Tag Archives: wall street

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart update, 21 January 2015: Sex Trafficking & Property Deals! Sears Holdings is not your daddy’s Sears!

The slow death of Sears and Kmart is a sign of a fundamental, and possibly irreversible change in the once ‘great’ society of the United States of America.

A man who works for evil finance institutions Morgan Stanley, Crédit Suisse and Goldman Sachs (Simeon Gutman) has already announced who will benefit from the death of Sears and Kmart.   Apparently electronics store Best Buy would benefit most, followed by home improvement stores Home Depot and Lowe’s.

It should be noted that Crédit Suisse has been the most vocal in claiming Sears Holdings is already dead.   But it turns out the main motivation of these financial investment institutions is real estate.  In my tracking of the housing market debacle it’s become clear to me that the main reason for the artificially created property market crash is so property speculators, mainly REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) can get their hands on a lot of properties real cheap and even get taxpayers to fund the rebuilding projects, in other words it’s the classic Snidely scheme.  (read: “Everybody wants a better outcome, everybody but the landlords.” and The biggest Scam in U.S. History and Snidely the illegal forecloser returns)

One of the driving motivations for Eddie Lampert and the vulture capitalists who created Sears Holdings is to shutdown stores only to carve up them up into smaller commercial spaces, or to lease them out to competitors (they can actually make more money that way).  For the properties they don’t own Sears Holdings has actually been making millions by getting the property owners to end lease agreements early!

This brings me to my next point that Sears and Kmart are not your parent’s Sears and Kmart.  I’ve read commentaries which boast that Sears has come back from disaster before.  That was not the same Sears.  I’ve recently read articles about Sears out of Washington state in which the author still refers to Sears as “Sears Roebuck”.  Sears Roebuck died in 2005!   Today’s Sears-Kmart is controlled by a company created by Mitt Romney-Bain Capital  style vulture capitalist known as Eddie Lampert.

Sears Holdings was created in 2005, after Kmart emerged from bankruptcy in 2003 (newly named Kmart Holdings) and suddenly took over Sears.   This was accomplished easily because the controlling stockholders of both retailers were actually on the same team!

Eddie Lampert, the man driving Sears Holdings now was also the man driving the newly created Kmart Holdings in 2003 (via his ESL Investments fund)!  In other words Sears Holdings was known for a short two years as Kmart Holdings.

Many analysts have stated that the way Lampert has been running Sears Holdings will destroy the company, it now looks intentional: “The way it’s being managed, it doesn’t work. They’re going to continue to deteriorate.”-Mary Ross Gilbert, Imperial Capital

Are Lampert and his cronies capable of bullshit?  Eddie Lampert worked for evil Goldman Sachs (that should be proof enough).  In 2003 Lampert was kidnapped, and claimed that his kidnappers said they were hired by AutoZone executives to kill him!  Lampert was also the largest stockholder in AutoZone, and an executive director at the time!  The FBI concluded that Lampert’s story about AutoZone executives trying to kill him was bullshit: “The AutoZone story was just a hoax.”-unnamed investgator

But there was a result; the president of AutoZone resigned and guess who took over?  Eddie Lampert!  AutoZone has been documented to use prison labor. 

In other signs of Failed State decadence, increasingly many Kmarts have been the sites of crimes including murder.  Another despicable crime involves the sex trafficking of teenagers in Tennessee.  A man described as an up and coming rapper has just been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being convicted of selling a 14 years old girl that he met at a Raleigh Kmart in 2013.

Today’s Sear-Kmart is not your daddy’s Sears and Kmart!

20 JANUARY 2015: ANOTHER KMART GOING DOWN!

Selling fake jewelry?

admits stock market shenanigans!

Executive officer involved with killing off other retailers?

screws over Goodyear for at least $20-million?

Catholics, Mormons & Jews conspiring

Sears stores leased to Ireland!

Store leases worth more than the stores themselves! 

 

 

 

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 20 November 2014: “We found ourselves with our backs against the wall” Skincare center calls in armed guards to layoff employees!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

International based “Free daily newspaper” Metro.US laid off five employees in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Alabama: Boeing issued a WARN saying employees will be laid off at their Huntsville NASA ops in January 2015.

Indiana: Shopko issued a WARN saying it will shutdown their Lebanon distribution center. The shutdown will be completed by September 2015, 95 to 100 jobs lost!

Kentucky:  In Ashland, after only two years the Lamp Post Cafe shutdown with little notice, the lease was not renewed at the last moment, the owners blame the bad economy: “We’re two years into it and it is a tough economy. While we’ve certainly been moving forward, we are a victim of the economy. We found ourselves with our backs against the wall….Our first winter, the electric bill just about killed us…”-Shane Fields

Massachusetts: Framingham based Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples announced the shutdown of 170 North American stores, I’m not sure if this is part of, or, on top of its previous list of 225 that will be shutdown by mid 2015!  More proof the internet isn’t killing off brick-n-mortars. TV through the internet service provider Aereo now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, it’s blamed on lack of funding and a federal court order preventing the company from streaming specific TV shows.

