebola disinfection drills.

Cuba: Perhaps hoping to profit from its ebola response, the Cuban Medical Services is pushing its healthcare products at the 32nd International Trade Fair in Havana.   Health administrators from 101 countries are expected to attend the fair.   Cuban Medical Services is directly involved in healthcare ops in 40 countries, while individual healthcare workers in the tens of thousands are working in 66 countries.

Dominican Republic: Reports that the Caribbean country’s Health Ministry and Ministry of Defense are conducting joint ebola filovirus training at the Military Teaching Hospital in Santo Domingo.

European Union:  The EU has pledged $1.25-billion USD to fight ebola in western Africa.  But wait, most of that money will actually be going to various European companies who will be involved in medical supplies and testing drugs!  On top of that the European Commission wants another $224-million just for the European pharmaceutical industry!

Portugal pledged $9915 worth of drugs to Guinea-Bissau.  The New York based World Bank also loaned Guinea-Bissau $750-thousand.  But wait, this isn’t the Guinea that’s dealing with an ebola outbreak, this is its neighbor Guinea-Bissau, which has yet to see an ebola case. 

Japan: In Osaka, a woman from Guinea was quarantined for suspicion of being infected.  She is locked down in a hospital with a fever, despite testing negative for the ebola filovirus.  In Tokyo, a Japanese man returning from Liberia was quarantined.  He has a fever and inflamed tonsils, however, his blood test showed no ebola.

Mali: The west-central African country reports 108 people under medical watch since a two years old girl died of ebola.

Nigeria: The African country is providing drugs and supplies worth more than $249-thousand to Sierra Leone.  It’s part of a $3-million effort by Nigeria, which includes 600 healthcare workers under the leadership of the Economic Community Of West African States. 

Switzerland (not a member of European Union):   The UN World Health Organization praising Swissmedic for testing a new drug developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.  It’s been tested on non-human animals, but now will be tested on 115 human volunteers.  The drug is called VSV-ZEBOV and is currently being tested on people in the United States.  Switzerland is already testing another vaccine called ChAd3.

Vietnam: The South East Asian country has begun hospital drills in case of ebola outbreak.  This comes after an immigrant from ebola stricken Guinea arrived sick.  He later tested negative for EVD.

United States: In Nevada, Washoe County Health District administrators announced they have ordered a person who visited Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to self monitor for symptoms.   There was no report indicating the person was sick.

NBR reported that shares of two drugs makers shot up  when investors learned they were working on ebola vaccines.  The companies are Sarepta and Tekmira.

In New York, the University of Buffalo says the filovirus is much older than first thought, not several thousands years old but 23-million!  Ebola and marburg are types of filovirus.

New York based World Bank revealed a new $450-million commercial loan scheme for countries hit by ebola outbreaks.  They’re justifying the new loans based on a UN study that says Liberia and Sierra Leone lost the equivalent of $36-million in development projects because of the Ebola Virus Disease.

The World Bank also estimates the fight against the filovirus, just in western Africa, to cost $32.6-billion by the end of 2015.

New York based International Monetary Fund (IMF) is working with World Bank on a supposed “epidemic emergency fund”.  However, it to is a loan.  Countries can borrow money to pay for medical response.  $500-million has been allocated for the new loan scheme.

In Washington DC, the Obama regime is asking the Congress to rape taxpayers for an additional $6-billion, to supposedly fight ebola.  Congress has already raped taxpayers for $88-million, plus shifted $750-million in military spending to the fight against EVD.

The Department of Defense has picked five U.S. military bases as designated quarantine zones.  They are Fort Hood and Fort Bliss inTexas, Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington and Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

A drugs company revealed the Department of Defense gave it $8.5-million for development of an ebola vaccine based on the possibility the EVD has evolved to be transmittable by air: “In July 2014, Profectus BioSciences and the GNL were awarded a 3 year $8.5M grant from the DOD/JVAP to support development of a lyophilized trivalent VesiculoVax™-vectored vaccine to protect against all major strains of Ebola and Marburg viruses delivered as aerosols.”

The money went to Maryland based Profectus BioSciences.

But wait, there’s more!  Profectus BioSciences revealed even more money spent on even more sinisterness: “In addition, the USACC has contracted for clinical evaluation of the VesiculoVax™ Zaire-Ebola virus vaccine to meet the current outbreak in West Africa. The $9.5 million award has been made with Battelle Memorial Institute through the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear Defense Information Analysis Center (CBRNIAC) contract, a Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC®) owned, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract vehicle for providing comprehensive scientific and technical research and analysis supporting the Department of Defense CBRN and Homeland Defense communities.” 

Ebola filovirus is so virulent because when it enters your body its first targets are your immune cells.  Once the immune system is weakened EVD then attacks your other cells.

Update, 02 November 2014

International

World War 3 Afghanistan, 29 – 31 October 2014: China gives away even more! Millions in U.S. taxes continue to disappear, with proof the U.S. is creating a prison planet! U.S. will use Afghanistan as FOB against China, Russia & Iran! Rare vampires make appearance!

Kabul Province: Near Kabul City, the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan’s Reconstruction (SIGAR) discovered that $10-million USD in taxes meant for the expansion of the Pol-e-Charkhi prison, disappeared!   Supposedly the money was given to a company based in the U.S. ally nation of Qatar (Al Watan Construction Company aka AWCC).  SIGAR investigated the fraud when independent journalists documented the haphazard construction work on video.  To show you that the Obama regime is behind the creation of a prison planet, the Pol-e-Charkhi prison expansion project came at the request of the U.S. Department of failed State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.  In Kabul City, a hand grenade exploded at a checkpoint in the 5th police district, three civilians wounded.  The Kabul Police Department has now declared the private ownership of military/police uniforms to be illegal.  Stores selling uniforms must hand them over to the police.   In another part of the city, a wrestling champion was assassinated. And in another part of the city, a Tae Kwon-do champion was also assassinated. Police say they have no clues as to who is killing off national athletes.   NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) revealed one of their personnel was killed, however they refuse to give details, other than claiming it was not from combat.

Afghan news media reporting that Afghans are being recruited to fight for both the Islamic State in Syria, and for the government of Syria.  It’s estimated that 3-thousand Afghans are fighting each other in Syria.

The Wildlife Conservation Society reports a rare vampire deer has appeared in Afghanistan.  It’s a type of musk deer, instead of antlers it grows saber tooth cat like fangs.  The last documentation of the fanged musk deer in Afghanistan was 60 years ago.  It is considered an endangered species.

Kandahar Province: In Maiwan District, once again, government officials say Mujahideen blew themselves up by accident while making bombs.  Three people killed.

Kunar Province: Government officials say 11 artillery rounds fired from Pakistan impacted in Sarkano District, wounding two women.

Logar Province: After a year and a half, Mujahideen released a Russian helicopter pilot they captured.  They said it was because he became sick, and he promised never to work in Afghanistan again: “…due to health reasons and after reaching an understanding with the concerned country and after taking an oath that he shall never work with the Kabul regime in Afghanistan under any pretext but shall immediately leave for his country….Similarly, a solemn promise was also taken from his Afghan counterpart that he shall never carry out activities detrimental to the Mujahideen and in support of the invaders.”-Mujahideen/Taliban/Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan statement

Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has announced the U.S. taxpayer funded deal to deliver 63 Russian made Mil 17V-5 helicopters has been fulfilled.  But there’s still another 12 U.S. made helicopters on the way.

The British empire Australian Department of Defence has declared Afghanistan to be safe, justifying a cut in its combat pay for Diggers.  But wait, the cut in pay also applies to those Diggers now being sent to fight Islamic State in Iraq!

China has promised the new Obama regime puppets, now controlling the government of Afghanistan, $327-million in additional aid through 2017!  That’s on top of the $81-million being paid out this fiscal year.  The Obama regime is happy: “China’s view of engaging in Afghanistan over the course of these past few years has really changed significantly, and in our view, in a very positive direction. It’s a real demonstration of China’s commitment to Afghanistan, to its role in the region and one that we greatly welcome.”-unnamed U.S. Department of failed State official, quoted by Reuters

California U.S.A. based Afghan-Pakistan think tank, New World Strategies Coalition (NWSC), says the U.S. will keep military/intelligence personnel in-country, to use Afghanistan as a Forward Operating Base to spy on other countries: “Afghanistan used to be a ‘buffer state’ and will now be transformed into an ‘observation tower’. It is in a perfect strategic location for the United States to monitor nuclear Iran, nuclear Pakistan, Russia and China.”-Khalil Nouri, co-founder NWSC

The U.S. state of South Carolina has declared they have no Guard personnel deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, and they’re glad: “It’ll the first time now in a little over a decade that all those soldiers and airmen will be back on American soil, it’s real good news for us.”– Brigadier General R. Van McCarty

About 24 militia-personnel of the Army National Guard’s 814th Medical Company Area Support (North Dakota U.S.A.) returned from Afghanistan.  The unit has been slowly returning home since the beginning of the year.

