Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of September, 2015: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.
RestarauntNews.com has decided to charge for what Blind Bat News has been doing for free for the past few years; issue reports on how many restaurants have shutdown!
Alaska: Albertsons-Safeway shutdown the old Carrs-Safeway grocery store in The Mall at Sears in Anchorage. It doesn’t help sales when there are two other Carrs-Safeway stores within two miles of The Mall at Sears.
Arizona: Washington based Haggen Foods eliminated 41 jobs in Irving. In Scottsdale the Los Sombreros Mexican Restaurant shutdown. In Mesa, the Lo Fi Coffee shop shutdown.
California: In Almeda, a greedy landlord is forcing Croll’s Pizza & Beer to shutdown. It was discovered the landlord made a deal with a competing restaurant to expand into the space occupied by Croll’s. In San Luis Obispo, after ten years Monterey Street Wine quietly shutdown. After 20 years the recently schizophrenic (constantly changing its menu) Cow Hollow’s Betelnut restaurant shutting down, the greedy property owner did not want to renew the lease. In Santa Rosa, Mesa Beverage eliminating 137 jobs by the end of October! In Los Angeles, due to losing big food service contracts Patina Restaurant Group eliminating 317 jobs by the end of October! In Huntington Beach, Yum! brands owned (spun-off from anti-gun Pepsi) Taco Bell shutting down their experimental fast-casual booze selling U.S. Taco Company restaurant due to problems with booze licensing and lack of sales. All four Orange County Capriotti’s sandwich shops shutdown suddenly by the corporation: “Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop has decided to end a relationship with one of our franchisees.”-Ashley Morris, ceo
In Redding, rabbit food server Sky’s Pure Food restaurant shutting down, unless vegan fans can donate enough money for the owner to pay her debts. In San Francisco, after 15 years restaurant Pesce shutdown, some people question the recent move into a bigger (and more expensive) place. Popular Zapata Mexican Grill shutting down after 22 years: “Unfortunately our landlord has decided not to renew our lease, so we will be closing our doors permanently on October 15.”
In Fresno, after five years family owned Swiggs Sliders & Wings shutdown, blaming increased competition, increased costs (specifically ObamaCare insurance and minimum wage) and declining sales. Local news reports revealed the location is a revolving door for dozens of past restaurants. In San Gabriel, after 32 years the People to People food bank shutting down due to massive lack of cash donations: “Staff members haven’t been paid at all this year, and some have taken from their own pockets to help cover expenses.”-Robert Ries, president
In Lemore, yummy tri-tip Gunny’s Sandwich Shop shutting down due to increasing costs including increased minimum wage and taxes: “Water cost more, everything that you purchase costs more…farm workers…with less crop production means less people to come eat my sandwiches…what I was going to pay in taxes…I’m paying the state of California so I can work for free!”-Max Vernon, one pissed-off former Marine
Kroger issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Glendora Ralph’s grocery store right before Thanksgiving, 73 jobs lost. TGI Friday’s issued a shutdown WARN for their Valencia restaurant, 62 jobs lost right before Thanksgiving. Berkeley based Peet’s Coffee announced they are shutting down shops in Illinois and Wisconsin, 1-hundred jobs lost: “After nearly a one-year assessment of our Illinois and Wisconsin stores, we’ve decided to focus on our top-performing locations. As a result, we are closing three stores in Illinois and four stores in Wisconsin on September 27.”
Colorado: In Fort Collins, two yogurt shops shutdown, Mahalo Yogurt and a TCBY. The owners of Mahalo Yogurt blamed high rent and the owner of the TCBY admitted there are too many yogurt shops in the area. Glaze, the Baum Cake Shoppe shutdown, the owner refused to say why. In Denver, after 34 years Le Central French restaurant shutdown, the owner said “it is time to stop.”
