Tag Archives: sears

Business/Economics

“I’m going mobile.” “forecasted volume…does not sustain…business.” ObamaCare blamed for low food sales! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 01 – 02 May 2016

Incomplete list of U.S. job loss announcements and shutdowns.

“I went shoppin’ the other day…..I went to go buy beef, and I didn’t end up with four steaks, I only ended up with two steaks….times are tough for everyone. I think a lot more money is going towards healthcare, and other hidden expenses in America that people don’t realize…when times are tough you’re gonna go to pork and chicken, and us Italians go to the pasta.”-Tommy Grisafi,  agricultural commodities analyst, U.S. Farm Report 30 April 2016

California:  According  to the Bay Area Council, 34% of San Francisco Bay area residents want to leave!  The number one reason is the outrageously high cost of living!  After 113 years (surviving The Great [deflationary] Depression, 2nd World War [despite many of its employees being forced into U.S. concentration camps] and numerous recessions), Los Angeles based newspaper Rafu Shimpo on the verge of shutdown unless it can somehow get 10-thousand new subscribers!   At one time the newspaper had 23-thousand subscribers, but is now down to 7-thousand 8-hundred.  And for more evidence the internet is not recession proof Rafu Shimpo does have an internet version, but only 8-hundred people subscribe to it.  The newspaper will shutdown in December if it can’t drastically increase the subscription rate.  In Fresno, a Starbucks Coffee on Herndon and Golden State Avenues suddenly shutdown today, and being demolished this week.  Administrators blame the High Speed Rail construction.  In Gilroy, Saint Louise Regional Hospital revealed it began laying off employees in March!  Administrators admitted they won’t know how many people will lose their jobs until they are done with the layoff process, which could go on for several weeks or even months!  In Stockton, Dameron Hospital shutdown its baby delivery and child healthcare services, 70 jobs lost.  In Torrance, after 44 years Cookin’ Stuff shutting down, the ignorant owner blames a 75% drop in sales (since 11 September 2001) on the internet!

Florida: In Vero Beach, after more than 27 years The Boardwalk craft beer, wine and ice cream restaurant shutdown.  The owners claim they want to retire, but their daughter will continue the business out of a food truck, avoiding the greedy landlord: “I’m going mobile. I’m taking my food on the road.”-Stephanie Swink

In Jacksonville, two Krispy Kreme donut shops shutting down this weekend, 50 jobs lost!  A local Pizza Hut franchise says it will consider hiring the former donut makers.

Illinois: Obama’s homie town of Chicago is the origin of International Worker’s Day (every 01 May). In 1886 oppressed workers (who had no set work schedule [in some cases security guards literally determined who got to work for the day], no benefits and were paid pittance) went on strike.  The corporations and their lackey government soldiers, police and private security guards went on the warpath shooting into the unarmed strikers, killing at least 18.  It’s called The Haymarket Affair and is a fine example of a False Flag op which allowed corporate Dogs of War to justify shooting and killing their fellow ‘Mericans!  (It’s also a good reminder why citizens of the U.S. must never let government take away their Constitutional right to arm themselves.)

Indiana: More proof corporate America is not experiencing a recovering economy; Flow International-Flow Aerospace shutting down high pressure water cutting operations in Jeffersonville, 40 jobs lost by 2017: “Despite major investments…the current and forecasted volume of business does not sustain a stand-alone Abrasive Waterjet  machine-building business.“-Andy Jones, general manager

Iowa: In Cedar Rapids, after 33 years antique store Cellar Door up for sale so the aged owner can finally retire and enjoy life.

Kentucky: Texas based TMK Ipsco issued a 4th round layoff WARN for the year, this time 113 Wilder steel workers unemployed by June!

Massachusetts: Boston-Weak based Partners HealthCare made a major accounting error which will cause hospitals across the state to see “steep and extraordinarily serious” reductions in ObamaCare reimbursements that will cause as many as 2-thousand 1-hundred people to lose their jobs!  The reimbursement accounting error was made back in September 2015, but is only now being revealed! 

Mississippi: Baldwyn based bankrupt Hancock Fabrics has released a 1st round list of stores shutting down as part of their plans to shutdown all remaining stores;  NORTH LITTLE ROCK & LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas. TUCSON, Arizona.  SLIDELL & SHREVEPORT, Louisiana. JACKSON & MURFREESBORO, Tennessee. MESQUITE, WACO, HOUSTON & SAN ANTONIO, Texas. UPLAND,  SAN JOSE & BAKERSVILLE, California. CLARKSVILLE, MISHAWAKA & INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana. LOUISVILLE, Kentucky. PORT CHARLOTTE & TAMPA, Florida.  CHESAPEAKE, RICHMOND & FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia. SPOKANE,  SPOKANE VALLEY,  YAKIMA & VANCOUVER, Washington.  GAINESVILLE,  ACWORTH, BUFORD, ATHENS, ROME, MACON & MARIETTA, Georgia.  MACHESNEY PARK, CHICAGO, FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, CHAMPAIGN, BLOOMINGTON & ROCKFORD, Illinois.  CEDAR RAPIDS & NW CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. GREENWOOD & COLUMBIA, South Carolina.   ASHEBORO, CHARLOTTE & WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina.   BEND & SALEM, Oregon. HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania. IDAHO FALLS & TWIN FALLS, Idaho.  TUPELO & SOUTHAVEN, Mississippi. MONTGOMERY, Alabama. LINCOLN, Nebraska.  BILLINGS, Montana.  SHAWNEE, Oklahoma.   WICHITA, Kansas. BISMARCK, North Dakota.  SAINT PETERS, Missouri.  ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico.   RENO, Nevada.  CARLISLE, Pennsylvania.  WOODBURY, MINNEAPOLIS & SAINT PAUL, Minnesota. GAITHERSBURG, Maryland. MADISON, Wisconsin.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, it was revealed that restaurants Mama Josephine’s (by a buy-out offer from a business partner) and Revel Kitchen (the owners are focusing efforts on another restaurant) shutdown.

New Jersey: The Brick Board of Education warning of 17 layoffs and an increase in local taxes, blaming numerous issues including increasing employee healthcare costs caused by ObamaCare. In North Brunswick, Eastern Mountain Sports shutting down because parent company Vestis Retail Group went chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Vestis Retail is also the owner of Bob’s Stores and the now dead Sport Chalet.

New Mexico: The Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education reports a taxpayer funding shortage of $1.3-million USD, warning of layoffs.

New York: It’s finally been revealed that  NYC based EmblemHealth eliminated 250 Information Technology (IT) jobs! They’re switching to a contractor.  After 30 years kid’s clothing store Shoofly shutting down, the owners simply said it was time to “move on…!”  After 65 years Lee’s Art Shop shutting down:  “We’re closing because the building is being sold.”-David Steinberg, ceo

North Dakota: Federally funded Job Service reporting increasing unemployment assistance claims, some of which might be their own former employees.  60 Job Service employees were laid off in January.  The Bismarck School Board shutting down 64 years old Saxvik Elementary school due to renovations that would cost $2.5-million USD.

Oregon: Illinois based RR Donnelley shutting down their North Portland printing ops, 113 jobs gone starting in August!  Local news reports say at one time employment peaked at 3-hundred, and in 2006 RR Donnelley got a five years property tax exemption to create jobs.

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh based GNC is exploring “strategic and financial alternatives”, possibly putting itself up for sale.  Supposedly the troubled ‘fitness nutrition’ chain store is worth $3.1-billion USD.

Texas: In Fort Worth, Walmart shutting down one of their Neighborhood Market stores by the end of May, 108 jobs lost! 

After eliminating tens of thousands of jobs across the U.S., Houston based petroleum industry contractors Halliburton and Baker Hughes reluctantly canceled their plan to merge on order of the U.S. Department of Justice: “The companies’ decision to abandon this transaction, which would have left many oilfield service markets in the hands of a duopoly, is a victory for the U.S. economy and for all Americans.”-Loretta E. Lynch, U.S. Attorney General

Washington DC: The following eateries shutdown, or shutting down: Bistrot Royal, Crane & Turtle, Hälsa, El Sol, Millie & Al’s, Sona Creamery and Teaism Old Town.

West Virginia: Ohio Valley Coal Company shutting down the Powhatan mine, 431 jobs lost by November!

Wisconsin: Surprise! A Sears store not even on the official shutdown list (recently made public) is shutting down.  The Wausau Center Sears shutting down by the end of June, 35 jobs lost.     Sears Holdings administrators would only say “we are accelerating the closings of unprofitable stores.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics

“I don’t want to move again.” Sports Authority is dead! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 29 April 2016

Incomplete list of U.S. job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Arkansas: In Hot Springs, flea market Central Station Marketplace shutting down by mid-May.  The evil greedy Texas based property owner is kicking  all the mom-n-pop tenants out in favor of a national retailer.  Local news media says the property owner refuses to say who the new major retailer is going to be.

California: After 105 years (surviving The Great [deflationary] Depression and numerous recessions) San Joaquin Lumber shutting down due to the economy not recovering.  The owners told local news media that before the 2007 recession began they had more than twice the number of employees they have now.  Their sales are so low they can make more money renting out their property to other businesses.