About ten militia-personnel of the Army National Guard’s Fixed Wing Operational Support Airlift Command Detachment 18 (New Hampshire U.S.A.) deploying to Afghanistan.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Food Crisis, July 2014: “We had absolutely no control over this situation…” They put up the sign then changed their minds! “You’re shocked at how things just ended.”

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of July, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Alabama: In Tuscaloosa, the manager of a Bruno’s grocery store went public and warned that the store will be shutdown. No comment from the owners.

Arizona: Phoenix based Peter Piper Pizza chain now up for auction. The restaurant chain was taken over seven years ago by an international ‘investment’ company headquartered in Washington DC.  Some restaurant industry analysts say there’s just too many restaurants out there.

Arkansas: Springdale based Tyson Foods killing off three major chicken processing factories in Iowa, New Mexico and New York! The processing plants will close between September and sometime in 2015, at least 950 jobs lost! Tyson Foods officials blame the rising prices of chickens, and reduced demand from chicken eaters. However, the true reason could be because Tyson Foods is taking over Hillshire for $8.5-billion USD, by the end of September!

California:  In Sunnyvale, Idaho based SummerWinds Nursery shutdown, but only because the greedy Californian property owner sold the land to a hotel developer (for $5-million)!  In Sacramento, the Starbucks coffee house on 15th & H streets shutdown. It’s blamed on low sales. In San Diego, TGI Friday’s warned it is shutting down a restaurant in September, 56 jobs lost.  In San Francisco, after almost 60 years Villa Romana restaurant shutdown. The owners want to retire, and their two adult children say the economy doesn’t make it worthwhile for them to give up their current careers to continue the family business.  The Grand Cafe warned that at least three employees will be let go in September. In Porterville, Foster Poultry Farms announced 60 chicken pluckers will be laid off come September. In Los Angeles, Wolfgang Pucks shutting down their restaurant at LAX Terminal 2 in September, 24 jobs lost. Also at Terminal 1 LAX, Delaware North Companies (DNC) Travel Hospitality Services shutting down their Back Lot Deli in September, 25 jobs lost.  Another LA McDonald’s announced it is shutting down a restaurant in August, 55 jobs lost. In Ballico, Sierra-Cascade Nursery announced it is shutting down (supposedly temporarily) in September, 544 jobs lost! In Irvine, Buca Restaurants announced they’re shutting down in September, 87 jobs lost.  In Fresno, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries announced they are laying off 73 employees in September.

Colorado: A Pueblo Jack in the Box restaurant shutdown, 50 jobs lost.  In Loveland, the Family Tree Restaurant shutdown and the owners are pissed about the bad economy saying “We don’t have enough customers to pay our bills, so we’re closing our doors! ….it’s stupid…..We did our crying….” Also, it was discovered that the Red Dragon restaurant shutdown in June, the property was sold off back in May. Also, the Great Wall Chinese Buffet could be shutting down due to the fact the greedy property owner is trying to sell off the building. However, the restaurant owner swears “We’re not going anywhere!”    Three Bella’s Markets grocery stores shutting down! There are reports of complaints from customers about the produce, but the store owner blames the landlord for forcing them to shutdown three of their eight stores. The current owner of Bella’s took over in 2006, and it sounds like he regrets it.  In Broomfield, Safeway grocery store announced it will shutdown in August, 54 jobs lost. Company officials said the economy sucks: “At a certain point, it doesn’t make sense to keep it open.”-Kris Staaf

Connecticut: In Torrington, after eight years Bogey’s Restaurant shutdown. The restaurant owner says it is “…time to exit out.” 

Florida:  In Brickell, after eight years Finnegan’s River bar being shutdown by greedy property developers. The owners of the bar sold out to a New York company for $15-million. 40 years old homosexual bar Parliament House chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to $15.5-million in debt! The owners say their business crashed in 2009 and they’re still trying to recover.  Unilever killing 210 jobs by shutting down their Pinellas Park ice cream factory! The company is consolidating operations to Tennessee and Missouri.  Glades Brewery Partners and Palm Beach Brewery Associates now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. They own a restaurant chain called Brewzii, and recently a judge actually shutdown one of the restaurants for failure to pay rent.  In Miami, after 60 years iconic Jumbo’s restaurant shutdown. It was the area’s first ‘white’ owned restaurant to serve ‘black’ customers. Despite surviving years of riots, bad weather and even drunk drivers, the owner says the bad economy finally did him in: “I thought I could get the neighborhood redeveloped, and I couldn’t. I thought because I knew politicians, I thought I could be an influencing factor in getting this neighborhood to turn. It might, now that I sold. I’ve worked seven days a week for 47 years. It’s time.”-Bobby Flam, second generation owner

Georgia: In Augusta, after 25 years Thai Jong restaurant shutdown.  After more than 42 years cereal maker Kellogg announced they’re shutting down their Columbus factory in 2015, at least 325 jobs lost! Employees were pissed: “The way they went about it is pretty bad. They did the people wrong! A lot of these people been here 30, 40 years.”-Eugene Gilmore

Hawaii: In Honolulu, after only five years Cake Couture shutdown, not surprising when they were charging $3.50 for a little cupcake.

Idaho: In Boise, Italy owned highway and airport food service company HMS Host (Host Marriott Services Corporation-Autogrill S.p.A.) issued a WARN saying they will kill 79 jobs by the end of September.

Illinois:  After 94 years (surviving several recessions and the Great Depression) Gayety’s Chocolates & Ice Cream stores now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  In Chicago, the Taste of Chicago fair now dead. Yearly attendance has crashed since 2007, and this year the show was cancelled on the last day! Interestingly, Obama regime city officials claim the food fair was finally making a profit, despite declining attendance.  In Oak Park, after 19 years Marion Street Grille shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy saying “We’re just not getting enough coming through the door.”   In Deerfield, God refuses to stop the shutdown of the Stained Glass Coffeehouse, located in the Congregational Church. Should churches be running retail operations? “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”-1 Timothy 6:10 King James Bible

Kansas:  In Wichita, Kroger owned Dillions shutdown two stores, at least 100 jobs lost! The Red Beans Bayou Grill shutdown without notice. The owner is now focusing on catering only.

Maine: In Waterville, after 30 years Bolley’s Famous Franks restaurant shutdown: “I just want less stress.”-Zena McFadden, co-owner

Maryland: In Frederick, Texas based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit shutdown without notice, and without paying its employees! Company officials simply said “It was not meeting our standards”, but local circuit court officials revealed that the restaurant failed to get a required business license. Most former employees claim they are still owed about $600.  After 36 years of selling food, Stop Shop Save announced it is shutting down all its Baltimore grocery stores! At one time there were 16 Stop Shop Save stores. Company officials say their sales have crashed from $69.4-million in 2004 to $28.1-million in 2013! Despite several dozen gorcery stores in the city, The Balitmore Sun says 1 in 5 residents lack easy access to food shopping, as 40% of the city’s poor have no means of transportation. “It all started so good, was so convenient…..You’re shocked at how things just ended.”-Yvonne Epps, loyal customer

Massachusetts:  In Brighton, after 41 years Imperial Pizza shutdown.  In Woburn, the Sea Dog Brew Pub now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, and shutdown without notice.  In Foxborogh, after six years Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro now chapter 7 bankrupt and deceased. The owners blame the suck ass economy: “The combination of a weak economy, high and persistent unemployment, and high staff turnover has led us to this difficult decision.” 

Michigan:  In Pittsfield Township, they put up the sign then changed their mind. Texas based Carrabba’s Italian Grill has backed out of their plans to open a restaurant, citing the suck ass economy. Florida based LongHorn Steakhouse also backed out.   In Failed State Detroit, the Comet Bar threatened with being forced to shutdown by a desperate baseball team. Apparently the popular local bar might be in the way of the new stadium for the Detroit Red Wings.  After 125 years the building housing the iconic and elitist Detroit Club now up for auction only seven months after the new owner spent more than a million dollars buying and renovating the building. The starting bid is less than a million!  In Saginaw, after only eight months the Lettuce Lounge Eatery shutdown. It’s just more proof humans aren’t rabbits, however the operators of the veg restaurant blame it on the greedy owners of the shopping plaza where they’re located.   In East Lansing, after 50 years Goodrich’s Shop Rite grocery store shutdown. The owners said their lease expired and the property owners wanted mo money.  In the Failed State of Flint, Kroger shutting down their Pierson Road grocery store in August. Company officials say sales have dropped so much they can’t pay the rent: “…it was determined during our evaluation that we were unable to continue operating at the 2629 Pierson Road, Flint location and made the decision to not renew our lease…” 

Retail store owners are going public, saying the WIC (Women Infants Children) taxpayer funded food program is killing their business. Apparently state Department of Community Health (DCH) is now limiting reimbursements for rural WIC sales, based on postal zip code. And in urban areas DCH will allow only 175 WIC customers per store. Roy Rabban, the owner of a Save-A-Lot, is pissed: “Not having WIC is like taking 10% of your business out of your pocket. I’m getting penalized…” 

Minnesota: In Twin Cities, nine Roundy owned Rainbow Foods grocery stores shutdown, with little notice! Officials from Roundy said the economy is so bad it can’t support all the grocery stores that are out there.  In Minneapolis, after nine years Social House restaurant shutdown, the operators blame the property owner for kicking them out, saying “We had absolutely no control over this situation…”   In Austin, after 10 years Quizno’s sandwich shop shutting down due to nobody wanting to takeover the store. The franchise owners simply said “It doesn’t look good.” In Mankato, after 20 years Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant announced they will shutdown in August. The local franchise owner blames “circumstances beyond my control.”