Connecticut: In Milford, after 14 years Loading Dock Wine & Spirits shutdown, the family owners blame the evil ‘lawmakers’ for “the ever changing CT. Liquor laws favoring large non-family owned businesses”. In Westport, Villarina Pasta shutdown by the greedy property owner: “The rent has gone way, way up! Westport is not a good town for small businesses. The rent now is four times more than our limit……we should have moved five or six years ago.”-Lynn Sclafani, co-owner
Florida: In Saint Petersburg, Georgie’s Alibi shutdown. Local news reports didn’t explain why but said the owners were major donors to local charities and were politically active. Yet another Sunshine State restaurant shutdown for health code violations, this time the Seffner Cracker Barrel was shutdown after inspectors found raw cow meat stored over cheese sauce and at least 50 roaches. Those are just two of the 37 violations discovered. In Titusville, after 55 years The Coffee Shoppe shutdown due to the greedy landlord tripling the rent from $1-thousand USD per month to $3-thousand! Sodexo food service issued mass layoff WARNs for Atlantis and Fort Pierce, 396 jobs lost before Thanksgiving! In Miami Beach, after 11 years Mansion Nightclub shutdown. The corporate owners have been shutting down and selling off their nightclubs in The Sunshine State because they can make more money selling the property. In Boca Raton, the Cheese Course restaurant shutdown. In Fort Lauderdale, the Chow Sushi & BBQ shutdown. In Miami Beach, The Shelborne Wyndham Grand Hotel issued a shutdown WARN for their food service ops, 89 people will be laid off right before Thanksgiving. In Miami, after one year restaurant Morimoto South Beach shutdown. In Jacksonville, a restaurant described as a popular hangout for politicians, Two Doors Down, is shutting down due to greedy property owners/developers. After 11 years the Big E’s Gourmet Coffee & Sweets shutdown because the owner has been offered more money to manage a Starbucks. Local news reports say the owner will make in one year at the Starbucks what he was making in four years running his own restaurant!
Georgia: In Athens, Mama Bird’s Granola and Shared Kitchen finally shutdown. They were going to shutdown in July, due to lack of sales, but an ‘investor’ promised to pay their rent for a year, however that ‘investor’ has flown the coup. Once an icon of U.S. capitalism around the world, Atlanta based Coca-Cola announced it will sell-off nine U.S. bottling factories in an attempt to generate $380-million USD in much needed cash! Those nine factories account for 95% of Coke’s production volume in the United States! Administrators are also trying to consolidate operations to create a more efficient National Product Supply System in an attempt to drive down operating costs. On top of that, Coca-Cola announced they are getting out of the east European country of Moldova. 155 Moldovans will become jobless when Coke shuts down their bottling factory and starts being imported from NATO controlled Ukraine. After only one year Texas based MAX’s Wine Dive shutting down their Atlanta store, apparently sales weren’t good enough.
Hawaii: After 98 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) the Honda Tofu factory shutdown without warning. The family owners said it has become too expensive to maintain the operations, and sales have declined.
Idaho: After 89 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Chubbuck’s iconic Green T Bar & Grill (aka Green Triangle) shutdown suddenly. The property, which has been in operation as the Green T decades before the city of Chubbuck was even created and included customers like U.S. President Harry Truman (the guy who justifiably nuked Japan), Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Willie Nelson, was sold and supposedly will be turned into three fast-casual restaurants. Green T memorabilia will be auctioned-off on 01 October. Mayor Kevin England views the destruction of the last of Chubbuck’s historic landmarks (to be replaced by yet more restaurants) as “…the beginning of some real good things coming in.” Idaho Farm Bureau reports that overall crop production is up, but revenues for farmers are crashing by 30% because commodity prices are going through the floor! The crashing revenues will affect Idaho’s Ag industry which employees 100-thousand people in a state that has about 1.5-million residents. Some good news; Amalgamated Sugar, in Twin Falls, reports record level sugar beet harvested under contract. Idaho is the second largest producer of sugar beets for sugar production in the U.S., the record harvest should keep the prices for White Satin brand sugar down.
