Tag Archives: idaho

Once again people, no glass or styrofoam recycling in southeastern Idaho!

25 February 2013/14 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/07 Esfand 1391

This past weekend, while dropping off recycling at the Chubbuck, Idaho, dumpsters next to City Hall, I noticed they’ve put new signs up: No glass and no styrofoam!

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Chubbuck officials are so upset about non-recylables being thrown into recycling containers that they will now fine anyone who puts non-recyclables into their residential recycling dumpsters.  City officials say the recycling company is taking those mis-filled dumpsters to the landfill, rather than spend the money on manpower to sort the contents.

I wrote about this more than two years ago, concerning the recycling dumpsters for the city of Pocatello.

Back then there were some glass and styrofoam recyclers in other parts of Idaho. I just checked the Department of Environmental quality’s web site, and I counted about 18 glass recyclers and one styrofoam recycler (however, just like two years ago, when I check that recycler’s web site there’s no mention of styrofoam recycling). None of those recyclers are in our southeastern Idaho area. The cost to transport such items out of the area will cancel any cost savings or revenue enhancements that cities are trying to achieve with their recycling programs.

Here’s why recycling glass is a waste of money, and does not help the environment: One of the fallacies in the argument for glass recycling is that recycling glass bottles uses 40% less energy than making it from new materials.  This argument does not take into account the increasing costs of transporting the old glass to the recycling centers, and then to the consumers, when you do it becomes more expensive.

According to the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, ever increasing costs of transportation actually makes glass recycling more costly than making glass from raw materials.  The ingredients of glass are soda ash, limestone and sand (silica).  None of these materials are in short supply, making them relatively cheap.

Next, the Michigan Technology University Institute of Materials Processing points out that the cost of employing people to handle the recycled glass also makes recycling more expensive than making glass from raw materials. Efforts are being made to convince buyers of glass to use mixed colored glass bottles, which would cut way back on the number of people needed to sort glass bottles at recycling factories.

Also, employees involved in glass recycling cost more to their employers because of insurance liability reasons, according to the Joint Service Pollution Prevention and Sustainability Technical Library.

In the parts of Idaho that do recycle glass, it is mainly for use in road construction, not for making new glass bottles. Studies show this type of use for recycled glass is the least costliest.  As is simply pulverizing the glass into powders that can be used in ceramics, plastics or brick making.

When it comes to the environment, we can go back to transportation issues.  Trucks create pollution by using up petroleum based fuels and oils. Another claim is that glass is hurting landfills, which is impossible because glass is the most inert product made by humans (only if you cut yourself with it, but who’s gonna go digging around in a landfill).

Another issue, glass from windows and mirrors can not be recycled. They can only be crushed into powder for possible use in construction. Also, according to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, less than 40% of a glass container can be recycled. And those Pyrex or Anchor Hawking brand glass kitchen utensils are not recyclable (they are treated the same way windows and mirrors are).

Not only can you not recycle windows and mirrors, but you can not use recycled glass to make new windows: “As it pertains to green programs, architectural glass currently has very little opportunity to take advantage of the use of recycled glass.”-Tracy Rogers, Technical Director for Edgetech IG

The reasons that new windows and mirrors are made from new materials are: The raw materials are cheaper (see above).  Glass making is a very specific process, what type of glass you want depends greatly on how you blend the ingredients (called Cullet), window glass is not the same as glass for bottles.

Even if you replace your old windows with new ones, the old glass can not be recycled into new windows, it typically goes into the garbage dump. The only other thing they can do is what the industry calls “down-cycling”, turning it into a lesser quality product for use in fiberglass or road construction (see above), but that is expensive because they must separate frames, spacers and even the laminate before down-cycling.

And, finally, glass that is already broken is not accepted, because the recycler can’t tell exactly what kind of glass they’re dealing with.