Mississippi: In Greenville, Kroger announced it will shutdown a grocery store in August, 70 jobs lost.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, after 11 years the Thai Crystal-Thai Saweiy restaurant shutdown.

New Jersey: In West Milford, after at least six decades Big John’s Pub shutting down in August. Tracey Bennett, the owner, said “It is time for me to have a normal life without stress.”  In Montclair, Health, Love & Soul, Juice Bar & Grill shutdown.   In Berkeley Heights, after only four months New York based Garden of Eden grocery store shutdown. Company officials said “…business needs dictate that we cut our losses.” 

New York:  In Batavia, after ten years the drive thru Hot Shots Caffé shutting down in August. The owners made it sound like they were forced to go somewhere else.   After 77 years the Subway Inn announced it will shutdown in August. It’s being done in by a greedy property developer, the son of the bar owner said “It is upsetting but times have changed.”    In Buffalo, after only two months the owners of Chef’s Garage Pizza announced they’re shutting down. The owner basically said there are too many pizza restaurants.  In NYC, after seven years New Amsterdam Market shutdown. The owner of the popular market place said nobody was willing to continue debt financing the operation (which is actually how retail America works, not by actual sales).  In Greenwich Village the Pink Elephant bar now chapter 7 bankrupt busted. It’s blamed on the greedy property owner.  Crumbs Bake Shop shut down all 48 stores across several states, without notice! The cupcake store is now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, apparently the cupcake thing was just a fad, in the past year the company’s stock value fell from $13 per share to just 27 cents!  In Rochester, Nick Tahou Hots restaurant shutdown.

North Carolina:  In Greensboro, after 18 years Mahi’s Seafood Restaurant shutdown. The owner said he wanted to move to a cheaper location, but the economy is so bad he couldn’t pay for the move.  In Raleigh, after 102 years ( and surviving the Great Depression & numerous recessions) the Cameron Park Inn shutdown.  After 47 years the city’s first Dunkin’ Donuts shutdown. The owners said their franchise agreement expired in December 2013, and they just can’t afford to renew it.  In Durham, the owners of the ‘private’ Whiskey bar announced it will shutdown by August.  Charlotte based snack maker Snyder’s-Lance warned it will start killing jobs, after it sold off its private brands ops and took over Wisconsin based Baptista’s Bakery. In Havelock, an 18 years old Food Lion grocery store shutting down in October.

Ohio: In Massillon, Food4Less grocery store shutdown without notice! It was shutdown right in the middle of the afternoon while customers were shopping, about 15:00 hours according to local news reports. It’s the 3rd grocery store in the past six months to shutdown in the city of Massillon. Local news reports indicate that the owner of all three grocery stores had lost a major legal battle. One lawsuit claims the owner has yet to pay for store supplies she received as far back as 2011! Hundreds of jobs lost due to a incompetent or possibly deceitful store owner (kinda like a metaphor for those who’re running the United States)!  In Dayton, after less than one year two Peet’s Coffee & Tea shops shutdown, and another five throughout Ohio will shutdown in August! At least 90 jobs will be lost, but company officials said their own surveys show the economy in Ohio is going down the shitter, saying their stores “…have not performed to our expectations and didn’t have a promising future outlook.”  Springfield based Eby-Brown revealed it is shutting down their NewFreshCo Foods operations in August, 31 jobs lost. Eby-Brown claims to be the largest privately owned convenience store distributor in the U.S.

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, World Quality Holdings-World Foods announced they will shutdown their frozen foods op in September, 70 jobs lost. Company officials blame global competition, however, it could be more about their upcoming sale to a Japanese company.  The Gateway Market shutdown, way earlier than it was supposed to. Local news reports said it was the only grocery store for miles: “Everybody’s frustrated, the whole neighborhood. You know, I mean, they ain’t got no cars, no way of getting their groceries. What they going to do now?”-David Campbell, customer

Oregon: Texas based Berry Family of Nurseries announced they’re shutting down their Cornelius ops in September, at least 100 jobs lost!  In Portland, after four years Mextiza restaurant shutdown. In Eugene, after 35 years Keystone Cafe shutdown, 17 jobs lost. The owners blame increasing costs of operation, including higher insurance rates caused by Obama Care, for forcing them to “regretfully retire”. In Forest Grove, controversial Dream Girls Espresso shutdown. Apparently the female employees wore bikinis and would flash their boobs at customers. Even though they were wearing pasties on their nipples, one man (who for some reason liked to go there and buy coffee and take pics with his cell phone) was outraged and complained so much to the landlord that the lease was not renewed. This sounds like a clear case of ‘christian/religious’ prudery gone wild and resulting in job destruction: “He has basically stalked the stand since we’ve been open and has made several attempts at sending my landlord pictures to the point where it’s affecting their livelihood!”-Leah Sizemore, store owner

Pennsylvania: Four Arby’s restaurants were shutdown, without warning! The owner was under pressure to find debt financing to continue operations. Apparently the economy in Pennsylvania can’t support Arby’s.  In Lawrenceville, Paragon Foods canceled their plans to build a distribution center. The female president of the company said “It was unaffordable for us…”  In Monaca, EveryWare Global (formerly Anchor Hocking) announced that the temporary shutdown of their kitchenware factory could become permanent, 450 jobs lost! It’s blamed on EveryWare not being able to pay its debts. The deadline to come up with a payment plan favorable to creditors is July 15.   God refuses to stop the Franktuary hot dog restaurant at Trinity Cathedral from shutting down: “We’ve come to the end of an era. Franktuary will close its original set of doors on National Hot Dog Day, July 23rd, at 4 pm.”-owners

In Harrisburg, Zia’s at Red Door shutdown. The owner blames jacked up rent and the fact that the idiot A-hole city officials jacked up the cost of parking at the restaurant: “Parking definitely has a lot to do with it. We lost a lot of customers. A lot of customers won’t come down because of it.”-Rocco Rama

South Carolina: In Charleston, after six years the Vegetable Bin announced it is shutting down in August. The building failed a fire code inspection, and the owner says their sales aren’t enough to cover the cost of bringing it up to code.  In Walterboro, after 12 years the local Arby’s restaurant shutdown without notice. Local news reports say the restaurant has two signs posted on the building, one saying “Now Hiring!” and the other saying “Sorry we’re close.” (yep, they actually forgot to put the ‘d’ on the end of “close”). Local news reports said no restaurant official would talk to them to explain why the restaurant shutdown.

Tennessee:  In Chattanooga, after only two years wine bar Brix Nouveau shutdown. The owner blamed “several factors”.    Sharky’s Gulf Grill shutdown. Apparently the property is under a U.S. Department of Justice forced sale, having something to due with the property owner being accused of Facebook scams.  After four decades Vic and Bill’s Deli shutdown: “….it’s a part of home actually and it kinda feels that way closing it. But all good things have their time have their season and I guess our season is kind of ending.”-Angelia Captain Townsend, manager

Texas:  In Dallas/Fort Worth, Bonchon Korean style chicken restaurant shutdown. Reports said it seems there aren’t enough fans of Korean style food in Texas.   In Dallas (Oak Lawn), after 22 years Good Eats shutdown. The owners blame the greedy property owner saying “our landlord has refused to renew our lease”. In Austin, the Pour House Pub shutdown. The property is being demolished for a big retail development.  In Houston, after less than nine months Trenza restaurant shutdown.

Utah: In Salt Lake City, after 13 years two Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill restaurants shutting down at the beginning of August. Company officials blame the bad economy and competition: “It’s based on more competition in the downtown area. We appreciate every one of our guests, but unfortunately over the past few years, there have been fewer and fewer.”-Kennedy Turner

Virginia: After 50 years Fresh Pride began shutting down the last of its grocery stores, without notice. An undisclosed number of employees laid off, in the hundreds at least! The owner of Fresh Pride, Camellia Food Stores, said they can no longer compete in this bad economy.   Snack maker Prime Choice Foods now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Washington: In Seattle, after 20 years the owner of Hurricane Cafe announced he is forced to shutdown in January 2015. The restaurant owner blames the greedy property owner: “It’s not the way we wanted to go out for sure, losing a lease and getting torn down!”

Washington DC:  Watergate Wine & Beverage store now bankrupt busted and shutting down. The owner, Joseph Park, said regarding the economy that since 2006 “It’s slowly dying…..the business is just not here.” 

