Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:
Alabama: After 30 years Ballard Stamp & Copy shutdown, the owner said it was “just time” to retire.
California: At Vandenberg AFB, L3 Engineering issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in February 2015, at least 91 jobs lost. In Sacramento, designer ‘art’ toy store Dragatomi shutdown their brick-n-mortar store and will sell over the internet only.
Connecticut: Hearst Media eliminated 72 jobs at the Hartford Courant, in an effort “to lower costs, without impact to our readers and advertisers as we navigate a rapidly changing digital frontier.”
Florida: At Patrick AFB, L3 Engineering issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by March 2015, at least 136 jobs lost! Funky Monkey restaurant chain now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. It’s partly blamed on Orlando businessman Nik Patel, who is facing criminal fraud charges. Patel’s Mingo restaurant was subleasing from Funky Monkey. Other Funky Monkey restaurant locations are suffering from crashing revenues due to nearby construction projects.
Georgia: Atlanta based Coca-Cola announced it must kill off 2-thousand jobs in the United States, before the end of January 2015! Company administrators say the U.S. economy is so bad they’re forced to cut $3-billion USD by 2019!
Indiana: In New Albany, Aunt Artie’s Antique Mall announced it will shutdown its brick-n-mortar store and sell over the internet only.
Maine: Mitt Romney’s wunderkind Staples announced it will shutdown its Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall store by February 2015.
Massachusetts: Westfield State University shutdown its Downtown Art Gallery. Apparently the university was responsible for promoting local arts but now is unable to, the city of Westfield is supposedly taking on the responsibility. In New Bedford, PharmaHealth shutdown two pharmacies in connection to the deadly meningitis outbreak that began with compounding centers in the area.
Missouri: In order “to realign the workforce, to improve profitability, and support new growth market opportunities” SunEdison Semiconductor announced they will eliminate 120 jobs by Summer 2015! In Columbia, the Marconi Grill shutdown without notice. A local news source discovered it when they spotted moving vans at the property. Reports said a few months ago it was rumored the restaurant would close, but employees said it was for remodeling. Those loyal employees are now eating crow, as competing restaurants are now being flooded with applications from former Marconi Grill employees. In Florissant, after 95 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Yacovelli’s Restaurant to shutdown on New Year’s Day.
New Jersey: Woodbridge Developmental Center, a home for people with developmental disabilities, announced it will shutdown on New Year’s Day, 333 patients affected, 622 jobs lost! Regenerative-medicine company Tengion now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and liquidating. It’s blamed on massive debt and lack of investor support.
Ohio: Cobenick Studios/CS Gallery announced they will shutdown in January 2015, due to the greedy landlord jacking up the rent.
Pennsylvania: The School District of Philadelphia shutdown the Walter Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School.
Tennessee: After 20 years, the Hixson Toys R Us announced it will shutdown in January 2015, at least 24 jobs lost.
Texas: In Midland, after more than 40 years Miz B’s Books shutdown.
19-23-december-2014: “now we must….close forever.”
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.