Now what about styrofoam? Recycling styrofoam (foamed or expanded polystyrene, the same plastic used to make model kits) is expensive because it does not break down as easily as other plastics. Also, since the invention of starch based ‘foams’ styrofaom is actually no longer needed. Starch based foams can be broken down incredibly cheaply and easily simply by soaking them in water.

I hate those styrofoam packing peanuts, but what can you do with them?  Some shipping companies will gladly take those packing peanuts you get with that latest order from Amazon or ebay.  In fact that seems to be the most effective way of recycling styrofoam packing peanuts.

As far as styrofoam containers, or boards or sheets, we model builders have been recycling them into diorama bases for years.  It’s also been used for architectural and railroad model building.  But we can’t use it all, and they don’t react well with oil based paints (you have to use a water based primer first).

Bottom line, recycling glass and styrofoam does not pay off, and stop throwing them into southeast Idaho recycling dumpsters!

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 30 January 2013. No more student loans? Fox & NBC merger? No more make up? More greedy landlords shut down businesses!

“It all comes down to finance and economics, what’s best for the company. It’s going to trickle down and hurt everybody, employees, residents, taxpayers, everybody is going to be affected.”-Linda Schwager, Mayor of Oakland, New Jersey, commenting on the never ending layoffs

In Florida, 79 cement company workers losing their jobs.  Mexican owned Cemex says their outlook for the economy is so bad, that they have to make these additional layoffs on top of those announced at the end of last year. The views of the Mexican company counter those of the Portland Cement Association, which expects an 8% increase in construction this year.

A state run toll road company, and a state run canal company, have finally released the number of employees they will layoff this year. New York State Thruway Authority will eliminate 192 jobs! Officials blame declining traffic (you see, ‘mericans are driving less and using less fuel!) and increasing costs of repairing the roads. Elected officials refused to increase the tolls (at the behest of constituents), so the company is forced to cut back.  New York State Canal Corporation will layoff 42 people. Unions are fighting the current round of layoffs, over the past several years hundreds of employees were already laid off.

Also in New York, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) laying off an undisclosed amount of employees.  ACS is owned by Xerox and processes student college loan applications. It doesn’t sound good for the current 800 employees. Local media says rumors of layoffs have been circulating since October 2012, and an official statement from company officials says all loans will be “cleared from their system” by August.  The layoffs will take place in two phases, in March and June.

In California, the South Pasadena Unified School District revealed that 32 teachers will be laid off in March. That is if local voters fail to extend the Measure S parcel tax. The school district has been relying on the temporary tax to maintain a 1 teacher to 20 student ratio, but it also shows that the district can’t manage its funding because teacher pay should be coming from the standard local property taxes/fees, as well as state and federal funds, not additional special taxes.

Also in California, the Cask & Cork restaurant in Fresno closed down.  It had failed after only eight months of operations.  The owners say they will try again in a different city.

New Hamshire’s Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene hospital eliminated 34 jobs. They’re trying to save $1 million USD, due to declining revenue and decreasing state and federal reimbursements (Obama/Romney Care).

More lay offs for Illinois.  Abbott Laboratories let go an undisclosed amount of employees.  The global health care company already laid off 700 people last year.  The company is “restructuring”.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, two local competing TV stations have merged.  The local KLRT Fox affiliate and KARK NBC station are now under one owner, resulting in 28 employees losing their jobs.   A similar thing happened here in East Idaho in 2010, when the KIFI ABC affiliate, and the KIDK CBS affiliate came under the single operation of Missouri based News-Press and Gazette (NPG).  NPG cornered the East Idaho/West Wyoming broadcast market by taking over Telemundo, CW, NOW and KXPI Fox affiliate (the Fox affiliation used to be handled by a former employer of mine, then KIDK & KXPI came under the ownership of Fisher Communications who then turned operations over to NPG).  By the way, it used to be illegal to corner local news media markets, but my former employer, and other media leaders, lobbied hard to change that! At the end of last year NPG paid $14.3 million to take over Santa Barbara, California’s KEYT ABC affiliate.

