Albert Lea Discussion Forum » Printable Version of Topic

Forum: Current Events
Topic: Another business closing
started by: Whiskero

Posted by Whiskero on Jul. 27 2018,2:12 pm

Just heard. Bridon Cordage closing September 12. Another big employer leaving Albert Lea.

Posted by Self-Banished on Jul. 31 2018,7:45 am

I-90 recycling bought their equipment?

Posted by Whiskero on Jul. 31 2018,9:54 am

No.

Posted by Whiskero on Jul. 31 2018,10:11 am

Front page of Albert Lea Tribune today.

Posted by Self-Banished on Jul. 31 2018,10:37 am

< http://www.kttc.com/story....usiness >

Posted by Whiskero on Aug. 08 2018,8:20 am

Another business closing. Holiday Lanes. More jobs lost.
We have a huge government center, huge high school, no hospital, lights supposedly bringing people into town (not showing the way out) and now we are getting a huge fire station! Why can't the city officials in office sit down at a meeting and say, what can we do to save the taxpayers money? For the next term, we are going to save people money instead of spending it. Wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air?!! They would be re-elected in a heart beat!

Posted by pepi-lapew on Aug. 08 2018,12:31 pm

They all need to be replaced including the mayor. They are all RHINOS way past there time here as usual.

Posted by allergic to bogus on Sep. 12 2018,8:44 pm

You can now add Sterling Drug to businesses closing.

Posted by nzeroesc on Sep. 12 2018,10:21 pm

Except this feels like yet another case of AL having little or nothing to do with the circumstances behind them closing. Sterling corporate has taken the overall company in the direction of long term care and operating as a specialty pharmacy serving small independent pharmacies and other partners, not retail pharmacy sales. Their LTC pharmacy lost Good Sam and possibly other nursing home contracts in AL in the last couple of years, and their specialty business is in the metro area, not here either. They can blame their BS on Mayo, but their own decision to change markets and relocate services to Owatonna and Austin as well as moving some functions to the new Mendota Heights location has probably had a much larger impact on their bottom line than they maybe intended.

Posted by Whiskero on Oct. 16 2018,4:20 pm

American Mattress

Posted by Self-Banished on Oct. 17 2018,6:07 am

Coincidence? Serta in St Paul just closed.

Posted by Whiskero on Nov. 19 2018,10:50 am

New Holland/Titan closed their doors today. Went to get some parts. Oops, no more.

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 19 2018,3:04 pm

Have to put this here otherwise AC won’t believe it

< https://www.kimt.com/content....01.html >

Check it with a fork?

Posted by Whiskero on Nov. 19 2018,4:56 pm

I did not realize it was quite the "kick in the butt", for the holidays, until I read the article you posted sb. Wow

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 19 2018,6:11 pm

^^ yeah, sorry, it just sucks and there’s just not a lot a person can do.

Posted by was1 on Nov. 19 2018,6:52 pm

Anytime a business closes it’s not good for those who worked there. Hopefully those affected will quickly find new employment.

And hopefully the community will reach out and help them through this time.

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 19 2018,8:26 pm

(was1 @ Nov. 19 2018,6:52 pm)

QUOTE

Anytime a business closes it’s not good for those who worked there.

Duh, ya’ think? :dunce:

Posted by was1 on Nov. 19 2018,9:02 pm

I am actually surprised you don’t go down the caplist route and say if they can’t make it in the free market too bad.

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 19 2018,9:44 pm

(was1 @ Nov. 19 2018,9:02 pm)

QUOTE

I am actually surprised you don’t go down the caplist route and say if they can’t make it in the free market too bad.

Jeezus! The guy goes to the implement dealer to get whatever and he finds it closed for good and all you can say is “too bad”?

Kinda a cold heartless SOB you are.

Posted by was1 on Nov. 20 2018,6:22 am

Again SfB. Your reading comprehension skills are very poor.

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 20 2018,6:53 am

^^ and your compassion sucks.

Posted by Expatriate on Nov. 20 2018,7:22 am

< View on YouTube >

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 20 2018,8:53 am

^^ fortunately, I haven’t time for a 42 min vid but I did watch about three minutes. So what you’re saying is that there’s going to be an even bigger collapse than 2008. Yeah, if you were to go back to some of my posts over the years you’d see that I’ve been predicting this for some time.

Do I still think it’s coming? Yes, will it be bad? maybe. Will the fact that we have a business man in office that might soften the blow help? Most definitely.

So dump your credit card debt, pay off as many consumer loans as possible, buy some PM’s and have a paid for house.

PS, lay off the koolaid

Posted by Expatriate on Nov. 20 2018,10:41 am

QUOTE

maybe. Will the fact that we have a business man in office that might soften the blow help? Most definitely.

