Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics

Shopko update 10 February 2015: Takes over ALCO stores! Has enough cash to help local charities & schools!

It’s been revealed that Shopko has taken over 14 failed ALCO stores, despite shutting down stores itself.  Shopko administrators say the former ALCO stores are just the right size for its downsized Shopko Hometown format.

Apparently those 14 former ALCO stores are located in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas.  Local news sources discovered that ShopKo was advertising for open jobs at former ALCO locations.  It must be remembered that Shopko’s long term plan is to shutdown their larger stores and open smaller stores with fewer employees, because the U.S. economy can no longer support big box stores.

Texas based ALCO went bankrupt busted back in October 2014, but that didn’t stop people from being shocked when their local ALCO store shutdown, like the mayor of American Falls in Idaho.

Other Shopko news reveals that Shopko is not hurting for cash (maybe as a result of selling off their pharmacy ops), as the Wisconsin based retailer continues to donate cash to charities and schools: $400 to the ‘Jogging Jokers’ at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind.  $2000 to the Saint Peter School District, Minnesota.  $2,000 to the Humboldt Community School District, Iowa. $2000 to the Oelwein Community School District, Iowa.

In 2014 the Shopko Foundation gave out $1.1-million to charities and schools.

Shopko is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, which is focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt and other investments.

2015 big Shopko store shutdowns:

Illinois: Two years old Sullivan Shopko in April, at least 30 jobs lost.

Kentucky: Hodgenville Shopko Hometown store will shutdown in April.

Missouri: Tarkio Shopko Hometown store will shutdown in April.

Ohio: Shopko to shutdown its Greenfield, Archbold, Montpelier and Newton Falls stores by April, at least 70 jobs will be affected.

South Dakota: Avera FastCare health clinic located inside the Aberdeen Shopko shutdown. Local news reports said there are currently no plans to replace it.

Utah:  Provo Shopko will shutdown by 15 April 2015.   Bountiful (apparently actually located in West Bountiful even though the address is in Bountiful?) Shopko will shutdown in April.

Wisconsin: Shopko will shutdown its Ashland Hometown store by April, at least 29 jobs lost.

Of importance, a major retail landlord just modified its lease agreement with Shopko. The deal makes it easier for Spirit Realty Capital to evict Shopko in favor of new tenants (Shopko also got paid $18.8-million for the inconvenience of being kicked out). The retail landlord said it wanted to reduce its reliance on Shopko for revenue!

2014 shutdowns:

Wisconsin: ShopKo killed off 40 jobs at its Ashwaubenon corporate HQ. Company administrators blame the bad economy for their “reorganization”. A Madison store was shutdown, 66 jobs lost.

Ohio: Georgetown Shopko shutdown.

Indiana: Shopko issued a WARN in November saying it will shutdown a distribution center. The shutdown will be completed by September 2015, at least 95 jobs lost. A Loogootee Shopko was shutdown, at least 14 jobs lost. The Petersburg and Bloomfield Shopkos were also shutdown.

It should be noted that Shopko has been quietly and slowly shutting down their large format stores since 2001.

Shopko opens new Idaho store, while closing of 14 others!

Business/Economics, Idaho

Albertsons Safeway closings update, 10 February 2015: “That store basically has not been profitable for quite some time…..That’s why we’re closing it.”

More shutdowns of Alberstons, Safeway, Vons, United Supermarkets, etc grocery stores being revealed, now that the Cerberus Albertsons hostile $9.2-billion USD takeover (some reports say $8-billion while others say it was $9.8-billion) of the country’s second largest grocery store owner, Safeway, was finalized at the end of January.

Both Safeway and Albertsons were originally founded in Idaho (Safeway in American Falls in 1915 & Albertsons in Boise in 1939).  Safeway moved its HQ to California and Albertsons was taken over by evil Cerberus.

There are reports that Safeway’s Waterfront Bistro brand will actually be expanded.  Waterfront Bistro is a grocery chain that focuses on seafood.

Cerberus Albertsons also took over United Supermarkets.

Reports say the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ordered Cerberus to sell off 168 stores, in the name of maintaining competition.  It was motivated by legal action by attorney’s for Safeway, and the state attorney generals of Washington and Nevada.

Cerberus has sold off 12 Safeway and Albertsons stores to Texas based RLS Supermarkets, who will change the names to Minyard Sun Fresh Market.  In Texas Safeway stores are called Tom Thumb.

Cerberus has sold 146 Vons and Albertsons stores to a Washington based company called Haggen. The affected stores are located in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.  Haggen administrators say the switchover to Haggen stores will take place during the next 120 days.

Arizona: In Lake Havasu, three Safeway and seven Albertsons are being switched over to Haggen.  I suspect that eventually some will be shutdown, it doesn’t make sense to have that many grocery stores of the same brand in one place.

California: Arcadia Vons Pavillion SuperStore to be shutdown on 18 March 2015, at least 168 jobs lost!  The 32 years old Hemet Vons shutdown on 28 December 2014, at least 55 jobs lost. Company administrators claimed it had nothing to do with the hostile takeover by Cerberus.  Marina Del Ray Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 80 jobs lost.  Pleasanton Safeway HQ will layoff at least 26 people by 13 February 2015.   San Diego Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 63 jobs lost.