In Minnesota, Gerdau Steel laid off 31 employees.  The Brazilian based company blamed it on the bad economy, and said if it weren’t for the terms of a recent loan (which requires them to maintain a specific number of positions) they would have laid off even more employees!

Estee Lauder shutting down its Oakland, New Jersey, factory. 116 employees affected!  The cosmetics company is consolidating operations.

In Lewisville, North Carolina, a bicycle store named Neighborhood Transportation, shut down.  The owner blamed his bad health.

In Jackson, Mississippi, Haverty’s is closing down its only furniture store in the Magnolia State. Company officials said the landlord wanted to increase the rent.

67 years old Peschell’s Bakery shut down in West Haven, Connecticut.   The owners blamed the bad economy and competition from national chain stores.

63 people out-o-work in Decatur, Alabama.  The Eaton Manufacturing hydraulic cylinder factory is closing down. Company officials blame it on a decrease in demand (bad economy).

138 jobs lost in Maryland! A British Red Coat company (Cobham) is shutting down two electronics factories. Cobham makes its money off U.S. taxpayers, as it is a military contractor. They blame the layoffs on expected and drastic federal government spending cuts.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 27 January 2013. Nestle blames inflation!

After only a few months in business, Canadian-American Structured Solutions (CASS) has laid off half of its employees at its Montana modular homes operation.  Good news, they say it’s temporary: “This is a temporary situation as we wait for materials to arrive for our next projects. And this is a very common practice within the industry.”-Lorne Wallace, CEO

In Arkansas, Nestle laying off 70 people, and cutting production days from six days per week down to just four!  The prepared foods maker blames it on increased costs of food products (inflation).

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Kansas based electrical equipment rebuilder, Solomon, let go another 33 employees. Company officials blame the bad economy.

Wireless equipment maker, PowerWave, goes bankrupt with hundreds of millions in debt.

Wisconsin based School Specialty goes bankrupt. The school supply company is selling off assets.

After 28 years in business, Florida’s Kitchenique Cooking School shutting down.  The owner blames the bad economy and a bad location for a steady drop in business: “This is hard; very emotional. Writing the closing announcement was almost like writing my obituary.”-Vicki McCain

U.S. Influenza update, 17 February 2013: Human flu cases seem steady. Dog flu spreading! Get ready for the newest deadly version of bird flu!

New Mexico reporting one 2 years old girl, and one 15 years old boy, died due to flu. Since October 2012, 89 people have died from flu related complications.

Fresno, California, reporting high incidence of flu cases: “We’re still seeing a lot of calls, a lot of visits, a lot of emergency room visits.”-Dee Lacy, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center-Fresno

In Texas, druggists say it looks like the latest influenza is getting out-o-town quick: “It is considerably down from a couple of weeks ago. We were dispensing 25 to 30 prescriptions of Tamiflu a day about a month ago. We’re down to a couple a day.”-Louis Morgan, Shawn Sams pharmacy

However, officials with Texas Department of Health Services says flu cases are still up: “Statewide, we’re still seeing a high level of flu activity, though the proportion of people showing up at the doctor for flu-like illness is less than it was in the final week of 2012, according to the providers who report that information to us.”-Chris Van Deusen

Indiana reporting 56 deaths since the flu season officially began in December 2012: “Tragically, we are continuing to lose lives due to flu-related illnesses in the state. We still have months left in this flu season.”-William VanNess, Health Commissioner

Two South Carolina prisons report flu outbreaks.  A maximum security men’s prison, and a minimum security women’s prison have been put in lock down as a result.

South Dakota reporting the deadliest flu season in the past eight years.  30 people have died.

Nebraska reporting at least 12 deaths.

Oklahoma reporting 25 deaths, two in the past week.

Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare reporting at least 23 people have died.  21 were more than 50 years of age, the others were children. The number of people who’ve died this flu season is approaching the high set ten years ago.