So dump your credit card debt, pay off as many consumer loans as possible, buy some PM’s and have a paid for house.

What Businessman, Trump and the Republicans are at fault, they've deregulated and tax cut our treasury to the point of bankruptcy for the benefit of the wealthy and profitable Corporation with NO return compensation. The trade war was a foolish move, it's merely another tax on the already debt ridden worker...

The youtube was a collage of financial advisors all coming to the same conclusion we're in dire-straights, the Trump bubbles are all going to pop....he's the king of bankruptcy and he's going take US belly up. the dollar will collapse...

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 20 2018,10:55 am

A collage of financial advisors, hmmm. There are thousands of financial advisers, pretty much all with differing opinions, please, all you did was search YouTube for opinions you like.

We might want to wait till the end of the G20 meeting next week. In the mean time Kernal Klink, don’t run a hose from you exhaust, no playing with razors, become familiar with which end on the gun bullets come out.

We’re going to be fine.

Posted by just the facts on Dec. 14 2018,7:08 am

Shopko Pharmacy

< https://www.albertleatribune.com/2018....ert-lea >

Posted by Whiskero on Dec. 14 2018,10:35 am

Isn't that great. Another business closing. I can hardly wait for the new Hammer stadium addition. There will be nobody to attend the events but it will sure look pretty......................

Posted by Whiskero on Dec. 19 2018,12:18 pm

So, I thought that HyVee bought the Slumberland area of the mall to expand, and that is why Slumberland moved. Now I see that A Best Sew and Vac moved to that building. Did HyVee change their mind?

Posted by usmcr on Dec. 20 2018,8:41 pm

according to beacon this property went back to the previous owner . they live in owatonna.
2720 bridge ave - parcel id - 342760011 4-18-2018. hy vee could still be in the market but who knows?

Posted by Expatriate on Jan. 12 2019,7:23 am

Shopko bankruptcy

< https://www.albertleatribune.com/2019....kruptcy >

Posted by usmcr on Jan. 17 2019,9:45 am

< https://www.twincities.com/2018....nnesota >

according to this article, the two stores that will be closing in minnesota are in mahnomen & payneesville.

Posted by nzeroesc on Jan. 18 2019,1:06 am

Find it interesting that the Pioneer Press managed to get that as wrong as they did. The two stores they listed are small format ShopKo Hometown stores, and they totally missed the two actual ShopKo stores closing. Per the companies own published list here are the 5 locations closing in MN.

Shopko 2820 HWY 63 SOUTH ROCHESTER MN 55904 4/15/2019
Shopko 1001 HIGHWAY 15 SOUTH FAIRMONT MN 56031 4/15/2019
Hometown 416 U.S. HIGHWAY 59 MAHNOMEN MN 56557 3/3/2019
Hometown 216 MAIN AVENUE NE WARROAD MN 56763 4/15/2019
Hometown 810 DIEKMANN DRIVE PAYNESVILLE MN 56362 3/3/2019

There are also 11 Iowa locations closing, none particularly close to our area however.

Posted by just the facts on Feb. 06 2019,7:46 pm

< https://www.kimt.com/content....71.html >

Albert and Austin Shopko closing in May

Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 07 2019,11:43 am

^^you folks just can’t seem to catch a break.

Posted by dipsie on Aug. 02 2019,11:04 am

What happened to Bauer Built. See the building if for sale.

Posted by dipsie on Aug. 02 2019,11:04 am

Did Bauer Built move or just close?

Posted by Self-Banished on Aug. 02 2019,2:32 pm

^^ closed shop in that town.

Posted by Expatriate on Aug. 12 2019,6:51 am

Loadsmart and Starsky Robotics Make First-Ever Digital Freight Delivery Via Autonomous Truck

< https://www.truckinginfo.com/337887....ia-auto >

Posted by Self-Banished on Aug. 12 2019,7:49 am

^^ yeah, I saw they were starting in Texas last week, more of a middle mileage carrier. It’ll probably be 10 or so more years to really get that going.

Posted by Liberal on Nov. 07 2019,7:18 am

Skyline hardware has closed.

Would the last one out please turn off the lights?

Posted by was1 on Nov. 07 2019,7:55 am

That is too bad. As nice as it was to get Home Depot there it has driven all the "hardware" stores out of town. I remember before Home Depot you had to plan your projects good because if you ended up needing something on a Sunday you were driving to Mason City, Rochester or Mankato to get it.

Those small "hardware" stores had things no one else did and typically had employees who actually knew something. Big loss.