Wisconsin: In Stevens Point, Copps and Roundy’s grocery distribution center shutting down in August, 196 jobs lost! 27 Roundy’s grocery stores were sold off to SuperValu. The first Roundy’s was opened in 1872.  Food producer Cargill suddenly shutdown their Milwaukee slaughterhouse, killing off 600 jobs! Company officials blame a lack of affordable cows: “The harsh reality is that the U.S. beef cattle herd is at its lowest level since 1951, with any significant herd expansion being years away.”-company statement

U.S. Food Crisis, June 2014

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart closing update, 07 November 2014: Sears to save self by avoiding taxes, and investors love it! More proof Kmart clothes made in slave labor sweat shops! Mike Myers does Canadian commercial to save Sears! Sears screws over Goodyear for at least $20-million?

Wisconsin losing a Sears and Sears Auto Center in February 2015.  Sears Holdings sold the property to a New York based company.

Two weeks ago a BBN reader warned that the Oregon City Kmart was going to be shutdown.  Now, confirmation from Sears Holdings that a third Portland area Kmart will close in January.

Apparently Eddie Lampert is scheming a new shell game; how to avoid taxes.  Reports say he is going to create a new Real Estate investment Trust (REIT) which he will then sell 300 Sears stores to.   On paper the new REIT will be the official owner and therefore be responsible for taxes.   Sears Holdings will then ‘rent’ the stores back from the new REIT.  Investors drove the price of Sears Holdings stock upward by 40% when they heard the plan.

“Sears’ refusal to purchase the remaining inventory of co-branded tires constitutes a breach of the parties’ purchase agreement(s) and a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.”-Goodyear

The iconic U.S. tire-maker, Goodyear, is now suing Sears for $19.5-million USD. Goodyear attorneys claim 219994 tires made specifically for the Sears brands Fuel-Max and Weatherbeater are now wasting space on Goodyear shelves, because Sears refuses to pay for them!

Goodyear attorneys add that Sears has threatened Goodyear with legal action if Goodyear sold the tires to somebody else, this despite the fact that Sears hired a new contracted tire-maker in June!

Goodyear was hired back in January to produce 330-thousand tires for Sears, yet Sears only bought a fraction of them. Goodyear also accuses Sears of improperly discounting the tires they bought!

Sears is also ripping off customers on its Kenmore oven sales. Its latest add says “35% off all other Kenmore cooking….”, but then in smaller print it clarifies that the “35% off all” actually means “20% off……15% off other qualifying appliances with Sears card”. In other words the “35% off all” does not actually apply to “all”.

Anti-2nd Amendment laws failed to stop a stabbing at a Tennessee Kmart. Police say at about 03:00 hours two men, sitting in a car in the the parking lot, began arguing then as the driver tried to drive off the passenger stabbed him multiple times, causing him to crash into a semi-truck. The stabber got away, the stabbie is in critical condition and was arrested by police.

In Wisconsin, a Kmart ‘loss prevention’ employee was arrested for allowing customers to walk away with about $25-hundred worth of merchandise. Police say he was working with specific ‘customers’ to rip-off the store.

The Daily Mail Australia held a contest for best cheap-ass jeans (denim pants), and Australia Kmart’s $7 AUD pants won. However, British empire human rights watchdog Oxfam says those jeans, along with other retailer brand cheap-ass pants, are being made in sweat shops. But Oxfam also warned that just because you buy more expensive jeans doesn’t mean they’re better quality or made in a better working environment: “It’s concerning to see garments at such a low price. It’s not the prices that we should be worried about but it’s whether these companies are respecting workers…..It doesn’t necessarily mean that when we pay $80 for a pair of jeans that workers are paid more….”-Kelly Dent, Oxfam

As an example of slave wage labor, Oxfam said textile workers in Cambodia are paid an average of $100 AUD per month, which is $350 less than what it actually costs to economically survive in the South East Asian country!   (from what I remember, the Australian Kmarts are not controlled by Sears Holdings)

In Canada, Canadian comedian Mike Myers has done a commercial to save his brother’s ass!  You see, his brother Peter Meyers is a long time Sears employee.  The ‘please save my brother’s job at Sears Canada’ TV commercial tries to justify the job killing by saying it’s just about getting more efficient (“…demographically and psychographically alter the trajectory of its business model”).  Unfortunately, if you’ve been following the corporate shenanigans you know it’s something more sinister (or inept), and the commercial makes Mike Myers look like a sucker for Sears.

update 30 October 2014

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), Birmingham Eastwood Kmart (70 jobs lost), Decatur Mall Sears (91 jobs lost), Fort Payne Kmart, Northport Kmart (68 jobs lost), Dothan Sears (68 jobs lost), Huntsville Kmart (73 jobs lost).

California: El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (more than 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart, Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost), Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!), Rancho Cordova Kmart (97 jobs lost), San Clemente Kmart/Sears/Kmart on Camino de Estrella (58 jobs lost), placed on an official hit list in 2011 the Oceanside Kmart on College Boulevard finally being shut down, Banning Kmart (91 jobs lost) recently revealed that Sears Holdings is still paying rent on the abandoned property, Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears repair center (75 jobs lost), San Mateo Kmart (82 jobs lost to an apartment building connected to public transportation), Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT, no word on if the Kmart will be shutdown. Customers complain that the Kmart employees have a bad attitude, gee I wonder why? Yuba City Kmart (63 jobs lost), Rocklin Kmart (at least 63 jobs lost, the store had just posted “Now Hiring” signs), San Leandro Kmart (102 jobs lost), Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (number of employees affected not made public, no WARN filed).

Colorado: Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost), Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), recently revealed Claymont Kmart (87 jobs lost).

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart, Panama City Beach Kmart (54 jobs lost), Winter Park Kmart (100 jobs lost), Niceville Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winter Haven Kmart (92 jobs lost), Palm Bay Kmart, Oakland Park Kmart (112 jobs lost), Clearwater Sears Auto Center (21 jobs lost), Zephyrhills Kmart (70 jobs lost), Winter Springs Kmart (69 jobs lost), Naples Kmart (72 jobs lost), New Port Richey Kmart (58 jobs lost).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost).

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost! GGP spending $573-million chopping it up into smaller store spaces), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears going’ down in November (the remaining 28 jobs lost). Across the street, in Pocatello, the property where the Kmart is located has a “pad site available” sign, posted ever since the Kmart bankruptcy. The Kmart building takes up most of the “pad”. Latest news from inside sources say Sears Holdings will not comment on any plans to expand the small amount of Craftsman products already being sold at the Kmart, or shift the Kenmore products line, from the closing Chubbuck Sears to the Pocatello Kmart. In fact all plans for the Pokey Kmart are in a ‘holding pattern’.

Illinois: Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost?) revealed is now a perpetual closing sale Kmart At A Discount store, Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost), White Lake Township Kmart (42 jobs lost), Orland Park Sears Appliance, Collinsville Kmart (84 jobs lost), Crystal Lake Kmart (at least 77 jobs lost), Danville Sears store & Auto Center (63 jobs lost), Forsyth Sears store & Auto Center (45 jobs lost), Peoria Kmart (73 jobs lost), Forest Park Kmart (107 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North and Harlem avenues, supposedly it’s being replaced (most likely at taxpayer expense) with a new building and it will become a Sears-Mariano’s store, Bloomington Kmart (79 jobs lost). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state. The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Indiana: Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost), South Anthony Kmart (70 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on South Anthony Boulevard (70 jobs lost), FairOaks Mall Kmart, Logansport Sears (43 jobs lost), Muncie Kmart (59 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on Coliseum Boulevard North (69 jobs lost), Decatur Kmart (49 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Madison Avenue (131 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Washington Street (139 jobs lost), Bedford Kmart (62 jobs lost), Indianapolis (Evansville) Sears & Auto Center at Washington Square Mall (91 jobs lost), Greenwood Kmart (78 jobs lost).

Iowa: Cedar Rapids Kmart on 16th Ave (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year), Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost), Mason City Kmart (50 jobs lost), Clive Kmart (at least 49 jobs lost), Ames Kmart (44 jobs lost), Fort Dodge Sears (no job loss numbers made public, yet. The Auto Center was secretly shutdown in September).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!), Newport Kmart (81 jobs lost), Cannonsburg Sears and Sears Auto Center (no employee info given), Louisville Dixie Highway Kmart/Sears/Kmart, Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears rebuild & call center (115 jobs lost), Baltimore Kmart on Wabash Avenue (107 jobs lost).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost),
Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost).