Washington reporting more than 40 flu deaths.  38 have been confirmed as flu caused: “People shouldn’t confuse flu season peaking with flu season ending. There are a lot of people still getting sick. And there will be a lot more flu illnesses occurring in the community over the next six to eight weeks.”-Jeff Duchin, Public Health Seattle & King County

The new flu that’s taking down dogs (Canine Influenza/H3N8) has hit the state of Oregon. Several dogs in a Salem shelter are sick, the shelter even shut down for one day. Its now identified in 22 U.S. states. As I’ve reported before: “Canine Influenza is a very rare and unusual disease that’s new to dogs. It’s only been since 2005, 2006 that there’s been any cases known in the United States.”-Joan Towers, Willamette Humane Society

Influenza is making the rounds globally; in United Kingdom deaths are being reported (at least 18 in Scotland), as in India (from swine flu).

Indian health officials report new versions of H1N1 (aka swine flu), H3N2 and flu B.

Cases of H5N1 (aka bird flu) are popping up in Egypt, Cambodia and China.  So far for Gregorian year 2013 there are ten confirmed human cases, eight of those infected died.  That’s an 80% kill rate for this year’s H5N1 bird flu.

Bird flu does not spread easily to humans, but when it does it’s usually deadly.  This years bird flu strain has the Philippine Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Health, on alert. They’re even warning about another version of bird flu, H7N3.

H7N3 hit Mexico hard in 2012. By January 2013, 20 million chickens were killed (by the virus or by culling), and at least 66 million were vaccinated.   Interestingly officials declared the outbreak over in October 2012, but cases are still being reported (the most recent involves an outbreak at seven farms just this past week).

On 17 February 2013, a farm in Germany (east of Berlin) had to cull 14,000 ducks after lab tests showed they were infected with the H5N1 version of bird flu.

 

 

 

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 25 January 2013. No more Classic Custom Car cruise spot for Chubbuck! Expect even fewer toys and games for Xmas! More hospitals letting employees go because of Obama/Romney Care! God is shutting down more of His (Hers/Its?) schools! I need to see your ID if you want to buy that ice cream.

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25 January 2013

Toy and game maker Hasbro announced 550 layoffs! Company officials blame weaker than expected holiday sales at the end of 2012 (gee, remember the main stream media talking up how good sales were?).  Hasbro says retail stores have drastically cut back on orders.

Abrasives maker, Glit/Microtron, will shut down its Wrens, Georgia operation.  120 people out-o-work!  Company officials claim that no matter what they did, and no matter how the local community tried to help, the 35 year old factory never “made” money!

Abercrombie and Fitch clothing store in the Augusta Mall, Georgia, closed down.

In Plymouth, Indiana, Whitley Products shut down operations and laid off 110 people, without notice!!!  Company officials ignored local media inquiries.  It appears the company went under and is now being liquidated.

Medical records manager, Athenahealth, laying off 36 people in Birmingham, Alabama. No reason was made public.

In New York, Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic laying off 58 people: “Like many hospitals across the State of New York, Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic is preparing for the Affordable Care Act.”-Lewis Zulick, President & CEO of the hospital

In Fresno, California, Saint Agnes Medical Center laying off 75 employees. Hospital officials said it was necessary to stay within operating costs.

The California based maker of PlayStation’s All-Stars Battle Royale, SuperBot, laid off 20 employees.  That’s according to a game designer.

Another California based video game maker is dead altogether. THQ is being liquidated. Not only is about 100 people out-o-work, but they won’t be getting final pay either (I’ve experienced that, the wonders of bankruptcy for companies)!

UBM Tech, a division of UBM (formerly known as United Business Media), laid off several vice presidents.  UBM first started in 1918 as United Newspapers.  A company statement revealed that the layoffs were in anticipation of a declining economy: “This was about re-aligning resources with market opportunity and planning for the coming year.”

Based in New York City, and in London, England, Group Commerce laid off 31 employees.

