World War 3, Economic Front: U.S. job losses & store closings 25 February 2013.

Connecticut nursing home operator, HealthBridge Management, now bankrupt.  Company officials are hoping the bankruptcy will break the unionized employees, after the company lost a federal court case over labor laws violations.

In Pennsylvania, the Carlisle Regional Medical Center laid off an undisclosed amount of employees, including the director of marketing. Some reports say it has to do with a recent “serious event” (clinical care of a patient in a medical facility that results in death or compromises patient safety), which the Department of Health says the hospital failed to make the required notification to the state.  Two days after the announced layoffs the state Department of Labor and Industry said the hospital failed to file a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification).

McLaren Bay Region Hospital in Michigan, fired 35 Licensed Practical Nurses.  The hospital will replace them with Registered Nurses.  Visual effects company Pixomondo closed its Detroit, and London U.K., operations.  British media report the company failed to pay U.K. taxes.

In Florida, 126 people lost their jobs with STOPS Enterprises! The company provides medical transportation and administrative services. Some reports blame the Obama/Romney Care reforms.  Banah Sugar International Group now bankrupt, after promising local governments that it would hire 300 people.  It seems the owner’s past history as a drug dealer kept loans from coming through, even though he served his time for his crime.  Also, restaurant Philippe Chow Boca went bankrupt. The restaurant was sued last year.  They’ve already closed down most of their restaurants.  In Jacksonville Landing, the Body Central women’s clothing store shut down. Company owners said that location just “didn’t fit the model”.

In Missouri, Jump Oil Company went bankrupt.  Company officials said their wholesale fuel and oil sales have fallen to the point where they can’t pay their debts.

Ormet Corporation bankrupt.  They will sell off their aluminum factory in Hannibal, Ohio. They blame unionized employees.  The company has been laying off employees since 2012.

North Carolina real estate developer, Bunn-Brantley Enterprises, bankrupt.   The company merged with other real estate developers, and one of their attorneys said the merger made it easier to file bankruptcy.  Another real estate developer, Wake Partners, now bankrupt. Company officials say they’ve had no revenue since the end of 2011!  (what was that about a recovery in the real estate market?)

In Maryland, Flying Food Group laid off 68 employees. Company officials blamed it on the loss of their Starbucks contract.   Video game maker, Zynga, closed its Baltimore office.  Company officials are consolidating operations to Texas and New York.

After 75 years of operations the sewing and knitting store Windsor Button Shop is now out-o-business.  The owners could not afford to renew their lease in Boston, Massachusetts.

In New Hampshire, the Red and Gold convenience store closed down. The owner said he had to close it ASAP, but gave no reason why.

Mobile video company, Viddy, laid off 12 people. Company officials blame Facebook’s algorithm change for making it harder for users to find the Viddy app.

In Maine, the historic Jameson Tavern shut down: “The recession hit us hard. We’ve been struggling for a couple years now.”-John Stiles, owner

140 people lost their jobs with rail company Norfolk Southern, in Virginia! The company is ending its regional service in Roanoke.

Contech Castings in Indiana laid off more than 100 people!  A former employee said 130 lost their jobs!  The company is owed by Revstone Industries, which went bankrupt at the end of 2012. No company official would explain the layoffs. Contech makes parts for the automotive industry.  (what was that about the auto industry making a comeback?)  Fondue restaurant, The Melting Pot, closed in Greenwood. 25 people out-o-work.

In Washington, layoffs continue at the Port of Bremerton.  Five people lost their jobs, and company officials said they will not fill already vacant positions.  Company officials made confusing statements to the local media, saying the layoffs were simply a change in how they do business and that they weren’t trying to save money, yet they admitted the job reductions would save them nearly half a million dollars.

In Montana, the IGA grocery store on South Side State Avenue, in Billings, shut down.  The new owner blamed the bad economy: “I’m at a loss. The sales have been declining on the previous owners and continue to decline with me. So it’s time to get out while I can still pay my vendors and my employees.”-Shayne Meskimen

Too Big to Jail, Goldman Sachs, said they’re going to layoff even more employees.  There were no specifics on the amount of people to be unemployed, but analysts say it’s going to be bigger than usual round of Goldman Sachs layoffs.

The Footlocker in Lakewood Mall, California, out-o-business. It was closed with little notice, no ‘going out of business’ sale and no explanation. Local media tried calling the corporate office, but got no response.  The 40 years old Indian Store in Los Gatos closed.  The owners can not afford the new lease and are hoping someone will buy the store.