07 January 2013
New York based internet wine seller, Lot18, is laying off 25 people. Company officials say it’s the only way they can be more profitable (greed factor).
Switzerland’s biggest bank, UBS, said it might end up laying off 10,000 employees worldwide, including in the United States, by the end of 2013.
Despite reporting record earnings, Disney officials say they will lay off an undisclosed number of employees. They’re always looking for ways to keep their profits margins up: “We are constantly looking at eliminating redundancies and creating greater efficiencies, especially with the rapid rise in new technology.”– Zenia Mucha, spokeswoman
Cumberland Valley District Health Department, in Kentucky, will lay off 14 people. They blame lack of funding.
The Wall Street Journal predicted a wave of unemployed attorneys, as demand for legal services are being reduced by the fact that people are running out of money to pay for them.
06 January 2013
In Las Vegas, Nevada, Saint Rose Dominican Hospitals is laying off 100 people. Hospital officials blame reduced payments from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
Just in time for the increase in crazy mass killings, nonprofit Columbia River Mental Health Services, in Washington state, laid off 16 employees. They blame lack of funding.
05 January 2013
Hospice of Siouxland, in Iowa, to lay off 28 people. They blame rule changes to taxpayer funding for Medicare and Medicaid.
The Everett Herald, in Washington state, is laying off six people: “…our advertising revenues did not rebound in 2012 as much as we had hoped. We have taken some action this week to right-size our business for 2013. Unfortunately, that means some of our colleagues will be leaving soon. Additionally, some vacant positions will not be filled.”-David Dadisman, publisher
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to lay off 45 upper management employees. DHEC officials said the layoffs could be offset by hiring 68 people, but at much lower pay.
The new Saint Tammany Parish Assessor, in Louisiana, laid off 15 people, claiming the department was overstaffed. He then hired eight of his own employees.
California based Extreme Networks could lay off 85 people, due to decreased sales.
New York State Thruway Authority warned it will lay off a reported 360 people, due to decreased revenue.
04 January 2013
California’s Accuracy radiotherapy devices maker will lay off 13% of its global workforce, mostly in the United States. Company officials said they need to save $40 million USD per year.
According to a Reuters report, public schools throughout the United States cut 11,000 jobs by December 2012. They blame it on reduced tax revenues.
200 coalminers in Kentucky, will lose their jobs. The mine is owned by Alpha Natural Resources. They blamed it on “…a challenging time for the coal industry.”
Florida’s United Space Alliance laid off 111 people. Just the month prior they laid off 119 people at the Kennedy Space Center. They blame the end of the taxpayer funded Space Shuttle program.
Russell Athletic has begun laying off 190 people at its Alexander City, Alabama, #9 mill. They are owned by Fruit of the Loom. The cuts amount to almost half the mill’s workforce.
Washington Times laid off 20 people. More layoffs are expected. It’s all about making the Washington DC based newspaper becoming more competitive.
Virginia based BlueScout Technologies will layoff nine employees, due to a lack of cash as a result of ongoing legal disputes.
Belmont County, Ohio, will cut nine union jobs, and six management jobs, due to reduced county revenues.
The Florida Department of Corrections announced a privatization deal that will affect nearly 400 state prison employees.
Hatteras Yachts to lay off 150 people at their North Carolina operation. The parent company, Brunswick Corporation, said it was part of their new plan to focus yacht building on just a couple of companies. They plan to sell off Hatteras Yachts.
03 January 2013
City of La Quinta, California, to lay off 22 people. Blames reduced tax revenues.
SN Servicing Corporation laid off 16 people in California. Company officials said advances in technology allowed them to operate with fewer employees.
Tendril Networks will lay off 56 people, in Boulder, Colorado: “…as we enter 2013, we have learned a lesson. Many utilities don’t have the economic path to justify the investment in consumer energy engagement in the short term.”-Adrian Tuck, CEO
Liberty Medical to lay off 260 people in Florida, by February 2013: “As we started updating financial information two weeks ago it became clear that we needed to take immediate cost cutting steps to ensure the ongoing viability of the business.”-Frank Harvey, President & CEO
Stores/organizations closed/closing for good:
07 January 2013
Ben & Jerry’s on 5 S. Main street in Pittsford, New York. No official word as to why, but local residents say there are too many ice cream shops in the area.
