Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of August, 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.
Warren Buffett co-owned Kraft-Heinz announced it will eliminate another 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs in Canada and United States! Apparently most of the new layoffs will affect corporate level employees in Illinois and Pennsylvania, and jobs considered redundant as a result of the merger between Kraft and Heinz.
Alabama: Food Outlet shutting down their 27 years old Jacksonville grocery store. Administrators say new competition has “split our customer base in half”, combining that with increasing costs of operations it just wasn’t worth while to continue.
Arkansas: After 27 years of yummy peaches Collins Round Mountain Orchard shutdown for good due to climate change: “Unfortunately, the weather has not been in favor of our crop……
….the fruit just will not produce this summer. With that being said, Collins Orchard is officially closed permanently.”
California: Grocery store Raley’s announced it will eliminate 29 jobs from their West Sacramento HQ and their Natomas warehouse. Company administrators are excited about killing off so many jobs because it makes them feel “…optimistic about the future and we continue to hire in areas to support future growth.” Raley’s also revealed they’ve leased out their Winnemucca store to Idaho based Ridley’s Family Markets, affecting 50 Raley’s employees. The Winnemucca store is the fourth Raley’s to shutdown this year. Washington based Haggen Foods issued mass shutdown WARNs for the following locations; 2 stores in Simi Valley, 2 stores in Tustin, 2 stores in Chula Vista, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Santa Clarita Valley, La Mesa, San Marcos, San Ysidro, Bakersfield and Los Osos, 620 jobs lost by October! Haggen administrators implied that all the Albertsons-Safeway stores they took over are losing money! A Los Angeles Times report says Haggen incorrectly overpriced 1-thousand items and at the same time underpriced other items, resulting in loss of business and revenues. Albertsons-Safeway issued another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, this time 37 people to be unemployed in September. Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, and a shutdown WARN for their Walnut Creek grocery store, 1-hundred jobs lost by October! Delivery drivers for Albertsons and Vons grocery stores reporting mass layoffs and work hour cutbacks as a result of the Cerberus owned Albertsons takeover of Safeway: “I have a wife and three kids, and we live on a half acre of horse property in Mira Loma. We just had to sell our three horses and three pigs, next it will be the Harley.”-Jeff Dean, driver who had his hours reduced from full time to part time
Kroger owned Ralph’s issued shutdown WARNs for their following grocery stores; Hermosa Beach, Santa Ana and Pico Rivera, 210 jobs lost by October! A company that claims to be “…the largest supplier of botanical ingredients in the U.S., for use in dietary supplements, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care…”, BI NUTRACEUTICALS, issued layoff WARNs for Emeryville and Santa Clara, 79 jobs lost by September. In Salinas, Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates shutting down in September, 38 jobs lost. In Santa Monica, Buca Restaurants 2 issued a shutdown WARN for September, 61 jobs lost. In San Jose, after ten years “ultra lounge” Fahrenheit shutdown. The operator blames the property owner for jacking up the rent, saying the cost to do business in San Jose is “on a more rapid upswing”. And mom & pop Paolo’s Italian restaurant shutdown by the landlord. The property owner is getting more money by turning the location into a cafeteria. San Francisco based food delivery internet company Good Eggs ending operations in all cities except San Francisco, 140 jobs lost! In San Diego, after one year Table No 10 shutdown without warning, local news sources could not find out why. After 100 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) gourmet grocer A.G. Ferrari Foods shutdown its Castro location. Since bankruptcy in 2011 the gourmet grocery chain has dwindled from 13 stores to five. It’s estimated that the drought will kill-off $2.75-billion USD in 2015 revenues for the huge California ag industry! Thousands of agriculture jobs lost! In Petaluma, after eight years the Come Home to Cooking School forced to shutdown by A-hole city administrators who refuse to renew the license to operate! In Emeryville, after almost 30 years Bucci’s restaurant shutting down at the end of September. The owners said they are retiring, but local news reports point out that the city recently jacked up the minimum wage and Bucci’s tried to compensate by charging a $2.50 per person service charge. In Oakland, British empire style pub The Growlers’ Arms shutdown, some locals speculated that people didn’t like the British style food. In Arroyo Grande, after 42 years The Girl’s Restaurant shutting down in September, the owners blaming a massive rent increase, from$1.18 a square foot to $3, and that does not include the common area. Washington based Starbucks is shutting down about 22 “popular” La Boulange bakery stores across The Golden State, in September. One San Francisco TV news source said many La Boulange employees are rebelling against Starbucks by rejecting job offers to work directly for the evil corporate coffee chain store. In San Francisco, after 37 years Ino Sushi shutdown. And restaurant Bugaloo’s shutdown by “whacked out Valencia Street rent”, the tiny location is now available to anybody who is stupid enough to shell out $17,500 per month.