Colorado: Colorado Springs Albertsons shutting down in March.  Cerberus administrators say it has nothing to do with their takeover of Safeway-Vons: “That store basically has not been profitable for quite some time, despite the best efforts of our company and associates there and the location…..That’s why we’re closing it.”

Oregon: In Lake Oswego, Albertsons being shutdown on 16 February.  Cerberus administrators made the exact same claim as in their Colorado Springs shutdown saying “The store has not been profitable for quite some time.”  This is interesting because according to local news reports there are only two grocery stores in the city!  In Lake Grove, the Albertsons being switch over to Haggen.  Safeway shutting down their Clackamas regional office, 91 jobs lost by March.

Texas: In East Dallas, an Albertsons was renamed Minyard Sun Fresh Market.  Reports said the grand opening was delayed due to problems switching over the cash register system.  A second East Dallas Alberstons is expected to make the changeover to Minyard Sun Fresh Market on 16 February.  Only one of the three East Dallas Albertsons will remain Albertsons.  One store manager said the changes are a direct result of the takeover of Safeway.  Interestingly I found a report that said Cerberus swore there would be no name changes after the takeover of Safeway, but they failed to explain the sale of 12 stores to RLS Supermarkets.

Washington: In Kirkland, reports that Goodwill thrift store is taking over the now vacant Albertsons store.

Cerberus sells-off California & Idaho based grocery stores! 

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 15 January 2015: “They are ruining families’ lives!” Oil industry layoffs planned when oil was $97 per barrel! Obamacare kills tech & education jobs! DARPA kills jobs!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

British empire Canada based aircraft maker Bombardier laid off 380 people in Mexico, and 620 people in Kansas U.S.A.!  Company administrators have halted production of the new larger Learjet 85 due to lack of sales.

Alabama: In Huntsville, Synapse Wireless laid off 25 people.  It’s blamed on healthcare industry changes caused by Obama Care: “Synapse is altering its focus in its healthcare business and redeploying many of its engineers……While there will be cutbacks in the healthcare division, it is still an important part of our business.”

California: What automotive industry recovery? In Canoga park, Vista Ford car dealer issued a WARN saying they are shutting down in March, at least 11 jobs lost.  In San Francisco, internet dating service Zooks laid off at least 25 people.  Company administrators have also delayed their IPO, data shows the dating service has seen declining revenues since 2013.  Foothill Ranch based female clothing store Wet Seal officially chapter 11 bankrupt busted, this after already announcing plans to kill off 3-thousand jobs under operation Store Project!  In El Segundo, evil taxsucking Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contractor Leidos issued a WARN saying 80 people will be laid off in March.  Also in El Segundo, British empire Canada based U.S. taxsucker spacecraft contractor COM DEV issued a WARN saying 53 people will be laid off in March.  A WARN says the Arcadia Vons Pavillion SuperStore will shutdown on 18 March 2015, at least 168 jobs lost!  Raybern Foods issues several WARNS saying they are shutting down in Hayward and Oakland, by May, at least 158 jobs lost!  In Fullerton, Walt Disney Parks-Resorts issued a WARN saying they will eliminate 85 costume maker jobs in May.

Connecticut: In Meridian, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Saint Stanislaus School.  In Pomfret, after nine years Celebrations Gallery announced it will shutdown in February. In Norwich, after six years Chacer’s Bar & Grill shutdown, the co-owner blaming the suck ass economy not only for shutting them down but for destroying his marriage: “It wasn’t easy at all, and it took a toll on our marriage. It stinks because we had a lot of fun in that business.”-Geoffrey Chase

Illinois: In Mount Vernon, after 31 years the owners of Office Furniture Warehouse announced they were shutting down by March.  It sounds like they were made a big money offer they couldn’t refuse by competitor Midwest Office Supply.

Iowa: In West Des Moines, clothing stores Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids shutdown.

Maryland: Labinal Power Systems joins the corporate stagnation tax sucking shell game, shutting down their Salisbury factory and moving to Texas by 2016.  Salisbury to lose at least 650 jobs!  Employees say company administrators outright lied to them: “It just feels so underhanded, especially after they told us our jobs were safe two weeks ago.  My girlfriend, her brother, father and uncle all work here. They are ruining families’ lives!”-Chris Bowers

Michigan: Inhumanely the state Department of Human Services announced it will eliminate 100 jobs and shutdown two offices in February!  Their operating budget was slashed by $7.5-million USD!

Minnesota: Less than one year after officially opening its first stores in Canada, Minneapolis based retailer Target threw in the towel, basically saying the Canadian economy sucks ass! All 133 stores to shutdown and 17-thousand 6-hundred Canadians will become jobless! 

Missouri: The Casino Queen laid off 20 people and reduced operating hours by two per day. Casino administrators report a 4.6% drop in revenue from December 2013 to December 2014, they blame too much competition.  In Saint Louis, popular Star Clipper comic book store shutdown.  The owner, who is also a tax attorney, says the economy is just to volatile: “The last couple of years, though business has been good, have been difficult to predict. And it just seemed like a good time.”-Benjamin Trujillo

Nebraska: Obama Care forcing CHI Health to kill off a minimum of 156 jobs: “As the landscape of the health care industry changes, how health care systems are organized changes as well. In an effort to bring healthcare costs down, across the country, expense reductions are being made and staffing is being restructured. CHI Health is no different, and will be reducing its workforce across the organization. Many of the reductions will be accomplished through attrition, and not filling open positions. However, the plan also includes the elimination of 156 active positions, about 1 percent of its workforce.”-company statement

New Mexico:  Yates Petroleum revealed they have already eliminated 15 of their local oil jobs.  Company administrators say they’ve been preparing for layoffs since September 2014, apparently the price of oil was too low back then even though it averaged $97 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate.  In Sante Fe, clothing store J Crew shutdown.  Also, clothing store Eileen Fisher shutdown.