Dope Jams in Brooklyn, New York. Owners said “…our rent has been raised threefold…”.
The Golden Guernsey dairy plant in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Employees at the plant went to local media to report the dairy plant had been taken over by a California company, and the employees had just been told they would soon be unemployed.
Merial Select bird flu vaccine plant in Berlin, Maryland. 45 jobs lost. Company officials are transferring vaccine production to other plants across the U.S.
Mills Hardware in Perrysburg, Ohio. Bruce Brigode, the owner of the 85 year old business, says “…we’re closing, because we can.”
Catholic Social Service Center at Holy Cross Church Campus in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Church officials say they are trying to cut costs by merging social service centers.
Great Lake pizza restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. After being called the best pizza in the U.S., the owners of the 20 year old restaurant told the landlord they were not renewing their lease.
Georgia Power closing down the last of its coal and oil fired electrical plants. Georgia Power officials say the hundreds of employees affected will not be laid off directly, instead they will “…manage the workforce over the next few years through attrition, transfers and relocations.”-Swann Seiler, spokeswoman
Casalinga restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. The owners of the 18 year old restaurant said only “To us 2013 is the beginning of new opportunities.”
Andrew’s Hallmark in Moses Lake, Washington. “It got to the point where it didn’t make sense economically to keep two stores open in a town this small….that’s part of it, the economy is not so great and the owners are just ready to retire.”-Amy Scott, store manager
The Cottage Exchange art shop in Dixon, California. The owner said her no-profit operation for local artists just can’t handle the bad economy.
06 January 2013
G&T Conveyor in Tavares, Florida. 125 jobs lost. The company was the largest baggage handling equipment maker in the United States. Five Star Airport Alliance, the parent company, will consolidate operations to their company in Salt Lake City, Utah, called Horsley.
One The Cupcake Spot bakery in Tampa, Florida. The owner says the market for small bakeries has changed and she will now focus on catering and wholesale.
Takk for Maten Café in Duluth, Minnesota. Owners say their business was busy, but their profit margin was not high enough to justify staying open.
Kids World toy store in Bend, Oregon. The owners blamed other employment/family commitments.
Solano AIDS Coalition Thrift Store in Vallejo, California. The owner blames bad sales and complicated city regulations.
Ruby’s Diner in Seal Beach, California. The 25 year old restaurant was closed after company officials and city officials could not agree on many issues. The company wanted to turn the restaurant into a independently owned operation, and they wanted to renovate. Also, the city canceled a bus service that brought customers to the diner.
Charly’s Market in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The grocery store hadn’t been open for even a year. City officials had spent tax money trying to attract a grocery store. The store’s co-owner said: “Business just wasn’t here. There just wasn’t the volume. The decision (to close) was made between our landlord and ourselves …”-Carolyn Miller
Lloyd’s Hallmark in Charlottesville, Virginia. Owner of the 45 year old store says he’s being forced out to make room for a computer store.
05 January 2013
Northview Senior Living Center in Johnstown, Ohio. Zandex Health Care Corporation owns Johnstown’s only nursing home, and says it is closing due to ongoing legal battles with the zoning commission. 65 jobs lost.
Breakell construction in Roanoke, Virginia. The CEO of the 50 year old company blamed a corrupt project manager who happened to steal at least $1 million USD from the company. Stan Breakell said one thing to his employees: “It’s the end.”
Havertys Furniture in Roanoke, Virginia, and a Havertys Furniture in Florida. Company officials blamed increased lease prices, but did not elaborate on sales nor other planned closings.
Lord’s Department Store in Medfield, Massachusetts. After 73 years in business, the owners blame the state’s Romney Care healthcare rules: “Business was a lot harder with the economy, rules and regulations with all the health care stuff….”-Tom Kelly, co-owner
Two Unique Tutoring Individualized Children Academy day care centers in Warner Robins, Georgia. State officials say the day care centers violated regulations multiple times, and were closed down.