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 07 2019,9:37 am

There are advantages to places like HD, well stocked lumber, several choices of product and open Sunday for those who don’t “plan good” :blush:

Posted by Expatriate on Nov. 08 2019,9:07 am

^^Home Depot is ok for what it is, but it's not a fully stocked lumber yard..
It's not a fully stocked hardware store..you have to special order products...
I remember the first hardware store at the skyline it was a place you could get almost anything, if you needed a piece pipe cut to certain length and threaded no problem..need some advice on a plumbing project no problem..
The fleet farm store on Main St had everything and a guy that knew exactly where it was, when you told him about the thinging bob he knew what you meant.
Now we're down to Raleigh's Ace Hardware which isn't bad, one of Raleigh's sons works there he's experienced and helpful.
Bomgaars and Home Depot are okay but they aren't like a fully stocked hardware...

Posted by Self-Banished on Nov. 08 2019,9:24 am

I’m a lucky man, I have Home Depot, Menards and Lowe’s within 2 miles of my house, usually anything I want.

I also grew up with the Olsons at the Trading Post, they seem to just keep reinventing themselves to keep viable.

Posted by Expatriate on Dec. 05 2019,8:00 am

Mayo Clinic Health System announces closure of Springfield, Lamberton facilities

< https://www.keyc.com/2019....ilities >

Posted by Self-Banished on Dec. 05 2019,8:52 am

^^ bummer, probably just another casualty of Nazi centralized planning.

Posted by Liberal on Feb. 05 2020,5:42 pm

Sounds like Marketplace will be closing at the end of the month..

Posted by Whiskero on Feb. 07 2020,8:21 am

Just heard that about Marketplace. Also both Mileage gas stations are closed for good. Do you think the powers to be could entice Fareway to go in the mall?

Posted by Liberal on Feb. 07 2020,6:14 pm

Which dead mall would they go into?

Posted by Whiskero on Feb. 11 2020,8:10 am

I guess Marketplace is going to be cut in half, and apartments will be built out and up. At least we won't be totally without a grocery store at that end of town.

Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 26 2020,6:44 pm

Trumbles?

Posted by danbelshan on Feb. 28 2020,1:32 pm

GOING GOING GONE

Kibble John Deere
New Holland Equip
Holiday Lanes
Dairy Queen
Bridon (twine factory)
Herbergers
Shopko
Shopko Optical (moved to Austin)
Hospital (no births no overnight)
Sterling Drug
Bauer Built
Fleet Farm
Curt's Pharmacy
Trumbles
Hardware Hank
Fountain Industries

When will government downsize???

It's your money!!!!

Posted by was1 on Feb. 28 2020,5:01 pm

Dan

Please provide specific details as to how the city and county government were responsible for the closing of each of these businesses.

Posted by danbelshan on Feb. 28 2020,5:47 pm

Very painful to look at that list but we need to face reality!!!

I chair a 10-county Workforce Development Board for SE MN. Freeborn County is doing worse than any other.
In my opinion when businesses leave, government should downsize.
I proposed having county department heads cut 1% from every department budget. Instead the majority of our board voted to increase wages and the levy. :oops:

Posted by was1 on Feb. 28 2020,10:37 pm

Oh. So you have zero to support your claims.

Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 29 2020,6:52 am

^^ wow, aren’t you a dick :finger:

Albert Lea has had many opportunities over the years and for the most part, “screwed the pooch”. One that comes to mind was GMSPO, a huge part of GM’s supply chain. It seemed that community leaders fell short of their offerings to attract this golden goose.

Posted by was1 on Feb. 29 2020,8:10 am

Not being a dick. Looking for facts to back his claim.

A couple of those were nation wide corporate failures - what part did the city or county play in those?

A couple were good old capitalism- Home Depot coming to town caused them.

If people want to place blame have some facts and proof to back your statements. Is that too much to ask?

Posted by was1 on Feb. 29 2020,8:28 am

As for GMSPO - I don’t remember the details in that one. But in my time at AL there were many such “inquiries” from businesses. Most of the time AL was used as a bargaining chip for where the industry was going to go anyway.

And had a bigger package been given many would have screamed about the corporate give always.

Most times AL lost out due to community size and amenities that the employer knew their workers would want that AL doesn’t have.

