Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of January, 2017: 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.
Alabama: In Huntsville, after 15 years Little Paul’s BBQ shutdown.
California: Real Mex Restaurants suddenly shutdown 14 Chevys Fresh Mex eateries for lack of profits, news media reported that not one employee was notified, each restaurant averaged 40 employees! Dole shutting down their packaged foods ops in Stockton, according to the employee’s union 30 jobs lost due to crashing sales. For-profit food delivery service Munchery laid off 30 people in San Francisco, after being accused of wasting food. In Los Angeles, after 80 years Gill’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream forced to shutdown by the impatient/greedy owners of the Original Farmers Market. Also in San Francisco, decades old restaurants Kuletto’s, Sushi Boat and Lori’s Diner all shutdown by the new owners of Union Square. In Oakland, after six years restaurant Hawker Fair shutting down because the property was sold to an ‘investment group’. Leftist Michael Moore promoted Alvarado Street Bakery eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs across The Golden State due to “a very competitive market.” Moran Foods shutting down their Los Angeles ops, 35 jobs gone by February. Morton Salt shutting down their Newark ops, 70 jobs gone by April. TGI Fridays shutting down a restaurant in Yorba Linda, 42 jobs gone by March. CKE shutting down a restaurant in Carpenteria, 25 jobs lost by March. In Walnut Creek, after 39 years Crogan’s Sports Bar & Grill shutdown due to a conspiracy by local police and city administrators: “…the city has made in clear that they have very specific ideas in mind for what Walnut Creek should be and Crogan’s no longer fits into their narrative. Ultimately, we have been forced to closed our doors.”
Colorado: Idaho based but evil Cerberus owned Albertsons shutdown one of their Grand Junction grocery stores and is renaming another store Safeway. It’s all part of the evil plot started in 2015: ALBERTSONS-SAFEWAY MAKES “BILLIONS IN PROFITS” YET PAYS EMPLOYEES WELFARE WAGES!
HAGGEN SELLING OUT TO ALBERTSONS-SAFEWAY
HAGGEN GIVES UP THE GHOST, SHUTS ’EM ALL DOWN!
HAGGEN ACCUSES ALBERTSONS OF SABOTAGE!
IT’S OFFICIAL, ALBERTSONS KILLED HAGGEN!
“IF WE WEREN’T A FOOD DESERT BEFORE, WE CERTAINLY ARE NOW!”, ALBERTSONS SAFEWAY UPDATE 23 JULY 2015
Arkansas based Walmart shutting down one of their stand alone grocery operations in Denver, known as Walmart Neighborhood Market, 95 jobs lost by the end of March. New Jersey based Pinnacle Foods shutting down a Boulder Brands food factory and eliminating as many as 73 jobs by March. Production is being moved to Arkansas. In Louisville, after 98 years the Blue Parrot restaurant shutdown, the owner for the past 47 years said “I’m tired of cooking and washing dishes.”
Connecticut: Liquid Lunch shutdown their Milford location after ten years of soups and sandwiches.
Florida: In Gainesville 40 years old Burrito Brothers Taco joint shutdown, the family owners blame crashing sales on a massive construction project. They even tried raising money on social media to save the eatery, but got barely a fraction of what was needed. In Orlando, after ten years the Citrus restaurant shutdown by the new owners who claim they’ll open a different restaurant.
Georgia: After about four years Buca di Beppo shutdown their Augusta Mall restaurant, no reason given, some employees got short notice.
Hawaii: Once again GGP strikes again, this time Nitrogenie ice cream shop in the Ala Mona Center being forced to shutdown after less than a year! After more than 15 years Pinky’s Pupu Bar & Grill suddenly shutdown after a wave of negative Facebook comments about the food being too expensive for it’s lack of quality.
Illinois: Frozen food maker Luvo issued a shutdown WARN for their Schaumberg ops, 59 jobs lost by the end of February. In Chicago, Goose Island Beer Company laid off 51 people under the guise of remodeling their restaurant. In Bedford Park, food service contractor Aramark laid off 65 people after suddenly losing their contract. Arkansas based Walmart shutdown its Presidential Towers Walmart Neighborhood Market. Now called a “farm to fork fiasco” Geneseo based Alexander King Farm now chapter 12 bankrupt busted after failing to deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of beef and pork to customers who already paid! A leaked internal email revealed that Texas based Whole Foods is shutting down their store in Evanston, by mid-March: “We are nearing the end of our lease term and we have decided that the investment required to remain in this location does not warrant the continuation of our business.”-leaked internal email
Indiana: In Huntingburg, Cool Beans Cafe-Milk Parlor shutdown after four years, it’s now for sale. Marsh Hometown Market shutting down at least one grocery store in Indianapolis saying they can’t afford to renew the lease. Local news media revealed the grocery store chain is in trouble financially having missed rent payments and failing to pay suppliers. Bourbon Street Distillery shutdown after 15 years of booze and food making, it’s up for sale. Restaurant Dandy Inn shutdown after 40 years of Irish bia.
Iowa: SpartanNash shutting down their Wholesale Food Outlet store in Muscatine, in February, due to not being able to find a buyer before the lease expired. After 31 years restaurant Marion Maid Rite shutdown.
Kansas: Wichita based franchise operator Capital Pizza Huts now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, no word on any restaurant shutdowns, apparently the restaurant operator employs thousands of people across several states. In Wichita, after 35 years Charlie’s Famous Burgers suddenly shutdown, local news media reported that the popular eatery was put up for sale a few months ago.
Kentucky: In Newport, the owner of EI8HT BALL Brewing shutting it down so he can focus on distilling bourbon instead. In Louisville, Hillbilly Tea restaurant shutdown not even a year after its grand re-opening, supposedly the owners are now focusing on restaurant supply. In Lexington, JDI Grille & Tavern shutdown without warning as a result of an ongoing lawsuit between the family owners!
Maine: Horton Specialty Foods shutdown their 18 years old Public Market House location, apparently because of the new owners of the Market.
Maryland: Dave White’s Pittsville Dinette shutdown, the owners told the public “It isn’t fun anymore.”
Michigan: Battle Creek based Kellogg eliminating 250 mainly corporate level jobs, as part of its ongoing Project K job killing operations, I mean Project K restructuring!
Minnesota: In Saint Cloud, Gold n Plump poultry processor being forced to layoff 30 corporate level employees by its new Colorado based owner Pilgrim’s Pride.
Missouri: More than one thousand jobs lost as Earth City based grocer Save-A-Lot shutting down all operations in California and Nevada, starting in February: “After rigorous review and analysis, Save-A-Lot has announced the company’s decision to exit the California and Nevada markets. This decision will impact 13 corporate locations, a retailer-owned store and our Rancho Distribution Center.”
In Saint Louis, Atlas Restaurant shutting down in February due to jacked-up rent. In Kansas City, Apple Market shutdown their Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard grocery store, local news media say no reason was given but discovered several health code violations. And after 30 years upscale Houston’s restaurant at the Country Club Plaza shutdown due to the California owners not liking the demands of the property owner: “Despite good faith efforts on both sides, an agreement to extend our tenancy at the Plaza could not be reached with the Lessor. Details surrounding infrastructure improvements that sought to temporarily close the restaurant proved to be insurmountable.”
Montana: In Missoula, after 45 years Tower Pizza shutting down by the end of Spring, the long time owners didn’t say why but promised a big pizza party on the last day of business.
New Hampshire: In Concord, after 15 years Chandler’s Cake & Candy Supplies shutdown because of jacked up operating costs, and it’s also too expensive to move the business: “We didn’t think we’d close this way, but I couldn’t justify paying that much more.”-Sue Chandler
New Jersey: ACME Market shutdown their Burlington grocery store due to “under-performance”. Local news media say it’s the second grocer in-town to shutdown in the past 12 months. General Mills began eliminating 338 jobs at its Progresso Soup factory in Vineland! The factory is being shutdown. Atlantic Cape Community College began eliminating jobs within its Culinary Arts department due to the massive shutdowns of Atlantic City casinos (like the one Donald Trump co-owned).
New York: Uno Pizzeria & Grill shutdown their Destiny USA location without warning, no reason given. Grocery chain Price Chopper suddenly shutdown their store in Menands claiming it’s too small to compete. British empire’s Australia based Gloria Jean’s Coffees shutdown their Staten Island location. The Gloria Jean’s corporation blamed it on the franchise owner for not renewing the lease. In Scarsdale, the 1-hundred years old owner of the 50 years old Candy n Cards shut it down. In Nyack, 30 years old ‘health food’ store Sweatpea’s Market shutting down by the end of February. In Manhatten-NYC, after 25 years restaurant China Fun shutdown by city regulations: “The state and municipal governments, with their punishing rules and regulations, seems to believe that we should be their cash machine to pay for all that ails us in society.”-note found taped to restaurant door
In NYC, restaurant Annisa shutting down after 17 years due to jacked-up property taxes. The owner says her property tax has been jacked-up by a sinful $80-thousand USD: “I always wanted to have a restaurant that takes care of its employees…..But I can’t do that anymore.”-Anita Lo
North Carolina: After six years Tribeca Tavern shutdown their Falls of Neuse Road location. Arkansas based Walmart shutting down a Charlotte Walmart Neighborhood Market, 95 jobs gone by March.
Ohio: The Columbus Fish Market shutdown its Crosswoods location, local news media reported that the Texas based corporate owner refused to explain why. Jolly Pirate Donuts shutdown their Grove City location, news media reported that it’s the second Jolly Pirate Donuts to shutdown in The Buckeye State. Cookery seller Williams-Sonoma shutdown their ten years old Columbiana store. Giant Eagle shutting down three grocery stores by March.
Oklahoma: After more than four decades iconic Route 66 BJ’s Pit Stop shutdown due to big box chain stores hustling in.
Oregon: Zupan’s Markets shutdown its 20 years old Belmont District grocery store.
Pennsylvania: In York, after five years upscale Park Street Pantry shutting down by the end of February due to the owners having full time jobs elsewhere. Discover Teas shutting down their location in the Village Shops at Kingsmill, as part of plan to consolidate stores. Weis Markets shutting down their decades old Williamsport grocery store on West Third Street, saying it’s too small to properly upgrade, 50 jobs affected. In Macungie, after 65 years Willows Family Restaurant suddenly shutdown by the new owners who have “other plans for it.” In Scranton, after 43 years Heil’s Bar shutdown. After 34 years Verona Village Inn restaurant shutdown because “We have lost our lease for available parking and will not be able to operate as a viable restaurant.”
Rhode Island: Doherty’s Lakeside Ale House-Tiogue Tavern suddenly shutdown despite an extensive remodel last year. The owner, depressed after waiting for business to pick up, said “… the tax man and the banks wait for no one.”
Texas: In El Paso, after 55 years Charcoaler Drive-In shutdown, the owner admitted he wanted to shut it down since last year “for personal reasons.” In Schulenburg, after 88 years Frank’s Restaurant to shutdown in Autumn, the property was sold to a developer. In Austin, after 60 years El Gallo shutdown due to jacked-up property taxes. Local news media checked and discovered that in 2015 the property tax was $16-thousand-337 USD but then jumped to $28-thousand-877 in 2016! Dallas based Chili’s laid off 80 corporate and regional employees and warned of more layoffs as part of their new restructuring plan. Without warning the owners of Rick and Carolyn’s Burgers and Fries shutdown one of their three restaurants in Abilene. Local news media say no reason was given. In Dallas, exotic beer seller Bottle Shop shutdown after six years due to unrealistic city parking projects: “Greenville is not the same street as it was when we opened. …..the parking isn’t really conducive for retail business, i.e: You can’t just park, run in and get a growler filled or grab a six pack and get outta there without having to valet park or walk half a mile.”-Stephanie Roethlisberger, now former general manager
Virginia: Buffalo Wild Wings shutting down its 20 years old Charlottesville location. Company administrators say they can’t afford the new lease, but claim they’ll open a new joint as soon as they can find an affordable location. In Richmond, Dog & Pig Show eatery shutting down in February, the owners promised their customers they would return with a new food joint. Less than eight months after opening in Ashburn, Texas owned Hail & Hog Kitchen and Tap now chapter 11 bankrupt busted! In Roanoke, after ten years pub Annie Moore’s shutdown, the owners claim they’re moving to a new location. Internet based Relay Foods shutting down two distribution centers due to merger with a competitor. Local news media were only able to confirm that more than 48 people will lose their jobs.
Washington: Idaho based but evil Cerberus owned Albertsons shutting down a grocery store in Richland, and two stores in Spokane, by the end of February supposedly because of crashing sales. In Liberty Lake, after only a year Bellacrosta Bakery and Fine Foods shutdown, the owners saying they’re “on hiatus to regroup”. In White Center, after eight years Big Al Brewery shutdown. The owner, Alejandro Brown (who quit his regular job to start the brewery), complained about skyrocketing competition by revealing a 35% crash in sales, saying “It’s getting tough out there.” Local news media report that the city of Seattle, alone, has as many as 40 craft breweries!
Washington DC: Hawk n Dove bar chapter 11 bankrupt busted for failing to pay taxes.
West Virginia: In Brushfork, a small Save-A-Lot grocery store shutdown, 11 jobs lost with no reason given. Local news revealed the property lease with Save-A-Lot is still valid.
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
U.S. Food Crisis, December 2016: “…SALES HAVE BEEN DOWN 50% THE PAST FOUR YEARS…”