Michigan: Without warning American Laser Skincare (formerly known as American Laser Centers) shutdown all 136 operations in 25 states and Puerto Rico, at least 1-thousand jobs lost! Some employees reported they were threatened by armed security guards that they had less than two hours to get all their gear and vacate the premises!  Many customers pre-paid for skincare services worth thousands of dollars, and will not be getting refunds! The Northeast California Branch of the Better Business Bureau says customers are screwed: “To say it doesn’t happen would be a misnomer. We see it with gyms, cosmetic surgery, all kinds of stuff. There’s been a big recession, and a lot of people [companies] are financially unstable, and you don’t really know about their financial condition. We’ve had people pay them like the day before they closed their doors.”-Gary Almond

In order to cut costs due to reduced payments caused by Obama Care, Holland Hospital laid off all their in-house language interpreters.  The Detroit Free Press warned of layoffs, to take place before U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and again before the western Christian Xmas holiday (which is at a different time than eastern Christian Xmas). The newspaper is owned by Gannet, which is also killing off jobs at other newspapers around the U.S.

Missouri: Belgium-Brazil owned beer brewer Anheuser-Busch admitted to laying off employees at its Saint Louis brewery, but refused to give a number.  Anheuser-Busch also shutdown its U.S. Busch Media Group.  HVAC maker Nordyne announced it will complete its shutdown of two factories by June 2015, at least 700 jobs lost!

New York: In Brooklyn, after only a year the owner of Marco’s restaurant announced it will shutdown in December. The owner says the profits weren’t high enough to cover operating costs.  In NYC, reports that The New York Times will kill off even more news gathering jobs, via the bribing of at least 100 employees with  “buyouts”!  Warnings that British empire United Kingdom based Reuters will layoff news staff in NYC.  Thompson Reuters says they’re news division has lost $79-million USD in its last quarter!

Pennsylvania: After 13  years Endless Mountains Quiltworks shutdown due to family health problems.

Vermont: The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant announced it will  shutdown at the end of 2014.  165 employees to become jobless, while 316 will remain for the decommissioning process until the end of 2016!  At one point 625 people were employed!

17-19 november 2014: Cargill & Walmart join exodus from Canada

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

International

World War 3 Afghanistan, 11 – 15 January 2015: U.S. created Islamic State proves Obama a bold face liar! Mujahideen vs Islamic State! World’s biggest money laundering pit? More proof corruption begins with the United States!

Ismail Khan, former Afghan minister of water and energy, is warning of rapidly growing Islamic State presence inside his country.  Khan says the U.S., U.K. and Saudi created Islamic State (aka Daesh) will result in a new world war.

Badghis Province: In Qadis District, a Madrasa was shutdown by government personnel and the headgear of the students and teachers were symbolically burned.

Farah Province: In Khak-e-Safid District, government administrators say Islamic State has established new terrorist training camps! Remember what Barack Obama recently said? “…the enduring commitment of the United States to the Afghan people and to a united, secure and sovereign Afghanistan that is never again used as a source of attacks…”-28 December 2014

Helmand Province:  Reports say the U.S., Saudi, U.K. created Islamic State has “officially” begun propaganda and combat operations for control of Sangin and Kajaki districts.  Government administrators say some Mujahideen have joined Islamic State, but they also confirmed that most Mujahideen are engaged in battles with the new Islamic State insurgents, so far 20 people killed!  In Nawzad District, a cop turned his government issued gun on the district governor and his own police chief, killing both.  Another cop and an Afghan National Army officer were wounded.  The renegade cop was killed.

Herat Province: Two security guards were convicted and sentenced to 17 years in prison for raping a woman at the Herat Regional Hospital.  In Anjil District, a doctor at a clinic was assassinated with two bullets.  Police don’t know who did it or why.

Jowzjan Province:  More reports of cops raping children.  This time a five years old boy was raped, at least one cop has been arrested.  Back in December administrators in Kapisa Province reported that cops gang raped a girl, and the Afghan government admitted that cops are the number one rapists! 

Kabul Province:  In Kabul City, the National Football (soccer) head coach survived an assassination attempt.  He was stabbed in the head and back as he approached his home.  A report saying a bomb planted in a Toyota Corolla exploded, killing one person and wounding three.  Another report said the Corolla drove over a landmine.  The U.S. terror group known as United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is now spending untold taxpayer money on a new medical records system for Afghanistan.  USAID administrators announced the new Pilot Electronic Medical Records System at the same time they opened the taxpayer funded Indira Gandi Newborn Care Training Center in Kabul.

Khost Province: In Khost City (Matoon), the provincial police Education Officer was assassinated by remote detonated bomb.

Nangarhar Province: In Lal Pura District, government administrators report yet another coalition drone strike, eight people killed.

Paktia Province: Near Muqribkhil village, three people killed after they drove over a landmine.

Parwan Province: In Siyagard District, coalition forces launched an offensive five days ago.  It ended in failure.  Mujahideen report they’ve killed or wounded 26 coalition personnel and destroyed at least three vehicles.  A Mujahid was killed.