Posted by usmcr on Feb. 29 2020,11:49 am

Demographics i think is the root cause of the demise of freeborn county. i am sure there are other factors that also need to be factored in as well, but this is probably the root cause. consider if you will if you were a ceo of a firm considering relocating into freeborn county. just how much time or effort would you put forth into a county that has consistently lost population over a number of years. population is the over riding factor that drives economic growth. consolidation of the farms has been a factor as well. Being a rural economy is also part of the equation & as we all know is a huge problem. As far as the local government is concerned bigger is not always better. With the decline in population it would suggest a decline in local tax revenue to finance the local government. This is assuming the local government is not borrowing to finance its desire to become larger or more grandiose. It has been over two years since we moved from Albert Lea up to Lakeville,MN. The contrast is like night & day. The growth up here is unbelievable. In our neighborhood huge homes are being built & sold at a fantastic rate they start at $300,000 & up. Developers buy farms & in no time at all fill the land with homes. All this translates into economic growth. In my humble opinion Albert Lea is to close to Iowa & to far from the twin cities. We were down there yesterday & thought it would be nice to stop at Trumbles for a meal of their good walleye pike but were informed by our good friends that they had closed up. This really jolted us into the reality that Albert Lea is really going downhill fast. That is truly a shame as it it is such a beautiful city (town). Build it & they will come is well quoted phrase. Well consider the hospital,Lea College,new court house & jail, new fire station, etc. have they come? There needs to be checks & balances not wishful thinking.

Posted by was1 on Feb. 29 2020,1:45 pm

Very true USMCR.

I fully remember hearing that a big reason bigger companies didn’t end up relocating to AL area was the limited, and dwindling, workforce. As well as the limited amenities compared to the twin cities area.

Sadly it is not just a freeborn county issue, it is an issue for the majority of rural America. As times have changed, more and more people don’t want to work the rural jobs not live that lifestyle.

Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 29 2020,5:21 pm

^^ Home Depot cause business failure? What businesses?

Posted by was1 on Feb. 29 2020,8:02 pm

I would guess Home Depot hurt both Fleet Farm and Hardware Hank far more than the local government

Posted by Self-Banished on Mar. 01 2020,5:56 am

^^ survival of the fittest, I’m sure Home Depot did a lot of research to see if AL was a viable market for them. The Fleet Farm I remember as a kid Fleet Farm on Main was sort of a hot mess as far as stores go and Home Depot doesn’t carry a lot of the products they do. There wasn’t a Hardware Hank when I lived there but the HH stores I’ve seen are a far cry from Home Depot

Seems to me I heard that Mills Fleet Farpm was looking at AL at one time but the owner of the Fleet Farm cried fowl, Mills ended up building in Owatonna.

Funny that the Trading Post in Gordonsville has remained prosperous all these years.

Posted by was1 on Mar. 10 2020,4:20 pm

Dan - still waiting for you to explain how the local governments drove those businesses out.

Posted by Self-Banished on Apr. 04 2020,8:24 am

And yet another one

< https://www.albertleatribune.com/2020....4-years >

Posted by Expatriate on Jul. 15 2020,11:23 am

Streater, will permanently cease operations at its store fixture manufacturing plant in Albert Lea by the end of September...

< https://www.albertleatribune.com/2020....ptember >

Posted by Self-Banished on Jul. 15 2020,11:42 am

^^ I saw that, too bad.
So what’s the leadership of AL going to do?

Posted by was1 on Jul. 15 2020,11:56 am

Sad

Interesting - 1994 920 employees. Today 75.

Posted by pepi la pew on Jul. 29 2020,12:50 pm

The city fathers will PUNT as usual and blame everyone else.
I worked there for 42 years, was going down hill then. TOO bad we need the industry.

Posted by pepi-lapew on Sep. 28 2020,8:09 am

What is the deal of the new business coming to town. It is supposed to be located out on Hershey by Northbridge mall.It is going to make snack foods & cereal, Not a word about it in the Albert lea Fish wrap.

Posted by Whiskero on Oct. 20 2020,7:56 am

Anybody know the business that is in Bauer Bilt? The guy on the radio said it was sold but did not know to who. There is a lot of cars there. Also, they are working on the old Dairy Queen. Anything there?

Posted by Whiskero on Nov. 24 2020,8:59 am

Edward Jones Investments has their sign on the old Dairy Queen Building. Just on the one side. Makes me wonder if something else will be along side it.

Posted by seulloup on Nov. 25 2020,5:53 am

(pepi-lapew @ Sep. 28 2020,8:09 am)

QUOTE

No point in writing about it really because it's not new. Zumbro River Brand that's been out there since 2006 got bought out by another company.

< https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article....r-Brand >

Posted by Let Freedom Ring on Dec. 01 2020,8:10 am

(Whiskero @ Nov. 24 2020,8:59 am)

QUOTE

Edward Jones Investments has their sign on the old Dairy Queen Building. Just on the one side. Makes me wonder if something else will be along side it.

That was such a nice looking Dairy Queen .

Kwik Trip should take a stab at cones, sundaes, etc. . .

Already got everybody going there one or more times a day. lol

Does Casey's do that?