Illinois: Rodan Asian Fusion Lounge suddenly shutdown after 12 years, a former manager blames the greedy landlord for jacking up the rent. In Carbondale, after 36 years Pick’s Liquor shutdown. In Rockford, the PK Diner shutdown, the owner saying “It’s not going as well as we’d like it to.” The Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon shutdown after 18 years on Route 50, at least 50 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the property owner who wants to redevelop the land. Morton Salt shutting down its Chicago packaging ops in October, at least 23 jobs lost. When asked what they will do with the property administrators said “We have not made any decisions with respect to our buildings and the property there.” After 12 years, upscale restaurant Japonais by Morimoto shutting down in October. A Bellevue Quiznos sandwich shop shutdown after 20 years. The franchise owner blames the evil corporate weenie heads: “They’re leaving me out to dry! They don’t want to help. I thought if I stuck around I would reap the rewards of it all. Everything would come my way, but my sales went down.”-Mike Barron
After 16 years Grammy D’s Family Restaurant shutdown. Recently announced layoffs at farm vehicle maker Deere (at their Davenport Works and Harvester Works) has the operators of Riverbend Foodbank scrambling: “The increase in request for food in our community has definitely happened.We know that in order to feed every individual in our community who are going hungry we actually need to triple the number of meals that we provide…”-Nancy Renkes, director
The owner of Bud’s Skyline Inn motel & restaurant revealed the Quad City International Airport bought his property and could be shutting down the hotel in a “few weeks”. In Elgin, after almost 50 years the Gasthaus Bar & Grill shutdown due to crashing sales after A-hole christian extremist city administrators amended their liquor license. In Normal, the Naturally Yours Grocery store shutdown: “We just weren’t getting enough business and are disappointed.”-Donna Dierks, manager
Indiana: In Elkhart, after less than four years ModMex restaurant shutdown due to “opportunities”. In Georgetown, ice cream shop Polly’s Freeze shutdown after 63 years. It’s up for sale to help fund the owners’ retirements, who say they can no longer physically run the business.
Iowa: Cozy Cafe chain shutting down three restaurants, the overly optimistic owner finally realized he was actually cannibalizing revenues from money making restaurants to support money losing restaurants. Animal food maker US Feeds shutting down their Eldora factory, 29 jobs affected. It’s connected to the recent takeover of their rival Hubbard Feed. In Shell Rock, farm equipment maker Unverferth Manufacturing joins the downsizing club: “As commodity prices have plummeted over the last year and investment tax credits have subsided, so has the demand for farm equipment. As such, we have had to make the hard choice of laying off workers to better meet current demand. Being family owned, we keep any specific numbers private.”
Kansas: In Wichita, the last Metro Grill shutdown, owner Victor Hammond lamented “We worked so hard. Maybe if we’d been in a different location.” In Topeka, Big’Uns Grill shutting down soon, the owners say they will focus on catering only, basically because they are having a heck of a time finding reliable restaurant employees. After more than 40 years Health Food Mart shutting down: “We just don’t have enough business to keep the doors open….”-unnamed manager
In Overland Park, the Great Day Cafe shutting down by the beginning of October: “I think the landlord doubled their rent.”-‘Garrett’, employee
Kentucky: In Louisville, a KingFish restaurant shutting down its Blankenbaker Parkway location. The owners of the 70 years old restaurant chain are spending $1-million renovating two other restaurants. After 78 years, restaurant Joe’s Older than Dirt shutting down by the end of October, because the greedy property owner has “other plans”.
Louisiana: What hurricane recovery? In New Orleans, after four years critically praised farm-to-table restaurant Maurepas Foods shutting down by October: “We were just at a plateau. Every day I know exactly what I can buy from our farmers and I know the limits of what I can pay my staff, and I know that I’m not able to spend as much time with my family as I want to and keep it going.”-Michael Doyle
Maine: After 53 years Ballard Meats & Seafood shutdown blaming skyrocketing costs of operation, especially the electricity bill which has been hitting as much as $2-thousand USD per month!