Zabul Province: Local news reports say about 500 Islamic State  “families” from Pakistan, Chechen Republic, Saudi Arabia and other countries have arrived in the districts of Khak Afghan, Dai Chopan and Arghandab.

The Indian government announced it will force its taxpayers to give Afghanistan $120-million USD for five new Small Development Projects.  News reports say since 2002 India has spent $2-billion to help Afghanistan ‘rebuild’ since the U.S. invasion.  Where in the hell is all that money going?  When you factor in all the taxpayer money from countries all over the World that have gone to Afghanistan its clear Afghanistan is the World’s biggest money laundering pit!

06-10-january-2015: afghans hate their new pro-obama president

The U.S. Air Force revealed they’ll be spending U.S. tax money training Afghan pilots at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, and Moody AFB, Georgia.  The Afghans will be trained to fly Coin (Counterinsurgency) aircraft paid for by U.S. taxpayers.

A retired Indiana (U.S.A.) Army National Guard lieutenant colonel reportedly pled guilty to corruption involving kickbacks from U.S. government contractors.  Reports say he’s the fourth U.S. military personnel to plead guilty to such charges.  He could be sentenced to five years in prison.

In Texas (U.S.A.) evil mobile home park managers evicted a disabled National Guard veteran for failure to pay “pet fees”.  The Iraq and Afghanistan occupation veteran said his dog is a necessary service dog and that charging standard pet fees to disabled people actually violates the federal Fair Housing laws: “If it’s happening to me, it’s going to happen to other people.”-David Palasek, wounded veteran evicted before Xmas

After being based on Bagram airbase for far longer than they expected, more than 300 air-militia-personnel of the Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing (Alabama, U.S.A.) finally returned home.  Back in November I wrote they had returned, but the latest reports revealed they were held back for at least one month.

The Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing (New York U.S.A.) announced their war in Afghanistan is not over, they will continue to use MQ-9 Reaper drones to kill Afghans.

More than 150 militia-personnel of the Army National Guard’s 1450th Transportation Company (North Carolina U.S.A.) mobilized for deployment to Afghanistan.

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart closing update, 20 January 2015: Another Sears going down!

It’s been revealed that the Cherry Creek, Colorado, Sears will be replaced with apartments and smaller retail shops.

update 19 January 2015: Exodus?

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), 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).

California: El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (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 (number of employees affected not made public, no WARN filed), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers).

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).

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

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed 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).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost).

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: 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: 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). Across the street, in Pocatello, the property where the Kmart is located has a “pad site available” sign, posted ever since the Kmart bankruptcy. The Kmart building takes up most of the ‘pad’. Latest news from inside sources say Sears Holdings will not comment on any plans to expand the small amount of Craftsman products already being sold at the Kmart, or shift the Kenmore products line, from the closing Chubbuck Sears to the Pocatello Kmart. In fact all plans for the Pokey Kmart are in a ‘holding pattern’.

Illinois: Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), 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). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. 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: 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).

Iowa: 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).

Kansas: 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 (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), 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, 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.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost).

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).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost).

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials, Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, 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 obvious the last remaining Saginaw Kmart will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014, 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).

Minnesota: 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: 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).

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).

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: 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).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost), 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).

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).

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

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), 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). Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, 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).

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).

Pennsylvania: 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).

Puerto Rico: Vega Baja Kmart (# of jobs lost not reported).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, 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).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), 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.

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).

Utah: Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon controlled 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).

Vermont: Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost).

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), 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), Wincester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), 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: 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).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears 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, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 17 – 19 November 2014: “I can’t believe I’m turning into one of your sad stories…” Cargill & Walmart join exodus from Canada? More call centers go down!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart revealed it eliminated 210 jobs at its Ontario, Canada, office!  The latest round of layoffs are on top of 750 revealed earlier this Spring!

California: In Auberry, the Wish-I-Ah Healthcare & Wellness Center ordered shutdown by state health administrators who declared the nursing home to be posing “immediate and serious risks” to the paitents, at least 95 jobs lost.  Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown the Yuba City Kmart in December, 63 jobs lost.  In Auburn, after 38 years Lou La Bonite’s restaurant shutdown. In San Diego, Science Application International issued a WARN saying they will eliminate 63 jobs by February 2015.   San Diego based Pizzeria Mozza shutdown their new Seaport District restaurant, and canceled all upcoming pizza making classes: “Sadly, the gospel of Mozza pizza did not adequately spread to the people of San Diego. We regret that we will not be able to continue to serve the community there…”-company statement

Colorado: In Leadville, after 135 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) God refuses to stop the shutdown of Christian founded Saint Vincent Hospital. Perhaps because of reduced payments caused by Obama Care, the administrators say they cannot afford to fix the broken heating system.

Idaho: In Boise, after 73 years Molenaar Jewelers announced a going out of business sale, the owner was unable to find a buyer for the business which will shutdown in Janaury 2015.  Also in Boise, a year after taking over Boise Paper (aka Boise Inc) for $1.27-billion USD, Packaging Corporation of America issued a WARN saying they will shutdown the Boise location by March 2015, at least 152 jobs lost!