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials, Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Saginaw Kmart on Bay Road, Flint Kmart on Dort Highway (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (58 jobs lost), Bloomfield Township Kmart and Sears, Bad Axe Kmart (61 jobs lost), Ypsilanti Township Kmart (83 jobs lost), Petoskey Kmart (45 jobs lost), Saint John’s Kmart (48 jobs lost), White Lake Township “Store of the Future” Kmart (42 jobs lost), Grand Blanc Kmart (49 jobs lost), Lapeer Kmart (56 jobs lost), Southgate Kmart (155 jobs lost), Detroit’s Telegraph Road Kmart (115 jobs lost), Waterford Township Sears (no word on how many jobs lost), Rochester Hills Kmart (77 jobs lost), ‘perfect Kmart town’ of Port Huron Kmart (188 jobs lost), Flint Kmart on Miller Road (81 jobs lost), Burton Kmart (85 jobs lost), Madison Heights Kmart (179 jobs lost), it’s now obvious the last remaining Saginaw Kmart on Gratiot will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January, Ann Arbor Kmart (59 jobs lost), Iron Mountain Kmart (54 jobs lost), Bangor Township Sears aka Bay City Mall Sears, the Auto Center was already secretly shutdown some time ago (at least 47 jobs lost), Big Rapids Kmart (about 50 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost), the entire Sears store in the Apache Mall being sold off, Fergus Falls Kmart (40 jobs lost), Fergus Falls Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Alexandria Kmart (46 jobs lost), Grand Rapids Kmart (61 jobs lost), Seritage is selling off three Sears Auto Centers in Minnetonka, Brooklyn Center and Saint Paul, Marshall Kmart (57 jobs lost), Oakdale Kmart (77 hourly wage employees losing their jobs, unknown how many salaried employees will become unemployed), Winona Kmart (67 jobs lost), Minneapolis city officials trying to shutdown profit making Nicollet Avenue Kmart, to make way for a new road. Anoka Kmart (47 jobs lost), Blaine Kmart (60 jobs lost), Burnsville Kmart (62 jobs lost), Waite Park Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Gulfport Kmart (32 jobs lost), Pass Road Gulfport Kmart (52 jobs lost), Pascagoula Sears at the Singing River Mall.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost), Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost), Springfield Kmart on South Campbell Avenue (60 jobs lost), South Belt Kmart (64 jobs lost), Florissant Kmart (100 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost), Great Falls Kmart (closed “until further notice” due to fire, 63 jobs on hold), Great Falls Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost), Omaha Kmart near West Maple Road (50 jobs lost).

Nevada: Sparks Kmart distribution center (100 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost), Claremont Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey: Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost), Randolf Kmart (91 jobs lost), Paramus Kmart (74 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost), Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost), Tonawanda Sears Appliance and Hardware, Bronx Sears (91 jobs lost), BBN reader reported that the Ithaca Sears and Auto Center shutdown and one month later it’s been officially confirmed (at least 37 jobs lost), DeWitt Kmart (92 jobs lost), Auburn Sears (51 jobs lost), Massena Sears and Auto Center (51 jobs lost).

North Carolina: Cary Kmart (71 jobs lost), High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost), West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road, Raleigh Kmart (88 jobs lost), Garner Kmart, Cleveland County mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Charlotte Kmart (89 jobs lost), Conover Kmart (74 jobs lost), Raleigh Kmart on Capital Boulevard (53 jobs lost), High Point Kmart (71 jobs lost), Boone Kmart (41 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart (96 jobs lost), Gastonia Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Kinston Kmart (64 jobs lost), Cary Sears (66 jobs lost).

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard, London Kmart (no word on number of jobs lost), Trotwood Sears (67 jobs lost), Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost), Xenia Kmart (at least 57 jobs lost), Norwalk Kmart (52 jobs lost), Blue Ash Kmart (77 jobs lost), Northwood Sears at Woodville Mall (36 jobs lost), Conneaut Kmart (43 jobs lost), Anderson Township Kmart (71 jobs lost), Brooklyn Kmart (200 jobs lost), Columbus Lockbourne Industrial Parkway Sears distribution center (200 jobs lost), also in Columbus, Sears Product Rebuild-Call Center (112 jobs lost), Marion Sears Auto Center (at least nine jobs lost), Springfield Kmart #3767 (68 jobs lost), Fairborn Kmart (66 jobs lost), Solon Sears & Auto Center (at least 53 jobs lost). Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants), Shawnee Sears (31 jobs lost), Sand Springs Kmart (52 jobs lost), Muskogee Sears (60 jobs lost), Enid Sears and Auto Center (at least 38 jobs lost).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), Bend Sears (48 jobs lost), Klamath Falls Kmart (64 jobs lost), Albany Kmart (64 jobs lost), Portland Sears Homes Services (no notice), Albany Sears (57 jobs lost), in October a BBN reader warned that Oregon City Kmart was being quietly shutdown, confirmed on 06 November 2014 by Sears Holdings (70 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost), Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), Philadelphia Kmart on Orthodox Street and Castor Avenue (169 jobs lost), Levittown/Middle Township Kmart (87 jobs lost), Waynesboro Kmart (43 jobs lost), Sanatoga-Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 jobs lost, the store was also advertising for new hires!), West Mifflin Sears store & Auto Center (88 jobs lost), Rochester Kmart (78 jobs lost), Frazer (Pittsburg Mills Mall) Sears and Auto Center (97 jobs lost), Bloomsburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Frackville Sears and Auto Center (84 jobs lost), North Cornwall Township Sears (51 jobs lost), King of Prussia Sears and Auto Center (no word on number of jobs lost), Lebanon Sears (51 jobs lost), Chambersburg Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost), both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two), Mount Pleasant Kmart (43 jobs lost), Harbison Sears & Sears Auto Center in the Columbiana Centre mall (97 jobs lost), Aiken Sears & Sears Auto Center (at least 54 jobs lost), Inlet Square Mall Kmart (50 jobs lost), West Ashely Kmart (69 jobs lost), Myrtle Beach Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart, Franklin Cool Springs Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed), 48 years old Nashville Kmart on Nolensville Pike to close by January 2014 (57 jobs lost), Franklin Kmart (33 jobs lost), Dickson Kmart (65 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Utah: Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon controlled news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they reported that the building was demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported), Woods Cross Kmart (54 jobs lost).

Vermont: Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost).

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost), Stafford Sears Hometown, Newport News Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Wincester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost), Oak Harbor Kmart (68 jobs lost), Sodo Sears and Sears Auto Center (79 jobs lost), Everett Kmart (65 jobs lost), Marysville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost), Brookfield Kmart (56 jobs lost), Racine’s Regency Mall Sears (52 jobs lost), Fort Atkinson Kmart (51 jobs lost), Greenfield Kmart (107 jobs lost), Portage Kmart (78 jobs lost) and Hales Corner (129 jobs lost), Chippewa Falls Kmart (79 jobs lost), Menomonie Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Ashwaubenon Kmart recently revealed now owned by Green Bay Packers, will be torn down (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (55 jobs lost), Fond du Lac Sears (42 jobs lost), Glendale Sears store & Auto Center (86 jobs lost), Janesville Kmart (70 jobs lost), Glendale Sears Rebuild center (67 jobs lost), recently revealed Sheboygan Sears & Auto Center (at least 31 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center (see update above, GGP closing store)

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 04 September 2014: “This is the first phase, there could potentially be additional phases.” Secret Obamacare rule changes kill 340 jobs! Is hope lost for one food bank? No more chocolate? Cabinet & countertop maker calls in the fuzz before firing employees!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In San Diego, The Active Network warned it will layoff 47 people in November.  In Sunnyvale, subsidiary of taxsucking Boeing, Narus, warned it will kill 17 jobs in November.

Colorado: In Wheat Ridge, after 26 years Gold’s Corner Grocery store shutdown.

Connecticut: In Bridgeport, British empire Scotland (RBS) owned Too Big to Jail Citizens Financial Group killing 126 jobs by the end of October!  Operator of homes for mentally and physically disabled people, REM Connecticut, announced they’re shutting down 32 homes by Xmas 2014, 340 jobs lost!  The pissed-off administrators directly blamed secret rule changes in Obama Care: “We have recently learned of several changes that negatively impact our level of reimbursement and as a result we’ve made the tough decision that we can no longer continue to provide the level of service that we believe is in the best interest of our clients.”-Paul Catalodo, executive director

Florida: In Miami-Dade County, Too Big to Jail JPMorgan Chase Bank shutting down an office.  Bank administrators say they must consolidate operations.  In Tampa, One Call Care Management announced they are shutting down their call center between October 2014 and summer of 2015, at least 99 jobs lost.   Wounded Warriors considering moving its HQ to a new county, meaning at least 500 jobs will be lost in Duval County!  Rival Saint Johns County is offering the greedy supposedly non-profit veterans organization a huge taxpayer funded grant (half a million U.S. dollars!) to leave Duval County.

Indiana: Electronics company Samtec announced they are consolidating operations, no indication how many people will become unemployed.

Iowa: After 83 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Camp Fire Camp Hitaga shutdown, destitute and broke.  It’s blamed on raptured (disappearing) campers; at one time the camp had 200 campers per week, but in the past two years the camp was lucky to see 150 campers for the entire summer!

Kansas: Elitist Homestead Country Club now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, in an attempt to stop foreclosure.

