Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of January, 2018: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

Eater: Why Restaurants Can’t Always Fire Chefs Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Arkansas: Food Giant shutting down its grocery store in Osceola, when the inventory is gone, local news media was not able to get an explanation from corporate.

Arizona: In Tucson, after only two years restaurant Stray Dogs shutdown with only hours notice to employees, it was quietly sold-off.   In Chandler, after eight years El Palacio Mexican Restaurant and Cantina shutdown: “…eight years of my life trying to make the restaurant profitable using all the means at my disposal…..has never translated into enough new customers to support us.”-facebook video post

California: As many as 90% of students in the Twin Rivers Unified School District are living in poverty, now the federal government charging three school workers of stealing taxpayer funded USDA food meant for those poor students!   Cities in the leftist liberal fascist Golden State have been passing anti-homeless people laws under the guise of fighting the Hep A outbreak.  The laws ban people from publicly sharing food!  In El Cajon 12 people were ticketed by cops for feeding homeless people!  Evil Albertsons owned Safeway shutdown its grocery store in West Sacramento, on West Capitol Avenue, due to lack of profits. In Bakersfield, after five years Flame Burger forced to shutdown “Due to an unresolvable dispute with our landlord….”   California Dairies shutting down its 92 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) old Los Banos operations, 63 jobs gone by March.  It’s blamed on “…reduced milk volumes [statewide], combined with the high cost of operating our Los Banos facility..”  In Ridgecrest, after ten years restaurant Grape Leaf shutdown.  In La Quinta, after only two years Jule’s Market shutdown, local news media say it’s the third grocery store in La Quinta to shutdown since 2014. The owner of Jule’s Market says sales just aren’t high enough to cover skyrocketing rent and utilities.  Dr. Bob’s Donut Cafe (aka Dr. Bob’s Donuts & DoYos) suddenly shutdown its Roseville location and canceled plans to build a bigger store in Folsom. It might be because the vegan hemp (weaker cousin of marijuana) bakery was mightily expensive, some social media comments saying two DoYos were $10, another comment said “DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FLAVOR IF YOU ARE NOT VEGAN”.  Dr. Bob’s website seems to still be functioning, so maybe you can still buy their special baking mixes online.  In Orinda, after 31 years the Village Inn Cafe shutdown, one of the co-owners saying “I’m tired.”  Los Angeles based Eclipse Berry Farms-Rosalyn Farms-Harvest Moon Strawberry Farms now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to more than $50-million USD of debt.  Los Angeles based Pabst Brewing suddenly eliminated 70 positions “…in order to reduce complexity, cut costs, simplify priorities, and reallocate resources…” San Diego based Green Flash Brewing halting sales in as many as 32 U.S. states, and suddenly laid off 33 people saying “The market is nothing like it was 2 years ago, 5 years ago, 15 years ago….it remains to be seen whether we can survive as an independent brewery.”  TGI Friday’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Oxnard location, 41 jobs gone by the end of March.  Tyson Foods issued a layoff  WARN for its chicken plucking ops in San Diego, 79 jobs gone mid-March. In Orange, King’s Fish House shutting down in March, 80 jobs gone supposedly temporarily.

Colorado:  In Canon City, after 45 years Hilltop Market shutdown, the owners said “We have decided that it’s time to adapt or die” so they’re converting to a ‘wild game’ meat processing operation.  In Colorado Springs, after less than three years Texas based Taco Bueno suddenly shutdown all five restaurants! They were the only Taco Buenos in the state, local news media say restaurant managers/employees got no warning or explanation.  Taco Bueno’s Lone Star State administrators would only say the shutdowns are part of a plan “to focus on strategic growth”.  Also in Colorado Springs, after 42 years Sunbird Mountain Grill & Tavern shutting down in February, the owners sense things aren’t going to get any better saying “We want to end on a high note”.  In Fort Collins, after 39 years Bisetti’s Ristorante shutdown, so the owners can retire.  Greenwood Village based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers eliminating more than 6-hundred table busser jobs in states that jacked-up the minimum wage!

Georgia: Atlanta based Coca-Cola shutting down bottling/distribution centers in United Kingdom, 288 limey jobs gone by 2019!  Coca Cola eliminating 53 jobs in Atlanta, as part of its plan to abandon warehouse ops and go with ‘just in time delivery’ (drop lot distribution).  In Ansley Park, Metrotainment Cafes shutdown its Cowtippers Steaks & Spirits restaurant and is selling the property, saying “…with the changing climate of the city, we are going to close the restaurant and turn our attention to our other successful concepts…”  Coweta Board of Environmental Health restaurant inspection results. 