Florida:  Orlando based Darden Restaurants killed 85 jobs (60 filled, 25 vacant positions) at its HQ. Darden operates Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse. Company administrators say the skyrocketing price of food (like beef) is forcing them to cut $20-million USD from their 2014-15 budget!  In Palm Beach Gardens, Morrison Healthcare issued a WARN saying they will render 71 employees jobless in January 2015.

Minnesota: After announcing plans in April to expand ops in Canada, Minnetonka based food processor Cargill actually expanded their job killing! Cargill sold off a Winnipeg feed mill and shutdown a Manitoba mill, as well as shutdown a Manitoba granary. News reports gave various reasons from saying the mills needed upgrades that were too expensive to pay for, to Cargill needing to become more efficient in the Canadian livestock feed industry. No details reported on how many Great White North jobs will be lost.

Missouri: CenturyLink announced they will shutdown their Columbia dispatch center in January 2015, at least 40 jobs lost.

Nebraska: God refuses to stop Kearny based CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) Health Good Samaritan from killing “…1,500 administrative and support positions across the country by Jan. 30, 2015.”, despite recently getting a $3.3-million grant.  Administrators blame Obama Care for driving away customers.

New York: In Auburn, AC maker Daikin Applied issued a WARN announcing a 3rd round of layoffs.  The company is shutting down by December 2015, affecting a total of 310 jobs!   In Geneva, after months of rumors 54 years old Madia’s Big M grocery store shutdown. The Madia family basically said it wasn’t worth it operating a grocery store anymore and will focus on their other business ops. In Saranac Lake, the non-profit science research Trudeau Institute continues to layoff employees, despite getting new state funding.  This time five people to become unemployed by the end of 2014.  In West Village, after 15 years Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks shutting down in January 2015, the owner says the landlord suddenly refused to renew the lease: “I can’t believe I’m turning into one of your sad stories, but I’ve just lost my lease…..My landlord doesn’t want me here….It doesn’t matter if he hears from 10-thousand people. He didn’t even offer me a different rent, he just said, ‘no!’.”

Pennsylvania: The Ephrata Library killed off 11 jobs due to funding cuts.

Ohio:  MAGY Staffing issued a WARN saying they will shutdown call centers and offices in Toledo and Holland, 225 people to become jobless by January 2015!   In Stryker, A. Schulman announced it will shutdown its color concentrates and additives factory in April 2015, 70 jobs lost.  Administrators say the bad economy is forcing them to “right size”.

Rhode Island: After 70 years Damon’s Hardware shutdown.

Texas: In Houston, Hollywood Vietnamese & Chinese Cuisine shutdown.  Oil industry companies Halliburton and Baker Hughes warned of massive layoffs saying they need to cut expenses by $2-billion!

Vermont: In Rutland, owners of Sal’s Downtown Restaurant announced they will shutdown in December. Apparently the landlord refused to renew the lease.

Virginia: Medical testing lab Health Diagnostic Laboratory revealed they laid off 132 employees! However, the company has been accused of paying (bribing) health care providers to use their service.

14-16 november 2014: “like watching people get executed”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

International

World War 3 Afghanistan, 06 – 10 January 2015: Afghans hate their new pro-Obama president! Afghan general says U.S.-NATO fails to properly equip Afghan Army!

Baghlan Province: In Markazi Baghlan District, six people were assassinated.  Government administrators say the dead were construction workers, but Mujahideen say the dead were really working as spies.

Daykundi Province: In Gezab District, reports that artillery fire exchanged by U.S.-NATO trained government personnel and Mujahideen resulted in several people killed or wounded, including the death of a child in a nearby village.

Ghazni Province: In Giro District, a group of children stepped on a landmine which killed three and wounded two.

Ghor Province: Obama regime puppet president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has fired the provincial police chief.  No official reason was given.

Helmand Province: In Nawzad District, an artillery round impacted on a civilian house, killing at least three people.   This time government administrators are blaming Mujahideen.  Also in Nawzad District, a massive Kamikaze attack on a police FOB (foward operating base).  Police admit one of their own was killed, Mujahideen say at least 20 people were killed or wounded.  Mujahideen say the attack was a vengeance attack, to avenge the death of a girl at the hands of police who said she was a Kamikaze bomber.  And still in Nawzad, reports that U.S.-NATO trained government personnel launched an artillery attack on a village, which killed one child and wounded four people.

Kabul Province: The Chief of Staff General Shir Mohammad Karimi warned that Mujahideen attacks will increase and he accused the U.S.-NATO occupiers of not properly equipping the Afghan National Army.  A survey by Tolo News and the ART research institute shows only 27% of Afghans actually support the Obama regime puppet president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.   The National Security Council, chaired by president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, has approved ‘special military raids’.  No details given about what that means.  A BBC report says the new Obama regime puppet president has offered jobs to former Taliban administrators. The BBC report says the three former Taliban administrators refused the job offer.  The Afghan Wireless Communication Company has begun a new 3.75G+ cell phone and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) service in Kabul City.  Who’s paying the initial costs for such upgrades in Afghansitan, when parts of the U.S. state of Idaho have some of the slowest internet and cell phone services in the United States?

