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COVID-19: Some Restrictions In CT Are Being Lifted; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By Community COVID-19: Some Restrictions In CT Are Being Lifted; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By Community
Covid-19: Some Restrictions In CT Are Being Lifted; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By Community Some COVID-19 restrictions in Connecticut are being lifted as the state and region continue recovering from the second wave of the virus’ surge. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Thursday, March 4 that in the coming weeks, the state will be easing certain restrictions, particularly those relating to capacity levels and travel restrictions. Lamont noted that while some restrictions are being eased, all of the protocols that relate to face coverings, social distancing, and cleaning measures are being maintained. Beginning on Friday, March 19, capacity limits will be eliminated for: …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Best Buy To Cut 5,000 Jobs, Close Stores As Customers Shift To Online Purchases Best Buy To Cut 5,000 Jobs, Close Stores As Customers Shift To Online Purchases
Best Buy To Cut 5,000 Jobs, Close Stores As Customers Shift To Online Purchases Best Buy is laying off thousands of workers as the retail giant plans to close some brick-and-mortar stores as the company transitions to focus on its e-commerce business. This week, Best Buy announced that it is laying off 5,000 employees this month with plans to close more stores this year after consumers concentrated on online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the company, approximately 40 percent of its sales in the past year came from online purchases, up from 19 percent two years ago, forcing the retailer to transition its business model. While Best Buy laid off 5,0…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Lord & Taylor Closing All Its Stores After Nearly 200 Years In Business Lord & Taylor Closing All Its Stores After Nearly 200 Years In Business
Lord & Taylor Closing All Its Stores After Nearly 200 Years In Business Lord & Taylor, the first department store to be established in the United States, is going out of business, closing all its stores after a 194-year run. Reversing a decision announced last week to keep 14 stores open, the company announced on Thursday, Aug. 27 that all of its 38 remaining stores and website have begun liquidation sales.  Parent company Le Tote had filed for bankruptcy Sunday, Aug. 2. "While we are still entertaining various opportunities, we believe it is prudent to simultaneously put the remainder of the stores into liquidation to maximize value of inv…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Original Ann Taylor's in New Haven Closes - More Closures for Parent Co. Ascena Planned Original Ann Taylor's in New Haven Closes - More Closures for Parent Co. Ascena Planned
Original Ann Taylor's in New Haven Closes - More Closures for Parent Co. Ascena Planned The original Ann Taylor’s in New Haven closed for good on Monday, July 27. The retailers first launched from New Haven in 1954, eventually growing to a women’s clothing store giant. Ann Taylor’s parent company, Ascena, filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. In addition to Ann Taylor, Ascena owns the brands: LOFT, Lane Bryant, Justice, Catherines, Cacique, and Lou & Grey. All of the retailers will continue to operate, though many of its 2,800 stores will be closed, according to Ascena. Catherines is being sold to City Chic. In announcing the bankruptcy filing and restructuring on July…

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by Kristin Palpini
Business
COVID-19: GNC Files For Bankruptcy, Will Close About 1,200 Stores COVID-19: GNC Files For Bankruptcy, Will Close About 1,200 Stores
Covid-19: GNC Files For Bankruptcy, Will Close About 1,200 Stores General Nutrition Centers (GNC) plans to close upwards of 1,200 stores after filing for bankruptcy amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The 85-year-old company, which reportedly has been dealing with nearly a billion dollars of debt announced it will be shuttering at least a quarter of its locations as it faces a shortage of customers due to the COVID-19 outbreak. According to GNC, the company “has been executing a store portfolio optimization strategy to close underperforming stores, while continuing to invest in omnichannel and brand strategies to better meet consumer demand." G…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New York City Cleared To Start Phase 2 Of Reopening COVID-19: New York City Cleared To Start Phase 2 Of Reopening
