Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss announcements and shutdowns for November 2016:
Switzerland based owner of several ‘luxury’ brands sold in the U.S., Compagnie Financière Richemont, eliminating an additional 250 jobs due to crashing sales! That’s on top of 250 jobs killed since May.
Alabama: Bon Ton Hatters Shoe Repair shutdown after 110 years, the owner simply said “Hats are dead.” On US280, Rogers Trading Company shutting down after 70 years, so the owner can finally “enjoy life”. In Selma, after 171 years Butler Truax Jewelers shutdown.
Arkansas: The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) reports that Allied Bank is dead.
California: Industrial waste mitigator Veolia ES Industrial Services issued a shutdown WARN for their Benicia location, 57 jobs lost before Xmas. Florist Native Bouquet issued a shutdown WARN for their Oceanside location, 97 jobs gone right after Xmas. In Foster City, Too Big to Jail VISA issued a mass layoff WARN, 213 jobs gone right after Xmas! Opinion surveyer Competitive Edge Research & Communication issued a shutdown WARN for their San Diego ops, 85 jobs gone by mid-January 2017. God powerless to stop ‘his’ Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) from shutting down a location in Los Angeles, by January 2017. American Apparel issued massive shutdown WARNs for The Golden State, 3-thousand 457 jobs lost right after Xmas! 
And despite scandalous advertising that some people would call child porno (many ads are much worse than what I’ve posted here), Los Angeles based American Apparel also went bankrupt busted for the second time in 13 months (wouldn’t it be nice if individuals could file bankruptcy that often?)! Pico Rivera city administrators officially announced that the Home Depot was shutting down within two years, local news media say Home Depot admin refuses to comment. Texas based GolfSmith shutting down their Pleasant Hill golf store, one of 59 being shutdown across the country. In Santa Barbara, Churchill Jewelers shutting down after 98 years. In Indio, after ten years the Super Target shutting down by the end of January 2017, 130 jobs lost! Local news reports say city administrators are now bending over backwards offering Target taxpayer funded incentives to keep the store open. Barnes & Noble shutting down their Metro Pointe store in Costa Mesa after Xmas, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease. In San Jose, after 70 years Mel Cotton’s Sporting Goods shutting down after Xmas, due to the property being sold to a greedy developer. In Hanford, after 64 years clothier Van Andel’s shutting down when the inventory is gone.
Connecticut: Marriott hotel and Royal bank of Scotland (RBS) continue to eliminate jobs according to WARN issues. After less than two years Ace Hardware shutting donw their new store in Bloomfield, due to lack of sales! Ethan Allen Interiors shutdown their store in Norwalk. Ethan Allen Interiors reports a slight increase in nation-wide sales, but a huge drop in profits. After 65 years A.P. Savage Hardware shutdown in Greeneville: “It’s just been a battle. It just came to a point where the returns are diminishing.”-Michael Howard, store general manager
Florida: Vehicle auctioneer ADESA issued a shutdown WARN for their Sanford ops, 133 jobs gone four days before Xmas! Aéropostale shutdown their Melbourne clothing store. Farmers Insurance eliminating 103 jobs in Broward County, according to a WARN filed with the state! Stride Rite shutting down their Pembroke Lakes Mall shoe store the day after Xmas. News reports say it’s the last stand-alone Stirde Rite store in the U.S. Boca Raton based Office Depot announced 65 store shutdowns by the end of its 4th quarter 2016, as part of its planned 3-hundred store shutdown.
Georgia: The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) reports that Woodbury Banking Company is dead.
Idaho: One year after relocating to Garden City, JoyfulTea suddenly shutdown due to “A series of events…”
Illinois: What automotive industry recovery? Charter bus company Megabus issued a layoff WARN, 108 jobs gone by mid-January 2017! Car parts retailer Ventra Belvidere issued a shutdown WARN, 89 jobs lost two days before Xmas. In Lincoln Square, after 41 years Griffins & Gargoyles Antiques shutting down so the family owners can find out what else life has to offer, before thay get any older. In Carbondale, My Favorite Toys store shutting down when the inventory is gone. Lawrence Ventures, the independant operator of the gift shop at the U.S.Army’s second oldest museum (Rock Island Arsenal), says sales are so bad they’re shutting it down. In Galesburg, after 20 years Cherry Street Guitar Company shutdown, the owner took a managment job with a competitor.
Indiana: Furniture buying ‘club’ DirectBuy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. DirectBuy has been for sale, but no takers. Now it’s being offered to creditors. In Lafayette, after four years M Power Yoga Studio shutting down sometime in 2017, the owner is planning on going to Africa to teach yoga.
Iowa: In Davenport, jeweler Diamonds on the Avenue shutdown.