Khost Province:  The provincial police academy was attacked by a Kamikaze car bomber, followed by a firefight.  Police claim only two people wounded,  Mujahideen say 25 people killed or wounded.

Kunduz Province: In Kunduz City, police say two men were wounded while planting a landmine.

Kunar Province: In Mangui District, reports that a coalition drone strike killed two civilians, a father and his son.

Laghman Province: In Alishang District, reports that a artillery round impacted a Madrasa, wounding three students.

Maidan Wardak Province: In Sayed Abad District, reports blaming the Mujahideen for burning down the district governor’s house.

Nangarhar Province: In Jalalabad City, two judges assassinated.  One judge was assassinated by a bomb placed on his car, his two sons were wounded.  The other judge was killed by being sprayed with AK-47 bullets from two men on a motorcycle.  In Zherai District, an explosion killed one child and wounded another.  Police say the kids found a bomb and started playing with it.   In Shah Walikot District, a group of people stepped on a landmine, 10 were wounded.  In Lal Pura District, government administrators report a coalition drone strike killed six people and wounded three.

Sar-e-Pul Province: In Balkhab District, police first said they killed two Kamikaze bombers and arrested one.  Police did not give any details.  Then one day later police changed the story to say the two supposed Kamikaze bombers were beaten to death by civilians.

Iranian news sources say the pro-Obama puppet president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani is about to sign a new military pact with Iran: “The articles of peace agreement that was offered by Iran during former President Hamid Karzai, will also be reviewed to be signed by Ashraf Ghani.”-Nazif Salarzi, spokesman for Iran

01-05-january-2015: More dumb-ass U.S. taxpayers

The Army National Guard’s Detachment 34, Operational Support Airlift Command (Iowa U.S.A.) returned from Afghanistan.

The Army National Guard’s Battery B, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery, 45th Field Artillery Brigade (Oklahoma U.S.A.) returned from Afghanistan.

The Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing (Wyoming U.S.A.) to return from deployment in support of the occupation of Afghanistan.

Business/Economics

JCPenney closing update 19 January 2015: Store shutdowns ramping up? New store shutdown announced!

A recent 24/7 Wall Street analysis of JCPenney store shutdowns says the announcement of a 40 store shutdown is too small: “J.C. Penney has not closed enough stores. So, the question is when it can afford to close more. Based on its financials, the total will need to be close to 200.”

In 2014, a CNN Money report said JCPenney needed to close “300 of its nearly 1,100 stores”.

update 07 January 2015: 2-thousand+ jobs lost! 

Alabama: Selma Mall JCPenney, recently revealed Cullman Shopping Center JCPenney (at least 25 jobs lost).

California: Rancho Cucamonga Arrow Plaza JCPenney. Cupertino Vallco Shopping Mall JCPenney, the mall was sold to a property developer and JCPenney administrators said it’s not worth it to keep the store open, 170 jobs lost!

Colorado: Colorado Springs Chapel Hills Mall JCPenney.

Connecticut: Meriden Square (Westfield Meriden Mall) JCPenney.

Florida: Leesburg Lake Square Mall JCPenney. Port Richey Port View Square JCPenney.

Georgia: Morrow JCPenney will be shutdown between now and 1st quarter 2015. Duluth JCPenney Home Store will be shutdown between now and 1st quarter 2015. Dalton and Lagrange stores shutdown by April 2015.

Iowa: Muscantine Mall JCPenney. Des Moines JCPenney will be shutdown between now and 1st quarter 2015. Mason, Waterloo and West Burlington stores closing in April.

Illinois: Bloomingdale Stratford Square Mall JCPenney. Forsyth Hickory Point Mall. West Dundee JCPenney will be shutdown between now and 1st quarter 2015, recently revealed Quincy Mall store (about 50 jobs lost), Dekalb store in April.

Indiana: Marion Five Points Mall JCPenney. Warsaw Marketplace shopping Center JCPenney. Michigan store in April.

Maryland: The Centre at Salisbury JCPenney.

Massachusetts: Hanover and Taunton stores.

Michigan: Marquette Westwood Mall JCPenney. Adrian store.

Minnesota: Worthington Northland Mall JCPenney.

Mississippi: Gautier Singing River Mall JCPenney. Natchez Mall JCPenney.

Montana: Butte Plaza Shopping Center JCPenney. Cut Bank JCPenney.

North Carolina: Kinston Vernon Park Mall JCPenney. High Point JCPenney will be shutdown between now and 1st quarter 2015. Asheboro, Elizabeth, Statesville and Wilson stores.

New Jersey: Burlington Center JCPenney. Phillipsburg Mall JCPenney. Vineland Cumberland Mall store.

New York: Recently revealed Hudson Valley Mall store (74 jobs lost).

Ohio: Wooster Wayne Towne Plaza JCPenney, recently revealed Springfield store (90 jobs lost), recently revealed Greenville store (55 jobs lost), recently revealed Columbus Eastland Mall store (80 jobs lost).

Oregon: North Bend.

Pennsylvania: Exton Square mall JCPenney. Hazel Township Laurel Mall JCPenney. Washington Mall JCPenney. Chambersburg, Hummels Warf, Media, State College and York stores.