New York:  In Buffalo, Fenner Precision amended their WARN saying their shutdown has been moved to March, at least 60 jobs lost. In NYC, Rivington House amended their WARN saying The Nicholas A. Rango Healthcare Facility will now shutdown in February, at least 214 jobs lost!  Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University amended their WARN saying the shutdown of their  Substance Abuse Treatment Centers is now on hold.  Montefiore Medical Center is supposed to be taking over the substance abuse operations.

North Carolina: New Obama Care taxes forcing Illinois based drug and medical device maker Hospria to shutdown their Clayton factory by the 2nd half of 2015, at least 250 jobs lost!  Iconic fruit supplier Chiquita announced it is pulling its HQ out of Charlotte, causing 320 jobs to be in limbo! Apparently company administrators don’t think the millions in taxpayer funded incentives are enough (they promised to pay back all the taxpayer funded incentives they got).  Chiquita was taken over by Brazilian venture capitalists. A local politician had an epiphany about the unAmerican corporate America taxsucking shell game: “You can’t expect loyalty from any company if you’re paying them to move. Government was basically prostituting themselves to get them here. … Nobody falls in love with a prostitute.”-Bill James, Mecklenburg County commissioner

Ohio: Owens Community College eliminated 50 occupied and vacant positions, as well as cut wages and salaries.  They also proposed new taxes, blaming increased employment costs caused mainly by higher insurance and retirement rates mandated by Obama Care!

Pennsylvania:  A fundraising company that raises money for schools by selling food, Market Day, announced they would layoff 43 people in Cranberry Township by March. It’s blamed on crashing sales.  In Upper Allen Township, after 39 years the owners of Gehman & Co furniture store announced they are being forced to shutdown in March.  The greedy property owner refuses to renew the lease.

Washington: Iconic Starbucks announced it will layoff a “small number” of employees at its Seattle HQ.  British empire Australia based heavy engineering company Bradken is shutting down their foundry in Chehalis, 91 jobs lost.   Bradken reported their profits crashed 64% in the last half of 2014!

Wyoming: The Wyoming Medical Center laid off five administrators, directly blaming Obama Care: “In response to rapid and challenging changes in the healthcare market, Wyoming Medical Center regretfully announced today the elimination of five leadership positions. Other management positions will be realigned in order to streamline operations and become more efficient in the way we deliver care.”

13-14-January-2015: proof oil job losses are not due to oil prices!

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.

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart update, 09 February 2015: Children burned alive in Kmart? Sears turns to Amazon to create giant data collection op ? Canada shuts down another store!

An eight years old boy was set on fire in the parking lot of a Jacksonville, Florida, Kmart.  He ran into the Kmart for help.  Police say the stupid victim, and two other stupid children, were playing with a cigarette lighter when it burst into flames.  Police say a stupid woman “in charge” of the children left them in the vehicle with a cigarette lighter while she went shopping in the Kmart.

Sears Holdings has hired on former Amazon administrators for a new Seattle, Washington, engineering project.    Sears Holdings is spending money it doesn’t have on renting out expensive commercial  space in the Columbia Center.  They claim they are going to re-vamp their appliance repair ops known as Sears Home Services.  However, an investigation by GeekWire makes it sound like what’s really going on is the creation of a giant customer data collation operation under the guise of servicing home appliances, one job description reads “...real-time, data-driven, distributed systems that make a positive impact on millions of Sears customers by applying machine learning technologies to enrich each customer experience.”   One of the former Amazon execs is Parag Garg, who will be in charge of the Assurelink platform which allows access to your home appliances through smartphones (stop being lazy and stop buying internet connected computer controlled appliances).

In New Jersey, a Sears employee has been charged with re-routing Sears’ store shipments to his own house!  Sears Asset Protection  discovered it when shipment records showed a lot of merchandise that was shipped due to orders, but there was no record of delivery or payment.  The employee allegedly re-routed hundreds of dollars worth of store merchandise between December 2014 and February 2015.

Sears Canada is closing their contractor operated Sears store in Amherst, Nova Scotia.  The store has been operating without a contractor since June 2013.  Many contracted operators have quit blaming Sears Canada for everything from breaking their own contracts to an outright conspiracy to intentionally shutdown Sears!  The Amherst Centre Mall store will shutdown in March.

update, 04 February 2015: Public officials shop with your tax dollars

 

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 13 – 14 January 2015: NASCAR Hall of Fame to be closed? Obamacare targeted killing of thousands of non-profit jobs! More proof oil job losses are not due to oil prices!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

According to the National Association of Counties, only 65 out of 3143 counties across the United States have “fully” ‘recovered’ since 2008!!!

Alabama: Obama Care forcing the only mental hospital in the Tennessee Valley to shutdown?  North Alabama Regional Hospital will shutdown by June, 149 jobs lost!  After 25 years Applebee’s shutting down their Brookwood Village restaurant on 01 February 2015. The Texas based property owner refused to renew the lease with the restaurant.

California: In El Darado Hills, Green Valley Nursery & Landscape shutdown.  The owners blamed the greedy landlord saying “Lease expired and we must sell all our plants and trees immediately.”  In Palo Alto, Tibco Software laid off 80 people without warning.  It could be connected to their $4.3-billion USD sale to evil Vista Equity Partners.  In Santa Clara, Broadcom issued a WARN saying 60 people will become jobless in March.  In Los Angeles, Kroger issued a WARN saying another one of their Ralph’s grocery stores will shutdown, 70 jobs lost in March.  In Santa Barbara, after six years the Bizerk Costume Store shutdown, the owners blamed the greedy landlord, LYNX,  for giving them a 30 day eviction notice (instead of the required 60). Local news sources say LYNX administrators refused to say why they kicked out their tenant.  Bizerk co-owner says its all about jacking up the rent: “At the rates that are being charged on State Street, I think it’s very possible that a lot of chain store business might be taking a loss. I know someone who is a manager at Abercrombie & Fitch on State Street who said they lose $200-thousand a year…..!”-David Sampanis

Colorado: God refuses to stop Obama Care from forcing ‘his’ Arapahoe County based non-profit Catholic Health Initiative from laying off 15-hundred people across the United States!  A study says a new proposed law could kill 1-thousand oil jobs in The Centennial State.  The proposed law would prevent new petroleum wells from being drilled within 2-thousand feet (609 meters) of residences.   Anybody like flaming water coming out of their faucets, even if it means jobs?

Florida: In Miami, Obama Care forcing Crothall Healthcare to layoff 54 employees.  Obama Care forcing non-profit healthcare provider Florida Blue to eliminate 150 jobs!

Georgia: In Augusta, a Big Lots rip off store on Wrightsboro Road shutdown.  Local news reports say company reps refuse to give a reason.   Could it be that there are already several Big Lots in Augusta?  In Atlanta, special effects motion capture company Giant Studios shutdown and sold off their motion capture rights to Lightstorm Entertainment.  Some Giant Studios employees will transfer to Lightstorm’s California offices.

Hawaii: Retail store specializing in anything ‘Hawaiian’ Hilo Hattie shutdown their Kihei store and their Kona store.  Company administrators say they are going to try a new concept of entertainment style retail operations.

Idaho: According to National Association of Counties most recent data eastern Idaho’s Bannock County has failed to make any recovery in the areas of Jobs, Unemployment, GDP or Home Prices since 2008!  Never mind that Bannock County is still assessing the value of homes at tens of thousands of dollars above what they will actually sell for!

Illinois: Chicago based United Airlines revealed it might eliminate 2-thousand jobs despite lower fuel costs!  Administrators want to replace in-house employees with cheap-o contractors.

Indiana: Horse racing gambling company Centaur Gaming announced it is shutting down its off-track Merrillville betting site in March, at least 33 jobs lost.  It’s blamed on the lack of people willing to gamble, the bad economy has resulted in a 50% decline in betting!   Aluminum casting and machining company Harvey Industries revealed they laid off more than 143 people without notice, back in December!  Company administrators would only say “Due to unforeseen business circumstances, we were unable to provide this notice at least sixty (60) days before the layoffs took effect.”

Kentucky: In Louisville, after 18 years Wild and Wooly Video store shutdown, the owner blamed crashing sales ever since 2008.

Nevada: More proof casinos aren’t recession proof; Las Vegas based Caesars Entertainment now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

New Jersey: Pop corn maker Dale and Thomas Growers announced they will layoff 56 people in March, saying they are “transitioning to a co-manufacturing arrangement in Indiana”.  In Manville, God refuses to stop the Diocese of Metuchen from shutting down ‘his’ Christ the King School.  It’s the 11th ‘christian’ school to be shutdown by the Diocese of Metuchen, since 2009.  It’s blamed on raptured, I mean DSS (what I call Disappearing Student Syndrome).

New Mexico: After eight years free magazine Local iQ ceased publication.

New York: In NYC, restaurant The Palm issued a WARN saying they will shutdown (supposedly for remodeling) in April, 43 jobs lost.  Eastman Kodak continues its slow death layoffs, this time at least 16 people will be let go by April.  In Bayport, Wenner Bakery Products issued a WARN saying they’ll shutdown their Parbake Facility by May, 49 jobs lost.

North Carolina: Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman law firm finally revealed that they shutdown back in December, blaming a dispute with new management.  The city of Charlotte has admitted it can’t pay off $17.8-million owed to Too Big to Jail Bank of America and Wells Fargo for floating the money losing  NASCAR Hall of Fame!  City administrators admit the loan payments are so big that they can’t even “break even”, and are begging the banks to ‘write down’ the loans, kinda like Greece wants to do with the European Union.

Ohio: In Belmont County, after only three years the local Electronic Recycling Services shutdown without warning.  Apparently the property is being sold off and electronic recycling operations in the county are being consolidated.

Oregon: Georgia Pacific is laying off 40 people, as part of their three years plan to eliminate at least 100 jobs from their Halsey paper mill.

Pennsylvania: After 25 years Booty’s Place restaurant shutdown in the Church Hill Mall, the owner would only say “No comment.”   In Ashely, after 34 years Clark’s Irish Import and Flower Shop shutdown.  The owners blame crashing sales ever since 2008, in other words they haven’t seen any ‘recovery’.

Tennessee: In Somerville, God refuses to stop Obama Care from forcing ‘his’ Methodist Healthcare from shutting down by March.

Texas: The Wall Street Journal warns that Fort Worth based iconic RadioShack is about to go bankrupt busted and will be sold off.  Obama Care forced Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) to kill off 260 jobs!  Administrators blamed Obama Care for causing them to lose $70-million!  Houston based infamous Halliburton began another round of layoffs, but don’t blame falling oil prices, it’s because of their takeover of rival Baker Hughes.  In December Halliburton said they would eliminate 1-thousand jobs!

Wisconsin: The South Shore YMCA in Cudahy shutdown.  The greater YMCA of Metro Milwaukee blames it on massive debts.  In Wisconsin Rapids, after 43 years The Gift Tree shutdown.

09-12-January-2015: Obamacare insurance exchange fails, shutsdown!

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.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 09 – 12 January 2015: “It was a struggle & we took it as far as it could go.” Obamacare insurance exchange fails, shutsdown! Expensive model kits killing off hobby shops!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Duarte, France based food services and facilities management Sodexo issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by March, 160 jobs lost!  Redwood City based internet ‘workspace’ company Evernote announced layoffs, the first round saw 20 people in Texas, and globally, become jobless.  More will follow.  Ironically company administrators claim they’re hiring!  In San Francisco, video game maker Kixeye issued a WARN saying 70 people will become jobless in March, however, gaming industry news sources say as many as 100 people have already been laid off!

Florida: In Port Richey, Macy’s issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Gulf View Square Mall store, 70 people will be laid off by the end of March.  In Miami, Top of the Port Airport Hotel restaurant shutting down in March, 52 jobs lost.

Massachusetts: After 86 years upscale elitist clothing store Louis Boston shutdown.   Debi Greenberg, the current family owner, said the new long term lease was unacceptable and took it as a sign to retire.

Michigan: After 35 years the Sports Leader store in Taylor shutdown.  The owner blames increasing competition: “It was a big ride and a lot of fun while it lasted.  When I started in this line of work I was one of only three…”-Richard Dvorsky

Missouri: Cargill announced it is shutting down their Springfield meat factory by March, 118 jobs lost! Some employees will be able to move to Nebraska or Texas, if they want to keep their Cargill jobs.

Nebraska: In Lincoln, after nearly 60 years Baker Ace Hardware shutting down in March.  The greedy property owners sold the property to an apartment developer.

New York: In DeWitt, Macy’s issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Shoppingtown Mall store, 87 people will be laid off by the end of April.  In Schenectady, Macy’s issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Rotterdam Square store, 90 people will be laid off by the end of April.  In NYC, the Aron Streit bakery issued a WARN saying they will cease production by May.  Williamsville based TOPS Markets (aka TOPS Friendly Markets) announced it will shutdown at least 27 pharmacies in its grocery stores in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

North Carolina: Furniture store Blacklion shutdown its Dilworth store.

Ohio: A Cleveland Noodlecat ramen restaurant shutdown, due to disagreements with the property owner over the lease.

Oregon: Obama Care health insurance exchange operation Cover Oregon announced it will layoff its 62 employees by April, blaming the failure of the exchange program!  “The state abandoned the exchange in April after deciding it was cheaper to switch to the federal site than to fix Cover Oregon……Lawmakers plan to pass a bill dissolving Cover Oregon….”-KTVZ

Pennsylvania: After 80 years, Pennsylvania based female clothing store Deb Shops (aka DEB) went chapter 11 bankrupt busted in December, and is now going to shutdown all 287 stores across the United States by April, nearly 3-thousand jobs lost!  In Saint Clair, after 75 years Johnnie’s Servicecenter shutdown, the pissed off owners blamed the bad economy and competition: “It’s sad, you know? It was a struggle and we took it as far as it could go…….Obviously, we didn’t survive this long just from putting the key in the door!”-Dennis Sninsky

Tennessee: In Harding Pike, after only five years it was announced that the Harris Teeter grocery store will shutdown in February. The store was bought out by competitor Kroger, who already has a store in the same area.  Daikin Industries announced they’re shutting down all their Goodman HVAC factories in Tennessee and moving to Texas by 2017,  at least 19-hundred jobs affected!

Texas: In Sharpstown, after 24 years the Jewelry Exchange Center shutdown, apparently the family is moving the store to Sugar Land.

Virginia: In Roanoke, after 15 years Trapézi Furniture shutdown.  The owners of the store also own the property, and they are now renting it out to a physical therapist.

Wisconsin:  Brookfield based commercial printer Mittera announced it will shutdown their recently acquired J.B. Kenehan operations in March, 56 jobs lost.  After 50 years iconic Greenfield News and Hobby store shutdown.  The store was up for sale, with no luck.   “A lot of kids aren’t picking up these hobbies either because they’re being priced out … or because they’d rather go to online or home video games, and it’s hard to counteract that.”-Jeff Reich, editor of Model Retailer,  Kalmbach Publishing

07-08-January-2015: “We cannot continue…” 1 in 7 being evicted!

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.

Business/Economics, Idaho

Idaho RadioShacks make the closure hit list! 1784 stores across the U.S. to close!

07 February 2015 (00:00 UTC-07 Tango 01)/17 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1436/18 Bahman 1393/19 Bing Yin (12th month) 4712

It’s official, six (of approximately 24) Gem State RadioShack stores will be shutdown, pending a bankruptcy sale to cell phone service company Sprint.

Idaho shutdown list:

152 Bullock #4, Chubbuck
Elm Tree Plaza Suite 101, Meridian
Nampa Business Center, Nampa
733 Yellowstone Ave, Pocatello
3134 E Mullan Ave Ste A, Post Falls
Valley River Center, Rexburg

RadioShack has made public a massive list of 1784 stores across the United States that will be shutdown, called Radio Shack Exhibit 1A, B & C  First, Second & Third Tranche Stores. 

Radio Shack bankrupt busted & dying!

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 07 – 08 January 2015: “We cannot continue…” “We’ve been losing money.” 10-thousand+ job cuts announced! Massive Macy’s & JCPenney shutdowns! Automobile warranties killing off independent autoshops! 1 in 7 being evicted!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: British empire Canada owned Cinram Operations shutdown its recently acquired Cottonwood factory without warning, at least 100 jobs lost!  Cinram bought the factory from Japan owned JVC in 2014.

Alaska: The city of Sitka is so broke they are tearing up their paved roads and using gravel, because they can no longer afford to maintain paved roads!

California: Foothill Ranch based Wet Seal said Happy New Year by unleashing their “Store Project” operation which will shutdown 338 stores and render about 37-hundred (3,695 according to the press release, that about half its employees) people jobless in 2015!  In Pacoima, Brice Manufacturing (aka China based HAECO Americas, formerly known as TIMCO Aviation Services) issued a WARN saying they will shutdown seat manufacturing in March, 61 jobs affected.  In Stockton, ASCO Power Tech issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in April, at least 104 jobs lost! In Woodland, Genco issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in March, 50 jobs lost.  Rabobank issued a WARN saying it will shutdown its Imperial office in March, 79 jobs lost.  Australian owned unfair and unbalanced Fox Networks Group will layoff 75 advertising sales reps when they consolidate their broadcast and cable sales departments.  In Glendale and La Crescenta, after almost 70 years Pedrini Music announced it will shutdown both stores in Febraury.  In East Sacramento, after four years Clark’s Corner Bar & Restaurant shutdown without notice.  Local news said only that there were no plans to re-open.

Connecticut: What automotive industry recovery? In Greenwich, after more than 15 years Karl Automotive Service shutdown.  The owner blamed the skyrocketing rent, costs of repairing vehicles and radical changes in factory vehicle warranties: “…the nature of the business has changed significantly in that manufacturers have become more proprietary with their electronics and technology, so we were looking at realistically an investment of another $50,000 to $100,000 in capital for new diagnostic tools!”-Karl Chevrolet

Florida: Jacksonville based women’s ‘clubbing’ clothing chain store Body Central went bankrupt then suddenly decided to shutdown all 265 stores in the United States, 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs lost!

Georgia: Atlanta based iconic Coca-Cola announced it will add another 18-hundred job cuts to the previously announced 2-thousand!

Illinois: What automotive industry recovery? Heavy vehicle maker Caterpillar continued job culling, this time in Decatur and Peoria. 220 people became unemployed due to crashing sales to the mining industry (which includes the oil industry, oil is mined out of the ground)! Iconic McDonald’s announced it will kill off 63 jobs at its Oak Harbor HQ in February. Burger joint administrators admitted that their sales sucked ass for the past 13 months. And administrators of McDonald’s Japan are reeling from crashing sales caused by food shortages, which in turn are being caused by a strike by dock workers on the U.S. west coast which has halted U.S. potato shipments to McDonald’s Japan, and food sabotage (strange things being found in the food).

Indiana: General Mills announced they will shutdown their New Albany Pillsbury frigerated food factory by 2016, at least 400 jobs lost! Company administrators said they have “excess capacity”. That’s corporate speak for too much supply and not enough demand for their products (aka a suck ass economy).

Maine: Bath Iron Works laid off 48 ship builders, due to lack of work.

Michigan: In Ann Arbor, after only 17 months Dancing Dog Gallery shutdown, the owners simply said “We’ve been losing money.”  They explained that their rent, alone, was $5-thousand per month!  What housing market recovery?  In Detroit, “One in seven Detroit residents is threatened with eviction due to tax foreclosure in 2015, according to data compiled by Loveland Technologies.”!!!!!!!

Montana: In Missoula, after 41 years Curley’s restaurant was shutdown and sold off. The manager told local news that the reasons for the sale are private.

New York: In Pomona, Israel based Teva Pharmaceuticals issued a WARN saying they started laying off employees back in December 2014, and it will continue until March 2015.  In Irving, TLC Health Network/Lake Shore Health Care Center issued a WARN saying Obama Care forcing them to shutdown their long term care ops in April, 70 jobs lost.  In Flushing, Spirit Airlines issued a WARN saying they will layoff at least 29 employees in April.  Company administrators are trying to save money by contracting out those jobs.

Ohio: After 34 years Olga’s Kitchen shutdown their Franklin Park Mall store. Cincinnati based Macy’s department store has announced new shutdowns for 2015. At least 14 stores to be shutdown and as many as 2-thousand 5-hundred people to be rendered jobless! In Akron, Coming Attractions Bridal & Formal shutdown.  The pissed off owner blames it on bad publicity after a Texas nurse infected with ebola stopped in: “We had a big opening and we had hoped that the publicity may even have been a good thing, but now we are the Ebola Shop. Customers are tired of hearing ‘Oh, you bought it at the Ebola Shop.‘”-Anna Younker to the Northeast Ohio Media Group

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh based Education Management shutdown all its Art Institutes across the U.S., killing at least 225 jobs!  Education Management is in big trouble with the federal Department of Education for basically bribing students and violating other federal education laws.  It’s been revealed that the Amazon distribution center near Crafton is now for sale by the property owner, Rugby Realty, who refuses to explain why.  In East Liberty, Notion Restaurant shutdown without notice and is now for sale, despite making the local list of 25 best restaurants.   Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced they are selling off their Washington Crown Center and Uniontown Mall.   The evil REIT already sold off $191.7-million worth of commercial property in 2014!

South Carolina: A Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutting down in Summerton. But don’t blame competition, it’s the only grocery store in town! It’s a result of the massive shutdown of Piggly Wiggly stores across the United States.

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, ‘fair trade’ store Ten Thousand Villages shutdown.  Apparently ‘fair trade’ doesn’t sell, but the owner blamed “location”.

Texas: Plano based JCPenney announced at least seven more store shutdowns, two in South Carolina, three in Ohio, at least one in Illinois and in New York for 2015. The South Carolina stores will be shutdown at the beginning of March. The Illinois, New York and two of the Ohio stores will close in April. A third Ohio store will close in May.  One report says more stores will be shutdown and 2-thousand 2-hundred jobs will be affected! Dallas based Southwest Airlines ended their AirTran flights from Milwaukee to Atlanta and Atlanta to Tampa.

Virginia: What automotive industry recovery? In Salem, Japan owned Yokohama Tire laid off 31 people and cut Friday work hours down by two.  Does this have anything to do with the fact that Yokohama was bribed with $130-million in tax incentives to build a new factory in Columbus, Mississippi?

Washington: After 20 years Seattle based Zombie Studios shutdown.  The video game maker even worked with the U.S. Army to create video games to train soldiers.

Wisconsin: In Glendale, women’s clothing shop Lise & Kato’s shutdown. Here’s what the pissed off owners had to say: “The retail industry, both locally and nationally, has dramatically changed in the last decade. We cannot continue the type of business we have proudly had for these many years: Fair and honest pricing, quality merchandise from principled artists and responsible designers, and attentive customer service. The economic climate, changes in shopping habits, and the transition to an online and mass merchant dominance have all contributed to the closing.”

04-06-January-2015: Individuals flee New York en masse!

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.

Business/Economics

Staples takes over U.S. Postal Service? Staples takes over Office Depot, 1-thousand closings to follow!

05 February 2015 (11:15 UTC-07 Tango 01)/15 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1436/16 Bahman 1393/17 Bing Yin (12th month) 4712

After shutting down dozens of stores OfficeMax has sold off Office Depot, and not even for cash!  Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples is the new owner of Office Depot after trading $6.3-billion USD worth of stocks for it!  Reports say 1-thousand stores will be shutdown!

The American Postal Workers Union is challenging the sale, calling it “monopolistic and unlawful”.  The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently signed a deal with Staples to contract out your local Post Office jobs to Staples!  The administrators of the USPS admitted the contracting out of postal jobs is to greatly reduce pay and eliminate benefits.

Office Depot joins shutdown gang

Staples ups the ante

24/7 Wall St reporting that eight retailers will close more stores in 2013: Best Buy, Sears Holding (Kmart and Sears stores), JCPenney, Office Depot, Barnes & Noble, Gamestop, Office Max and RadioShack. 

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 04 – 06 January 2015: Individuals flee New York en masse! CAD & AUD killing U.S. oil jobs, not the drop in oil prices! Secret RadioShack shutdowns? You know the economy is bad when Walmart starts shutting down! Obamacare kills 1-thousand+ jobs in Idaho!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: After 38 years the Robert Moore & Co. Christmas Town in Mobile shutdown.  Back in August 2014 the co-owners said their health was not so good and they better quit while they’re ahead.

Alaska: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 10,137 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

California: The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 32,090 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  In Turlock, MedicAlert laid off 31 employees, blaming crashing sales.  In Santa Ana, ITT Cannon issued a WARN saying at least 12 people will be laid off in March.  Southern California Edison continues job culling, this time their latest WARN says they will shutdown their San Clemente office, rendering 45 people jobless in March.   RadioShack issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Woodland distribution center, 57 jobs lost in March.  Also in Woodland, it’s been revealed that Mitt Romney’s wunderkind Staples shutdown.

Connecticut: In New Haven, the Anchor Bar shutdown without notice, local reports say employees were ordered not to say anything to the news media.   The U.S. Census Bureau reports at least 2,664 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  Fairfield based GE (General Electric) canceled Obama Care health insurance for any retired employee who is younger than 65 years!   A judge recently allowed GE to kick all its 65-thousand retirees off of company health insurance and onto expensive private Obama Care insurance!  Obama Care being blamed for the demise of Waterbury Hospital.  Administrators say they are losing $9.7-million USD because of Obama Care, layoffs are imminent and they are now trying to sell the hospital!  Four other non-profit hospitals are up for sale as well!

Hawaii: The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 5,141 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  Kayak tour company Kohala Ditch Adventures shutdown, blaming damage to flumes caused by bad weather, and citing the expiration of their operating lease.

Idaho: Virginia based Obama Care call center operator Maximus confirmed they will shutdown their Boise call center beginning in February, rendering 1500 people jobless!  According to state WARN records, Maximus was planning to shutdown back in April 2014.

Illinois: The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 94,956 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

Indiana: CVS Pharmacy issued a WARN saying they will shutdown the Coram Enteral Nutrition Center in February, at least 124 jobs lost!

Iowa: What automotive industry recovery? Tire maker Bridgestone laid off 65 employees at their Des Moines factory, blaming crashing sales.

Kentucky: In Louisville, Cunningham’s Restaurant shutdown without warning, 30 jobs lost.  The property is for sale, but the current lease is good until 2022.  Gatti’s Pizza shutdown their Westport Village Gattiland restaurant, the owners blamed the greedy landlord: “The lease is expiring, and after months of attempting to negotiate with the landlord, a satisfactory agreement has not been reached.” 

Maine: Group Home Foundation’s Little River Apparel division laid off 60 people.

Michigan: After only five years Just Baked cupcake shop shutdown ten of its Detroit metro area stores!  Wayne County announced a 5% salary reduction for new ‘appointees’.  The county is trying to cut $1.2-million from their budget.  In Dexter, after more than 40 years Huron Camera shutdown, about nine jobs lost.  In Grand Rapids, after 14 years Louis Benton Steakhouse shutdown with a one day notice, 35 jobs lost.  It sounds like the landlords have other plans for the property.

Minnesota: Obama Care taxes forcing medical device maker Greatbatch to move 175 jobs from their Plymouth factory to Mexico!   In Wrenshall, family owned One Stop Market shutdown. The owner blames a new unAmerican corporate America competitor for costing him big losses, just in December: “Their advertising, their marketing, free milk, and 99 cent butter….It just kills these little businesses, little towns…..we’re losing everything that we have as a family…”-Chad Pfau, now legally bankrupt

New Jersey: After 14 years the Granville Millinery Company shutdown.  The owner said she was starting a new career.

New Mexico: The U.S. Census Bureau reports a net of 14,154 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

New York: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 153,921 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  This puts New York in the number one spot for mass exodus.  In Long Island, advertising tracking company Market Track issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by September 2015, at least 225 jobs are being moved out of state!  Yet another women’s clothing store going down as C.Wonder issued a late WARN saying they already shutdown their NYC store, 75 jobs lost with no warning. C. Wonder administrators also admitted “Due to the highly competitive nature of the current retail environment, C. Wonder will be closing its remaining stores.”  The clothing retailer will operate on the internet from now on.  You know the economy is bad when Walmart starts shutting down!  Walmart issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their huge two story Massapequa store in March, at least 295 jobs lost! The WARN blames the bad economy.  In Brooklyn, upscale The Guild for Exceptional Children preschool shutdown, 81 jobs affected.  In Queensbury, RadioShack shutdown their Aviation Mall store without warning, the closure was discovered by loyal customer Don Lehman who is now pissed off. In Albany, Taste (formerly Dale Miller) restaurant is being sold off.  Local news reports say it was never financially stable.  Too Big to Jail investment company NSB Advisors now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and being sold off.  After 58 years the Cheektowaga AMF Thruway Lanes bowling alley shutdown.  The property was sold to a car dealer.

Ohio:  After eight years The Greene’s Adobe Gila’s restaurant shutdown without notice, 40 jobs lost.  Local news reported that restaurant mangers/owners would not answer their phones.  Hyde Park restaurant Ash American Fare shutdown.  The owner said he is focusing on his other businesses.  In Lorain, U.S. Steel announced they will layoff 614 people between March and May, blaming crashing orders from the oil industry!

Texas:  Switzerland based deep water oil drilling company Transocean scrapped seven of their drilling ships! Company administrators say “As the company continues to evaluate the long-term competitiveness of its fleet, additional rigs may be identified as candidates for scrapping.”   They also plan massive layoffs of employees.  The decision to start scrapping deep water rigs was made back in November, before the oil price drop.  Company administrators warned their investor back then that there was a too much oil on the market.  In Houston, U.S. Steel announced they will layoff 142 people by May, blaming crashing orders from the oil industry!  Houston based oil industry company Civeo (who is supposedly relocating to Canada) laid off between 30% and 45% of employees in Canada and United States!  However, they are not blaming the drop in oil prices, they blame the declining value of the Canadian (CAD) and Australian (AUD) dollars!  Company administrators say things started getting bad before the oil price drop: “As it became evident during the fourth quarter that capital spending budgets among the major oil companies were going to be cut, we began taking steps to reduce marketed room capacity, control costs and curtail discretionary capital expenditures.”-Bradley Dodson, President and CEO

Utah: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 1,235 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!

West Virginia: The U.S. Census Bureau reports 3,269 people left the state from July 2013 to July 2014!  Oil drilling contractor Antero Resources laying off 250 land brokers (industrial real estate agents), and focusing on drilling for oil only!  Company administrators blame crashing natural gas prices.

01-03-January-2015: Chick fil-A kills Macaroni Grill in secret deal!

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.