Colorado: Englewood based bankrupt Sports Authority announced it will shutdown all 464 stores, thousands of jobs lost!  Back in March they said they were shutting down 140 stores, but their financial situation is much worse than they originally thought.  In Denver, after 33 years Video One shutting down, the landlord found another tenant to pay higher rent. The store owner tried to keep the store open for those people who don’t have access to streaming video.  He also tried using internet crowd-funding to save the store, but it failed.

Florida: In Fort Myers, John’s Good Food popular BBQ joint shutting down tomorrow, due to a combination of the owner’s ongoing health problems and the greedy landlord kicking him out.   In Pinellas Park, Transitions Optical laying off 11 people by the end of June.  In Panama City, healthcare “revenue cycle” manager Navigant Gymetrix issued a WARN, 60 jobs gone by the end of June.

Illinois: Yet more massive shutdowns and layoffs for industrial vehicle maker Caterpillar.  Five factories in Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina are shutting down with some employees being transfered, but at least 820 people will become unemployed!

Missouri: University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Thomas George eliminating 85 jobs due to a shortage of $15-million USD!

New York:  In Elmira, after 94 years (surviving The Great [deflationary] Depression and numerous recessions) Deister & Butler  jewelers shutting down so the family owners can retire.  In Ogdensburg, god powerless to stop the shutdown of 60 years old Wesleyan Church due to active membership dropping to 30 people (it’s TheRapture eyes tells ya, just kidding, or am I).  In Dewitt, Christopher & Banks shutting down their ShoppingTownMall clothing store.  Too Big to Jail Goldman Sachs issued a mass layoff WARN, 146 NYCers losing their jobs by the end of September!  Sears Holdings issued another WARN, this time 47 people in Rochester losing their jobs by mid-July.

North Carolina: In Concord, public transportation contractor First Transit lost their contract, 38 jobs lost by the end of June.

Ohio: Color additive and plastics maker Techmer Polymer Modifiers shutting down their Avon factory, affecting 26 jobs as they consolidate ops to Illinois and Delaware.

Oregon: In Portland, after 60 years Gordon’s Fireplace Shop shutting down, the owner tried to sell it but nobody was interested.  Local news reports say at one time there were 11 Gordon’s Fireplace Shops across the Pacific Northwest. More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; Veritas Software issued a WARN for their Springfield ops, 50 jobs lost by mid-June.

Pennsylvania: Gift store Hallmark announced the shutdown of six stores; Hazleton, Scranton, Shamokin, Bloomsburg, Lehighton, and Williamsport.  It’s blamed on lack of sales.  Some of the stores are more than 45 years old, local news media claimed that once word got out shoppers lined up outside the stores slated for shutdown. After 63 years iconic The Matey’s Crossroads Hotel Pizza & Steaks shutting down after a failed attempt to sell it.

Tennessee: In Chattanooga, after 31 years Kenton’s Shoe Repair shutting down due to the new property owner’s plans for the building.   The owner of the shoe repair shop, Reginald Cousin, said business was booming, but “The building’s been sold and I don’t want to move again. Me, being 73 years old, it’s time for me to retire.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

27-28 April 2016: “I can’t go on forever.”

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.”

U.S.

Dumbing Down the United States April 2016 : “It is unfortunate our students cannot complete their programs…”

It must be noted that I started documenting these education shutdowns at the beginning of 2014. In that year I posted the reports biannually (every six months). In 2015 education cutbacks ramped up and I posted quarterly (every three months). For the past four months of 2016 there have been so many education cutbacks that I’ve posted a report every month!

Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS): A phrase created by me to describe a phenomenon taking place across the United States, affecting both privately and publicly funded schools, from Kindergarten all the way through University levels.

Incomplete list of publicly announced education related layoffs & school shutdowns, April 2016:

Arizona: Scandalous University of Phoenix eliminated more jobs, this time 470 people were laid off without warning, due to crashing student enrollment! The for-profit university is for sale.  More proof higher education is a waste of your time and money; the state Department of Administration says the fastest growing sector of the Grand Canyon State’s job market (by 27.7%) are jobs that don’t even require a high school education! The next biggest job sector is that which requires only a high school diploma. You should note that the ‘elected’ state leaders have been focusing job promotion on sectors that require higher education.

California:  New York based Barnes & Noble shutting down an office in Santa Clara, 80 jobs lost. It’s part of the book seller’s plan to cut costs by $13-million USD.  For-profit ICDC College shutting down their Huntington Park campus, 244 jobs lost by the end of May!  University California Berkeley announced it will eliminate 5-hundred jobs (not counting the 60 people being laid off now) over the next two years, due to lack of taxpayer funding!

Florida:   In Orlando, Florida Connections Academy issued a WARN, 80 jobs lost between June and August.

Georgia: The Ivy Preparatory Academy’s Young Men’s Leadership Academy shutting down by next school year. This is the second Ivy Prep school to be shutdown by state education administrators, supposedly due to weak finances and academic performance (but I wonder if it really has something to do with the plurality of the students and employees being ‘black’).

Idaho: The Dean of Science for University of Idaho was found dead in his Prius after it was pulled from the Dworshak Reservoir.  He was reported missing and a few hours later was found in his car in the reservoir, near a boat ramp.  The situation is being investigated.  In Twin Falls, after 37 years God powerless to stop ‘unofficial’ Mormon Bell’s Family Books from being shutdown by ‘official’ Mormon bookstore Deseret Book! You read right! Local news reports say Bell’s Family Books was facing increasing competition, the final straw being when their own religion opened a bookstore down the street.

Illinois:  Chicago State University announced the elimination of 3-hundred jobs! It’s blamed on the fact that failed ‘elected’ state lawmakers withheld a year’s worth of funding from Illinois higher education providers by failing to come up with a budget!  Local news reports say Harper College in Palatine, and College of Lake County in Grayslake, laid off about 49 employees due to the failed ‘elected’ lawmakers’ budget battles. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign warning of mass layoffs due to the incompetent ‘elected’ state lawmakers. The mass layoffs would take place by the end of August.  Highland Community College eliminating six jobs, blaming the failed ‘law makers’ for failing to come up with a state budget. Highland Community College is also jacking up tuition!   Edwardsville School District 7 warning of mass layoffs, fee increases and local tax hikes due to the economy failing to recover, contrary to what U.S. ‘leadership’ and main stream news media falsely claim. Local news reports explained that the school district was flush with “reserve” cash when the official recession started, but the economy never recovered and now the district is not only out of money, but is $4.5-million USD in the hole! Read the Belleville News-Democrat for the sobering truth (and a long list of drastic school district changes).  Barnes & Noble shutting down three bookstores by the end of May; one in the Arlington Shopping Center, the Woodfield Plaza Shopping Center and in Deer Park Town Center! No word on how many jobs will be lost.  Western Illinois University laying off 110 employees: “Despite the ongoing furlough/voluntary pay reduction program and the drastic reductions to spending, these layoffs are necessary to protect the university’s cash resources. In spite of our best efforts to conserve financial resources, without an appropriation from our state government, the university will face even greater financial challenges.”–Jack Thomas, president

Kansas: God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 46 years old Shawnee Presbyterian Preschool. The Rapture, I mean what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome is forcing them to shutdown by the end of the year.   Mission Group Kansas owned Wright Career College ceased to exist. The chapter 7 bankruptcy shuts down campuses in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Administrators said “From our beginning in 1921 until our closure, we have always operated with the focus of putting the interests of our students first. It is unfortunate our students cannot complete their programs at Wright Career College.” However, in 2013 hundreds of students sued the college saying it “purposefully enticed prospective students to enroll and apply for student loans they cannot pay back through a systematic, deceptive marketing scheme.” 

Kentucky: Jefferson Community and Technical College eliminating 101 jobs (61 ’employees’ & 40 ‘instructors’) due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS)! Since 2010 student enrollment has crashed by 4-thousand 3-hundred!

Michigan:  Kalkaska Public Schools ending its lease on its Northside Alternative High School. It’ll save the struggling school district $3-thousand 8-hundred USD per month. The district is in trouble after a check of accounting books showed that it had been overpaid by 900-thousand tax dollars over three years. It’s suspected certain administrators within district knew of the overpayment, but never said anything. Now the state is taking $29-thousand per month away from the district, until the overpayment is corrected.  Pittsford Area Schools Board of Education approved the layoff of five employees. It’s blamed on what I call DSS, the school board even stated that families are moving away from the state of Michigan.

Missouri: Missouri University eliminating 54 jobs due to $5.4-million USD in taxpayer funding cuts, caused by what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.  University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Thomas George eliminating 85 jobs due to a shortage of $15-million USD!

New Hampshire: Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine laying off 30 people, and conducting restructuring that will affect 285 employees! The 285 are being considered for transfer to Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

New Jersey:  In South Amboy, after more than 1-hundred years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Sacred Heart Elementary School because “…enrollment has decreased by 40 students and the subsidy required to sustain the school’s operation has risen to over a half-million dollars annually…”   The Clifton Board of Education approved the outright elimination of 49 jobs and also notified 5-hundred non-tenured employees that they will not be considered for re-hire next school year!  The Lacey Township School District eliminating 25 jobs and jacking up local taxes by 4.4.%! Local news reports said school taxes are supposed to be capped at 2%!