Rhode Island: Providence.

South Carolina: Recently revealed Inlet Square Mall store (65 jobs lost), recently revealed Murrels Inlet Aiken Mall store (34 jobs lost).

South Dakota: Aberdeen Lakewood Mall.

Tennessee: Chattanooga Northgate Mall JCPenney.

Texas: Brenham Market Square Mall.

Vermont: Diamond Run Mall and Saint Albans Shopping Center.

Virginia: Bristol Mall JCPenney. Norfolk Military Circle Mall JCPenney. Culpepper JCPenney will be shutdown between now and 1st quarter 2015. Manassas and Williamsburg stores.

Wisconsin: Fond du Lac Forest Mall JCPenney. Janesville Mall JCPenney. Rhinelander Lincoln Plaza Center JCPenney. Rice Lake Cedar Mall JCPenney. Wausau Mall JCPenney. Racine Regency Mall JCPenney store was sold for $2.2-million USD (that’s less than what JCPenney had been asking for) to a property developer-speculator, and will shutdown during the 1st quarter of 2015, at least 77 jobs lost. Oshkosh, Racine and Shawano stores.

Washington: The Bellevue Square JCPenney shutdown their 55 years old store, 141 jobs lost! This, despite the fact that the owners of the mall are spending $1.2-billion to bring in more shoppers!

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 14 – 16 November 2014: “It was like watching people get executed.” 11-thousand+ jobs killed off in New Jersey! Boastful female owned company looses contract “due to unprofessionalism”!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: In Tucson, Bring Funeral Homes on Scott Avenue died.  The owners had to consolidate ops to their Broadway location.  The morbid owners actually blamed it on the lack of dying people near their Scott Avenue location!

California: In Calabasas, Microsoft controlled HERE North America (formerly Nokia Location & Commerce) issued a WARN saying at least 18 people will be laid off between January and February 2015.  In Los Angeles, Trinity Sports issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by January 2015, at least 135 jobs lost!

Florida: After barely 12 years the Sea Breeze Winery announced they’re shutting down in December. The owner says she’ll continue to sell grapes to other wineries.  In University Park, Shapes Total Fitness discriminatory women’s only fitness club shutdown, it’s blamed on the property owners for jacking up the rent.  In Panama City, after 80 years commercial printer Boyd Brothers shutdown, blaming the economy and the Too Big to Jail banks for killing off 100 jobs: “…due to the changing dynamics of the industry and lack of access to capital, Boyd is forced to close its doors.”  

Indiana: In Jasper, after 66 years Inwood Office Furniture shutdown, 85 jobs lost.  The owners blamed crashing sales and an offer for their property they couldn’t refuse: “…demand for quality wood private office furniture continues to decline, and because we have a committed purchaser for our plant and land…” 

Iowa: What automotive industry recovery?  Vehicle muffler maker Donaldson announced they are shutting down their Grinnel factory and consolidating operations to Alabama, 75 jobs lost.  In Iowa City, after 34 years the local owner of the soap store The Soap Opera announced it will shutdown in January 2015, for personal reasons.

Kentucky: O’Brien & Gere engineering laid off 27 employees as it shutdown its Louisville office, blaming a decline in taxpayer funded government construction projects.

Maine: The Big Lots rip off store in Bangor is shutting down in January 2015.  I say it’s a ripoff because I’ve found many of the items I price checked to be much cheaper at first run retailers (at least here in Idaho)!  By the way, Big Lots exited the Canadian market in 2013, a portent of things to come for U.S. retailers wanting to do business in the Great White North?

New Jersey: In Atlantic City, the owner of Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort (the owner is not Donald Trump) made it official and announced its shutdown, 3-thousand jobs will be lost!  It’s the 5th Atlantic City casino to shutdown in 2014, for a total of 11-thousand jobs lost, not counting all the outside suppliers and mom & pops that relied on the casinos for business!!!   In Ridgewood, Obama Care is the final straw that killed off decades old Harding Pharmacy and Liquors.  The independent owner of the store directly blamed “reduced reimbursements” for forcing him to sell out and go to work for a competing pharmacy.   In Raritan, after 11 years women’s clothing store Chaos shutdown.  The owner, Karen Brooks, said “With rent, utilities and other operating costs, it’s hard to see the value in trying to keep up.”  Englewood based CNBC (formerly the Consumer News and Business Channel) unexpectedly laid off eight employees: “The total bloodbath was unexpected. They pushed out a lot of loyal, very qualified people. It was like watching people get executed.”-unnamed source quoted by Business Insider

Brookdale Community College administrators say crashing enrollment is causing them to be short $8.5-million USD for the upcoming 2015-16 school year and warned of 210 layoffs: “These are tough times and the organizational structure we have now is not sustainable; the board is aware of this harsh fact. Our current models are no longer effective in serving today’s students, and we must catch up with the advances that have been made in educational technology.”-Maureen Murphy, president

Ohio: Hocking College laid off 36 employees and warned of mandatory furloughs for others, blaming DSS (what I call Disappearing Student Syndrome). In 2010 the college had 6,599 students, in 2013 there were 4,094 students and for the 2014-15 year they’re down to 3,474; almost a 50% drop in enrollment since 2010!