Colorado: In Denver, after three and a half years River North Brewery shutting down their Blake Street location, blaming greatly increased competition in the past couple of years.
Connecticut: Noank Community Market shutdown.
Florida: At the Tampa International Airport, food service company HMS Host Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for October, 796 jobs lost due to loss of contract! After 42 years the Wine & Cheese Gallery shutdown, their letter implied there was too much competition compared to when they first opened in 1973. In the Miami metro area the Oolite restaurant shutdown without warning, despite being voted best on South Beach. Gastropod restaurant shutdown. Food critics were surprised when Pubbelly Boys’ L’Echon Brasserie shutdown. The L’Entrecote de Paris shutdown as well. In Fort Lauderdale, Taps Restaurant, Bar and Lounge and Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill both shutdown. In Latana, Pizzeria Oceano shutdown. In Orlando, after five years restaurant Mi Tomatina shutdown. In Palm Beach the owners of Blondies, a restaurant known for serving ‘breakfast’ for ‘dinner’, shut it down after four successful years blaming the greedy landlord. In Miami Beach, the operators of restaurant Piola South Beach say they’re being shutdown by the greedy landlord, after 15 years: “There was no form of negotiation nor effort made from the other party to come to a civilized agreement amongst partners who had been together for over a decade.”-Angelo Angiolliori, manager
The South Florida Business Journal also blamed greedy landlords: “Investors are having to justify their record-high purchases with record-high rents. And it’s becoming increasingly difficult for restaurants and independent companies to make a profit while paying more than $300 per square foot….”
Georgia: In Decatur, after almost three years Paper Plane bar and eatery shutdown, the owners didn’t say why, but tried to fool their fans by saying they had been taken over by Walmart.
Hawaii: No more dinner cruises? After a month of being idle 102 employees of Roberts Hawaii were laid off with only three days warning! #Roberts Hawaii No Aloha
Idaho: In Boise, Supervalu grocery store announced they will shutdown in October, 115 jobs lost! The Idaho Wheat Commission is reporting that the density of wheat recently harvested is down, averaging 55 pounds per bushel. Weight below 60 pounds per bushel will reduce the amount of money farmers are paid for their crop. Low density of grains is caused by hot temps and dry conditions. Northern Idaho pea farmers report crashing yields due to lack of water, however, eastern Idaho farmers who have access to water from the Snake River are reporting bumper yields. The bad news is that transportation costs, and the high cost of seed, are holding back many eastern idaho farmers from growing for the pea market. In Ada County, a potato farm has been hit by a disease that causes a condition known as Zebra Chip. It’s been two years since that last case, but this time University of Idaho Ag specialists say the plants showed none of the typical symptoms above ground, it was discovered only after they dug up the spuds. It was also alarming because Idaho spud farmers have spent a lot of money this year spraying chemicals to prevent crop destroying diseases.
Illinois: After 15 years the Lincolnwood Produce & Grocery store shutting down, the property up for sale. It’s the last grocery store in Lincolnwood, news reports say the store owner refused to explain why he had to shutdown. In Forest Park, after 12 years the Flavour Cooking School shutdown, the owner admits “…the business has been struggling for some time now.” Chicago based Groupon eliminated 20% of its restaurant software jobs. In Des Moines, after 48 years popular Mr. Filet Steakhouse shutdown because the city administrators have decided the building must be torn down in the name of progress. McDonald’s will eliminate 135 jobs from its Oak Brook HQ despite mega-profits! 90 McDonald’s corporate jobs will also be eliminated overseas. These layoffs are on top of the 128 corporate job cuts made since December 2014! Administrators blame ongoing sales crash, however, it should be noted that in their last quarter they reported a $1.2-billion USD profit! The layoffs can only mean that McDonald’s administrators do not see any economic recovery in the future, they actually see things getting worse. In Carol Stream, after less than a year the Butera Market grocery store is shutting down (it was formerly a Piggly Wiggly which didn’t even last a few months). News reports indicate the property has a history of revolving door grocery store ops, analysts blame intense competition because the area has a lot of grocery stores compared to the population density. Taffies Restaurant shutdown: “We just need to find a new location. This restaurant has been here for 35 years. It’s a leased building. We’ve put more money into it than we’re making.”-Angela Van Matre
After six years restaurant Browntrout shutdown because sales suck: “We just can’t seem to hold it together….It’s drying up on us…It’s so erratic. What’s really stopping us now is we can’t make payroll…..I can’t keep a Band-Aid on it.”-Sean Sanders, owner
Iowa: Chicken giant Tyson shutdown their Denison beef slaughter house, 4-hundred jobs lost! Administrators blame the drought in the western U.S. for causing a lack of cows for the food market. In Windsor Heights, Maria Grocery and Gift being kicked out by the end of September due to the building being demolished. In Mason City, employees of Warren Buffett have gone to the local news media to report mass layoffs at the local Kraft plant. In Ainsworth, after 56 years the Four Corners Restaurant shutdown. It’s been sold-off, the family owners blamed lack of customers. Food giant Cargill shutting down its Animal Nutrition customer service and sales office in Coralville blaming crashing sales, 15 to 28 jobs affected.
Kansas: After 11 years Sutera’s Restaurant & Bar shutdown. In Topeka, Aussie themed Florida based Outback Steakhouse shutdown with little notice, 60 jobs lost. The manager hinted that profits have crashed, but refused to give a specific ‘official’ reason to local news media. After less than ten months Take Five Coffee + Bar shutdown due to the lack of customers: “We don’t have a choice. There is no option to press forward.”-Lori Chandler, co-owner
Kentucky: In Mount Sterling, after 55 years Jerry’s Restaurant shutdown. Kroger shutting down their Lexington grocery store in September, 103 jobs lost! In Louisville, after five years Hillbilly Tea shutdown without warning. After 30 years non-profit Kentucky Harvest warned they’ll be no more food for the poor: “We’re in a dire state! We’re inside four months operating cash left before we have to cease operation.”– Brent Smith, chairman
News reports indicate that donations to Kentucky Harvest are down partly because one of the founders is now in federal prison for stealing donations!
Maine: In Freeport, S&S Seafood shutdown due to a crash in supplies of clams. At one time they were handling more than 1-million pounds per year, but now barely 300-thousand pounds are brought in. The owner sold the property and is moving to Florida. After 70 years Nicely’s Market shutting down due to “Mom is retiring, and I have other ventures going on.”-Kyle Nicely
Massachusetts: In Pittsfield, Madeleine’s Patisserie & Cafe shutting down after less than two years. It’s blamed on the greedy landlord. In Littleton, Sunny Delight Beverages shutting down their Harvard Road factory in December. Sunny D has been laying off Littleton employees since 2014. As with other corporations Sunny D is consolidating operations, and selling off their Littleton juice factory. In Boston Weak, after 96 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Quinzani’s Bakery shutdown, being sold-off, 90 jobs lost. Local news reports say the area has become a revolving door of failed businesses (“rapidly gentrifying”). After 56 years The Beachcomer shutdown and was sold-off. The new owner says it will be torn down, and maybe a new ‘high-end’ restaurant will be built. Cupcake Town shutting down in Mansfield.
Michigan: In Grand Rapids, after less than a year the Memphis Smokehouse restaurant shutdown, due to a death in the family. Bagger Dave’s restaurants shutdown in Grandville and Holland, no warning or explanation given. In Niles, God refuses to help ‘his’ British empire founded Salvation Army Food Pantry stay open. The local Salvation Army Major blames a decrease in donations and a steady increase in poor people: “We have been seeing for the last three or four years a lot of new folks that we’ve never seen before.”-Major William Walters
Minnesota: Blue Point Restaurant shutdown both their seafood joints, one in Wayzata and one in Bloomington. Restaurant Zen Box shutdown their skyway location. The Lowery Cafe and Ancestry Books being forced to shutdown their brick-n-mortar ops by a Snidely Whiplash landlord: “…our landlord…abruptly and we believe arbitrarily removed the management at The Lowry Cafe and closed it down…our landlord has neglected to give us a new written lease, which has placed us in a month to month as of June 1st. These grievances and the vulnerable position we are left in are our reasons for closing Ancestry’s physical location.”-Chaun Webster and Verna Wong
Mississippi: Isle of Capri Casinos shutting down its Natchez casino due to declining revenues. The non-gambling assets (like food service) are being sold-off for $11.5-million. In Jackson, a Piggly Wiggly grocery store on McDowell Road is shutting down. Local news says it’s the second grocery store in the area to shutdown this year. After ten years Kostaki’s Pizzeria shutdown, the owners said they’d rather spend time with family.
Missouri: Farmers are reporting wheat with wet feet, which is a bad thing. A long run of rain has caused an outbreak of fungus and other diseases that attack wheat. The result is the quality of wheat harvests went down the toilet, many farmers report they got only $1 to $3 per bushel when they normally get $4 to $5.
Montana: In Great Falls, grocery store Vans’ IGA shutting down by the end of September. It’s blamed on the greedy property owner.
Nebraska: Julio’s Old Market restaurant shutdown because the property owner sold the building. Farm vehicle maker CNH (Case New Holland) Industrial eliminating 70 jobs at its Grand Island factory, in October. One reports said CNH laid off 136 workers in February 2015, and more than 2-hundred in August 2014! It’s blamed on a 40% crash in farm equipment sales, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Those sales are down because farmers are losing their financial ass in the commodity markets: “The state of the Ag economy right now is in trouble. I’m in the red….I’m losing money at the current market values.”-Miles Ramsey, farmer
New Jersey: The bankrupt busted Montvale based A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) grocery chain notifying (for legal reasons) all 28-thousand 5-hundred employees across the U.S. of possible layoffs! Specifically, Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (aka A&P) notified 8,662 New Jerseyians that they will become unemployed by Thanksgiving! That’s on top of the 871 New Jersey A&P jobs being eliminated by September! A&P is shutting down or selling off their New Jersey stores, including its Super Fresh, Pathmark and Food Basics stores. In Jersey City the Thessalonians Community Outreach Church’s food pantry losing its lease. It feeds at least 2-hundred people per month (open twice per week), it’s hoped they can find a new location. In Parsippany, cereal maker Post Foods issued a WARN saying 48 people will become jobless by the end of September.
New York: In Sunnyside, the Bliss Street Station Irish pub shutdown. Turns out it’s been for sale for several years, finally somebody bought the property. Warren Buffett revealed that he will shutdown the Tarrytown Heinz food factory, 149 people to become jobless between now and Thanksgiving! It’s a result of the merger with Kraft. Rumors are building that the Food Emporium on Greenwich Street in NYC is shutting down due to jacked up rent. The store manager is reported to have said “That’s news to me.” In Greenport, after 15 years Cuvee Bistro and Bar shutting down in September. Family health problems are blamed. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (aka A&P) issued a mass shutdown WARN for all their Empire State grocery stores, 13-thousand and 97 jobs lost in time for Thanksgiving! Restaurant Associates lost their contract with Too Big to Jail Capital One, 37 jobs lost by October. In Allentown, after ten years outdoor La Tee Da Cafe shutdown, the owners said “…we’re ready to do something else.” In Ogdensburg, 11 jobs lost suddenly after the eight years old A&W-Long John Silver’s restaurant on Champlain Street shutdown without warning: “The owner said they aren’t making enough to keep things open.”-Josh Hitsman, manager
North Carolina: Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant shutting down their Cary location, they plan on renting the space out to another eatery. In Durham, the Foster Street Daisy Cakes bakery shutdown, supposedly a popular donut shop is moving in sometime this Winter. A Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Wilson shutdown, 30 jobs lost. Officially it’s blamed on low sales. Divine Wine and Beer shutdown, the owner blames it on his wife who became the new pastor of the Church of Asheville. In Greenville, only four years after a grand re-opening Lowes Foods shutting down in September, 45 jobs lost. Administrators said it’s part of their plan to stay viable, but is it possible the new owners of the Lynncroft Shopping Center wanted more rent money? It’s been revealed that the shutdown of popular restaurant Greek Isles was due to the greedy landlord jacking up the rent after the 11 years lease expired. The restaurant operators are hoping to find a new ‘home’. In Burlington, after two years Verona Italian Restaurant shutdown. In Greensboro, Graffiti’s Bistro shutdown due to the owners realizing they can make more money selling it off. In Eden,after five years 912 Bethlehem Restaurant shutdown “for personal reasons”.
North Dakota: In Fargo, farm vehicle maker CNH (Case New Holland) Industrial launched a fourth round of layoffs since last year, this time 34 people will become jobless in September, bringing the total layoffs to almost 2-hundred since November 2014! Also in Fargo, Country Hearth Bread on South University Drive shutdown without notice. Local news report said the corporate owner refused to explain why. North Dakota State University claims to have developed a new durum wheat that can handle extreme weather conditions, it’s called Joppa. Farmers are reporting at least two bushels per acre more yield than the previous durum they’ve been growing, even with extreme rain.
Ohio: The Cleveland Clinic announced it is kicking McDonald’s out of its food court, as part its new War on Fat People. To show you how a-feared people are of the Anti-Fast Food Police State a technician at the clinic was caught by news media eating a Mickey D’s meal, and he wimp assedly confessed “Every now and again I stray just a little. I don’t eat too much of it. I just wanted it right now.” In Huber Heights, after six years Granny C’s Bakery shutting down due to skyrocketing operating costs: “A lot of my good friends, who’ve worked for me and who are still here are going to be jobless. We’ve never made money……When I get to the point where I don’t have any more money in my personal fund to switch over into the bakery funds to pay salaries to pay ingredient costs, I can’t go any further.”-Rebecca McDaniel
Oregon: Wheat yields vary greatly within the state; on the western side of Umatilla they’re down more than 50%, in Wasco and Sherman counties and in Pendleton and Walla Walla average yields were reported, it’s blamed on the radical weather. After more than 12 months the anti-GMO Moreland Farmers Pantry shutdown, according to local news reports it has something to do with the owner also being anti-homosexual marriage. The Fenrir restaurant shutdown. News reports claim the owners are looking for a new location. After three years the Jamison restaurant shutdown. The owners blamed escalating operating costs. Albertsons-Safeway announced the NE 181st Avenue Safeway grocery store in Portland will shutdown before the end of the month. It’s blamed on the fact that 25% of the people who live in the area are paupers. It was pointed out that the area has “…lost four grocery stores over the last 20 years. And the access to food is poor already and getting worse.” But guess what? It was revealed that Albertsons-Safeway will continue paying the rent on the property for the next five years: “…Safeway signed a five-year lease earlier this year with California-based developer Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation (ROIC)….they will continue to pay rent for the space rather than lease it to another grocer.”–The Skanner News
In Saint John’s Bar, The Central Hotel restaurant and bar shutdown, 11 jobs lost. The property owner is selling it to a property developer. The restaurant operator also admitted they never had any intention of running a restaurant anyway: “…we ended up taking over the restaurant, which is never something that we planned on doing. We just kind of said, ‘Why are we killing ourselves to do this financially?’….it has been a huge financial strain.”-Risa Davis, co-owner
Pennsylvania: In Dubois, Fezell’s Sandy Township Shop N Save issued a shutdown WARN for October, 50 jobs lost. More proof robots are taking your jobs; Amoroso’s Baking told 2-hundred Philadelphia employees that many would be laid off as the company is moving to a new automated location in New Jersey. It’s the result of their merger with Ginsburg Bakery. In State College, gas station-convenience store Sheetz shutdown on East College Avenue. Administrators indicated that food and beverage sales were too low. In Philadelphia County, the Department of Labor & Industry published a mass shutdown WARN for A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) grocery stores, without revealing how many people will be laid off.
South Carolina: Greer based restaurant food supplier Ovation Brands was taken over by Texas based Food Management Partners (FMP). As a result an undisclosed number of Ovation employees were laid off without warning: “FMP offered zero severance to the laid-off employees. No advanced notification was given either.”-unnamed former employee
The takeover of Ovation Brands will affect restaurant chains Ryan’s, Fire Mountain, Country Buffet, Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet and Tahoe Joes Famous Steakhouse.
Tennessee: In Memphis, restaurant ¡Chiwawa! shutdown after two years, the owner claims he’ll open a new place as soon as he figures it out. Can’t trust him ’cause the sign on the door says “Closed for Repairs”. In Nashville, reports say the Granny White Market (aka Purple Cow) is being forced to shutdown by the greedy property owner who suddenly told the store owner he had six weeks to vacate: “After 19 years he tells me we need to close the doors. It just makes you sick.”-Dan Smith, Purple Cow owner
Texas: In San Antonio, Big Easy Cafe being forced to shutdown and look for a new home. In the Cincinnati Entertainment District in West El Paso yet more shutdowns, including the Cincinnati Bar and Grill and the Corner Tavern. Local news reports blame high rents and low sales. Silverleaf Resorts issued a WARN saying 203 people across the Lone State State will become jobless by the end of September! 45 years old Stanley’s BBQ shutdown. Two years ago it was sold to a family that tried to keep it alive but failed, blaming crashing sales. In San Antonio, The Monterey restaurant shutting down in November, despite five years of successful sales: “The Monty was a much bigger success than we ever expected it to be, but it was never expected to be an economic success. It was a laboratory, but we didn’t really even have a plan when we first started.”-Chad Carey, founder
Vermont: Waterbury based coffee roaster Keurig Green Mountain announced it will eliminate 2-hundred jobs due to expected future drop in sales!
Virginia: In Appomattox, the employees and customers of Huddle House restaurant were shocked at the sudden shutdown. Employees claim the management used the excuse that a freezer was broken to send everybody home one night, then the next day the place was shutdown, and the employees are still waiting for their final paychecks. Local news media say the corporate HQ in Georgia is ignoring their inquiries. A 26 years old locally owned Roanoke Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown due to crashing sales. In King George, 38 years old grocery store Dutch’s Mart shutting down in September, blaming lack of sales: “…it is what it is. We have a very loyal following, but you still need certain numbers.”-David Clare, owner
Washington:In West Seattle, after six years The Feedback lounge shutdown. In Seattle, Vespolina Italian restaurant shutdown, the owners blamed insufficient sales. Hommage restaurant shutdown. Restaurant Gastropod and brewery Epic Ales shutting down in September. Bellingham based Haggen Foods will shutdown at least 27 grocery stores across the western U.S. Haggen Foods announced they will shutdown their Spanaway grocery store in October, 62 jobs lost. Analyst blame it on the fact that Haggen might have been tricked into taking over of 146 Albertsons-Safeway stores almost overnight: “The requirements of the deal almost made it impossible for them to succeed. If you tell me that I’ve got to drive my car from Portland to Connecticut, but you’ve got to do it in four days, going no more than 50 miles per hour……You’re creating parameters under which I can’t possibly succeed………Haggen is lucky if they get out of this with the 18 stores they started with.”-Kevin Coupe
Washington DC: Riyad Market forced to shutdown in November by the property owner and the federal Attorney General. The Obama regime used a 2014 drug bust at the store as the reason.
West Virginia: After 60 years the Workman’s IGA shutting down their Chapmanville grocery store: “We hate it most for our top notch team of employees. We hate it for the community as well because competition keeps prices where they should be….Because federal, state, and local governments are so overbearing with laws and regulations, it is hard for small businesses to exist. Workman’s IGA is closing…because running a small business, especially a grocery store, is just no fun anymore.“-owners
Wisconsin: It’s been revealed that Warren Buffett is shutting down the Kraft-Heinz owned Oscar Mayer meat plant in Madison, 165 factory worker jobs lost, another 147 corporate positions lost! In Appleton, after 16 years Sai Ram Indian Cuisine shutdown, the owner’s sons claiming that “It’s been hard to find employees.” The owners are planning on spending more time back in India. In Columbus, Hydro Street Brewing & Eatery shutdown after failing to pay back a taxpayer funded loan. Ramen noodle joint Tochi shutdown in Shorewood due to problems with the new lease. The owner is hoping for a new location. In Stevens Point, restaurant @1800 shutdown without warning by the property owner, apparently because the owners of the Sentry Insurance building say they must remodel the entire building.
Wyoming: After 20 years of ethanol production Wyoming Ethanol shutting down their Torrington plant, 23 jobs lost. They can’t compete against lower oil prices. Mayor Mike Varney said the shutdown will directly affect local corn growers: “It`s going to hurt us…..our farmers that have raised corn for ethanol production, that’s going to be a real blow to them…”
“We’re going to go down.” U.S. Food Crisis, July 2015
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
And on the British empire island country of Jamaica, a 33 years old man has been arrested for scamming many of those student workers. While working for a legitimate employment agency, which supplies students for the U.S. J-1/hospitality & farm industry program, he also pretended to be an unemployment agent forcing students to pay him an ‘unemployment’ fee to ‘protect’ them if they ever lost their job in the United States!
In Saint Joseph, after 70 years wire maker WireCo laying off 49 people and halting production, blaming the oil industry for crashing sales. 14 employees will remain to close up shop over the next 12 months. Local news reports say at one time WireCo (Wire Rope Co.) employed 1-thousand 5-hundred people! After two years of booze and coloring books, ArtBar St. Louis shutdown without warning due to “circumstances beyond my control.”
NYC based research company Nielsen says the bar industry is now in an official Death Spiral. Every month an average of 334 new bars open across the U.S., but, that pales in comparison to the 609 per month that shutdown (and that’s why it’s a death spiral, more deaths than births)! It’s blamed on jacked up rents, increasing competition from restaurants serving booze and increasingly restrictive laws.
And San Francisco based Marinello School of Beauty shutting down its 56 schools across the U.S., due to it being caught ripping off the U.S. Department of Education! In Oxnard, after 27 years frozen veggie food maker Coastal Green Vegetable shutting down, 137 jobs lost by March! The owners blamed currency wars, crashing sales and gave out a list of increasing costs; water, regulations, wages and ObamaCare health care. In Malibu, expensive clothier Banana Republic shutting down, the general manager said the high rent is not justified. In Redding, God refuses to stop ‘his’ Simpson University from laying off ten people. Administrators blame The Rapture, I mean crashing enrollment of students which I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.
