Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of July, 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.
Arizona: In Phoenix, after more than ten years Ticoz Latin Kitchen shutdown, the owners saying “…we are actively seeking a new home!” In Tucson, after 44 years restaurant Delectables suddenly shutdown due to being sold-off to a competitor.
California: Turn of the 20th Century themed Farrell’s Ice Cream suddenly shutdown its Riverside restaurant, 75 jobs lost due to not being able to make a profit despite being popular! At one time there were dozens of Farrell’s spread from Oregon to California, now apparently there are only two. In Los Angeles, after nine years bistro Church & State now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming it on the cost of settling labor violation charges. San Francisco based Juicero finally realized nobody wants to pay 4-hundred-bucks for a juicer (even if it is ‘hi-tech’) so Juicero is cutting the price and 25% of its staff. In overrated and corrupt Santa Barbara, after 33 years East Beach Grill shutdown by the greedy landlord (which is the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department). Santa Barbara leaders want to spend $16-million tax dollars renovating the area into a giant waterfront park! The restaurant owner told local news media that the city said he could re-open once the new park was built, but only if he paid at least double the rent. In San Francisco, Buca Restaurants 2 shutting down mid September, 72 jobs lost. In Laguana Hills, Kings Fish House claims they’re temporarily shutting down, but 92 jobs will be lost by mid-September. LoBue Bros-LoBrue Citrus issued a shutdown WARN for its Lindsay operations, 98 jobs gone by mid-September. PSSI-Foster Poultry Farms issued a shutdown WARN for its Livingston ops, 158 jobs gone by August! In Oxnard, Hidden Valley Berries suddenly shutdown, 42 jobs lost.
Connecticut: In West Hartford, Besito announced “After nearly a decade and with a heavy heart, we are sad to announce that we were unable to re-negotiate our lease at Blue Back Square and are closing our doors….”
Florida: Jacksonville booze joint The Volstead shutting down in August, just short of four years of old prohibition style drinking, due to the owners moving elsewhere. S-L Snacks issued a WARN for its Perry snack factory, 101 jobs gone by the end of the year! North Carolina based snack maker Snyder’s-Lance will shutdown a factory in Perry by the end of September.
Hawaii: After 18 years The Pineapple Room shutdown saying “The dining landscape has changed, and we’ve amicably decided with Macy’s to move on…..”
Idaho: U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that Gem State winter wheat and hay harvests are nearly a month early, due to climate change.
Illinois: Decatur based agricultural giant Archer Daniels Midland warned of an undisclosed number of layoffs as part of its plan to make a more “streamlined organization”. In Champaign, Minecci’s Ristorante suddenly shutdown blaming the greedy landlord. In Chicago, after 22 years restaurant Jane’s suddenly shutdown. Ultra Foods issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Kankakee, 92 jobs gone by mid-September. Food service contractor Aramark issued a shutdown WARN for its Waukegan ops, 117 jobs gone due to loss of contract!
Indiana: Ultra Foods shutdown its 36 years old flagship store in Highland, 139 jobs gone! It’s due to parent company Central Grocers going bankrupt. Local news media reported that Central Grocers has so far eliminated more than 2-thousand jobs since May!
Kentucky: After only three years Dickey’s Barbecue Pit suddenly shutdown two restaurants in Louisville, the franchise owner blames it on the corporate business model saying it prevents the franchise holder from making any money. It was also revealed that 69 Dickey’s Barbecue Pits have shutdown since January. Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutting down its factory in Owensboro, 125 jobs lost due to consolidation of production! In Elsemere, after 90 years of ice making Dusing Brothers shutdown and being sold-off so the owners can retire.
Louisiana: In Houma, after 35 years the Lunch Basket shutdown, the owner saying “…you just get tired of fighting it. And that’s what I did, just decided to hang it.”
Maryland: Donald Trump hating, Seventh Day Adventist founded Kellogg Company (Kellogg’s) shutdown its Hagerstown distribution center, 76 jobs gone.
Michigan: In Grand Rapids, after decades Duthler’s Family Foods shutting down in August. Despite employees saying “…we get treated really badly here….We get called names; racial slurs….” (no indication if that was by customers or corporation) the actual reason for the shutdown is a greedy landlord. In Kalamazoo, without warning Old Country Buffet suddenly shutdown, financially struggling parent company Ovation Brands gave no reason. 42 years old Boskydel Vineyard announced “Effective Jan. 1, 2018, we will cease winery and tasting room operations……leasing options are available for anyone interested.”
Minnesota: In Granite Falls, after 38 years Willies Korner Store shutting down in August.
Mississippi: Save-A-Lot suddenly shutdown its Jackson store on Hanging Moss Road, blaming $1-million USD in needed repairs to the building.
Missouri: In Saint Louis, after 31 years the owner of Johnny’s Restaurant and Bar sold-out to a big-box eatery. Food distributor Troverco now chapter 7 bankrupt busted affecting convenience stores in 22 states and at least 130 jobs! In Chesterfield, pumpkin patch Rombach’s Farm announced on Facebook “Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are closing……we have no choice. We have to close this year.”
Maryland Heights based grocery chain Schnucks unveiled its latest employee, a robot that doesn’t get paid. The robot is named Tally and, according to local news reports, will be used to render up to 1-thousand employees jobless!
Nebraska: In Lincoln, after 18 years boozery Doc’s Place shutdown by the greedy landlord.
New Jersey: Manischewitz shutting down a factory in Newark saying it’s “a challenging time in the retail and grocery business”, 169 jobs gone! In Watchung after 22 years, and despite posting a month worth of events for July, iconic Colorado Cafe suddenly announced a shutdown. It’s being blamed on city leaders who needed the property to expand a quarry (rock mine).
New York: In Oneonta, “Since 1972” Joe Ruffino’s Pizzeria and Restaurant suddenly shutdown, the depressed owner saying he’s tired of the “daily grind” and “no one is in the bullpen ready to relieve me.” In Queensbury, after 30 years Carl R’s Cafe suddenly shutdown, employees were told not to talk to local news media. Price Chopper shutdown its relatively new store on Cooper Street in Glenn Falls. Administrators claim the store was losing money but a local politician told news media the store “always seems busy.” A shutdown WARN issued by Restaurant Associates-Ogilvy & Mather, 23 NYC jobs gone by the end of September. In New York Mills, meat packer Delft Blue issued a shutdown WARN, 83 jobs gone by the end of October.
North Carolina: In Elizabeth City, after 93 years The Colonial Restaurant shutdown due to “demographics” causing “a constant pattern of reduced business”. Charlotte based salty snack maker Snyder’s-Lance suddenly eliminated 250 jobs! Harris Teeter shutting down a grocery store in Cary and in Greensboro, more than 1-hundred jobs gone in September!
North Dakota: In Fargo, after more than 30 years of burgers Ground Round shutdown with no explanation from the parent company.
Ohio: In Beachwood, after 12 years the owners of Maggiano’s Little Italy decided not to renew the lease, shutting down by the end of September. Kroger shutting down its 14 years old grocery store and gas station in the Southland Shopping Center, due to lack of profits, 115 jobs gone by mid-August.
Oklahoma: In Norman, Cookies-n-Cards bakery shutting down by the end of August due to the owner’s health problems.
Oregon: NORPAC Foods shutting down its Salem ops, at least 2-hundred jobs lost by the end of August!
Pennsylvania: Iconic 70 years old hot dog joint John’s Doggie Shop shutdown, the owners say they need time off, and time to find a new location.
Rhode Island: Restaurant FiRE+iCE Interactive Grill & Bar suddenly shutdown, no explanation.
Tennessee: Donald Trump hating, Seventh Day Adventist founded Kellogg Company (Kellogg’s) shutting down its Rossville Eggo waffle factory, 117 jobs (some reports say 155 jobs) gone between September and December! In Chattanooga, after 28 years Porkers Bar-B-Que suddenly shutdown, the owners hope to continue with a catering business. In Nashville, after almost eight years Holland House Bar and Refuge shutdown due to “over a year of fruitless lease renewal negotiations”.
Texas: In Houston, after less than a year Nao Ramen House suddenly shutdown, local news media reported it had bad reviews. Without warning Fired Up Holding Company-Ruby Tequilas shutdown four locations in Amarillo and Lubbock, social-media posts showed notices from debt collectors on the door of one of the restaurants. After 48 years Frenchy’s Chicken shutting down four restaurants across the Houston area, because “…we recently chose to terminate our agreement with a non-compliant franchisee.” In Longview, after 99 years Kerns Bakery suddenly shutdown, selling everything off, after failing to find a buyer willing to continue the operation the frustrated owners blamed god: “God has closed door after door for us to move and expand the bakery. Due to this we believe that He is pointing our family down a new path in life.”
Virginia: In Vinton, Super Dollar Discount Foods shutting down at the beginning of August, local news media reported that the store manager would say only that there were multiple reasons for the shutdown. In Norfolk, after 15 years Five Points Community Farm Market suddenly shutdown due to lack of local support (including money). Martin’s Food & Drugstore suddenly shutdown four grocery stores, hundreds of jobs lost! Two other Martin’s were sold to a competitor.
Washington: Seattle based Starbucks shutting down all 379 Teavana locations because “underperformance was likely to continue.” Starbucks spent $620-million USD taking over Teavana in 2012.
Wisconsin: After claiming it would expand, Black Bear Bottling suddenly broke and is in ‘receivership’, 76 jobs gone (interesting that up ’till now the company officially claimed it had only 67 employees).
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
U.S. Food Crisis, June 2017: “EVERY MONTH IT’S LOWER AND LOWER.”