Hawaii: After 48 years Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop, in Kailua, shutdown.

Idaho:  ‘Christian’ Gem State lawmakers supporting a bill that will expand the use of taxpayer funded prisoners in the agriculture industry!  According to Financial Condition of Idaho Agriculture federal taxpayer subsidies to Idaho farmers fell by 44% in 2017. Yeah that’s right, farmers are the biggest recipients of government ‘welfare’ in the U.S. of A., plus they use taxpayer supported legal and illegal immigrant workers, and now prisoners!  I complain a lot about immigrant workers (only because it’s become so hard for U.S. working class citizens to find stable work), but I also know from first hand observation in California strawberry fields (Santa Maria), and Arizona potato fields (Yuma), that migrants workers are also screwed-over.  A study by Blue Review reveals that migrant farm workers in southwestern Idaho have a hard time getting food for their families, despite the high value of some of the crops they harvest. It also reveals Idaho’s true population growth (as I’ve been saying in other articles) is coming from migrant farm workers, U.S. citizens are actually leaving the state!  Welcome to globalization; the Idaho Dairymen’s Association upset that milk prices are down, yet happy that hay prices are down was well, due to a global excess supply of both.  In American Falls, rumors that ConAgra spin-off Lamb Weston is hiring, however, some employees told me that what’s really happening is that Lamb Weston is outsourcing the overnight shift!

Illinois:  Restaurant owners now joining customers in accusing Arlington Heights based restaurant.com of fraud.  The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gave the website an F grade.  After seven years Barn & Company barbecue shutting down the day after the Super Bowl, it’s being replaced by a nasty meatless eatery.   In Percy, after 35 years Pioneer’s Cabin shutting down, the building up for sale.  The owners claim they’ll open a new restaurant when they find a suitable location. In Urbana, after 20 years restaurant Milo’s shutting down by the end of February, because the landlord found a new tenant willing to pay higher rent.   Flying Machine Coffee shutting down its four years old Urbana location in March.  In the same building, Pizza M restaurant being forced to move. The owners of Pizza M and Flying Machine Coffee blame it on the landlord who’s bringing in tenants that can pay more rent: “Rent more than doubled since we’ve been here.”-Matt Kitzmiller, Pizza M owner

“After four years of being part of a growing downtown Urbana, it turns out I had less bargaining chips than I thought I did. It’s a shame, but we are just no longer welcome…”-Josh Lucas, Flying Machine Coffee owner on facebook

“I was charging obscenely below-market rents for the first two years. Then, yes, rent technically doubled.”-Matt Cho, landlord

Indiana: Coca Cola eliminating 15 jobs in Terre Haute, as part of its plan to abandon warehouse ops and go with ‘just in time delivery’ (drop lot distribution).  The former owner of the now dead Rails Craft Brew & Eatery chain under arrest for fraud and corruption. One of the accusations is that he was writing bad checks from one restaurant to cover bills (including employee paychecks) at another restaurant.  In Indianapolis, after less than a year Broken Beaker Distillery shutdown.

Debbie and Harry (get it? Debbie Harry) Zombie, pic by Doug Tobin

Iowa: Orchestrate Hospitality shutting down its experimental Zombie Burger &  Shake Lab in downtown Iowa City, admitting “…we may have overbuilt the market.”  Also, college students kept kidnapping the zombie mascots.

Kansas: In Wichita, Jack’s Coffee Shop has been shutdown due to a string of bad luck, first losing their chef, then a gas leak, now the owner is waiting for inspectors to give the O-K to re-open, saying if it doesn’t happen soon she’ll have to shutdown permanently due to lack of cash.

Louisiana: Slinky’s shutting down in February due to the greedy landlord, the bar owner exclaiming “I need a job!”

Maryland: In Baltimore, after 14 years Ryan’s Daughter Irish Pub & Restaurant shutdown, the owners saying business has been “a little bit slow”. After 52 years Goldman’s Kosher Bakery shutdown, supposedly because the owners are tired of their 24 hours commitment.  In Pikesville, Pastries Plus and Suburban House Restaurant both shutdown.  Goldman’s Kosher Bakery and Pastries Plus operations were sold to a competing bakery, no reason was given for the sudden shutdown of Suburban House Restaurant.  In Bethesda, Pi Pizzeria on Wisconsin Avenue shutting down in February.  Also in Bethesda, after 15 months Tapa Bar shutdown, and after seven years, Yamas Mediterranean Grill shutdown blaming it on street repairs to Rugby Avenue which blocked customers.