Ongoing construction is being blamed for the demise of Gio’s Cafe and New York Deli, in Dallas, Texas: “This construction just did us in. The guys who fund this place aren’t restaurant guys and they are tired of funneling money in.”-Mark Walls, manager

Rumors that Vermont Law School will shut down.  The school already laid off two people, and bought out the contracts of ten others.  A new report revealed that only 48.3% of its 2012 graduates found full time/long term work.  Who wants to shell out $43,500 USD per year (!) to attend the law school, only to end up unemployed!

In Tennessee, the Catholic Church is closing down its Bishop Byrne High School in Whitehaven. Church officials blame declining enrollment.

A Gainesville, Florida, women’s shelter closing down. Officials with the 30 year old non-profit Arbor House say that since 2010 their funding has crashed.  Catholic Charities took over operations in 2012, but has decided to shut it down.

The Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill restaurant chain now bankrupt. The company claims it has $10 million in assets, but $50 million in debts.

In Ohio, the Parker Hannifin foundry in Youngstown shutting down. 63 people unemployed.  Work is being moved to other foundries.

A Talbots clothing store shut down in Connecticut.  Reports say the property owner wants to split it into three smaller stores.

Nassau’s Furniture closing another store in Connecticut. This time it’s their store in Avon. They closed a store in 2012, and now have only one location in the Constitution State.

In Hopkins, Minnesota, a Boston Gardens restaurant closed down. After 30 years of operations, the location will now become a pizza joint.

As I’ve reported in my Sears/Kmart updates, a Irmo, South Carolina, Kmart will close down.

In Oregon, Pepsi is shutting down its Salem warehouse. This is another example of corporate America getting ready for even more bad economic times: “This difficult decision was not made lightly and was necessary for the long-term health of our business.”

In Arizona, investment firm GenSpring Family Offices (owned by parent SunTrust Bank in Florida), closing its Phoenix location. Most of their clients are wealthy elites (“…high and ultra-high net worth clients”). Just a few days ago they lost their battle against a lawsuit, and it will cost them $4.3 million! As I’ve said before; no pity for investment firms.  The lawsuit said GenSpring was flat out lying to its rich customers: “Prior to the 2008 financial crisis, GenSpring represented the hedge funds as a ‘substitute for bonds,’ claiming that they had the same risk as bonds but with higher returns….it appears that this was a systemic approach that GenSpring used with virtually all of its clients as a means of attracting business….”-Ed Dovin, securities attorney

Jim Beam closing down vodka and rum factory in Maine, moving it to Kentucky. 160 jobs lost for Maine!

In Scottsdale, Arizona, the only alcohol filled ice cream parlor, Lee’s Cream Liqueur, shut down. The owner is going wholesale only, contracting with a California company to make the ID required ice cream.

Economic Recovery? WinCo about to close Store number 5 in Pocatello! Blame massive company expansion! Proof that employees know how to run a company better than elites!

13 February 2013, a visit to your local Pocatello, Idaho, WinCo grocery store will reveal shelves that are fast becoming bare.  All orders for Store number 5 have been stopped, the store will cease operations sometime in March.

The Pocatello store was the fifth store to open in Idaho, after Ralph Ward and Bud Williams started the grocery operation back in 1967.  Various stores were called Waremart Food Centers, or Cub Foods until 1999.

The official WinCo web site says the current name stands for Winning Company, but I swear I remember being told, by WinCo employees I knew during the name change, that WinCo was the creation of a school kid who won a contest for coming up with the new name. Supposedly WinCo actually stands for the U.S. states that the grocery chain operated in at that time: Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California and Oregon.

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In 1985 the employees of the company became majority owners in the business.

Since the name change WinCo has been expanding.  That expansion has picked up pace ever since the downfall of competitor Albertsons (once a Idaho based grocery store chain, but not anymore).

Since 2006 Albertsons has been passed around to several new owners (despite the website making it look like it’s still owned by the Albertsons family):  A Minnesota based company called Supervalue, an affiliate of evil Cerberus Capital Management called AB Acquisition, and CVS.  Finally in January 2013 evil Cerberus Capital Management became sole owner (I wouldn’t be surprised if they liquidate).