New York:  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Catholic Charities of Buffalo from shutting down their social services operations within taxpayer funded public schools (hey, isn’t that a violation of the 1st Amendment, government shall not recognize a religion?), at least 65 jobs lost by the end of June.   After ten years P.S. Bookstore forced to shutdown because it can’t pay its NYC (Brooklyn) property taxes. The bookstore operator says he never got a tax bill for the first three years of operations (the fault of the landlord, in NYC evil landlord’s collect property taxes from their tenants), then he suddenly got a massive bill in 2014 which he just could not pay. He even tried raising the money through internet crowdfunding but failed.  Lighthouse Guild issued a shutdown WARN for their The Ethel and Samuel J. Lefrak School, 32 jobs lost between July and August.  In Albion, after almost six years the owners of Bindings Bookstore suddenly shut it down. Sales are good, but not good enough for the owners and they’re trying trying to sell it off.  Sodexo lost its food contract with Fordham University, 382 jobs gone by the end of June!

North Carolina:  Teachers Memorial School in Kinston shutting down by August. Vague news reports say the county questioned the school district’s operating costs.

North Dakota:  University of North Dakota suddenly laid off 20 people and halted admissions to several programs. The school is short at least $5.3-million USD! However, local news reports said the UND music therapy program, itself, is short $7-million USD!

Ohio:   After 164 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) children’s mental health treatment chain Beech Brook forced to eliminate 179 jobs due to Medicaid funding cuts!

Pennsylvania: The Society Hill Playhouse (educating kids and adults in the theater arts) shutdown after more than 50 years. There was no reason given in the reports I read.  ‘Troubled youth’ caretaker NHS Youth Services issued a layoff WARN for their Northwestern Academy, but failed to say how many people were losing their jobs.   In York, Durham School Services announced it will eliminate 88 jobs by the beginning of June.  In Lansford, Our Lady of Angels Academy has gone from 8-hundred students to just more than 1-hundred, and god is powerless to stop the shutdown in July. Administrators said the only way they could stay open was to jack up the fees, but christian parents can’t afford to pay more fees.

South Dakota: Southeast Technical Institute warned of layoffs due to what I call DSS.

Texas: In Austin internet based business education service Amazing Academy (amazing.com) laid off 50% of its employees without warning! The news came from the former employees.

Vermont: For the third year in a row the Burlington School District is prepping employees for mass layoffs, and for the second time is jacking up local taxes, and will eliminate classes because “…the decline in overall enrollment has resulted in numerous under-enrolled classes that can be consolidated.” Teacher Bob Abbey bemoaned “…Burlington has become a second-tier educational system. We are going in the wrong direction.” Read the sobering Burlington Free Press article which gives a list of drastic changes coming for the school district. 

Washington DC: U.S. Department of Education has revealed that their economic outlook for the future of the United States is so bad that 43% of us fools who got into debt to get a higher education will never be able to pay off that debt to the government! As of January 2016, 3.6-million former higher education students had defaulted (meaning they stopped making payments, you can’t declare bankruptcy against student debt) on $56-billion USD worth of student loans!

Dumbing Down the United States, March 2016:  “Let’s be clear; this campaign promotes an agenda designed to undermine public schools.”

Business/Economics

“losing your job could mean losing your health insurance.” More ObamaCare lies! Idaho hospital violates U.S. Medical Leave Act! 76,000 cases of worker discrimination! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 24 April 2016

Incomplete list of U.S. job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: In San Diego, iconic record store Off The Record shutting down: “It’s a number of reasons: Finances, gentrification of the neighborhood, the raising of rent, the fact that this neighborhood has transitioned from a place to shop to a place to drink…”-Paul Russe, manager

“Licensing can become a powerful tool to limit innovation and competition and act to limit upward mobility.”–Occupational Licensing: Bad for Competition, Bad for Low-Income Workers

Delaware: Governor Jack Markell is blaming high unemployment on the fact that more than 25% of jobs require some kind of license.  The cost and time needed to get those licenses is a major barrier for many people interested in those jobs.  Markell ordered a review of employment (occupational) licensing regulations in Delaware.

Idaho:  In Boise, christian healthcare scammer Saint Luke’s Regional Medical Center has been found in violation of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  In 2015 an employee reported to the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) that Saint Luke’s was not ‘coding’ certain time off as FMLA.  The DoL reviewed two years worth of “hundreds” of employee records and concluded that Saint Luke’s “…failed to ensure that all employees on FMLA-covered leave received all the protections…”  Interestingly the DoL determination, and resulting Saint Luke’s resolution actually took place in November 2015, but only now is being made public!  In February I reported how Saint Luke’s was caught stealing local property taxes! 

Illinois: Local news reports say Harper College in Palatine, and College of Lake County in Grayslake, laid off about 49 employees due to the failed ‘elected’ lawmakers’ budget battles.

Louisiana: The A-Hole Jefferson Parish Council was pushing to outlaw their own parish appointees and attorneys from having a second job!   Their paranoia was put to rest when parish president Mike Yenni revealed there are already regulations prohibiting such behavior.

Michigan: In Coldwater, after 44 years Taylor’s Stationary shutting down this week, the building has a new owner.

Nebraska: In Hastings, a former manager of the local Holiday Inn is paying a $5-hundred USD fine and serving one year of probation after being caught employing an illegal immigrant as a supervisor.  The case involves another hotel run by Kearney Hospitality.  The illegal immigrant left Kearney Hospitality after it was discovered that the U.S. Social Security Administration (SS) was investigating the employee’s legality.  Federal prosecutors say an administrator with Kearney Hospitality told the manager of the Holiday Inn to change the name of the employee on the employment records because of the SS investigation.  The administrator with Kearney Hospitality will be sentenced next month.

New Hampshire:  Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine laying off 30 people, and conducting restructuring that will affect 285 employees!  The 285 are being considered for transfer to Dartmouth-Hitchcock.  In Milford, Eversource (Public Service of New Hampshire) shutting down their Elm Street electric station.  This has people upset as Eversource claims demand for power is doubling and has proposed bringing in electricity from British empire Canada, as well as jacking up utility rates to pay for natural gas.   Eversource is also dealing with numerous lawsuits.

New York: Quantum Medical Imaging shutting down their medical instrument factory in Ronkonkoma, 83 jobs lost between July and November.  NYC based EmblemHealth warning of “several hundred” layoffs in their Information Technology (IT) department!  The IT jobs are being outsourced to cheap-o contractors as part of ObamaCare “modernization” of the healthcare industry.  Sears Holdings issued a WARN for the shutdown of the Irondequoit and Plattsburgh Sears stores, 154 jobs lost by the end of July!  In Plattsburgh, Nova Bus/Prevost eliminating 70 jobs, apparently due to reduction of taxpayer funding of public transportation (administrators called it a reduction in “market demand”).  In Sidney, tax-sucker Amphenol Aerospace laid off at least 90 employees blaming a sudden ‘stop order’ by U.S. Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime.  In Albion, after almost six years the owners of Bindings Bookstore suddenly announced it’ll shutdown this week.  Sales are good, but not good enough for the owners and they’re trying trying to sell it off.

North Dakota: In Mandan, after 17 years the Dollar Store shutting down, the building was sold to a chiropractic clinic.

Ohio: In Toledo, after 40 years pawn shop Standard Loan shutting down when the inventory is gone.  The owner told local news sources that he’s financially broke.

Pennsylvania: In Hazleton, after 65 years Fierro Furniture shutting down.

South Carolina: In Orangeburg, Regional Medical Center laying off 33 employees, cutting hours for 27 and eliminating 30 vacant jobs. Because of ObamaCare the hospital needs to cut $4.9-million USD in expenses!

Texas:  Massive oil industry layoffs have revealed a major lie about ObamaCare.  One of the promises of the Affordable Care Act was that people who were not employed, or who lost their jobs, would still be covered for healthcare under ObamaCare.  A Houston Chronicle investigation found that most oil industry survivors have learned they don’t qualify for ObamaCare: “In the U.S., losing your job could mean losing your health insurance. Most other countries don’t do this.  …The ACA, if anything, entrenched our dependence on employer-provided health insurance…..  That’s the hole. It is contrary to the spirit of the law.”-Jessica Roberts, University of Houston’s Law Center

Washington: A little more than a month after killing 120 IT jobs, Seattle based retailer Nordstrom announced it must layoff an additional 4-hundred employees!  Administrators blame it on crashing sales.

Washington DC: The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) is trying to push two changes with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); discrimination and how workers are paid. At the same time the U.S. Congress is trying to block those changes, accusing the DoL EEOC of failing to investigate 76-thousand cases of employer discrimination of employees!   In a connected case, the U.S. Census Bureau has admitted to intentionally discriminating against ‘minority’ citizens with criminal backgrounds.   The Census Bureau is settling a lawsuit accusing it of refusing to employ ‘minorities’ who have completed prison sentences after being convicted of a crime.  The amount it will cost taxpayers has yet to be revealed, but it is being called a “landmark” case of discrimination by a federal government employer.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

22-23 April 2016: “It makes zero sense”

Sears Kmart update 21 April 2016 : “A lot of customers don’t even believe this”

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.”

Business/Economics

Sears Kmart update 21 April 2016 : “A lot of customers don’t even believe this” New shutdowns, thousands jobless by Summer!

In Canada, Sears Canada shutting down its Sears Outlet stores in London and Whitehorse.  The franchise owner of the Whitehorse store says sheeple customers are in shock: “It’s Sears’ decision, it’s not our decision.  They are saying the main cause would be the shipping, which is really expensive to ship up to the North… they’re not making much profit…. A lot of customers don’t even believe this, that we’re going to close the store.”-Arun Ramalingam

In the U.S., Eddie Lampert’s Sears Holdings released a new list of stores being shutdown by July 2016.