Maryland: In Baltimore, after one year Red Parrot Asian Bistro quietly shutdown, according to former employees. Cafe Tesfa shutting down, the owners were upset but didn’t say why they had to shut it down.
Massachusetts: Boston Weak spoiled brats elitist students at Harvard are crying in their yogurt after learning that the two years old self serve Yogurtland shutdown: “I was actually devastated. I was genuinely devastated. Yogurtland for me as a freshman, was a place of solace.”-Lulu S. Chua-Rubenfeld
In Boston Weak: “After 14 years of never once having to lay off an employee, we had to as the result of the Subway loss. It was very difficult and we had to let people go that we loved and have worked with together for years.”-Fred Bertino, ad agency McCarthy Mambro Bertino (MMB)
Michigan: After 32 years Pete’s Stardust Family Restaurant shutdown, no explanation. In Grand Rapids, the owners of Kilwins chocolates are suing their former landlord for forcing them to shutdown. They claim that Steadfast Property Holdings (note it’s an evil ‘holding’ company, the same type that helped cause the Great Depression) failed to maintain its air conditioning systems, causing the store’s inventory to melt. After 35 years The Lark restaurant shutting down by Xmas in West Bloomfield Township. The owners said it’s getting harder to run a business and the returns continue to fall. In Detroit, Olga’s Kitchen on One Campus Martius shutdown without warning. Local news reports say the property owner ended the lease early, apparently because they have plans to build a huge new shopping center. In Grand Rapids, the Fresh Coast Kitchen shutdown their sandwich shop on Iona.
Minnesota: In Duluth, Master Bakery Outlet shutting down. It’s part of a plan by parent company, Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo, to drastically cut back on the number of operations in the United States. Grupo Bimbo (aka Bimbo Bakeries USA) has become the largest bakery op in the U.S. In Minneapolis, the long lived Masa restaurant shutdown, apparently the corporate owners didn’t like the new lease terms. Mattie’s restaurant shutdown. In Minneapolis, after three years restaurant Republic shutting down in October, due to the greedy landlord refusing to renew the lease.
Missouri: In Sedalia, Patricia’s Mexican Restaurant shutdown and sold-off. Restaurant Applebee’s moving its Kansas City HQ to California, affecting 220 jobs! Natasha’s Mulberry & Mott shutdown, but the owner swears she’ll return. After only two months Texas Tom’s shutdown, but critics said the food was terrible. After three years Empire Deli & Pizza was evicted by the city of Saint Louis. Also in Saint Louis, the Queen of Sheba restaurant and Stefano’s Restaurant shutdown. After 13 years Absolutli Goosed bar shutdown. It’s blamed on declining sales. In Kansas City, Poco’s restaurant shutdown after a short run. Local news reports say the property, across the street from a Costco, has become a revolving door for failed restaurants. The Local Pig restaurant shutdown: “I only a signed a one-year lease last year because I didn’t want to get locked in for a long time. I think Westport has a lot of potential as a nightlife venue, but for a traditional restaurant, there are issues here.”-Alex Pope
Montana: In Red Lodge, Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen and Wine Bar (and only server of Starbucks coffee in the town) shutting down by the end of the month. The owners said they’re moving back to their home state of Minnesota.
Nebraska: Omaha based food giant ConAgra warned of mass layoffs as part of its plan to shift food production from Nebraska to Illinois. In Omaha, the No Frills grocery store shutting down in time for Xmas. The owner, SpartanNash, claims all 42 employees will be offered jobs at other stores. After 80 years iconic Piccolo’s Restaurant shutdown. The restaurant was also known for its sign of the original owner which shows “He’s playing the piccolo wrong. He never played the piccolo and he’s playing it left handed because he was left handed and that’s not how you play the piccolo.” The current owner and daughter of the original owner, Donna Sheehan, lamented “I’m going to cry. I didn’t want to do this. Sorry. We decided to end it because the business isn’t there anymore. We’ve tried everything but it’s just what happens. The chains come in and they just eat the little fish. We can’t compete with them. They have deep pockets. We do not.”