Mississippi: The state Department of Education laid off 30 employees without notice, including the boss of the Office of School Improvement.  Mississippi DoE spokewoman Patrice Guilfoyle said “This is the first phase, there could potentially be additional phases.”

New Mexico:  In Clovis, after 46 years family owned grocery store Stansell’s Thriftway shutdown.

Ohio: Drugs maker Ricerca Biosciences is up for sale and if nobody buys, then at least 200 people will become unemployed!  Job culling will begin in October, it’s blamed on crashing sales.

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, after 11 years LaDonna’s Fancy Foods store shutdown.

Pennsylvania:  In Hazleton, Archer Daniels Midland killed 90 chocolate maker jobs after being taken over by evil food processor Cargill.  Local news reports say the remaining 118 Umpa Lumpas are in limbo as Cargill has made no announcement about what they’re going to do with their newly acquired chocolate factory.  Cargill administrators say they are in the middle of a $440-million deal involving taking over food factories around the World.  Their plan is to consolidate operations, which means massive layoffs, possibly in the thousands.

South Carolina: In Columbia, hope is lost for the Harvest Hope Food Bank.  They have to layoff ten employees, and reduce hours for the other 78.  The operators of the po-folks food non-profit claim it’s not because of decreased donations, rather demand for food has skyrocketed, and they had some equipment breakdown which must be repaired.

Texas: What housing market recovery?  In Dallas, Riverstone Residential Group announced they will kill 101 jobs by the end of October!  It’s blamed on the loss of an apartment management contract.   Temple based maker of kitchen cabinets and countertops Wilsonart Laminates laid off 43 employees, without notice: “On my way leaving, they stopped me, and told me that we needed to have a meeting, and they terminated me when we had the meeting.”-unnamed employee interviewed by local TV news

Employees were told about their unemployment as they were leaving work.  Local news reports said the gut-less company administrators actually called in police for protection on the day they fired their workers!  The company is restructuring their operations to meet  crashing demand.  The unAmerican Wilsonart is one of many corporations that have off-shored jobs to China.

Virginia: In Fredericksburg, non-profit Mary Washington Healthcare laid off 66 healthcare workers without notice: “This came as a complete shock! Everyone had their mouths open!”-hospital employee who refused to be named by local news media

(obviously healthcare workers haven’t been reading my job losses reports, or they would be well aware of the Obama Care job destruction)

Hospital administrators said they’re also cutting pay for 46 other employees.  157 employees will be transfered elsewhere!  Non-profit Mary Washington Healthcare has lost $31-million since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care).

Washington: Denmark based drugs pusher Novo Nordisk announced they’re shutting down their Seattle inflammation research center by November, killing 63 jobs.   In Bellevue, JCPenney announced they will shutdown their 55 years old store by November.

01-03 September 2014

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

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Food Crisis, June 2014: “When all you can see is the negatives….it’s time to bail out!” It’s only getting worse!

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of June, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Alaska: The Kake Gunnuk Creek hatchery shutdown.

Arizona: In Tempe, after almost 20 years Big Fish Pub shutdown. Local news reports say it is the result of years of disputes between the Pub owners and the property owners. The Pub owners stated in a long letter to their customers that the property owners finally jacked up the rent so high, it was impossible to pay.    It’s been revealed that Nellis Management will be shutting down Long John Silver’s restaurants in Arizona.   California based Mimi’s Cafe shutdown.

California: Despite being a major agricultural center, El Centro has the second highest rate of unemployment in the U.S., at 21.1%!  In Modesto, cereal maker Post announced they’re shutting down in September, 58 jobs lost.  In Oakland, Dobake Bakeries announced they will shutdown in August, 221 jobs lost! In Los Angeles, Wolfgang Puck announced it will kill 76 jobs in July.  In Palo Alto, a California Pizza Kitchen announced it will shutdown in August, 52 jobs lost.  In Beverly Hills, after 27 years the upscale snooty Kate Mantilini restaurant shutdown.  In Costa Mesa, S.B. Restaurant revealed they have already shutdown 16 Elephant Bar Global Grill/Wok Kitchen restaurants across the country. The company is bankrupt and hopes somebody can buyout the rest of the restaurants soon, or they’ll all be shutdown.  In Lake Forest, dairy flavorings provider Kerry Flavor Systems revealed they will shutdown in September, 85 jobs lost. It might be connected to Kerry’s takeover of Wynnstar Flavors.   In Laguna Niguel, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store shutting down in July. In Newport Beach, after ten years successful Z Pizza shutdown by the landlord. The property owner refused to renew the lease. In Irvine, Red Brick Pizza forced to shutdown by the same property owners that shutdown Z Pizza. A Denny’s restaurant is being shutdown because the property owner (apparently the same one who shutdown the two pizza joints) refuses to renew the lease.

Florida: After 28 years, Grandy’s restaurant announced they’re shutting down in August.   In Broward County the company that runs the local Five Guys burger joints, ASCI Broward, is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, 120 jobs threatened! It’s blamed on a lawsuit filed by investors.  In Orlando and Fort Myers, The Elephant Bar Global Grill shutdown (see California).  In Sarasota, upscale golf themed Sam Snead’s American Grill shutting down. Employees were given two weeks notice, but were also “ordered” not to talk to the news media.   Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s Bongos Cuban Cafe shutdown. They could not renew the lease.

Georgia: After 27 years upscale snooty elitist Vinings Club restaurant shutdown. The shutdown was revealed by one of the 871 exclusive members. 40 jobs lost, it’s being blamed on financial reasons which forced the sale of the restaurant.

Hawaii: In Kauai, after 98 years the Kojima grocery store shutdown. The family owners blamed decreasing sales and increasing costs of operations.  In Maui, after 47 years Buzz’s Wharf restaurant shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy.

Idaho: In Twin Falls, after only two years of production at the World’s largest yogurt factory Chobani laid off an undisclosed number of employees. Officials say the layoffs are because production quotas were reached (in other words the former employees did their jobs well)! But wait, more layoffs could be in the planning! Chobani officials told local news media that the factory was still using hundreds more employees than they really need. The new factory was designed for 400 employees, but state employment officials estimate there are between 500 and 1-thousand people working the successful operation.

Illinois: In Galesburg, the Long John Silver’s fast fish food joint shutdown without notice, 10 jobs lost. Employees were officially notified the same morning that the restaurant was shutdown. The franchise owner, Nellis Management, said the store was losing money big time. Nellis Management also said sales at their other 31 Long John Silver’s (across four states) began crashing in 2013, and they plan on shutting more stores down as a result.  In Northbrook, Swizterland based Nestle’s shutdown their DiGiorno pizza and Jack’s Frozen Pies factory, 66 jobs lost. They are consolidating operations.  In Quincy, after 134 years (surviving dozens of recessions and the Great Depression) farm supply store Geo. Keller & Sons shutdown, 21 jobs lost. Family owners said their sales have been crashing for too many years in a row.  In Alton, after 37 years White’s Greenhouse and Seasons Garden Center shutdown. In Lakeview, after ten years the Pie Hole Pizza Joint shutdown. The owner blames it on a combination of the purchase of faulty kitchen equipment and the crashing economy: “The last two years have just been really hard.”-Doug Brandt

Iowa: Another Long John Silver’s franchise going down, this time in The Hawkeye State. After 42 years Nellis Management announced they are shutting down at least eight of their Iowa stores (as well as their Illinois stores, reported in a prior Job Losses report). As in Illinois, news reports said Iowa employees were given no notice. Nellis Management claims they’ve suffered as much as 50% drop in sales! They blame a scientific report which dubbed Long John Silver’s the “worst restaurant” in the U.S.

Kansas: In Kansas City, after 58 years Lipari Brothers Thriftway grocery store shutdown. They blame competition from bigger grocery stores.   In Leawood, a Hy-Vee grocery store shutdown, however the pharmacy is still open. Company officials wanted to remodel the store but blame city officials for playing games with permits and/or zoning laws.

Louisiana: After 55 years the Piccadilly Cafeteria in the Westmoreland Village Shopping Center shutdown. Does it have something to do with the new Catholic owners of the shopping center, or the new New York based owners of the Piccadilly chain?  In New Orleans, gelato shop La Divina Gelateria shutdown. The owners say they are focusing on wholesale ops only.

Maryland: In Baltimore two restaurants, California based Pabu and Lamill, shutdown.

Massachusetts: In Springfield, after 79 years (and surviving the Great Depression) The Student Prince Café & Fort Dining Room shutdown. It was sold off.   In Easton, after 60 years McMenamy’s Hamburger House shutdown. The building was sold. In Haverhill, Archie’s Little River Ale House shutdown.  In Woburn, Kraft Foods announced they are shutting down a 95 years old food factory in 2016, at least 200 jobs will be lost! Company officials say it’s the only way they can remain “competitive” in the global market.

Michigan: At the Detroit Metro Airport a contract with Chili’s Too, Jose Cuervo Tequileria, Home Team Sports and Starbucks Fountain was ended. If a new contract is not signed 135 jobs will be lost in August!