06 April 2016 :  “Slap in the face!” as Sears shuts down another profit making stores! 

Here’s the updated list of U.S. store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011, new closing revelations in BOLD:

Alabama: Oxford Sears, Birmingham Kmart on Chalkville Mountain, Decatur Kmart  on Beltline Road, Homewood Kmart, Mobile Kmart on Z Schillingers Road.   The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost by the end of June 2016. City leaders of Anniston have agreed to fork over $3-million precious local tax dollars to fund the re-development of an abandoned Kmart. Prattville Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 70 jobs lost. Florence Kmart in March, 64 jobs lost in 2016. A local news report said the employees knew nothing about it and were shocked to hear it from the news media! Dothan Kmart (south side of Ross Clark Circle) shutting down in March, 56 jobs lost in 2016. 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), Sears Store and Auto Center at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile (more than 100 jobs lost).

Arkansas: Little Rock Sears.

Arizona: Nogales Kmart. The Prescott Valley Kmart shutting down by April 2016. No word on how many jobs lost, but one employee was quoted by local news as saying “Walmart won.” Local news reports say there is a Now Hiring sign posted on the Kmart store front. Reports that the Glendale Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors. Recently revealed Arrowhead Towne Center Sears sold-off then rented back! Chandler Fashion Center Sears sold-off then rented back!

California: Dinuba Kmart, Lodi Kmart, Tulare Kmart, Wasco Kmart.  Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is renting out half of three Sears stores; one in Roseville, one in Citrus Heights and one in Sacramento. Supposedly Sears will continue its operations in the other half of the buildings. On 10 March the Garden Center roof of the Santa Rosa Kmart collapsed during a rain storm. Fire inspectors said the roof was already compromised due to dry rot before the rain storm, a local news reporter said managers knew about the condition of the roof because it was sagging, and they called in contractors. The contractors tried to prop up the roof before the rain storm hit. Anaheim Kmart shutting down, 107 jobs lost in 2016! The Chula Vista Kmart, San Mateo Sears and Citrus Heights Kmart shutting down between March and April 2016, a total of 3-hundred jobs lost! 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), San Jose Mercury News says the El Centro Kmart to shutdown in January, the website Foursquare says the Covina Kmart is now shutdown (other sources say it will shutdown in December), Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (98 jobs lost), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers), Westfield Topanga Sears (122 jobs lost), it looks like the Blythe Kmart is being slowly shutdown despite denial by Sears Holdings. San Mateo Kmart being demolished to make room for 599 unit apartment complex, as part of the the Hayward Park Caltrain Station project. Atwater Kmart (74 jobs lost), Los Banos Kmart (67 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), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost), Denver-Cherry Creek North Sears store & Auto Center (66 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Putnam Kmart.  Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (employees say the shutdown was a surprise, I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (at least 13 jobs lost).

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

Florida: Jacksonville Sears and Kmart.  Neptune Beach Kmart, Perry Kmart.  The Lutz Kmart shutting down by March 2016, 62 jobs lost. The 46 years old Daytona Beach Kmart, on International Speedway Boulevard, is shutting down by mid-March 2016, 86 jobs lost. 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), ‘redevelopment’ of Aventura Sears & Auto Center into an “open-air village” (unknown how many jobs affected), Kmart on Northeast 108 Street being annexed by Miami Shores, Sears Holdings threatens to shutdown Kmart as a result of higher local taxes. The property that’s home to an operating Kmart, on South Green Bay Road in Racine, was foreclosed by the local Sheriff and sold-off for $2.5-million, no word on what the new property owner will do with it. Fort Myers Kmart (67 jobs lost). Dicks Sportings Goods subleasing space in an existing Sears store in Palm Beach Gardens.

Georgia: The 37 years old Carrollton Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016. Dublin Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 71 jobs lost. Milledgeville Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 60+ jobs lost. Mount Berry Square Mall (Rome) Sears and Auto Center shutting down in March 2016, 86 jobs lost. 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), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost), one of the last two North Augusta Kmart to be torn down by new property owner from Canada, Sears Holdings denies the Kmart will shutdown.

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Iconic 25 years old Nimitz HWY Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart shutting down in March 2016, 141 jobs lost! 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: Boise Kmart on Fairview shutting down by mid-March 2016, 56 jobs lost. Pocatello Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears shutdown by the end of October/beginning of November 2014 (the remaining 28 jobs lost).

Illinois: Chicago Kmart on South Pulaski.  Danville Kmart, Galesburg Kmart, Lansing Kmart, Pekin Kmart, Rock Island Kmart.  Eliminated 401 Hoffman Estates HQ jobs due to crappy 2015 holiday sales! 151 of those jobs were already vacant. Morton ‘green’ Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Canton Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 38 jobs lost. 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), Hoffman Estates Headquarters 100 jobs eliminated, another 15 corporate jobs eliminated elsewhere, Chicago-Wicker Park Kmart (106 jobs lost), abandoned Market Place Mall Sears location to be occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. North Mayfair Kmart (99 jobs lost), Chicago Kmart at 5033 North Elston Avenue (99 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.

Indiana: Bloomington Kmart, New Albany Kmart.  Bloomington’s College Mall Sears & Auto Center shutting down by mid-June 2016, at least 52 jobs lost. In Schererville, Sears Hardware shutting down in April 2016. Terre Haute Kmart by April, 62 jobs lost. 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), Plymouth Kmart (68 jobs lost), Bloomington Sears to be replaced by Whole Foods grocery store.

Iowa: Sears Holdings shutting down their West Des Moines call center by June 2016, 162 jobs lost! Ottumwa Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 38 jobs lost. 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), 56 years old Mason City Sears & Auto Center (more than 100 jobs lost). Davenport Kmart (59 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Kansas: Hutchison Kmart.  North Topeka Kmart shutting down in 2016, 49 jobs lost. Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 jobs lost), Manhattan Sears & Auto Center (number of jobs lost were never revealed).

Kentucky: Two Kmarts in Louisville.  Elizabethtown Kmart, Maysville Kmart, Paintsville Kmart.  Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart, 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 shutdown and now being taken over by Kroger basically to sell the same crap the old Kmart did! Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

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

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost), Aroostook Centre Mall Sears Auto Center leased out to VIP Tires & Service.

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), Parkville Kmart (102 jobs lost), California Kmart (71 jobs lost), Sears Hometown Store in Perryville.

Massachusetts: Tewksbury Kmart.  Fairhaven Sears Appliance & Hardware shutting down by mid-April. Local news reports said the ignorant employees actually thought the shutdown notice was a joke! I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News. 79 jobs lost as the Fall River Kmart shuts down in May 2016. North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost). Braintree Kmart on Grossman Drive shutdown. Also, the Braintree South Shore Plaza Sears store is renting out an entire floor to Ireland based Primark. Even with the lease to Primark there is still 4-thousand square feet of vacant space in the Sears store. The Sears at the Auburn Mall shutdown on Black Friday due to electrical fire. The store was experiencing electrical problems, an investigation is underway.

Michigan: Midland Sears, Houghton Lake Kmart, Taylor Kmart.  The Bradley Kmart has a new owner who is shutting it down in 2016. Retailer Meijer bought the Kmart property for $5-million USD. The Kmart will be shutdown in May, but the new Meijer store won’t be ready until 2018. The Sears and Auto Center in Fort Gratiot shutting down by mid-March, 48 jobs lost. Ironwood Kmart by mid-April, 47 jobs lost. 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 official the last remaining Saginaw Kmart (on Gratiot Road) will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014 (Sears Holdings claims only 18 people worked there at the time of the collapse!), 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). Vacant Wyandotte Sears Auto Center is being renovated at a cost to taxpayers of $1-million & 20-thousand, plus 15 years worth of tax breaks valued at $2-million! Shakopee Kmart distribution center shutdown and sold-off for $17-million in 2013, now it’s finally getting a new tenant; snowmobile and electric cart maker Polaris Industries will rent out a fraction of the building to use as their new parts warehouse. The Kmart Plaza in Sandusky sold to “A group of investors”, no word on what will happen to the Kmart store.

Minnesota: Dundas Kmart by April 2016, 32 jobs lost. Thunderbird Mall Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 48 jobs lost. 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), Northeast Minneapolis Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale, Coon Rapids Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale.

Mississippi: Corinth Kmart.  The 44 years old Greenville Kmart shutting down in April, no word on job losses. 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, Olive Branch distribution center (unknown how many jobs lost).

Missouri: Bridgeton Kmart, Springfield Kmart.  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), O’Fallon Kmart (76 jobs lost).

Montana: Billings Kmart.  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) due to great sales (ironically) the shutdown date has been moved from 07 December 2014 to 23 November, Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost), Missoula Sears store and Auto Center (57 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Hastings Kmart.  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: Lodi Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 75 jobs lost. 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), Closter Kmart (102 jobs lost), Vineland Kmart (74 jobs lost). After 18 years Sears Holdings shutdown their Roselle Sears Hardware store due to “landlord issues”.