New Jersey: A&P grocery (The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company) issued a mass layoff WARN for its Montvale HQ, 319 jobs lost in time for Thanksgiving!
New Mexico: After more than 40 years the Alpine Sausage Kitchen shutdown, the owners said the bad economy is a sign they need to retire. In a sign that the growing popularity of food trucks is actually destroying brick-n-mortar restaurants, the Albuquerque city council created a law saying food trucks must stay at least 100 feet from any brick-n-mortar op. After only three months, Witch’s Brew coffee shop shutdown blaming money problems.
New York: Bankrupt grocery store operator The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P, Pathmark, Waldbaums, Liquor Store, Food Emporium, Food Basics) updated the number of people in The Empire State who’ll become unemployed very soon; at least 13-thousand and 97! In Herkimer Brian’s Roast Beef Deli shutdown, the owner is battling cancer. In Brooklyn, Healthy Crush Juice Hugger Cafe shutting down to be replaced with a five story building. In NYC, after two years Luca & Bosco ice cream shop shutdown without warning. The owners told local newsies that they’re forced to look for new location, but will continue catering and wholesale ops. The family owned Sanborn Marketplace grocery store is being forced to shutdown by their landlord and a greedy property developer. The grocery store owners have to vacate the building by the end of October, and guess what the property developer wants to do with the property, build a new grocery store! In Orchard Park, after 80 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Eckl’s Restaurant shutting down by the end of the month. It’s up for sale. After more than 100 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions, and even a fire in the 1960s) the Wanakena General Store shutting down in October because “the numbers just didn’t add up”. In East Hampton, Waldbaum’s grocery store shutting down. Turn’s out Waldbaum’s was owned by now bankrupt and dying Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company. The new owner, Stop & Shop Supermarket, decided it wasn’t worth it to keep the Waldbaum’s open. In the Bronx, Key Food shutting down its Soundview grocery store in October after the greedy property owner revoked the lease. After 162 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Marilla Grill shutdown, the owner said “It’s time to do a job that isn’t so stressful.”
North Carolina: MillerCoors announced they’re shutting down their 39 years old Eden ops by September 2016, about 520 jobs lost! Crashing sales are forcing MillerCoors to consolidate operations along the east coast. The Biscoe Food Lion grocery store gave its employees a 12 days notice of shutdown! In West Jefferson, restaurant Casa Garcia shutdown without warning, management refused to say why.
North Dakota: In Fargo, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit shutdown and for sale. Also in Fargo, Long John Silver’s-A&W restaurant shutdown and for sale. The owner of the A&W claims the past year was his best year for sales (over his 21 years of operations), he shut it down because he wanted to go out on top.
Ohio: The Firestone Park IGA grocery store shutting down in October, saying it’s not worth it to renew the lease. It’s blamed on competition and increased operating costs caused by ObamaCare insurance. In Cleveland, Americano Bistro shutdown due to an “inability to secure a lease”. The second largest salty snack food maker in the U.S., North Carolina’s Snyder’s-Lance, shutting down three factories in Columbus! Snyder’s-Lance is joining the consolidation trend and moving production closer to North Carolina. In Frazeysburg, the Ross IGA grocery store shutdown due to crashing sales. Local news reports say customers will have to drive 20 minutes to the nearest grocery store. In Piqua, the El Sombrero restaurant shutdown due to “circumstances beyond our control.” In Cincinnati, after 12 years Café deVine shutdown, the property owner is tearing down the building. In Chardon, after 15 years Rosepointe Cottage Tea Room shutdown: “We have not been successful yet, but, I am hopeful that maybe one of you will know someone who would love to own the Tea Room! …..My plan is to close in late September if a buyer is not found.”-Mariann Goodwin
Clintonville Community Market Co-Op shutting down due to radical changes in the ‘natural food’ segment of the grocery store industry: “This changing marketplace has created a decline in sales for our co-op that has intensified over the last two years, and the trend continues. We cannot remain solvent in this situation. The ethical and responsible act is to close the store.”