According to Albertsons’ website they are down to 450 stores across the country (WinCo has a ways to go, with only 85 stores and 14,000+ employees).  But employee owned WinCo is exploding.  In the past ten years they’ve built a giant distribution center south of Boise, added new stores and another distribution center in California, and expanded into Utah. Now Pocatello will get what many loyal WinCo shoppers have been demanding, a giant new WinCo.

But wait, there’s more.  WinCo has announced a new store for Bellingham, Washington, in the Old Joe’s Sporting Goods building (at a cost of $7 million).  WinCo just spent $5.1 million buying land in Gilbert, Arizona. The property is currently a car dealership, but will become WinCo’s fourth store in the Grand Canyon State.

There are some concerns for WinCo, like a lawsuit in Vallejo, California, which is trying to stop the building of a new store based on environmental reasons.  Also, some of WinCo’s new HQ management jumped over from the sinking ship known as Alberstons, which causes many WinCo employees to worry.

I’ve known some WinCo employees who had a tough time dealing with WinCo’s employee policies (which are very strict compared to publicly held companies), but it’s hard to challenge those policies since they are supposedly approved by fellow employees.

Also in California, a mom and pop grocery store in Merced is shutting down, they blame Walmart and WinCo: “Things are changing in the industry. It’s getting harder and harder every year to compete, especially family-owned types of businesses such as ours.”-Gary Lowe, General Manager

In today’s economy an employee owned company is as close as you can get to a family owned operation, and there’s less of a chance the company will be sold off just for the value of its assets (like Sears and Kmart), so my money’s on WinCo (too bad you can’t buy stock in privately held WinCo, lucky employees, and besides I don’t really have any money to invest).

Pocatello’s new WinCo store number 117 was built on the Old Fred Meyer building site (aka Alameda Plaza) right next to a former Albertsons (on the land I used to do property management, for JP Reality who then sold out to General Growth Properties).  Number 117 is at least twice as big as the Old Fred Meyer building.

The New Fred Meyer building is located where the Old Pocatello Mall used to be.  So now Store number 5 will be called the Old WinCo, and the Old Fred Meyer will now be called the New WinCo, and everyone will forget there was an Old Fred Meyer just like they’ve forgotten about the Old Pocatello Mall.

That’s progress!

2nd U.S. civil war, Got Ammo? East Idaho running out of bullets!

“Idaho will push back. A question that is rolling around in most Idahoan’s heads right now is, what part of ‘shall not be infringed’ don’t they get?”-Scott Bedke, Idaho Speaker of the House

The threat being made against our Constitutional right to defend ourselves with whatever is the weapon of choice by today’s military/police (it ain’t about hunting or collecting or any of that BS) is creating a severe shortage of ammunition.

“People are getting what they can while they can still do it before those rights are stripped away.”-Mike Visser, instructor at gun store in Wyoming

Here in eastern Idaho, Walmarts started rationing bullets back in January, and now they’ve run out!

Many anti-gun rights (and therefore anti-American, anti-Constitution) activists are calling for ammo control laws, like background checks, and serial numbers for bullets!

There’s also federal bills being proposed to go after internet ammo sales.

In Idaho people and businesses are fighting back.

This past weekend in Boise, Cabelas sporting goods store gave $25.00 gift cards to anyone who joined the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Recently the Red Coat British media reported on a group of Idahoans who bought 20 acres (8 hectares) and plan to build a city where it’s mandatory for everyone to own “…an AR-15 rifle, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and enough supplies to withstand a collapse of society.”  The Citadel will eventually have 3,000 acres (1214 hectares)!