New Mexico: Albuquerque’s Coronado Center Sears suddenly shutdown their Auto Center, and will reduce the size of the main store by 50% within two months. Sears goon Howard Riefs stated “We will rightsize the labor…”, but gave no numbers. The ‘rightsizing’ of the Coronado Center store is in partnership with one of my evil former employers, mall owner GGP. SearsLas Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Irondequoit Sears, Plattsburgh Sears, Poughkeepsie Kmart, Rochester Kmart.  Staten Island Mall Sears Auto Center will shutdown in February, 20 jobs lost. Lindenhurst Sears Hardware, North Babylon Sears Hardware, Hauppauge Sears Hardware, Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost) now revealed to be turned into a Town Center with more than 200 apartments at an estimated cost of $50-million, 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), Staten Island Mall Sears leased out to Ireland’s Primark, Bay Shore Sears and Sears Auto Center (144 jobs lost), New Hartford (Sangertown Mall) Sears & Auto Center (109 jobs lost), Lancaster Kmart sold for $1.7-million to Dave’s Christmas Wonderland. Herkimer Sears Hometown, Saranac Lake Sears Hometown the ‘independent’ co-owners said Sears Holdings forced them to shutdown. Melville Appliance Repair Division (31 jobs lost).

North Carolina: Brevard Kmart, Gastonia Kmart, Lumberton Kmart, Pineville Kmart, Rocky Mount Kmart.  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), Greensboro Kmart distribution center (130 jobs lost), Greenville Kmart (75 jobs lost), Kinston Sears Hometown Store shutdown with little notice, Lexington Sears Hometown Store.

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

Ohio: Marion Sears, Ashtabula Kmart, Eaton Kmart, Fremont Kmart, Lima Kmart, Lorain Kmart, Springboro Kmart.  Englewood Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July 2016. Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June 2016. Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June 2016. 78 jobs lost as the Lancaster Kmart is shutting down in May 2016. 18 jobs lost as the Dixie Highway Sears Hardware shuts down this Friday. The 28 years old Sears and its Auto Center in New Philadelphia shutting down by mid-April 2016, 46 jobs lost. Without warning the Medina Sears Appliance & Hardware Store shutdown. Warren Kmart on Parkman Road NW will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. Zanesville Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Steubenville Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Boardman Kmart by April 2016, 81 jobs lost. 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), Tiffin Sears Hometown Store. 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. Fairlawn Sears Appliance & Hardware, Macedonia Sears Appliance & Hardware, Lorain Sears Appliance & Hardware, Elyria Sears Appliance & Hardware, North Olmsted Sears Appliance & Hardware, Sheffield Village Sears Appliance & Hardware, Akron Sears Appliance & Hardware.

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), Tulsa BigKmart (51 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). Ontario Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Butler Sears, New Castle Sears, Beaver Falls Kmart, Philadelphia Kmart on Frankford Avenue. Two Pittsburgh Kmarts.   Reading Kmart, Uniontown Kmart.  Sears store in the Beaver Valley Mall shutting down by June 2016, 62 jobs lost.  Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July 2016. Reports that the Exton Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. 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), Scotland Chambersburg Mall Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost), the upper level of the Willow Grove Mall Sears store to be leased by Primark, King of Prussia Sears store leased out to clothing retailer Primark, East Towne Mall Kmart (51 jobs lost), Frackville Kmart in the Skuylkill Mall (80 jobs lost), Mount Pocono Kmart (66 jobs lost), Fairless Hills Sears Hardware. Granite Run Mall shutdown, meaning the Sears and Sears Auto Center now apparently on a month to month (possibly day to day) lease are soon to follow. Brookhaven Kmart (89 jobs lost).

Puerto Rico: Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Camden Kmart.  61 jobs lost as the North Augusta Kmart is shutting down by May 2016. 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), Easley Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Dakota: Huron Kmart, Yankton Kmart.  The Pierre Kmart shutting down by the end of March 2016, 45 jobs lost. The Michell Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 52 jobs lost. Spearfish Kmart (51 jobs lost), Sturgis Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Athens Kmart, Sweetwater Kmart, Maryville Kmart.  The Murfreesboro Kmart shutting down by the end of April, 43 jobs lost. A Memphis Sears and Auto Center (on Poplar Avenue) shutting down in April, 109 jobs lost! Clarksville Kmart shutting down in April, 68 jobs lost. Cleveland Kmart shutting down by mid-March 2016, 67 jobs lost. 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), talks in progress to end lease for Bellevue (Nashville) Center Mall Sears, Nashville Bellevue Center Sears & Auto Center (at least 44 jobs lost).

Texas: El Paso Kmart, Mission Kmart, Sweetwater Kmart.  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, Dallas Sears home appliance parts distribution center (77 jobs lost), Simon Property Group owned McAllen Sears store & Auto Center (so far no word on how many jobs will be lost), recently revealed Palestine Sears Hometown (franchise owner quit to work as assistant manager at a local Dollar General). Wichita Falls Sikes Senter Mall Sears (56 jobs lost).

Utah: Draper Kmart, Price Kmart, West Jordan Kmart.  35 years old Richfield Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. North Logan Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 58 jobs lost. Murray Sears (local 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), Provo Kmart demolished in anticipation of yet another AtHome furniture store.

Vermont: The Bennington Sears Hometown Store shutdown. Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), South Burlington Kmart (66 jobs lost).

Virginia:  Chester Kmart, 76 jobs gone by mid-July 2016.   The Cedar Bluff (50 jobs lost), Covington (36 jobs lost) and Virginia Beach on General Booth Boulevard (no job numbers reported) Kmarts shutting down between March and April 2016! The Sears Hometown Store in Culpeper shutting down by the end of the month. 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-Denbigh Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Winchester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost), Pembroke Mall Sears renting out part of their store to DSW & Nordstrom Rack, Sears Holdings say they’re still looking for a “third tenant” for their occupied space. The current nearby Sears Auto Center will be rented out to REI. Colonial Heights Kmart (113 jobs lost), Virginia Beach Hilltop Square Shopping Center Kmart (82 jobs lost).

Washington: Eatonville Sears Hometown store. 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: Hartford Kmart.  Superior Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 42 jobs lost. 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), Sheboygan Sears & Auto Center (at least 31 jobs lost), Eau Claire Kmart (93 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (59 jobs lost before Xmas), Sheboygan Sears Rebuild Center (30 jobs lost), Wauwatosa Kmart (103 jobs lost).

In April 2015, Sears Holdings (through Seritage Growth Properties) and General Growth Properties (GGP) became 50/50 joint owners of 12 Sears stores.

Here’s a list of 11 Sears stores 100% 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

“eventually you run out of money” Paychecks stolen by city council! We now know where all the money went! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 14 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

What makes the economy go round? Simply, spending of cash.  Anything that takes cash out of the spending ring slows down the economy, and one thing can actually crash the domestic economy; offshoring cash to avoid paying taxes.  British empire social research group Oxfam has revealed that the top 50 U.S. corporations have off-shored $1.4-trillion USD to other countries to avoid paying their fair share of U.S. taxes (Oxfam estimates that would equal to about $100-billion in lost taxes, each year, to fund your government services. Now you know why government services are being cut.).  Three of those 50 unAmerican corporations are Apple, Microsoft and Google.  Think about that, $1.4-trillion has been sucked out of the U.S. economy by U.S. corporations!

British empire Australia based Too Big to Jail ‘investor’ McQuarie Group laid off at least 15% of its U.S. employees, according to unnamed whistleblowers.

California: In Isle Vista, after two years Jimmy John’s suddenly shutdown their sandwich shop.  Apparently the franchise owner wanted out and tried to sell it, but nobody wanted to buy.

Connecticut:  Danbury based IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics is reporting that for the second year in a row, since ObamaCare went into effect, U.S. residents will be paying more for their prescription drug fix, and it will continue going up until at least 2020.

Illinois: Western Illinois University laying off 110 employees: “Despite the ongoing furlough/voluntary pay reduction program and the drastic reductions to spending, these layoffs are necessary to protect the university’s cash resources. In spite of our best efforts to conserve financial resources, without an appropriation from our state government, the university will face even greater financial challenges.”–Jack Thomas, president

Indiana: In Fort Wayne, Komet Kuarters shutting down: “After 23 years, with the marketplace for hockey equipment and things changing so drastically over the last 10, 15 years we just felt this as an appropriate time to close the store….  There aren’t as many people in the youth programs today as there were in 1993 when we opened the store, and there’s not that kind of demand any more. It wasn’t a difficult decision.”-Micheal Frank

Kansas: God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 46 years old Shawnee Presbyterian Preschool.  The Rapture, I mean what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome is forcing them to shutdown by the end of the year.

Louisiana: GE (General Electric) eliminating 77 jobs (the majority of positions) at its Brossard petroleum drilling ops, between now and the end of June.

Maryland: In Laurel, after 25 years the Silver Diner shutting down because “from an economic standpoint, it didn’t make sense to renew” the lease.

Massachusetts: In Malden, after 50 years the Lamson and Davis hardware store shutting down because of low sales and the landlord wants more money.

Michigan:  In Okemos, Cravings Gourmet Popcorn shutting down their operations and consolidating ops to Lansing.

New York:  In Staten Island NYC, telecommunications company Midtown Express shutting down, 45 jobs gone in May.  Illinois based CME Group exodusing the NYC stock markets by the end of the year, blaming crashing energy and metals trading volumes.

North Carolina: In Asheville, after reporting a 900% (!) increase in engagement ring sales,  90 years old (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Wick & Greene’s jewelers shutting down, the owners saying “We see an opportunity for change. Millennials are buying bigger rings, but the environment in which they are buying them is changing. We basically need to reinvigorate what’s going on in the business. Legacy businesses have a very hard time thriving in our jewelry industry today. If you don’t change with the times, you can get left in the dust really quick.”

