Category Archives: Business

Ritz Camera files for bankruptcy

Posted on February 24, 2009 | Leave a comment

Ritz Camera Centers, Inc., which at more than 1,ooo locations in 45 states, presumably makes it the world’s largest camera chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday. Locally, the company operates as Wolf Camera, with six locations in the metro Birmingham area and 10 overall statewide.

Its online component, Ritz Interactive, is a separate company, though the announcement is sure to have an impact on the e-commerce side of things. Ritz Camera Centers serves as the web company’s largest supplier.

They still plan to operate during the restructuring.

Leave a comment

Posted in Business

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Crestwood Coffee Company… for now

Posted on February 10, 2009 | 11 comments

Pye Parson recently became the new owner of the Crestwod Coffee Company on Birmingham’s East side. Pye also owns Birmingham IN spot Sol Garden two doors down from the neighborhood hangout spot, though she’s not sure of her plans for that space when its lease is up later this year.

Since implemented and proposed changes include allowing customers to establish accounts and regaining its beer and wine license in the near future, it only makes sense to consider changing the name. If you stop by, consider dropping a suggestion in the box at the bar.

11 Comments

Posted in Business, food

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Time for a Bojangles biscuit run…

Posted on February 6, 2009 | 2 comments

… much closer to home. Charlotte, NC-based Bojangle’s has announced plans to expand into the Birmingham, AL market, with hopes of opening four (4) locations in the metro area before the end of the year. We here see this as a great excuse to eat breakfast whenever we want, and that’s important, even to their corporate office, especially when you take a look at their recipe for success.

2 Comments

Posted in Business, food

Tagged , , , , ,

Bruno’s files Chapter 11

Posted on February 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

Just in case you haven’t heard the news, Birmingham, AL-based Bruno’s Supermarkets has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier today. The press release states that operations will be restructured. The company last filed for Chapter 11 in 1998. 

We’d tell you more, but then you wouldn’t have a reason to check out the press release for yourself, now would you?

Leave a comment

Posted in Business

Tagged , , , , ,

Ms. Ledbetter is going to Washington

Posted on January 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Lilly Ledbetter. Lindsay Beyerstein/flickrThe word’s gotten out that Lily Ledbetter, for whom the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 is named for, is heading up to the Nation’s Capital from Jacksonville, AL to be present when the President signs it into law tomorrow morning. The White House seems to have been looking forward to this event themselves, as evidenced in one of their first blog posts going so far as to provide a link to the measure as it was presented to and passed by boh the House and Senate via THOMAS. Today’s Birmingham News shares the story of where she’s come from and how she got ready for her trip into Washington today.

Photo: Lily Ledbetter. Lindsay Beyerstein/Flickr.

Leave a comment

Posted in Business

Tagged , , , ,

UPDATE: BBVA Compass announces layoffs

Posted on January 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

Yep, that’s the word we’ve just received – BBVA Compass will announce plans to lay off nearly 10% of their workforce as early as later today. NOTE: They did announce it today – here’s NBC 13’s account via the Associated Press and The Birmingham News‘ post on their breaking news blog, where they confirm that 200 of the jobs will be lost in the Birmingham area.

We’re awaiting confirmation. It would be a major amount of cuts as well, reportedly 10% reduction in current staff numbers. When the last round of job cuts were announced in late November, the bank was reportedly employing more than 13.000 people across six states.

Sources report that internal emails indicated that 1,200 positions would be eliminated with individual notifications made “over the next couple of weeks.”  Severance and placement services were also offered.

Leave a comment

Posted in Business

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,