Pennsylvania: In Hazelton, it was revealed that Weir Minerals will shutdown and move ops to Wisconsin and Georgia by March 2015, at least 90 jobs lost.  Anti-2nd Amendment Pepsi shutdown yet another distribution center, this time in West Goshen. 60 employees are being forced to move, if they want to stay employed, while at least six employees were rendered unemployed.   In Dallas, Offset Paperback Manufacturers issued a WARN saying 37 people will become jobless in January 2015.  In Towanda, Global Tungsten & Powders laid off 120 people saying “The company has been severely impacted by the low pricing of finished phosphor exported from China, which has affected (GTP’s) ability to competitively manufacture phosphors from rare earth concentrates and also from GTP’s rare earth recycling plant.” 

South Dakota: Electronic gadget insurance company Asurion announced they’re shutting down their seven years old Rapid City call center in January 2015, about 232 jobs lost!

Texas: In Bryan, the company that loves to boast that they are the largest female owned accounts receivables-customer relationship operations in the country, Pennsylvania based Penncro Associates, laid off 175 people with only a few minutes notice!  It’s blamed on the loss of a major contract “due to unprofessionalism”, a female employee said “As of November 28 they were going to start laying everyone off!……I’m not going to have my home any longer. I’m not going to be able to help my family!”-Kelly Henderson

Washington: The for profit Avamere Georgian House nursing home forced to layoff 69 employees and shutdown its Lakewood ops.  Employees said the dilapidated building in Lakewood is forcing the nursing home operator to move patients to their nursing home in Tacoma.  In Vancouver, after 105 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Luepke Florist announced they will shutdown after Xmas due to the new landlord jacking up the rent.

Wisconsin:  In Appleton and Green Bay, after more than ten years Goodwill Industries shutdown their popular Harmony Café. Although it was popular Goodwill administrators say the two restaurants were actually losing money, at least $1-million over the past four years: “The restaurant side got away from us. We kept subsidizing them hoping we would finally create a plan that would be competitive.”-Bob Pedersen, president & CEO

12-13 November-2014 “That’s it, I’m done!”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart closing update, 19 January 2015: Exodus from Puerto Rico? Sears discounts expensive electronics by 90%?

For some reason Sears has discounted Nakamichi brand audio equipment by as much as 90%.  Comments on the internet indicate the Japan based brand is “expensive”.  But wait, it’s not really an upfront discount deal.  It’s actually ‘credits’ through the online Shop Your Way Rewards scam.  It’s been pointed out that the same items can be had on Amazon and ebay for less.

Sears Holdings is shutting down a 25 years old Puerto Rico Kmart, by April.  The store spokesman said it was part of the planned shutdowns for 2014.

update 17 January 2015: Spending money they don’t have

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), 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).

California: El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (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 (number of employees affected not made public, no WARN filed), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers).

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).

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

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed 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).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost).

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: 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: 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). Across the street, in Pocatello, the property where the Kmart is located has a “pad site available” sign, posted ever since the Kmart bankruptcy. The Kmart building takes up most of the ‘pad’. Latest news from inside sources say Sears Holdings will not comment on any plans to expand the small amount of Craftsman products already being sold at the Kmart, or shift the Kenmore products line, from the closing Chubbuck Sears to the Pocatello Kmart. In fact all plans for the Pokey Kmart are in a ‘holding pattern’.

Illinois: Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), 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). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. 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: 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).

Iowa: 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).

Kansas: 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 (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), 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, 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.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost).

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).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost),
Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost).

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials, Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, 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 obvious the last remaining Saginaw Kmart will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014, 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).

Minnesota: 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: 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).

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).

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: 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).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost), 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).

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).

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

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), 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). Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, 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).

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).

Pennsylvania: 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).

Puerto Rico: Recently revealed Vega Baja Kmart (# of jobs lost not reported). 

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, 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).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), 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.

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).

Utah: Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon controlled 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).

Vermont: Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost).

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), 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), Wincester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), 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: 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).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears 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)

International

World War 3 Afghanistan, 01 – 05 January 2015: Top Afghan official suddenly dies inside the U.S.! Dumb-ass U.S. taxpayer funded programs for women benefit only the top 1% of females! Karzai still in charge? 20-thousand strong Special Forces offensive!

More proof that the female 1% are just as corrupt as their male counterparts.  The U.S. Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has reviewed U.S. taxpayer funded (mainly paid for by the middle and lower classes) Afghan Women Empowerment programs and suspects that the majority of the money is going to upper class and elite Afghan females.  The main U.S. agency in charge of the programs is the terrorist group known as USAID.  SIGAR has made it clear that USAID routinely refuses to cooperate in showing SIGAR where the money goes.

Here’s a prime example of the the way USAID totally wasted the taxes paid by U.S. citizens: In 2010 U.S. taxes were paid to the Afghan National Women’s Cricket Team.  It turns out that in 2010 there was no such thing as the Afghan National Women’s Cricket Team: “National Women’s Cricket Team does not exist, the situation is not very much prepared for developing women’s cricket in Afghanistan!”-Nasimullah Danish,  Afghanistan Cricket Board

So who got the money?  You taxpayers in the United States are double dumb asses!!