Oklahoma: After 45 years the Consumers IGA grocery store in Stillwater shutdown. The owner blamed the greedy property owner for selling to property developers. In Tulsa, Lil’ Reasor’s convenience store on 15th Street and Lewis Avenue shutdown.
Oregon: State unemployment administrators revealed they are preparing for massive layoffs (at least 416) as Haggen grocery stores are shutdown.
Pennsylvania: More proof unAmerican corporate America sees no recovery soon! Redner’s Warehouse Market grocery store shutting down in Trexlertown, 74 jobs lost. After 25 years of sales the administrators said renewing the lease was not “beneficial nor profitable in the foreseeable future.” After nine years the Meritage restaurant shutdown, it might be connected to the collapse of the wall in the kitchen. In Moosic, the Mickey D’s (McDonald’s) shutting down after 40 years serving billions of burgers with questionable meat. The franchise owners would not explain why they’re calling it quits. In Downingtown, Stauffers Market shutdown. In Philipsburg, after five years Fezell’s County Market and the Sunoco fuel station shutdown: “It’s just cash flow reasons. Just simply not able to cash flow the store.”-Tim Fezell, owner
In Harrisburg, one year after moving to a new location Arepa City restaurant shutdown, the owner blames no sales: “The business didn’t come with me. It dissipated…”-Daniel Farias
South Carolina: In Old Town Bluffton, The Sippin Cow and the Vinyard 55 restaurants shutdown. The owners of the restaurants say they’re forced to find new locations. After 19 years the Planet Hollywood restaurant shutdown. The Blind Tiger Pub in Charleston shutdown and for sale. The owner can’t renew the lease.
Tennessee: In Maryville, after 45 years Dubb’s Restaurant shutdown due to the death of one of the co-owners. Local news media declaring East Chattanooga a “food desert” as the last fruit-n-veg grocery store, Scarbrough’s Produce, shutdown. Even the property owner wants to see another plants only grocery store move in saying “I can buy the product. I need them to bring in their people to run it.” Some people blamed convenience stores that sell fried chicken (hell yeah, we humans are carnivores not rabbits, I’ll take fried chicken over veggies any day). After 26 years The New Moon Gallery and Tea Room shutting down due to the death of one of the co-owners. Three Bojangles restaurants shutdown by the state tax agency who seized the franchise owner’s assets. Employees will not be paid (been there experienced that in 2012 here in Idaho, but nobody believes me): “We need our money and we need it now, ’cause ain’t nobody got time for that! Bills are still rolling!”-unnamed pissed-off employee who just found out the state can shutdown your job and take your final paycheck
North Knoxville, after 22 years Kitts Cafe shutdown: “A year and a half ago, I had cancer, chemo all that, a double mastectomy and I just thought ‘you know it’s probably time for me to be thinking about retiring.’”-Joyce Kitts
Texas: In Austin, after 34 years Cozzoli’s Pizza shutdown. After seven years with a high turnover rate in chefs, the Mulberry wine bar shutdown. Sandra Bullock’s Bess Bistro shutdown, sounds like the property has been sold. In Italy, long time Uptown Café shutting down due to the property owner selling the property. In Naples, the only local grocery store, Pruett’s Food, announced it was shutting down due to Walmart moving into town. But after the announcement sales at Pruett’s skyrocketed, news reports say the residents of Naples have declared war on Walmart! The owner of Pruett’s said if the sales can stay up then he’ll stay open. Two Dallas Capriotti’s sandwich shops shutdown suddenly by the corporation: “Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop has decided to end a relationship with one of our franchisees.”-Ashley Morris, ceo
Austin based grocery store Whole Foods joins the mass layoff club, saying 1-thousand 5-hundred people across the U.S. will become jobless by Thanksgiving! After being accused of food prices that are so high they take your “whole paycheck”, Whole Foods administrators decided the only way they can lower prices is to layoff 1,500 people who work in the ‘back room’ (freight, stocking, etc). Or is this really about being able to pay for the construction of 1-hundred new stores? Whistleblowers have revealed that the Whole Foods “generous” severance package is anything but, especially if you have less than 2-thousand hours with the company. After almost 60 years buffet restaurant Vance Godbey’s shutting down in October. The owners will continue private parties and catering only. In Longview, after five years Willy G’s Bar & Grill shutdown. Employee Ronnie Esposito blames the suck-ass economy, saying the writing was on the wall: “I knew it was on its way out. When you don’t order food, liquor or other supplies, it’s kind of obvious.”