Minnesota: There are reports that the international food giant General Mills has a secret cost cutting (job killing?) plan in the works, due to crashing sales.  After more than 25 years Campus Pizza & Pasta now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  In Minneapolis, after 32 years Falafel King shutdown. The owner sold off the building because he was “tired” of playing the landlord game.  Sky Ventures warning it will shutdown six Pizza Huts in June, if there are no buyers. Sky Ventures is bankrupt, the franchise company has already sold off 54 Pizza Huts.

Mississippi: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 20.9% of Mississippians are unable to buy enough food.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, after 12 years Lemmons Bar & Club shutdown, the owner Mike Gross explained that “When all you can see is the negatives and you can’t see the positives, it’s a good indication that it’s time to bail out!”   In Clayton, Brazikat restaurant shutdown. The owner blames bad reviews, however, it turns out the owner is being sued for breach of contract. In Richmond Heights-Saint Louis, after 18 years the troubled Harvest Restaurant shutdown. The owner blamed competition, however, the restaurant had routinely changed ownership for some reason.  In Saint Louis, food processor ConAgra killing 130 jobs! It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.  In Kansas City, after only four years Pandolfi’s Deli shutdown.

Nebraska: In Omaha, food processor ConAgra killing 100 jobs! It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.

Nevada: In Las Vegas, after only four years the West Sahara Firefly Tapas and Kitchen Bar shutdown.  In Sparks, after 18 years Scolari’s Food & Drug shutdown, 50 jobs lost. Company officials say the shutdown is meant to “keep the company….viable”.

New Mexico: In Santa Fe, Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill shutdown.  In Albuquerque, Maloney’s Tavern shutdown, 25 jobs lost. Apparently the property owner wants to sell off the building.

New York: In New Hyde Park, the Stop & Shop Supermarket announced they’re shutting down in September, 162 jobs lost!  Stop & Shop Supermarkets also warned they’re shutting down their Mount Vernon warehouse ops, 239 jobs lost! Also in Mount Vernon, grocery delivery company Peapod killing 239 jobs in September, because they’re moving to New Jersey!  In NYC, Rouge Tomate restaurant announced it will shutdown in August, 105 jobs lost!  In Corning, World Kitchen warned of mass layoffs at its Pressware dinnerware factory. The Pressware factory started in 1938 making Pyrex, there are reports that this last U.S. owned dinnerware company is being sold off. In Rome, after 33 years B&L Italian Bakery shutdown.   In Brooklyn, prepared meals provider Blue Apron laying off 82 people in September. Company officials announced they’re moving to New Jersey.  In Yonkers, after only two years Brio Tuscan Grille announced they will shutdown in August, 78 jobs lost. Restaurant officials blame the suck-ass economy.

North Carolina:  In Charlotte, after 15 years Miro Spanish Grille shutting down in July. The property owner refused to renew the restaurant’s lease.

North Dakota: What oil boom? In Fargo, after 34 years Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream shutdown. The owner blamed health problems and the bad economy saying his business was no longer “cutting it”.

Ohio: Food processor ConAgra killing 170 jobs! The company is shutting down two popcorn factories. It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.

Oregon: In Forest Grove, Izgara Middle Eastern Cuisine shutdown. The Jewish owners said they’ve already bought their airline tickets to Florida.

South Dakota: It’s been revealed that Nellis Management will be shutting down Long John Silver’s restaurants.

Tennessee: In Chattanooga, Farley’s & Sathers candy factory laid off 95 Umpa Lumpas, I mean employees. The Chicago based owners (Ferrara Candy) are moving production to candy factories in Illinois. News reports say that over the past five years Ferrara Candy has killed 200 jobs at their Farley’s & Sathers candy factory!  In Oak Ridge, the Food Lion grocery store shutdown, 40 jobs lost.

Texas: Near Dallas, a six years old Jakes Hamburgers shutdown. The owners blame the location, and claim most of the employees were moved to other Jakes locations.  7-Eleven selling off 78 convenience stores across the U.S. It’s part of the Texas based company’s new “business model”.   In Houston, one of three upscale Brio Tuscan Grille restaurants shutdown without notice. The Saint Genevieve bar was shutdown without notice. They’re reports that many eateries are being shutdown for property re-development.  In Austin, Paggi House restaurant shutdown, the owner blames “progress”.  Garrido’s restaurant shutdown, the owner wants to try something new.

Virginia: In Stauton, after 77 years Jimmy Anderson’s Food Mart shutdown.

U.S. Food Crisis, May 2014

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 01 – 03 September 2014: High school drop-outs see 46% decline in wages! School district turns to used car sales? More state & city government ass-holes killing off jobs! “Most of these churches, if you go into them, you see very small congregations…” God’s rapture kills another church?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Corporate executive security company, Security Industry Specialist, warned they will kill off 335 jobs in October!  San Francisco based legal drugs pusher Exelixis warned it will kill 160 jobs!  The company’s drug for a specific type of thyroid cancer failed to work on prostate cancer.   More proof the internet is not killing brick-n-mortar stores; Los Angeles based internet women’s clothing company Nasty Gal laid off at least 28 employees.  Company officials said it was part of their “vision of the future”.  In Burbank, Warner Brothers movie maker trying to kill hundreds of jobs through buyouts!  It’s blamed on Aussie Rupert Murdock backing out of his takeover offer, and parent company Time Warner’s (Turner Broadcasting) ordering of massive job culling across all its operations.  In Simi Valley, Too Big to Jail Bank of America warned it will kill 36 jobs in October.

Colorado: What housing market recovery?  West Metro Fire Rescue is recommending job killing and a 3% pay cut due to voters rejecting a levy that would have increased local tax funding.  Fire administrators blame their lack of funding on crashing home values.   The ignorant firefighters don’t seem to realize that you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, in other words the taxpayers are maxed out due to their own crashing revenues and even unemployment!  “It’s the economy, stupid!”-attributed to Bill Clinton

Florida: In Myrtle Beach, after only a few years the Celtic themed Tilted Kilt pub shutdown, despite having 17 years to go on their lease!  According to local reports the franchisee owner sold out to somebody else, and company administrators refuse comment.

Georgia: Fort Valley University laid off 14 employees due to a 38% crash in enrollment ( what I call Disappearing Student Syndrome, DSS).  School administrators said more “tough measures” will follow.

Louisiana: A company connected to the 2010 Gulf (why do so many Canucks and New Englanders pronounce it Golf?) of Mexico oil spill is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Matagorda Island Gas Operations was one of four companies accused last year by federal regulators of refusing to comply with an order to hand over documents relating to the 2010 disaster.  This bankruptcy might be a way the company is trying to get out of paying fines, because its assets far out way its debts.

Maryland: More proof the internet is not killing brick-n-mortar stores; Zenimax Online Studios killed an undisclosed number of jobs, despite claiming to “invest heavily” in its new online game.  In the Port of Baltimore, state administrators killed off plans by CSX Transportation railroad company to use double stacked container cars.  CSX has promoted the plan for five years, saying it’s needed to deal with demands for increased freight shipments, which would have created more jobs.

Michigan: Detroit based Compuware was sold off, company administrators warn massive layoffs to follow. Compuware is now owned by California based Thoma Bravo.  Detroit Public Schools are so desperate they’re now in the business of selling used cars!  Specifically, the school system auctioned off 18 surplus police cars.  I couldn’t find any reports on how the school district got a hold of the former cop cars.  More proof Michigan is a failed state; the Michigan League for Public Policy reports that overall wages have crashed 10% since 1979.  When you break it down by sex and education, low wage earning men saw a whopping 31.2% decline in pay, while adults with no high school diploma saw a 46.3% crash in earnings!  God refuses to stop the shutdown of the Saint Louis the King Church in Detroit.  Catholic administrators blame crashing membership (rapture?): “Most of these churches, if you go into them, you see very small congregations….The contributions, even when merged with all three churches, are very low, so, you can’t maintain everything.”-John Karpiej, 38 year church goer who was apparently ‘left behind’

Missouri:  Noranda Aluminum is killing 200 jobs and halting its expansion of a smelter!  Company administrators blame skyrocketing utility costs.  They even asked the state utility commission to grant a 25% reduction in their electricity bill, which was denied: “The long-term future of this plant depends on our ability to secure an affordable and competitive power rate.”-Kip Smith, CEO

New Mexico: After 35 years Cottonwood Printing shutdown by the city of Albuquerque, 12 jobs lost.  Albuquerque city A-Holes are seizing the property under their Imminent Domain law, so they can build a road.

New York: It was revealed that Obama Care killed jobs with Rural/Metro Medical Services, last month.  Company administrators finally notified the state that they were forced to consolidate their medical billing services, killing off at least 68 jobs.  In Endicott, Jim’s Formal Wear warned it will shutdown in November, 61 jobs to be lost between December and January.   In Bronx, SCO Family of Services’ warned it is shutting down their homeless shelter in November, 27 jobs lost.