And speaking of corruption, the former chairman of the Afghan High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption died, in the United States.  He suddenly flew to the U.S. ostensibly to undergo surgery, but died soon after arriving.   Azizullah Ludin was also the man in charge of the recent election debacle (Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan) and Secretary of the Lower House of Parliament.

Badghis Province:  In Bala Murghab District, local police say a magnetic bomb planted on a Afghan National Army (ANA) vehicle exploded, killing one soldier and wounding four.

Ghazni Province:  In Ghazni City, a female doctor and her husband were assassinated.  Local police say they have no clues as to who did it or why.  In Qarabagh District, two Criminal Investigation Department cops killed and two wounded when they drove over a landmine.

Helmand Province: In Sangin District, the ANA admitted that two of their own were responsible for the recent artillery attack on a wedding party.  The ANA says it will now start court martial action against two U.S.-NATO trained soldiers for firing their mortar at the wedding party.  Many dozens of people were killed or wounded.  The bride died of her wounds in the local hospital.  In Lashkargah City, a magnetic bomb exploded on a car in a bank park lot, killing three employees and a cop.

Herat Province: In Shindand District, a cook working at the police HQ assassinated a cop, then escaped and joined the local Mujahideen.  In Herat City, witnesses say two men on a motorcycle threw a hand grenade at the Pakistani consulate.  No reports of casualties.

Jowzjan Province:  In Qosh Tapa District, government administrators reported they bribed 200 Mujahideen to switch sides, however, before the deal could be concluded loyal Mujahideen launched an attack, killing at least five people and wounding at least nine.  Government administrators say this is the second time this has happened in the past week

Kabul Province: In Kabul City, a Kamikaze car bomber rammed a European Union Police (EUPOL) vehicle, one person dead and five wounded.  ‘Former’ president Hamid Karzai revealed to Reuters that he is still in charge: “President Ashraf Ghani and I are meeting very, very often. Or, almost daily……the issues that have significance to the whole of the Afghan people, I’ll be there. That’s where we meet and discuss, and it’s a very good cooperation.”

Kapisa Province: In Mahmud-i-Raqi City, an evil 1% elitist district attorney ordered the homes of three families burned to the ground.  Police prevented the home owners from putting out the fires!

Khost Province: In Tani District, police shot and killed a man on a motorcycle.  They claim he was a Kamikaze bomber.  In Khost City, police got into a firefight with a Kamikaze bomber, who blew himself up once he ran out of bullets.  In Spera District, government forces say a coalition drone strike killed seven insurgents from Pakistan.

Kunduz Province:  Bush-Obama lackey war criminal Abdul Rashid Dostum announced a major offensive against Mujahideen, using 20-thousand U.S.-NATO trained special operations forces.  Dostum says his next target will be Kunar Province.

Nangarhar Province: In Jalalabad City, a magnetic bomb exploded on a border patrol vehicle, killing one cop and wounding two.  On the Jalalabad-Torkham highway, a Kamikaze car bomber attacked a NATO convoy.  There are no reports of casualties, but reports say one NATO vehicle was damaged.

Paktika Province:  In Gayan District, government administrators say a U.S.-NATO airstrike killed 18 people.

Parwan Province: Reports that an explosion at Bagram airbase killed one occupation coalition personnel.

Zabul Province: Near Lashkar Gah City, a bomb planted on a cop car exploded killing two people and wounding at least 11.  Police report that, amazingly, the cop driving the car was not hurt.

A major Afghan Mujahideen support group has published data regarding Mujahideen achievements for 2014:

“A total of 15554 attacks were carried out by Mujahideen on enemy forces throughout the year 2014, rounding out to around 41 attacks daily.

812 foreign invaders were killed throughout this year with 364 wounded which rounds out to around 2 persons killed and 1 wounded daily.

ANA, Police and Arbaki militiamen killed last year totals 22564 with 14807 wounded, rounding out to around 61 killed daily and 40 wounded.

The last year campaign killed 764 high-ranking enemy commanders making it around 2 commanders killed daily.

 A total of 5063 enemy military vehicles (APCs, pickup trucks, logistics trucks and other vehicles) were destroyed last year, rounding out to around 78 destroyed daily.

Total enemy helicopters and aircrafts downed last year is 26.

 Similarly the total number of Mujahideen martyred throughout 2014 is 930 fighters with 1251 injured, rounding out to around 2 martyrs daily with 3 others injured.

50 Mujahideen vehicles were also destroyed last year.

Similarly the Islamic Emirate had great achievements last year, 2014, in the field of recruiting and peeling off personnel from enemy ranks and assimilating them into ordinary life. Due to the untiring efforts of the personnel from the Recruitment Commission of the Islamic Emirate throughout 2014, a total of 3545 people were taken out of enemy ranks and united with Mujahideen. The complete details of these persons, their names, villages, districts etc are published monthly by Al-Emarah website.”

27-31 december 2014: Police are the number 1 rapists?