Then there’s Mormon Glenn Beck (with connections to east Idaho), who said “…Glenn believes that he can bring the heart and the spirit of Walt’s early Disneyland ideas into reality. Independence, USA wouldn’t be about rides and merchandise, but would be about community and freedom. The Marketplace would be a place where craftmen and artisan could open and run real small businesses and stores. The owners and tradesmen could hold apprenticeships and teach young people the skills and entrepreneurial spirit that has been lost…”-Glenn Beck website

Even law enforcement in Idaho is pro-gun rights: “We, the sheriffs of the State of Idaho support the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and we oppose any intrusion upon those rights.”-Idaho Sheriff’s Association (ISA) statement

However, the ISA also said it was up to courts to determine if a law was unconstitutional or not.  They also want to see improvements in mental health services, at a time when lawmakers are slashing and burning such services.

School District 25, in Bannock County, recently approved the installation of gun safes, so school cops can bring their rifles to work.  It’s not the only school district in Idaho to due so.

To hear what President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union, on 12 February 2013, it’s clear that the United States is more divided now than when Obama gave his first State of the Union address four years ago.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 22 January 2013. Dish Network to close 300 Blockbuster stores, 3,000 people unemployed!

Dish Network announced they will shut down 300 Blockbuster video stores across the country.  3,000 people out-o-work!!!  Dish Network bought Blockbuster in 2011.

AT&T eliminating 66 jobs at their Greensboro, North Carolina, call center.  They call it “business reduction”.

The Food Lion grocery store chain announced it will shut down eight stores in North Carolina.

Amy’s Hallmark closing down in Shelby, North Carolina.  It’s a corporate owned store, and Hallmark blames the bad economy: “…I can confirm that it is scheduled to close on February 24, due to declining sales.”-Toni Ferro, spokeswoman for Hallmark

International Paper announced it will end operations of their number 2 paper machine at their Augusta, Georgia, factory.  75 jobs lost.  The number 2 paper machine had been in operation since 1965.

The independent owner of a Pella women’s clothing store out-o-business in Buckhead, Georgia.  The owner said the bad economy was more than her 37 years old business could handle: “The economy is not the same….Independents are struggling.”-unnamed owner

In Texas a relatively new state toll road agency is already in trouble.  The Alamo Regional Mobile Authority (ARMA) says it has to layoff staff just to make it to 2016.  There have been many problems with the new agency, including projects getting way behind schedule (ARMA blames it on federal environmental impact studies). However, county officials would like to see the ARMA disappear:  “What we’ve asked them to do is downsize their staff to zero. Why would you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to do nothing?”-Kevin Wolff, Bexar County

After 54 years in business, Texas HVAC company Avery Air now bankrupt and liquidated.  More than 45 people out-o-work. Investors claim they tried to save the company, but previously unknown expresses and debts forced them to shut the company down.

Southern Air is moving its HQ from Connecticut to Kentucky.  It means 120 out-o-work in Connecticut: “…it has become apparent that a relocation of our headquarters is warranted for both strategic and financial reasons.”-Dan McHugh, CEO

A controversial brain injury treatment center now bankrupt. The Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation is wracked with problems, from investigations over patient abuse (one claim says caregivers forced patients to fight each other, just like in those for profit corporate prisons) to tens of millions of U.S. dollars in unpaid debt.

The Grant Family Farms out-o-business.  The Colorado family blamed crop damage and the bad economy, but swore to come back: “We have farmed here in Colorado for 61 years; we will figure out a way.”-Andy Grant

Envi, a specialty re-sale store in Old Colorado City, Colorado, giving up the ghost because of the bad economy: “It’s just been a roller coaster ride and it’s time to get off. I don’t feel like it was great when I started, and I don’t feel like it’s getting any better, to be honest.”-Marci Austin, owner

The owner of several women’s clothing store chains, Big M, now bankrupt.  The New Jersey based corporation owns 150 stores in the United States.  The company says it has $50 million in assets, but owes more than $100 million in debt.

In Idaho, the Ann Taylor women’s clothing store in the GGP owned Boise Towne Square mall, gone for good. 14 employees out-o-work.

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As I’ve stated in my updated reports on Kmart & Sears closings, the Milwaukie Kmart in Oregon being shut down.  At least 61 people out-o-work.