Massachusetts:  Canton based Dunkin’ Donuts eliminating 40 corporate jobs and shutting down 40 vacant positions, claiming its the only way the company can grow.  In Arlington, after only one year Bistro Duet shutdown due to “the rising cost of the restaurant business”.

Michigan: Traverse City based Bagger Dave’s suddenly shutdown an additional five restaurants.  News reports say Bagger Dave’s has been shutting down restaurants since 2015.  In Detroit, after spending big bucks renovating the building Antietam restaurant shutting down in March and being sold-off.  Seventh Day Adventist founded Kellogg issued a layoff WARN for its RTEC (Ready-To-Eat Cereal) Plant, 14 jobs lost as part of its plan “…to simplify and streamline operations in our North American cereal network.” 

Minnesota: In Roseville, after 19 years Maverick’s Real Roast Beef suddenly shutdown, no explanation on the facebook page. In Wadena, after 18 years Cyber Cafe shutdown.  It was revealed that only subsidies (funding) from the local community, and government, kept it in operation, sales alone are not enough to cover operating cost. The owner also revealed competition from ever advancing social media technology played a major role in killing them off.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, after 15 years Wasabi shutdown, the owners claim it’s because they outgrew the space and will reopen when the find a bigger location.

New York: In Manhattan-NYC, after 33 years Coogan’s shutdown due to a massive $40-thousand USD per month increase in rent by the ‘christian’ owners of the property (New York Presbyterian Hospital)! In Rochester, Nathan’s Soup & Salad shutdown its retail operation, to focus on wholesale to restaurants, colleges and hospitals.  Restaurant Associates lost their food service contract with ABC-Disney, 50 jobs gone by February.  Coca Cola issued a shutdown WARN for its Maspeth bottling ops (Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages), 115 jobs gone by the end of April!  In Fayetteville, 106 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Hullar’s Restaurant suddenly shutdown, employees were told the day before.  Unnamed employees told local news media that sales have been down.  In Bowmansville, Water Lily Cafe forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord, the owners say they’re looking for another location.

North Carolina: In Durham, Scratch Bakery shutting down in February, due to many changes in the city and the owner’s life.  Food service contractor Compass Group USA laying off five people on April Fool’s Day.

Ohio:  Popeye’s suddenly shutdown its Newark chicken joint, falsely blaming it on a bad location, nevermind that it was behind on state tax payments (state tax records show the license to operate was suspended).   Ted’s Montana Grill shutting down its 15 years old Columbus’ Arena District location.  Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant suddenly shutdown its Franklin Park Mall location, 35 jobs gone due to not being able to renew the lease.   In Columbus, after ten years Three Dog Bakery shutdown because the greedy landlord jacked-up the rent: “There was a major increase that unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to sustain. It’s over 10%. I feel like I started here at a really good time ten years ago and helped grow the community. I know with big development also landlords are allowed to charge more and get bigger name companies that can pay more rent. Unfortunately, it’s happening in this neighborhood and it’s happened to me…”-Susan Gates

Oklahoma: In Oklahoma City, Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe shutdown due to the city’s $131-million USD public transportation project, which has killed 80% of the restaurant’s business.  Coca Cola shutting down its bottling ops in Okmulgee, and reducing operations in Oklahoma City, 246 jobs gone!   The January wheat crop conditions reported as 79% Poor to Very Poor.   

Christian Science Monitor: How cattle rustling and drugs are roiling rural America

Oregon: This happen every decade, some farmer trying to make money off ostriches.  Central Oregon Ostrich is the latest victim, I mean member of the ‘sustainable’ meat industry involving the long necked flightless birds (this ostrich farming thing has been ongoing since the 1970s, and just like the bird, has failed to take off).  In Klamath Falls, after only four months restaurant Apatite shutdown, blaming lack of sales!   In Portland, after 55 years not one but two Original Taco House restaurants shutdown without warning to anybody.  It was revealed that the family owners had been trying to quietly sell the restaurants, without success, so they just gave up: “Blindsided, completely blindsided. I had no idea that it was going to be closing, and now I don’t have a job, so it’s not a good way to ring in the new year!”-Faith Chaffee, employee