Utah: In Provo, after 53 years El Azteca restaurant shutdown: “It’s killing me, but I have to be realistic……..we just don’t have enough business, and literally every month we barely make it.”-Carlos Rubio, owner
Vermont: In Burlington, after 75 years Bove’s Restaurant shutting down in December, the owners will focus on wholesale and catering. In Brattleboro, after 14 years the Twilight Tea Lounge shutdown. The second owner, Anneka Kindler, said customer “accessibility became more of a factor” and the business risks are now too unstable.
Virginia: “Dear customers, we are sad to inform you that after several months of negotiations with the landlord, Pane e Vino Ristorante e Pizzeria has been unable to reach a new lease agreement. Consequently we have closed our doors for business….”
In Virginia Beach, family owned hotel and restaurant The Belvedere shutdown. Supposedly the family is building a new bigger hotel. In Lynchburg, the Apple Market shutdown and has been for sale for a while, with no takers. An iconic pink colored Dairy Queen is being torn down to make room for two hotels. The Food Lion grocery store in Ferry Farm Shopping Center shutting down in October, 45 jobs lost.
Washington: Vegan Sutra restaurant shutdown, apparently the owners split up to make their own restaurants. Bellingham based Haggen Foods has already shutdown dozens of grocery stores and eliminated hundreds of jobs and now they’re chapter 11 bankrupt busted and will shutdown at least 127 of the 146 grocery stores they were tricked into buying by Albertsons-Safeway, at least 5-thousand more jobs lost starting before Thanksgiving (1-thousand and 73 employees just in The Evergreen State)! Haggen Foods is now suing Albertsons-Safeway claiming the pig in a poke deal was actually an act of sabotage meant to kill off Haggen Foods, and says Albertsons must hire back their old employees. Haggen administrators hope they can survive the bankruptcy with at least 37 stores intact.
Wisconsin: Manitowoc Ice laying off more employees, this time 20 by November. It’s part of the company’s plan to move production to Mexico. In Madison, after 30 years Steep & Brew shutdown. The owner said they had an ‘opportunity’ to sell-out, so they did. In Wisconsin Rapids, after 30 years Gremler’s Bakery shutdown. After 33 years the Chancery restaurant on South 27th Street, in Milwaukee, shutdown and now up for sale. The Chancery restaurant on Gas Light Drive, in Racine, has been sold. In Port Washington, after 79 years on-going construction projects forced iconic Harry’s restaurant to shutdown. The building the restaurant is located in will be replaced with condominiums. In Milwaukee, after ten years the Buckhead Saloon shutdown, the owner swears he’ll re-open as soon as he can figure out a new plan.
Wyoming: In Pavillion, Miss Ginny’s Roost Steak House shutting down: “Yes, Saturday lunch will be our last day of operation. There is no one to blame but myself: I made very bad business decisions, based on bad information. I take full responsibility for the demise of my once proud Roost.”
“…access to food is poor…getting worse.” U.S. Food Crisis, August 2015
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification