Latest news with #businessclosure


Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Tears as 60-year-old business staple shuts iconic downtown location: 'RIP my childhood'
Another iconic business will close up shop for good. In an Instagram post, Rocky's Peanut Company — a snack and spice store in downtown Detroit — announced plans to shut down after 60 years in business. It now joins more than 5,000 brick-and-mortar locations that have shut f or good this year. 'It is with a heavy heart that, after many years, decades, and family generations, Rocky's will be closing its doors,' the company wrote in a caption. Patricia Russo, the owner, said the store is shutting down as she heads into retirement. She hasn't set a closing date, but said they're aiming to sell through the products and the building by October. Rocky's became a mainstay in the city's Eastern Market commercial district after opening its doors in the 1950s. It sold products like salted peanuts, coconut water, candied fruits, and burger seasoning in bulk. On social media, commenters have expressed sadness about the closure while reminiscing about their sugar-filled visits. 'RIP my childhood,' one shopper said about the store on Reddit. 'There was no greater experience than picking random candies from those bins.' Another Instagram commenter wrote: 'The candy and cashews will be missed... You all has a great run.' 'This decision comes after much reflection on the future of the business and our family,' Russo told 'We are humbled by the outpouring of love and support from our loyal customers.' Retail Run Thousands of retailers, restaurants, and small businesses have shuttered across the US this year as consumer behavior shifts and pricing pressures squeeze profits. Closures are expected to accelerate. Experts predict 15,000 stores will permanently close this year, more than double the 7,000 that shut down last year. Bankruptcies from some iconic American chains — like Party City, Rite Aid, and Joann's — have fueled the first wave of liquidations. Each has shut down hundreds of locations after entering bankruptcy. Joann's and Party City have closed all of their physical stores, while Rite Aid is shutting down all of its locations. Meanwhile, big-box retailers like Macy's and Kohl's have added to the tally with dozens of closures of their own. Executives have pointed to online shopping trends and inflation-weary consumers as key reasons for the downsizing. But experts told that panic over store closures may be overblown. 'The retail apocalypse is fake news,' Saunders of Global Data told 'While it is true that we're seeing a rash of store closures, this is mostly because weaker players are dropping out of the market - because they have failed to convince consumers to shop with them.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular cider brand removed from UK supermarket shelves and pubs
Once known for its high-quality cider, Jaspels has announced that it is closing its doors. The founders have given an explanation for their tough Percival, who founded Jaspels in 2017 with qualified biochemist Adrian, said 'Jaspels has sadly closed for a number of reasons' and that seasonal difficulties, lease issues and a change in personal circumstances are all contributing factors.


South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
50 workers seek HK$600,000 in unpaid wages as another restaurant set to close in Hong Kong
'Due to lease expiration, we plan to close our business on August 1, 2025,' says notice posted at Star Seafood and Roasted Goose Restaurant's Chuk Yuen Plaza branch About 50 workers are chasing at least HK$600,000 (US$76,437) in unpaid wages as another Chinese restaurant prepares to shut down next month, amid a string of closures in the Hong Kong catering sector. A notice announcing the imminent closure was posted at Star Seafood and Roasted Goose Restaurant branch at Chuk Yuen Plaza in Wong Tai Sin. 'Due to lease expiration, we plan to close our business on August 1, 2025,' Star Seafood Restaurant Group said. The restaurant has five operating branches, including the one set to shut down. The branches are under Star Seafood Restaurant Group, which was established in 2000, and also operates other brands in Hong Kong, such as Star Seafood Restaurant, Golden Star Restaurant and Star Palace. Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing of the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions said on Saturday the closure affected the restaurant's 40 to 50 employees. He said workers had complained that the restaurant only paid half of their wages for June, and that they had not received their salaries for this month. Newsletter Every Saturday Hong Kong Update By submitting, you consent to receiving marketing emails from SCMP. If you don't want these, tick here {{message}} Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Follow us on Facebook to get our latest news. Some of the staff quit their jobs earlier in mid-July because of the delayed salary payment, while some would be transferred to other restaurant branches under the group, he said. Lam estimated that the overall amount of the unpaid wages involved reached at least HK$600,000. He added that about 10 workers had sought help from the Labour Department. 'We hope that the restaurant will pay the wages for July as well as the amount not paid for June according to the law,' he said. 'If there are vacancies in other branches, can they first recruit the affected employees?' Lam called on the workers who would be transferred to other restaurants to pay attention to the details of their new contracts, such as wages and the calculation of their service years, to protect their rights. He also urged the government to limit the number of imported workers in the catering industry to safeguard job opportunities for local workers amid the sector's high unemployment rate. The Labour Department said it had contacted the employer and reminded it to comply with the Employment Ordinance and the terms of contracts, adding that it would offer help to workers in need. Additionally, Jin Man Lou, an eatery in Prince Edward, will also close permanently after its last day on July 31. 'As the company's lease is about to expire, and the landlord's rent increase was too high, the company failed to reach a consensus with the landlord on the new rent arrangement. After careful consideration, the company has decided that Jin Man Lou's last operating day will be July 31, 2025,' a notice said. It remained uncertain how many of its workers would be affected. The closures occur as a string of businesses in the city's catering sector shut down permanently. Earlier this month, 36-year-old Super Star Seafood Restaurant abruptly shut down its last remaining branch and left about 50 employees in limbo as they sought to recover about HK$6 million in unpaid wages and dismissal compensation. Bakery chain Taipan Bread & Cakes, which invented 'snow skin' mooncakes, closed all of its branches after 41 years in business last month. In May, 33-year-old congee restaurant chain Ocean Empire Food Shop also shut all its outlets.


The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Top cider brand pulled from UK supermarket shelves, pubs & restaurants forever in ‘huge loss'
A POPULAR cider brand based in the UK has officially ceased operations. The company made the announcement after just eight years in business. 2 Jaspels was set up on the Welsh island of Anglesey in 2017 by Janet and Adrian Percival, a trained bio-chemist. The pair initially put out a call on social media for apple donors to help launch the business. Jaspels went on to thrive, with the company taking on a production unit in Amlwch. Their cider was served up at pubs, restaurants, and stores on Anglesey and mainland Britain. Company statement In a recent statement, the company cited seasonality challenges, lease issues, and a change in personal circumstances as the main reasons for closure. "Jaspels has closed for a number of reasons," Janet wrote in a Facebook post. She went on to discuss the "unfair lease conditions" her company had encountered. "The estate went back on the initial agreement terms and we were only offered 12 months lease," she said. "This made a significant impact on the future planning of the business and impossible to make the cider on those terms." After already changing locations once, Janet explained they "could not possibly move the business again". Scotland Lifts 44-Year Football Booze Ban: Inside Ayr United's Historic Pilot Scheme She continued to say "seasonality challenges made it unviable in the end". "A change of personal circumstances also meant we could not continue as myself and Ade separated due to stress," Janet added. While she left the business in November 2024, it officially ceased operation this month. She closed out her message by thanking Jaspels' loyal patrons over the years. "I would like to say that we loved every moment of Jaspels and will miss the barn and bar massively," Janet said. NHS guidelines on drinking alcohol According to the NHS, regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week risks damaging your health. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks: men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week if you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week If you're pregnant or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum. You read more on the NHS website. "It is very sad for the island and ourselves." Jaspels Anglesey Craft Cider is an award-winning brand, with a Sustainable Business Award, a Silver Medal, and the Best Newcomer award at the Welsh Perry and Cider Society Championships among the accolades. Customer reaction Customers shared their sadness at the news, with locals offering fond farewells to the location. "That is sad news, as quite often I'd cycle past and pick up a bottle or have a refreshing glass of cider there. I hope they reopen somewhere," wrote one fan. "Very sad news indeed. A lovely venue on a sunny day," said another person. A third commenter described the news as a "huge loss" to the island and drinks industry. More on drinks Plus, the supermarket own-brand prosecco that's been dubbed "better than Selfridges". And Tesco has slashed the price of a popular and award-winning liqueur. A round-up of the 24 best acohol-free drinks currently available. Plus, an award-winning Caribbean rum that makes the perfect cocktails. And the best rose deals you can nab for the perfect summer treat.

The Australian
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Australian
Greg Josephson's Noosa cafes close after Brisbane businessman's death
The family of slain Brisbane businessman Greg Josephson have been forced to close their businesses in the wake of his death. Mr Josephson, 58, died at his inner-city home on June 26, and a 15-year-old boy who is known to him has been charged with murder. Following the sale of the Universal Store clothing business that he founded with his brother, Mr Josephson amassed a network of real estate and commercial interests, but his family is now selling some of these ventures. Greg Josephson with his wife Tamra. 'His beautiful family has been forced to make a tough call, so it is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Cafe Noosa, Noosa General Store and Eumundi Sourdough Co, effective since Monday 14th July,' a spokesperson for Cafe Doonan said. Cafe Doonan is inland from Noosa Heads, north of Queensland's Sunshine Coast. 'Cafe Doonan will remain open. We will all do our absolute best to honour Greg's dream,' the spokesperson said. Mr Josephson's funeral was held on July 14. Picture: NewsWire / Tertius Pickard Following Mr Josephson's death last month, he was farewelled at a funeral near the family home last week. 'Words can do this loss no justice. Greg was on his way to create an amazing hub of businesses with a passion and drive that was unmatched,' the spokesperson said on Monday night. The Noosa businesses opened in 2023, and the Eumundi shop opened in November 2024. 'He loved being a part of this community and had an impressive vision for the four locations. 'He was a kind and gentle man who is missed dearly by all staff. We are deeply saddened by this loss.' Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages in the Noosa Hinterland, also in Mr Josephson's name, is listed for sale. Mr Josephson founded the Universal Store clothing outlet with his brother Michael in 1999, later selling the business for a reported $100m. Blair Jackson Reporter Blair's journalism career has taken him from Perth, to New Zealand, Queensland and now Melbourne. Blair Jackson