Arico’s Hallmark in Seal Beach, California. Could be part of ongoing Hallmark store closings. Owner says they’ve lost their lease.
04 January 2013
Nonprofit Henry Lee Willis Center closing in February. Massachusetts state taxpayer funding ended, 158 jobs lost.
One year after being praised by President Barack Obama, for bringing jobs back to the U.S., North Carolina based Lincolnton Furniture Company closed for good. Owners blamed it on a huge drop in orders.
Henredon Furniture closing factory in Mount Airy, North Carolina. More than 100 jobs lost.
Frosty Sparkling Beverages in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The Burns Studio in Boise, Idaho.
Brown’s TV in Northborough, Massachusetts.
Burger’s Market in Louisville, Kentucky.
Cottonwood Cinema in Cottonwood, Arizona. Owners blame lack of sales, despite the fact they sell tickets for less than their competitors.
TiGeorges’ Chicken in Los Angeles, California. Owner blames lack of business.
BabyBuzz in Los Gatos, California. Owner switching to internet sales only.
Blair’s Hallmark in Bolivar, Missouri. Could be part of ongoing Hallmark store closings.
H3 Pet Supply in Shelton, Connecticut: “Our lease at our store on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton is expiring on January 31, 2013. We were unable to reach an agreeable lease renewal with our landlord so we will be consolidating our Shelton location into our Hawley Lane location in Stratford.”-Cynthia Socha and Lisa Gay, owners
Hobby Craft Etc. in Corsicana, Texas. Death in family.
Zazios Italian Restaurant & Bar in Birmingham, Michigan.
End of December 2012 to 03 January 2013
Ralcorp Holdings to close down Silver Creek and Dunkirk, New York, factories. 375 jobs lost.
Macy’s will close stores in California (116 jobs lost), Hawaii (91 jobs lost), Massachusetts (101 jobs lost), Minnesota (153 jobs lost), Nevada (a Bloomingdale’s, 35 jobs lost) and Texas (138 jobs lost).
f.y.e. music store in Beverly, Massachusetts.
f.y.e. music store in Montgomery, Alabama.
Mother Nuture parenting store in Lexington, Kentucky.
Coldwater Creek women’s clothing store in Glendale, Wisconsin.
Christopher & Banks women’s clothing store in Glendale, Wisconsin. (actually closed at the end of December 2012)
Barnes & Noble book stores, two in Texas.
A&W All American Food restaurant in Boise, Idaho.
Bakers shoe store in Boise, Idaho.
Blockbuster video store in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
Savvy Spaces furniture store in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Eddie Bauer clothing store in Yakima, Washington.
Eddie Bauer clothing store in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Eddie Bauer clothing store in Rockford, Illinois.
Pearle Vision Center in Mall at Steamtown, Pennsylvania.
Shambala clothing store in Mall at Steamtown, Pennsylvania.
Verizon cell phone store in Mall at Steamtown, Pennsylvania.
Gap clothing store in Shoppes at Montage, Pennsylvania.
C.J. Banks women’s clothing store in Wyoming Valley Mall, Pennsylvania.
H&M women’s clothing stores in Eastview Mall and Mall at Greece Ridge, New York.
Soccer Plus stores in Palatine and Libertyville, Illinois.
Easy Street Records in Seattle, Washington.
Justice IGA grocery store in Grayson, Kentucky.
Sheetz convenience store in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The last of the Cub Foods grocery stores in Trotwood, Ohio.
Vons grocery store in Hesperia, California.
Amy’s Hallmark greeting card store in Albany, Georgia.
Restoration Hardware store in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
American Eagle Outfitters clothing store in Birmingham, Alabama. (closed at the end of December 2012)
Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Florence, South Carolina.
Disney Store in Reno, Nevada. (closed at the end of December 2012, recent reports say Disney will not renew its store leases)
Klingenberg’s Hardware and Paint store in Newport, Kentucky. (closed on 29 December 2012, after 90 years in business)
The Papery paper product store in Clarendon, Virginia.
Larmon Camera Shop in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Tasti D-Lite frozen dessert West End store in Nashville, Tennessee.
Vision Video store in Athens, Georgia.