Pennsylvania: In New Castle, Twenty Six Bar & Grill suddenly shutdown, the owner blaming a growing imbalance of family versus business.   Houlihan’s shutdown its 37 years old Station Square location, saying it’s no longer profitable.  Grocer Giant Eagle shutting down its Old William Penn Highway location by February, 50 jobs lost due to the fact there is a larger Giant Eagle just two miles away.  In Erie, popular Summer House Cafe shutdown.  France based food service contractor Sodexo continues killing U.S. jobs, this time 450 jobs gone due to losing a contract with UPMC Pinnacle Health System!   Eat’n Park Hospitality Group shutting down its 12 years old Six Penn Kitchen restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, by February, blaming “ever-growing competition”.  View Lancaster County’s restaurant inspection results.

South Carolina: In Aiken, “always full full full” The Little Bake Shoppe suddenly shutdown so the owners “can focus more on family and other responsibilities.”  And in the exact same neighborhood, Buckwheat’s Bar-B-Que and Catering also suddenly shutdown.

Tennessee: Schweinehaus-Stanley Bar-B-Que now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to massive debts.  View Knox County Health Department’s restaurant inspection results.

Texas: In San Antonio a popular restaurant, Pollos Asados Los Nortenos, was shutdown by ass-hole health inspectors who said the smoke from the grill was polluting the air, even after the restaurant owner spent $250-thousand USD to upgrade the grill to be in compliance with state laws! 50 jobs gone due to the ass-holes TCEQ and the Attorney General’s Office.  Central Texas ‘restaurant report card’ reveals restaurants continually failing health inspections.

Utah: In Lehi, after 47 years iconic Porter’s Place steak joint shutdown because the city is not willing to spend $30-thousand USD to repair corroded sewer lines (the restaurant was leasing the building)!

Vermont: Panera Bread shutdown its six years old store on Church Street in Burlington, with only a couple days warning. Apparently the landlord found another business that’s willing to pay more rent.  Also, Bruegger’s Bagels shutdown its decades old Church Street location, maybe due to the company being taken-over by JAB Holding Company.

Virginia: Walmart Neighborhood Markets shutdown its Roanoke location, Walmart claims it ‘absorbed’ the 75 employees into other Walmart stores (nevermind that Walmart is killing thousands of jobs by April).  In Williamsburg, after 25 years the Pepperidge Farm store shutdown, supposedly because the company has gotten more efficient at mass production of baked goods. In Richmond, 7 Hills Brewing shutdown its restaurant in Shockoe Slip, possibly due to rent problems. In Newport News, after less than two years Jim’s Local Market suddenly shutdown due to lack of profit making sales.   Henrico restaurant report.

Washington:  In Gig Harbor, after only two years Kroger shutdown its ‘experimental’ Main & Vine store two weeks after Xmas, claiming all the employees were ‘offered’ jobs at other Kroger stores.  Kroger didn’t announce the shutdown until the day after Xmas!  The Tattered Apron Bakery shutdown both its South Hill and Puyallup locations due to too many debts, the owners warning future eatery operators saying “We grew too fast. We did everything that a new business shouldn’t do. We had so many irons in the fire. … We thought that was great….”

Washington DC:  ‘Celebrity chef’ owned Marcus National Harbor restaurant failed in its MGM National Harbor casino location, MGM says it will replace will another restaurant.  After two decades Cafe Ole shutdown because the property is being redeveloped.   After two years restaurant Drift on 7th shutdown.   After only a few months Bold Bite Market shutdown!

Wisconsin: Lake County Foods issued a shutdown WARN for its Oconomowoc ops, 91 jobs gone in March.  British empire Canada based Saputo Cheese shutting down its factory in Fond du Lac, 120 jobs gone by June!  In Madison, after 41 years Ella’s Deli (with a full size merry-go-round) shutting down, unless a miracle buyer shows up: “It’s a business that’s very competitive these days, you have to be full steam ahead and we’ve been at it for a long time. It’s time for someone else to pick up the ball.”-Ken Balkin, current co-owner

Wisconsin State Farmer: Tidal wave of sewage reveals disconnect between press, farmers

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, December 2017: “WE GAVE IT A SHOT, IT JUST DIDN’T WORK.” “WE’RE LITERALLY WORKING FOR NOTHING.”