Oklahoma: The city of Yukon is so broke that city employees are not getting paid!  Not only did the city council admit it “misspent” $1.3-million USD, but the city is short $4-million due to not being prudent and cutting back on spending when the tax revenues were crashing: “When you spend more than what comes in, eventually you run out of money…..”-Jim Crosby, city (mis)manager

Pennsylvania: Sears store in the Beaver Valley Mall shutting down by June, 62 jobs lost.

Texas: In Houston, yet another debt financed oil company, Energy XXI, chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Three years ago the CEO actually boasted they were going to expand to the South China Sea (now you know one reason why the Obama regime joined the saber rattling over that area of the world).   In Dallas the A-Hole city council prepping to tear down the homeless tent city under I-45.  City crews put up No Trespassing signs where there were none before.  Local news reports say the local homeless population doubled by the end of 2015, and the A-Hole city officials are not giving the homeless an optional place to live!  Dallas A-Holes also forcing a local ‘black’ owned auto-shop, Hinga Automotive, to shutdown by changing the property zoning: “…one of the most pressing abuses of property rights happening right now.  What’s wrong here is that the city took a perfectly legal business, and made it illegal by changing the zoning laws that apply to the business.”-Bill Maurer, Institute of Justice.

Virginia: Sears Holdings announced the shutdown of the Chester Kmart, 76 jobs gone by mid-July.

Washington DC: The Federal Reserve and the FDIC (both government created but privately operated) are accusing Too Big to Jails JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Bank of New York Mellon and State Street of failing to meet the 2010 Dodd-Frank banking rules.  Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are also under suspicion.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Business/Economics

“it’s time to move on.” More U.S. jobs killed by foreign contractors! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 07 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alabama: The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost by the end of June 2016.

California:  Anaheim based PacSun (Pacific Sunwear) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, one of the reasons blamed is the skyrocketing rents (high occupancy cots) by evil property owners.  Administrators warned of ramped up store shutdowns.  New York based Barnes & Noble shutting down an office in Santa Clara, 80 jobs lost.  It’s part of the book seller’s plan to cut costs by $13-million USD.

Delaware: The U.S. Air Force shutting down the 40 years old jet engine shop at Dover AFB.  It’s being blamed on engine upgrades for the massive C-5M Galaxy heavy lifter.  The new engines supposedly need far less maintenance.  Local news reports say at peak the Dover AFB engine shop had 2-hundred personnel.

Illinois:  In Obama’s homie town of Chicago, law firm Leo Burnett revealed it eliminated more jobs, but refused to say how many.  Local news reports said it was “significant”.

New Jersey: In Mount Olive, after 73 years iconic americana Cherokee Trading Post shutting down when everything is sold-off.  The second owners said “it’s time to move on.”  The property is for sale.

New York: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; NYC based digital news service Mashable Studios announced will begin eliminating jobs because “…to keep our voice consistent across every platform, it’s clear that all our video producers should live on the same team.”  NYC based Barnes & Noble is offshoring  its Nook e-reader support/development to a company in India.  It’s part of the book seller’s plan to cut costs by $13-million USD, partly blamed on a 29% crash in Nook sales.  Administrators did not say how many U.S. jobs would be lost as a result of the off-shoring.

Ohio:  Northside Medical Center eliminating 68 full time jobs because ObamaCare has greatly reduced “the community’s usage of services”.

Pennsylvania:  In Chestnut Hill, sexist workout clothier for women Indigo Schuy shutting down brick-n-mortar ops after four years, you now have to buy on the internet.

Texas:  What automotive industry recovery? New Braunfels based transportation-logistics vehicle maker Rush Enterprises revealed it has begun shutting down 13 operations and selling off real estate.  (of course this is after Rush Enterprises went around buying up competition) The shutdowns affect two locations in Georgia, five locations in Illinois, one location in Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Utah!

West Virginia: In Charleston, the Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples (on Corridor G) shutting down by May, the manager refused to give anymore info.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

06 April 2016: “We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.”

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.”

Business/Economics

“We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.” Bridal shop shutdown in favor of Dog Food! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 06 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Arizona: Scandalous University of Phoenix eliminated more jobs, this time 470 people were laid off without warning, due to crashing student enrollment!  The for-profit university is for sale.

Arkansas: Illinois based Superior Graphite shutting down their Russellville factory starting now.  70 jobs will be lost due to low commodity prices and competition from imported “electrode and specialty graphite products”.

California: In Half Moon Bay, after 37 years the owner of Pescadero II is selling it off so she can retire.

Colorado: Albertsons-Safeway shutting down the Pueblo Safeway grocery store on 29th Street, 59 jobs lost (the employees were told about it on Monday).

Illinois: In East Dundee, after 145 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Haeger Potteries shutting down.  The family owners blamed government regulations, competition and forced wage increases during a bad economy: “The reality is that we are finding it more and more difficult to compete in a market with significant wage pressure, increased regulations and generally rising costs. We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.”-Haeger Estes

Iowa: In Mason City, after 60 years bridal shop Formalities shutting down.  The owner, who also owns other businesses including a pet food business, says the economy is so bad for the wedding business that she’s going to use the bridal store for her dog food business: “I want to keep it to retail the dog food out of here. If I get the right price, I might sell it.”-Angie Braun

Massachusetts: Bay Valley Foods shutting down their Ayer food factory, 1-hundred jobs lost by the end of 2017!  Like the rest of unAmerican corporate America, Bay Valley Foods is joining the growing trend of consolidation.

Michigan: In past months I’ve reported how Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) furloughed more than a thousand Sterling Heights employees, now FCA has turned those furloughs into indefinite layoffs for at least 1-thousand 3-hundred people, blaming it on a 63% crash in Chrysler 200 sales! An additional 120 people are losing their jobs at the nearby Sterling Stamping factory!  The auto worker’s union revealed the truth about U.S. car sales saying “FCA is not the only company experiencing a slow market for small cars.”

Missouri: Twin Rivers shutting down their Neosho chicken processing factory by June, 3-hundred jobs lost!  The WARN gave no reason.  Local news speculate that operations are being consolidated, and also stated that employee turnover was always high due to low wages.

New York: Great example of what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL); in Watertown, AirBrake laid off an additional 19 people, blaming the slow down in railroad operations (15% of rail cars are not in use), which in turn is blamed on the oil-coal (mining) industry (coal transportation down 10% in past 12 months).  

In Canton, Blackbird Cafe shutting down on Friday, instead of the promised renovations, 11 jobs lost.  The upstairs music venue Parkview is also shutting down.   The owner of both establishments blames the decision to shutdown (instead of renovating) on a sudden 50% crash in sales since last year!  The owner suspects that two new restaurants are to blame (and this is a sign the local market can’t support that many eateries).

North Carolina: In Elkin, after 18 years the owner of Song’s Jewelry shutting it down in June so she can ‘retire’ to pursue other interests.

Ohio: Sears Holdings shutting down their Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June.  They’re also shutting down their Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June.  Despite better than expected earnings, Columbus based Limited Brands (aka L brands) is going ahead with its restructuring of Victoria’s Secret, Pink and Victoria’s Secret Beauty, resulting in 2-hundred administrative jobs being culled in Ohio and New York!

Oklahoma: In Broken Arrow, after 37 years the Army & Family Surplus store being forced to shutdown by an A-Hole landlord who gave them a 30 days eviction notice. The A-Hole local news media downplayed that important fact and instead reported that the owners were retiring!   John Daniel Footwear joins the growing list of retailers exiting the Utica Square plaza.  Local news reports say it’s the third Utica Square store in the past five months to shutdown, long time loyal shoppers are upset: “Over the last 10 or 15 years most of the smaller family owned stores are no longer here. Not to say anything about the other stores, but you kind of miss that family, that private service, the local service that you get.”-Marilyn Mabrey Sullivant, Utica Square shopper for past 50 years

Pennsylvania: Sears Holdings shutting down their Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July. Pittsburgh based US Steel announced yet more layoffs, this time 750 salaried employees are being kicked to the curb.  Local news reports say in the past five years US Steel has eliminated 8-thousand 3-hundred jobs in North America and Europe, blaming competition, the oil industry and currency wars. Overall, steel companies in the United States have eliminated 12-thousand jobs!  US Steel reported a loss of $1.5-billion USD in 2015.

Texas: CleanFUEL USA now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming “the changing dynamics in the alternative fuel industry.” 

Washington DC:  U.S. Department of Education has revealed that their economic outlook for the future of the United States is so bad that 43% of us fools who got into debt to get a higher education will never be able to pay-off that debt to the government!  As of January 2016, 3.6-million former higher education students had defaulted (meaning they stopped making payments, you can’t declare bankruptcy against student debt) on $56-billion USD worth of student loans!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

05 April 2016: “…no realistic prospects for a return to profitability…” 10-million+ unemployed!

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.”

Business/Economics

Sears Kmart update 06 April 2016 : Ohio hit hard! “Slap in the face!” as Sears shuts down profit making stores!

After three years of hard work by Sears franchise owners Sears Canada told Spencer and Theresa Toepfer to take a hike as Sears Canada now wants to shutdown their Osoyoos Sears Hometown Store.  The Toepfers swear their store is actually making a profit but Sears Canada refuses to renew the lease: “….we get another call two weeks ago telling us we have less than two months before they close the door. What a slap in the face! We just couldn’t believe it! It’s hard to believe that you take over a store and completely turn it around and then the management drops something like that on you. It’s pretty hard to take.”-Spencer Toepfer

For even stranger administrative decision making, Sears Canada is selling its Toronto tire distribution center to a competitor, and then renting it back!  Canadian Tire is reportedly buying the Sears property for $84-million CAD.  This is just an extremely short sighted way of raising quick cash for the struggling Sears brand, especially since they’re now going to be paying rent to a competitor.

18 March 2016: “We will rightsize the labor…”

Here’s the updated list of U.S. store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011, new closing revelations in BOLD:

Arizona: The Prescott Valley Kmart shutting down by April 2016. No word on how many jobs lost, but one employee was quoted by local news as saying “Walmart won.” Local news reports say there is a Now Hiring sign posted on the Kmart store front. Reports that the Glendale Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors. Recently revealed Arrowhead Towne Center Sears sold-off then rented back! Chandler Fashion Center Sears sold-off then rented back!

Alabama: The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost by the end of June 2016.  City leaders of Anniston have agreed to fork over $3-million precious local tax dollars to fund the re-development of an abandoned Kmart. Prattville Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 70 jobs lost. Florence Kmart in March, 64 jobs lost in 2016. A local news report said the employees knew nothing about it and were shocked to hear it from the news media! Dothan Kmart (south side of Ross Clark Circle) shutting down in March, 56 jobs lost in 2016. 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), Sears Store and Auto Center at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile (more than 100 jobs lost).

California: Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is renting out half of three Sears stores; one in Roseville, one in Citrus Heights and one in Sacramento.  Supposedly Sears will continue its operations in the other half of the buildings.   On 10 March the Garden Center roof of the Santa Rosa Kmart collapsed during a rain storm. Fire inspectors said the roof was already compromised due to dry rot before the rain storm, a local news reporter said managers knew about the condition of the roof because it was sagging, and they called in contractors. The contractors tried to prop up the roof before the rain storm hit. Anaheim Kmart shutting down, 107 jobs lost in 2016! The Chula Vista Kmart, San Mateo Sears and Citrus Heights Kmart shutting down between March and April 2016, a total of 3-hundred jobs lost! 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), San Jose Mercury News says the El Centro Kmart to shutdown in January, the website Foursquare says the Covina Kmart is now shutdown (other sources say it will shutdown in December), Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (98 jobs lost), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers), Westfield Topanga Sears (122 jobs lost), it looks like the Blythe Kmart is being slowly shutdown despite denial by Sears Holdings. San Mateo Kmart being demolished to make room for 599 unit apartment complex, as part of the the Hayward Park Caltrain Station project. Atwater Kmart (74 jobs lost), Los Banos Kmart (67 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), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost), Denver-Cherry Creek North Sears store & Auto Center (66 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (employees say the shutdown was a surprise, I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (at least 13 jobs lost).

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

Florida: The Lutz Kmart shutting down by March 2016, 62 jobs lost. The 46 years old Daytona Beach Kmart, on International Speedway Boulevard, is shutting down by mid-March 2016, 86 jobs lost. 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), ‘redevelopment’ of Aventura Sears & Auto Center into an “open-air village” (unknown how many jobs affected), Kmart on Northeast 108 Street being annexed by Miami Shores, Sears Holdings threatens to shutdown Kmart as a result of higher local taxes. The property that’s home to an operating Kmart, on South Green Bay Road in Racine, was foreclosed by the local Sheriff and sold-off for $2.5-million, no word on what the new property owner will do with it. Fort Myers Kmart (67 jobs lost). Dicks Sportings Goods subleasing space in an existing Sears store in Palm Beach Gardens.

Georgia: The 37 years old Carrollton Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016. Dublin Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 71 jobs lost. Milledgeville Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 60+ jobs lost. Mount Berry Square Mall (Rome) Sears and Auto Center shutting down in March 2016, 86 jobs lost. 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), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost), one of the last two North Augusta Kmart to be torn down by new property owner from Canada, Sears Holdings denies the Kmart will shutdown.

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Iconic 25 years old Nimitz HWY Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart shutting down in March 2016, 141 jobs lost! 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: Boise Kmart on Fairview shutting down by mid-March 2016, 56 jobs lost. Pocatello Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears shutdown by the end of October/beginning of November 2014 (the remaining 28 jobs lost).

Illinois: Eliminated 401 Hoffman Estates HQ jobs due to crappy 2015 holiday sales! 151 of those jobs were already vacant. Morton ‘green’ Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Canton Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 38 jobs lost. 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), Hoffman Estates Headquarters 100 jobs eliminated, another 15 corporate jobs eliminated elsewhere, Chicago-Wicker Park Kmart (106 jobs lost), abandoned Market Place Mall Sears location to be occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. North Mayfair Kmart (99 jobs lost), Chicago Kmart at 5033 North Elston Avenue (99 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.

Indiana: Bloomington’s College Mall Sears & Auto Center shutting down by mid-June 2016, at least 52 jobs lost. In Schererville, Sears Hardware shutting down in April 2016. Terre Haute Kmart by April, 62 jobs lost. 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), Plymouth Kmart (68 jobs lost), Bloomington Sears to be replaced by Whole Foods grocery store.

Iowa: Sears Holdings shutting down their West Des Moines call center by June 2016, 162 jobs lost!  Ottumwa Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 38 jobs lost. 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), 56 years old Mason City Sears & Auto Center (more than 100 jobs lost). Davenport Kmart (59 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Kansas: North Topeka Kmart shutting down in 2016, 49 jobs lost. Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 jobs lost), Manhattan Sears & Auto Center (number of jobs lost were never revealed).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart, 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 shutdown and now being taken over by Kroger basically to sell the same crap the old Kmart did! 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, Laplace Sears Hometown Store.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost), Aroostook Centre Mall Sears Auto Center leased out to VIP Tires & Service.

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), Parkville Kmart (102 jobs lost), California Kmart (71 jobs lost), Sears Hometown Store in Perryville.

Massachusetts: Fairhaven Sears Appliance & Hardware shutting down by mid-April. Local news reports said the ignorant employees actually thought the shutdown notice was a joke! I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News. 79 jobs lost as the Fall River Kmart shuts down in May 2016. North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost). Braintree Kmart on Grossman Drive shutdown. Also, the Braintree South Shore Plaza Sears store is renting out an entire floor to Ireland based Primark. Even with the lease to Primark there is still 4-thousand square feet of vacant space in the Sears store. The Sears at the Auburn Mall shutdown on Black Friday due to electrical fire. The store was experiencing electrical problems, an investigation is underway.

Michigan: The Bradley Kmart has a new owner who is shutting it down in 2016. Retailer Meijer bought the Kmart property for $5-million USD. The Kmart will be shutdown in May, but the new Meijer store won’t be ready until 2018. The Sears and Auto Center in Fort Gratiot shutting down by mid-March, 48 jobs lost. Ironwood Kmart by mid-April, 47 jobs lost. 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 official the last remaining Saginaw Kmart (on Gratiot Road) will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014 (Sears Holdings claims only 18 people worked there at the time of the collapse!), 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). Vacant Wyandotte Sears Auto Center is being renovated at a cost to taxpayers of $1-million & 20-thousand, plus 15 years worth of tax breaks valued at $2-million! Shakopee Kmart distribution center shutdown and sold-off for $17-million in 2013, now it’s finally getting a new tenant; snowmobile and electric cart maker Polaris Industries will rent out a fraction of the building to use as their new parts warehouse. The Kmart Plaza in Sandusky sold to “A group of investors”, no word on what will happen to the Kmart store.

Minnesota: Dundas Kmart by April 2016, 32 jobs lost. Thunderbird Mall Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 48 jobs lost. 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), Northeast Minneapolis Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale, Coon Rapids Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale.

Mississippi: The 44 years old Greenville Kmart shutting down in April, no word on job losses. 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, Olive Branch distribution center (unknown how many jobs lost).

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), O’Fallon Kmart (76 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) due to great sales (ironically) the shutdown date has been moved from 07 December 2014 to 23 November, Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost), Missoula Sears store and Auto Center (57 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: Lodi Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 75 jobs lost. 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), Closter Kmart (102 jobs lost), Vineland Kmart (74 jobs lost). After 18 years Sears Holdings shutdown their Roselle Sears Hardware store due to “landlord issues”.

New Mexico: Albuquerque’s Coronado Center Sears suddenly shutdown their Auto Center, and will reduce the size of the main store by 50% within two months. Sears goon Howard Riefs stated “We will rightsize the labor…”, but gave no numbers. The ‘rightsizing’ of the Coronado Center store is in partnership with one of my evil former employers, mall owner GGP. SearsLas Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Staten Island Mall Sears Auto Center will shutdown in February, 20 jobs lost. Lindenhurst Sears Hardware, North Babylon Sears Hardware, Hauppauge Sears Hardware, Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost) now revealed to be turned into a Town Center with more than 200 apartments at an estimated cost of $50-million, 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), Staten Island Mall Sears leased out to Ireland’s Primark, Bay Shore Sears and Sears Auto Center (144 jobs lost), New Hartford (Sangertown Mall) Sears & Auto Center (109 jobs lost), Lancaster Kmart sold for $1.7-million to Dave’s Christmas Wonderland. Herkimer Sears Hometown, Saranac Lake Sears Hometown the ‘independent’ co-owners said Sears Holdings forced them to shutdown. Melville Appliance Repair Division (31 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), Greensboro Kmart distribution center (130 jobs lost), Greenville Kmart (75 jobs lost), Kinston Sears Hometown Store shutdown with little notice, Lexington Sears Hometown Store.

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

Ohio: Englewood Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July 2016. Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June 2016. Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June 2016.  78 jobs lost as the Lancaster Kmart is shutting down in May 2016. 18 jobs lost as the Dixie Highway Sears Hardware shuts down this Friday. The 28 years old Sears and its Auto Center in New Philadelphia shutting down by mid-April 2016, 46 jobs lost. Without warning the Medina Sears Appliance & Hardware Store shutdown. Warren Kmart on Parkman Road NW will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. Zanesville Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Steubenville Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Boardman Kmart by April 2016, 81 jobs lost. 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), Tiffin Sears Hometown Store. 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. Fairlawn Sears Appliance & Hardware, Macedonia Sears Appliance & Hardware, Lorain Sears Appliance & Hardware, Elyria Sears Appliance & Hardware, North Olmsted Sears Appliance & Hardware, Sheffield Village Sears Appliance & Hardware, Akron Sears Appliance & Hardware.

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), Tulsa BigKmart (51 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). Ontario Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July 2016. Reports that the Exton Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. 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), Scotland Chambersburg Mall Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost), the upper level of the Willow Grove Mall Sears store to be leased by Primark, King of Prussia Sears store leased out to clothing retailer Primark, East Towne Mall Kmart (51 jobs lost), Frackville Kmart in the Skuylkill Mall (80 jobs lost), Mount Pocono Kmart (66 jobs lost), Fairless Hills Sears Hardware. Granite Run Mall shutdown, meaning the Sears and Sears Auto Center now apparently on a month to month (possibly day to day) lease are soon to follow. Brookhaven Kmart (89 jobs lost).

Puerto Rico: Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

South Carolina: 61 jobs lost as the North Augusta Kmart is shutting down by May 2016. 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), Easley Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Dakota: The Pierre Kmart shutting down by the end of March 2016, 45 jobs lost. The Michell Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 52 jobs lost. Spearfish Kmart (51 jobs lost), Sturgis Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Tennessee: The Murfreesboro Kmart shutting down by the end of April, 43 jobs lost. A Memphis Sears and Auto Center (on Poplar Avenue) shutting down in April, 109 jobs lost! Clarksville Kmart shutting down in April, 68 jobs lost. Cleveland Kmart shutting down by mid-March 2016, 67 jobs lost. 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), talks in progress to end lease for Bellevue (Nashville) Center Mall Sears, Nashville Bellevue Center Sears & Auto Center (at least 44 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, Dallas Sears home appliance parts distribution center (77 jobs lost), Simon Property Group owned McAllen Sears store & Auto Center (so far no word on how many jobs will be lost), recently revealed Palestine Sears Hometown (franchise owner quit to work as assistant manager at a local Dollar General). Wichita Falls Sikes Senter Mall Sears (56 jobs lost).

Utah: 35 years old Richfield Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. North Logan Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 58 jobs lost. Murray Sears (local 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), Provo Kmart demolished in anticipation of yet another AtHome furniture store.

Vermont: The Bennington Sears Hometown Store shutdown. Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), South Burlington Kmart (66 jobs lost).

Virginia: The Cedar Bluff (50 jobs lost), Covington (36 jobs lost) and Virginia Beach on General Booth Boulevard (no job numbers reported) Kmarts shutting down between March and April 2016! The Sears Hometown Store in Culpeper shutting down by the end of the month. 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-Denbigh Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Winchester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost), Pembroke Mall Sears renting out part of their store to DSW & Nordstrom Rack, Sears Holdings say they’re still looking for a “third tenant” for their occupied space. The current nearby Sears Auto Center will be rented out to REI. Colonial Heights Kmart (113 jobs lost), Virginia Beach Hilltop Square Shopping Center Kmart (82 jobs lost).

Washington: Eatonville Sears Hometown store. 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: Superior Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 42 jobs lost. 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), Sheboygan Sears & Auto Center (at least 31 jobs lost), Eau Claire Kmart (93 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (59 jobs lost before Xmas), Sheboygan Sears Rebuild Center (30 jobs lost), Wauwatosa Kmart (103 jobs lost).

In April 2015, Sears Holdings (through Seritage Growth Properties) and General Growth Properties (GGP) became 50/50 joint owners of 12 Sears stores.

Here’s a list of 11 Sears stores 100% 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

“…no realistic prospects for a return to profitability…” 10-million+ unemployed! Homeland Security shuts down restaurants! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 05 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Hawaii: Taxpayer funded Wahiawa General Hospital is begging for emergency funding to stop it from shutting down.  Administrators revealed that since ObamaCare went into effect they’ve lost $9-million USD!

Idaho: National Basketball Association D-league team the Idaho Stampede announced they’re getting the hell-outta Boise and moving to Salt Lake City, Utah.  They’re also changing their name to Salt Lake City Stars.  It was revealed that state taxpayers were forced to pay outrageous three-fold increase in overtime pay to Idaho State Police (ISP) trainees.  ISP administrators explained, without blinking an eye, that it was mainly for trainee commute times to the academy because there was no room in the academy’s dorms in Meridian, or at the National Guard barracks on Gowen Field!  (how many civilian businesses pay their employees to commute?)

Iowa: Sears Holdings shutting down their West Des Moines call center by June, 162 jobs lost!  In Clive, DCG Foods shutting down their Cash Saver grocery store as soon as the inventory is gone.  The Cash Saver used to be a Dahls, which went bankrupt.  The shutdown is blamed on lack of sales.  

Kansas:  In Olathe, popular K-Macho’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina was suddenly shutdown by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, because restaurant owners couldn’t confirm the ‘legality’ of their employees: “K Macho restaurant in Olathe, Kansas, was recently served, via U.S. Mail, an official notice to submit all form I-9 documentation to HSI auditors for inspection.”-Shawn Neudauer, Homeland Security

Massachusetts: Insurance and investment company MassMutual laying off an additional 1-hundred employees!  Last year MassMutual eliminated 3-hundred jobs.  But here’s a paradox, administrators claim those employees losing their jobs can apply for the 230 positions that are still vacant!  What’s the point of layoffs, why can’t MassMutual just transfer the employees to open positions?  Maybe the company wouldn’t have 230 open positions if they hadn’t started mass layoffs? (they want to replace their long term employees with cheaper newbies)

Minnesota: Jos A Bank shutting down their clothing store in the Nicollet Mall by mid-May.

Montana: In Helena, after 41 years the Ben Franklin Crafts shutting down.

New Jersey:  After 42 years Marty’s Shoes shutting down their remaining six shoe stores by the end of May.  Local news reports say at one time Marty’s Shoes had 110 stores!

New York: Liddabit Sweets shutting down their there years old Chelsea Market shop by mid-April.

North Carolina: Charlotte based Too Big to Jail Bank of America asks ‘What economic recovery?’, as its own research shows there are at least 10-million U.S. citizens currently unemployed and unable to find a job!  Teachers Memorial School in Kinston shutting down by August.  Vague news reports say the county questioned the school district’s operating costs.  MillerCoors issued a shutdown WARN for its Eden brewing ops.  The first round of layoffs will begin in June, in total 349 jobs will be lost by the time the brewery shuts down!  Local news reports say at one point the brewery employed more than 5-hundred people.  MillerCoors administrators basically said the bad economy is forcing them to join the growing trend of consolidating operations.  France based aerospace company Nexans shutting down its Elm City wire factory, 113 jobs lost by the end of June!  Nexans administrators say there is not going to be an economic recovery: “This has been the result of continued sales decline combined with the steady decrease in market prices. There are, unfortunately, no realistic prospects for a return to profitability in the medium to long term.” 

Ohio: After 164 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) children’s mental health treatment chain Beech Brook forced to eliminate 179 jobs due to Medicaid funding cuts!  In McArthur, after more than 19 years Gill’s Family Pharmacy shutting down by May.  The drug seller has been praised for community service such as buying computers for county first responders.  In Englewood, Sears Holdings shutting down the Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July.  In Boardman, after 34 years Cards and Collectibles shutting down, the owners are focusing on their wedding and party supply business.

Oregon: In Portland, after three years Yarntastic Fiber Arts shutting down their brick-n-mortar store by the end of the month.  They’ll continue on the internet.

Texas:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; San Antonio based iHeartMedia warning of bankruptcy due to ongoing lawsuit by creditors.  If they lose the lawsuit they could be required to make an immediate payment of $15-billion USD!  Exterran shutting down their oil-gas ops in Alleyton, 241 jobs lost by the end of June: “We continue to feel the impact of further deterioration of industry fundamentals and our revenues are expected to be under pressure throughout 2016 across all of our business segments…”

Washington DC: What economic recovery?  The U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services remained in deficit by $47.1-billion USD in February.    The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that U.S. factory orders fell by 1.7% in February, more than canceling out January’s piddly increase.   U.S. factory orders have crashed for 14 of the past 19 months!

Wisconsin: Toys R Us shutting down their store on North 76th Street in Milwaukee, 30 jobs gone by the end of the month.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

04 April 2016: 1,000% increase in generic drug prices! 1,700 people lose their final paychecks! 

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.”