In California, the 50 years old restaurant, Hof’s Marina, shutting down in Long Beach.  No info about the other five Hof’s restaurants.

In Minnesota, a Work Out World in Rochester shut down with little notice: “There was a semi-truck hauling out equipment and a terse sign about it closing on the door. I couldn’t believe it.”-Victoria Nyari, customer

In Queensbury, New York, the Sokol’s Market closed down after 40 years of operation.  “Everybody has been affected by the economy. We could have held on and made the best of it, but we have an opportunity to end on a good note.”-Matt Sokol

In Pearl River, New York, Hadeler Hardware up for sale. The owner of the store first started in 1905, wants to retire.

What Economic Recovery? Idaho Heinz operation cutting 80 jobs! Par for the course for the city of Pocatello! T.G.I. Fridays going down?

“Following the discontinuation of its T.G.I. Friday’s frozen meals, Heinz conducted a thorough evaluation of the production needs at its Pocatello, Idaho factory. To ensure the number of employees is in line with production needs, Heinz has made the difficult but necessary decision to lay off 80 full-time, hourly team members, effective March 4, 2013.”-Heinz Frozen Food statement

On 05 February 2013, Heinz Frozen Food (a division of H.J. Heinz) announced that 80 of their Pocatello, Idaho, employees will be out-o-work by March.

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Heinz finally decided to put the T.G.I. Friday’s frozen food brand meals out of its misery. The company famous for ketchup will focus on T.G.I. Friday’s frozen snacks, as opposed to full meals.

Frozen foods have not been selling well in the United States. A report last month said that frozen meal (aka entree) sales have been falling for the past five years.  It’s not just Heinz that’s struggling, but other frozen entree makers like Con-Agra and Nestle.  These companies are coming up with new plans for their frozen food operations, including laying employees off.

It’s these plans that might have prompted Warren Buffet to buy into Heinz.  That’s right, investors like when companies layoff employees.  Heinz began shutting down T.G.I. Friday’s frozen single serve entree lines, as well as multi-serve entrees, in February 2012, so, this shutting down of the Pocatello, Idaho, production line is just par for the course.

What about the T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant chain? In 2011 sales were down, by only 1.5%, and company officials say 2012 sales are looking to be even better.  And the restaurant is doing fantastic in the United Kingdom.

Reports out of Britain say that business is so good that TGI Friday’s (they don’t use periods after the TGI in Merry Olde England) is about to hire 600 new employees by opening six new restaurants!

Despite the upbeat attitude of company officials, just last month a T.G.I. Friday’s was closed in Oakley Hyde Park Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio.  The reason was that the owners were not going to renew the lease. (this has become the new official reason for unAmerican Corporate America to close down stores)

 

 

What Economic Recovery? Another Kmart going down, nearly 100 people out-o-work! Idaho Kmart for sale? New York Kmart gone! Sears being forced out of Colorado?

06 February 2013, a just released Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) report revealed that 98 people working at a Kmart in Naperville will soon be unemployed.

Ever since the Kmart bankruptcy, this pad site for sale sign has been seen in the Pocatello, Idaho, Big Kmart parking lot. The Kmart is the only building on the lot.

Also, in New York, a Kmart in Depew will cease to exist by April. 68 people out-o-work.  The reason is the new mantra for shutting down retail businesses: “This store is being closed because the lease was not renewed.”-Howard Riefs,  Kmart spokesman

In Fort Collins, Colorado, the new mall owner wants everyone out, including Sears.  Sears Holdings owns the building and land where their store is, and they’ve said they want that store to remain in business.  However, Alberta Development Partners say the store has to go, as part of their plans to tear everything down and build a new shopping plaza.  Stay tuned.

Here’s my updated list of store closings 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).

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 (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

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).

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).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

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 on 03 February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).


Hawaii:
Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

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).  Recently revealed Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). 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.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (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).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 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).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

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, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: 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).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Recently revealed Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

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).   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).

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).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 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, Irmo Kmart (no info on how many 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).

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.

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).

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).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 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).

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 will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center