Kentucky: After ten years W & M Jewelry shutting down in December. After 55 years Gross Diamond Company shutdown and the building is for sale.
Louisiana: In Lafayette, handmade local products retailer Red Arrow Workshop shutdown due to the death of the owner’s spouse (who was also a co-owner).
Maine: In Houlton, after 93 years Town and Country Clothing and Footwear shutting down on Xmas eve, the owner said he wants to get out while he’s still ahead.
Massachusetts: Too Big to Jail Putnam Investments eliminating 115 jobs due to investors taking their money and going somewhere else! In Great Barrington, underwear shop Bra & Girl shutting down because it “was not financially viable” (maybe it was the name, sounds like you can buy bras and girls?). Texas based GolfSmith shutting down their Watertown golf store, one of 59 being shutdown across the country. Washington DC based Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) laid off 55 people and is shutting down their Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable. This is the result of being $20-million USD in the hole, however don’t blame lack of donations. The evil executives of HSUS are accused of offshoring millions of dollars from donations, and according to The Washington Post “Generous pet lovers may think they are benefiting their local humane shelters when they give to large national organizations like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This wouldn’t be a problem if these groups gave most of their revenue to pet shelters. But they don’t. Only about 1 percent of the Humane Society of the United States’ revenue goes to local pet rescues and shelters.” These revelations comes as Japan based Sanrio helped HSUS meet its fund raising goals for November in California.
Michigan: After 67 years Jackson’s Toy House and Baby Too shutting down after Xmas. They blame radical changes in the toy industry and the un-recovered economy. Don’t blame the internet, that’s how they made their shutdown announcement.
Minnesota: In Duluth, Northland Party store shutting down after 21 years, the owners ignorantly blame internet competition (they haven’t been reading by tech industry layoff reports).
Mississippi: In Natchez, after 53 years Bernie Pyron’s Furniture shutdown. Local news meida say at one time there were four stores, but the owners say the “last eight or nine years” have been really bad for business.
Montana: In Great Falls, Rogers Jewelers shutting down after more than 40 years, the owner lamented he could have made more money picking huckleberries: “I should have stuck with that. They are $50 to $60 a bucket now, I could have retired years ago.”-Daryl Rogers
Nebraska: After 118 years Lukasiewicz Furniture, Flooring and Appliances saying farwell to their Farwell location. Local news media say at one time the store was so big it was nicknamed “the Farwell Mall”, but now the owners blame internet competition exacerbated by a disappearing local rural population for their shutdown. In Bellevue, Antiques on Franklin shutting down the day before Xmas, and Mama Kelly’s First Class Secondhand Store shutting down after Xmas. In Scottsbluff, Bentley’s Fine Jewelry & Repair shutting down, the owner said after 27 years he just wants a regular “eight to five, Monday through Friday job with weekends off”.
New Mexico: Defunct Radio Shack shutting down their 40 years old Ruidoso store, the local franchise owners are selling the property. For-profit utility company PNM eliminating at least 30 jobs in an attempt to reduce costs (and increase profits for shareholders).
New York: The iconic Waldorf Astoria ceases to exist, 1-thousand 441 jobs lost by March 2017 as the building is being remodeled (at some future date) into a smaller hotel operation! In Middletown, hazardous waste forcing Shared Textile Services to shutdown, 65 jobs lost. In Troy, Hill’s Stationery shutdown after 96 years. Suffolk County National Bank laying off 76 people in Riverhead, due to being taken over by a bank from Connecticut. NYC based clothier Kenneth Cole Productions shutting down 63 brick-n-mortar stores within six months! Kenneth Cole Productions is shifting to internet and international sales only! In Corning, after 26 years toy store Imagine That! shutting down after Xmas, the owner blames internet competition and radical changes in the toymaking industry and with wholesalers. Despite efforts to raise $2-million USD through fund raising operations, non-profit iconic Big Apple Circus is now dead. Local news reports say Big Apple Circus was only able to raise $900-thousand! In Watertown, after 27 years Waterbury Fine Jewelers shutting down so the owner can retire. In Ithica, in business since the 1950s McNeil Music calling it quits by the end of Jauary 2017, the owner said the economy has not recovered: “2011 was the first bad year, and it never recovered from there. We’ve lost sales every year since 2010.”-Eric Laine
North Carolina: Retailer Belk laid off 40 people at its Charlotte HQ.
Ohio: In Ashtabula, after 69 years Outdoor Army Navy Store shutdown, the internet ignorant owner blames the internet. In Athens, Premier Video shutdown, it was the last video store in town. In Solon, after 50 years Rinaldi Jewelry shutting down by February 2017. Leader Furniture, in Over-the-Rhine, shutting down after 131 years of retail sales. In Cincinnati, California based clothier GAP shutting down two locations by the end of January 2017, due to 3rd quarter profits falling by 12%. Also in Cincinnati, entertainment retailer FYE shutting down an undisclosed location, the owner of FYE (TransWorldEntertainment) lost $8-million in its 3rd quarter! In Heath, another FYE shutting down anytime between Xmas and February 2017, the manager of that FYE blames it on disappearing customers. Also in Heath, haircutter Master Cuts shutdown: “The closing is due to the lack of traffic, that would be the best way to put it. Not enough business. Nobody even knows we’re here! We have a lot of regulars, but people walk in and say: ‘I didn’t even know you were here.’ “-Jonni Jackson, manager
Oregon: Fire fighting helicopter contractor Erickson now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Erickson admin told the court they’re trying to save 7-hundred jobs country-wide. In Corvalis, after 31 years Gracewinds Music shutting down, two of the co-owners want to retire and the third wants more time with his family.
Pennsylvania: Environmental Reclamation Services eliminating 30 jobs in Erie two days after Xmas. In Fort Washington, Too Big to Jail Ocwen Financial eliminating 54 jobs between now and after Xmas. California based jeweler Shreve & Company shutting down their Portland store due to lack of sales. And Macy’s revealed it sold-off its iconic Portland store, which should shutdown after Xmas. Local news reports say Macy’s made a profit of $36-million off the sale. In Pottstown, after 103 years Kiss Cycles shutting down days before Xmas. The owner esentially said he’s tired of working: “I’m going to be 64 and I want to ride a motorcycle, and I never get to do it. I push them around in here all the time, but never seem to have the time to get out there myself.”-Randy Kiss
South Dakota: In Rapid City, after 45 years the Black Hills Total Sleep Center shutting down so the 70 years old owner can retire (at the insistance of his wife). In Britton, after 115 years Lee & Hanson Men’s Wear shutting down after Xmas.
Tennessee: After 37 years Jonesborough’s Art Glass Gallery shutdown its brick-n-mortar store, custom glass work can still be ordered.
Texas: Richardson based clothier Fossil blames its huge increase in internet sales for its decision to shutdown hundreds of its brick-n-mortar stores over the next few years! In Houston, iconic used boot seller Texas Junk Company being forced to vacate the property due to a lawsuit. Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples shutting down their Brownwood store in January 2017. Austin based ‘outdoors’ clothier Backwoods now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Company administrators blame “changing shopping trends and consumer behavior, competitive pressures from both online and big-box retailers”. It must be noted that Backwoods has a retail website. The CEO hinted that the real reason for their bankruptcy could be the skyrocketing costs of leasing and operating brick-n-mortar stores which in turn is putting Backwoods into deeper debt. In Beaumont, Mirror Shine and Shoe Repair shutting down due to lack of people who need shoe shines or repairs, the owner saying “I’m going to lay at home for a while”.
Virginia: In Richmond, 83 years old pawn shop Friedman’s Loan Office shutdown, the building is for sale. In Falls Church, after 28 years Economy Party Supplies & Costumes shutdown. Temp employment company Excel Management Service now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming a lawsuit by one of their biggest financiers. In Glen Alen, Stevens Jewelers shutting down after 23 years. After 141 years H.W. Rountree’s Luggage shutting down their Henrico store the day before Xmas: “Our sales have been dropping, plus we have competition with all the luggage manufacturers that have their own websites. They sell direct to consumers and ship free.”-William A. King, owner
Washington: In Bellingham, after 38 years Gary’s Men’s & Women’s Wear shutdown. Local news media say it was the eighth local clothing shop to shutdown.
Wisconsin: The oldest piano seller (and once a piano maker) in The Badger State, 131 years old Netzow’s Piano & Music Plus, shutting down when the inventory is gone. In Durand, 112 years old Wolf’s Ladies Fashions & Shoes shutting down before Xmas, the owner lamenting “The ‘little guy’ is a dying breed unfortunately.” In Onalaska, after 18 years Treehouse Gift and Home shutting down the day before Xmas, the owners are selling everything, including the building.
U.S. government shenanigans November 2016: “THOSE HALCYON DAYS ARE OVER”
Retail/Banking/Service sector October 2016: “THERE’S NO MORE RETAIL…” TRUMP & CLINTON KILL 3,074 JOBS!
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification.
I found a 2010 AFL-CIO analysis (titled The Public Availability of WARN Notices: Lack of Accessibility and Disclosure…) which proves what I’ve been suspecting in my search of state WARN notices; most states are not complying with federal WARN regulations and are not publicizing or tracking mass layoffs.
Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!
Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”
The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”