North Carolina: I warned back in February that iconic cereal maker Kelloggs was about to launch its job killing operation Project K.  Local news reports say Project K has begun with the first victims, numbering 161, to be made unemployed in January!  The job killing under Project K is said to last until 2018!   Company officials say they’re hopeful they can cut their costs by $475-million over the next four years, meaning they are not optimistic about any economic recovery!  North Carolina’s tax breaks for the TV-Movie industry are proving to be a big fail.  Producers of the series Banshee are moving to Louisiana, blaming it on the high cost of doing business in the Old North State.  State administrators claim they will lose $40-million as a result!

Oregon: In Portland, Produce Row Cafe beer bar shutdown: “It is with a heavy heart that we close Produce Row today for an indefinite hiatus. We understand this is a surprise for many and know that we could not be more grateful for all of your support over the last 40 years.” 

Pennsylvania: In Lemoyne, after 18 years Bob’s Bagels & Philly Style Hoagies shutdown.

Rhode Island: Providence Newspaper Guild killed 22 jobs, it’s the result of being taken over by New Media Investment Group.  Local news reports said non-Guild positions were killed off as well.  After 31 years French restaurant Basil’s of Narragansett shutdown because the greedy property owner refused to reduce the rent.  Local news reports say the owners of the restaurant were active in supporting the community.

South Carolina: In Eutaw, after 29 years Chef’s Choice Steakhouse shutdown: “These are difficult times. Financially, steak prices are really high. It is hard to make ends meet. It was a tough decision for us to make.”-Dareen Bell Connor, co-owner

Utah: In Saint George, Iowa based Blue Bunny shutdown an ice cream factory, 100 jobs lost!   company administrators claim they must consolidate operations back to Iowa to “remain competitive” in this suck-ass economy.

Virginia: Tysons Corner based newspaper USA Today killed more jobs.  This time as many as 70 people rendered unemployed.  Company administrators said they are shifting to “self sufficient reporters producing publication ready copy”, which probably means reporters who can handle all aspects of news gathering like being their own assignment editors, camera operators, writers, copy editors, etc.  (hey, I’ve done that for almost two decades, working for small market NBC TV affiliates, and now BBN!) In Troutville, after 32 years the Waffle House shutdown.  The restaurant owners claim they are moving to a new location that can increase profits, in other words the old property owner wants more rent.

30-31 August 2014

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

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Influenza

Influenza Update, 03 November 2014: Flu kills 3 Canadians! U.S. CDC blasts ignorant U.S. doctors! 71% of French refuse vaccinations! More proof vaccines are overrated & all about the money as British empire takes control of U.S. flu shot supply?

Australia: The British empire country is about to take partial control of flu vaccine supply in the United States.  Specifically, Aussie pharmaceutical giant CSL has made an offer to take over Novartis’ North Carolina U.S.A. flu vaccine operations.   Novartis is based in Switzerland and is in big trouble primarily because of numerous revelations that they doctored the effects of their vaccines and drugs.   Many revelations came when employees in Japan blew the whistle on Novartis, revealing that many ‘independent’ lab workers ‘testing’ the drugs were actually undercover Novartis employees, or were being paid off by Novartis!

This is just more proof you can’t trust government health officials when they push you to get vaccinated, and you have to wonder why Australian CSL wants to take over a potentially fraudulent vaccine operation in the U.S.?  I’ll give you a couple of reasons why; Novartis’ North Carolina vaccine ops were just given a big contract by the Obama regime to make ebola vaccines!  Also, officials with CSL openly stated that they expect the future of forced inoculations around the World to make the Aussie drug pushing company $1-billion USD annually, within five years!   It’s all about the money.

Canada: In Alberta Province, three people now dead.  At least 30 people hospitalized, 66 cases confirmed by lab work.  The versions of flu being reported are H1N1, H3N2 and flu B.  Alberta Health Services report that nearly 400-thousand residents are vaccinated. Provincial health administrators are now making vaccinations free to everybody (upfront anyway, they’re actually paid for with taxes the British empire government takes from the people. In the United States people are robbed by both their government in the form of taxes, and by insurance companies, and in most cases they still have to pay upfront for vaccinations! So much for Obama Care).

Frightened by the deaths in western Alberta Province, health administrators in eastern Quebec Province say they’re getting aggressive with vaccinations.  No they’re not going to make them free for everybody, they’re just going to spend more taxpayer money on TV PSAs (Public Service Announcements).

Officials in Quebec claim 300 provincial residents die every year from flu, however I could not find any hard-n-fast facts to back that claim up.  I checked my previous flu season reports and didn’t find any reported death toll that high.  In fact, for the 2013-14 flu season the first reported flu death in Quebec was in January 2014.  The actual death toll is more likely in the dozens, not hundreds.  Oh, and that’s with only 25% of Québécois (including English speakers) getting vaccinated!

Remember, in my last posting I pointed out that a Canadian news source called the ‘official’ flu death toll hyperbole, because it was totally based on computer model simulations, not actual cases.

The Canadian Public Health Agency reporting that the flu A strain known as H3N2 is the most common type of infection.

European Union:  French Institute of Health and Medical Research administrators are freaking out because seven out of ten (71%) French citizens refuse to get vaccinated!  46% of French citizens say they will never ever willingly be inoculated!  According to French news reports this attitude towards vaccines has remained unchanged for years, despite the French government spending bookoo taxes on trying to convince people to get the shot.

For the 2013-14 flu season only 1202 people were hospitalized in France, mostly children under five and old people over 65.  I didn’t see any reports of deaths.

In Neuwied District, Germany, local health administrators report that 2014 has been an uneventful flu season for them: “We had only five reported cases in 2014; one in February, three in March and one in October.”-Hilde Hamm vom Neuwieder Gesundheitsamt auf RZ

The doctors in the Rhineland-Palatinate (home to Neuwied) say the warmer temps for 2014 are keeping flu at bay.  But wait, you mean it’s not the increased vaccination rate in the German state?  Doctors expressed amazement at the high rates of infections in 2013, and so far hardly any in 2014.   Surveys by an insurance agency, DAK, seems to link increased vaccinations rates (over the privious ten years) with increased numbers of people getting sick!  Mmmm, was it the vaccine making people sick (as I postulated last year)?

Israel: Vaccine maker BiondVax has now patented their one stop shop flu vaccine in every major country in the World.  They claim it renders all other vaccines inept: “BiondVax’s vaccine was designed to contain small pieces of the flu virus that do not change as they are required for the virus’s life cycle. These small pieces are enough to teach the human immune system to recognize all flu strains, so that the body quickly stops the virus from causing illness. Based on these findings, BiondVax anticipates that the universal vaccine, when the development stage is completed, will be broadly effective against present and future strains in contrast to current vaccines that are strain specific.”-Tamar Ben-Yedidia

Switzerland (is not a member of the European Union): Studies show most Swiss are refusing to get vaccinated. The Swiss Office of Public Health is also adjusting their vaccination program, targeting only ‘at risk groups’ (kids, chronically ill and old people, estimated to make up 36% of the Swiss population) for voluntary inoculation. Many studies show that healthy ‘working age’ adults do not get any benefit from vaccinations.

Swiss Office of Public Health (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, oder BAG) surveys also show a reluctance by healthcare workers to get vaccinated, despite massive taxpayer funded pro-vaccination campaigns.    Government administrators are also toying with the idea of following the United States and allow pharmacists to give flu shots.

United States: Apparently ignorant U.S. doctors are still presribing antibiotics for virus infections!  The U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a campaign to get doctors to stop doing that: “Recently I authored a CDC study that examined clinician treatment practices for outpatients with influenza during the 2012-2013 season. Key findings showed that clinicians commonly underprescribed the influenza antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir, and potentially overprescribed common antibiotics to patients with influenza for whom antiviral therapy would have been most beneficial.

Overall, only 16% of patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza received antiviral treatment, whereas 30% were prescribed one of three common antibiotics. Perhaps even more concerning is that only 19% of patients at high risk for influenza complications and who had respiratory symptoms for fewer than 2 days—a group likely to benefit from antiviral therapy—were prescribed an antiviral medication.”-Fiona Havers, CDC medical officer, read (or watch/listen to) more of her damning report here

In Colorado, reports that the Veterans Affairs medical center in Mesa County has already exceeded the number of flu shots they gave out for all of the 2013-14 flu season!   VA medical administrators blame it on public demand: “We’re doing about 100 to 150 shots a day! Normally this time of year we give 35 to 50 a day.”-Paul Sweeney

The sudden increase in paranoids demanding to be shot up with who knows what this flu season is being blamed on the ebola scare, and the fact that the CDC is now claiming this flu season could the most ‘contagious’ yet!

In Florida, a mom has gone public accusing the flu vaccine of paralyzing her daughter for life.  Her nine years old daughter got vaccinated during the 2013-14 flu season, then four days later developed Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), which can be caused by influenza, or influenza vaccines.

Update, 24 October 2014: Canadian flu death toll is BullShit! 99% failure rate of Navy vaccination program! 

Business/Economics

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

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of May, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

U.S. Food Crisis, April 2014