Covid-19: New York City Cleared To Start Phase 2 Of Reopening New York City has been cleared to start Phase 2 of the state's four-phase process of reopening its economy. Phase 2 includes office-based jobs, real estate, barbershops, salons, outdoor dining, and expanded retail services. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday, June 19 that New York City had been given clearance by global public health experts to enter Phase Two on Monday, June 21. Office-based jobs include: Professional services; Administrative support; Information technology. Retail: In-store shopping; Rental, repair, and cleaning; Limited service barbershop and hair salons; O…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
COVID-19: Apple Reopens Connecticut Stores COVID-19: Apple Reopens Connecticut Stores
Covid-19: Apple Reopens Connecticut Stores Apple has started the slow process of reopening stores as economies have restarted throughout the nation amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Apple announced it will be opening at least 10 retail locations in New York City, while dozens will be opened in Connecticut, which has entered its second phase of reopening as of Wednesday, June 17. Hours at newly reopening Apple stores are expected to be adjusted due to the COVID-19 crisis, as will shifts by employees, and some orders will now have to be picked up by appointment only. “We are open again,” the company said in a message p…

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by Zak Failla
Business
JCPenney Announces 154 Stores Set To Close Through Summer JCPenney Announces 154 Stores Set To Close Through Summer
JCPenney Announces 154 Stores Set To Close Through Summer JCPenney has released a list of 154 stores nationwide that will close through the summer. The closures, beginning on Friday, June 12, include New York and Connecticut. Seven closures are scheduled in New York (all upstate) and one in Connecticut (at the Torrington Commons in Torrington). To view the complete list, click here. More closures will be announced in the coming weeks, JCPenney said. The company filed for bankruptcy on Friday, May 15 in the largest retail casualty of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Founded in 1902, JCPenny has about 800 stores in the United…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Stop & Shop Announces Closure Of CT Store Stop & Shop Announces Closure Of CT Store
Stop & Shop Announces Closure Of CT Store A Stop & Shop location in Connecticut will be shutting its doors before the end of the year due to poor sales. Stop & Shop announced that its location on Centennial Plaza in Meriden will be permanently closed in the fall. “Stop & Shop has made the difficult decision not to renew the lease for our store in Centennial Plaza in Meriden, Connecticut, as the store was not meeting financial expectations,” a company spokeswoman said.  “Stop & Shop intends to operate the store and the fuel station through the fall of 2020 and at that time, all associates will be given the opp…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Will NYers Cross Over Into CT For Outdoor Dining, Hair Care Or To Visit Mall May 20? COVID-19: Will NYers Cross Over Into CT For Outdoor Dining, Hair Care Or To Visit Mall May 20?
Covid-19: Will NYers Cross Over Into CT For Outdoor Dining, Hair Care Or To Visit Mall May 20? Restaurants and most other non-essential downstate New York businesses are unlikely to reopen before mid-June. But Connecticut is on target to start  Phase 1 of its reopening plan on Wednesday, May 20. The sectors of business scheduled to reopen on that date are restaurants (outdoor dining only), museums, hair salons/barbershops, retail (including malls) and offices. Nail salons are not included among businesses reopening May 20. Meanwhile, beaches in New Jersey are on target to reopen by Memorial Day Weekend. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was asked at his daily news briefing on Sa…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Detailed Rules Now Released For CT Businesses Due To Reopen May 20 COVID-19: Detailed Rules Now Released For CT Businesses Due To Reopen May 20
Covid-19: Detailed Rules Now Released For CT Businesses Due To Reopen May 20 The State of Connecticut has just released rules for businesses under Phase 1 of the state's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reopening plans. The sectors of business due to reopen on Wednesday, May 20 are restaurants (outdoor dining only), museums, hair salons/barbershops, retail (including malls) and offices. Nail salons are not included among businesses scheduled for reopening May 20. In addition to the business guidelines, social gatherings will still be limited to five people or less and those over age 65 or with high-risk factors are encouraged to stay home. You can view the do…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Connecticut Unveils Guidelines For Reopenings In Four Business Sectors COVID-19: Connecticut Unveils Guidelines For Reopenings In Four Business Sectors
Covid-19: Connecticut Unveils Guidelines For Reopenings In Four Business Sectors Click here for an updated story - COVID-19: Detailed Rules Now Released For CT Businesses Due To Reopen May 20 A host of guidelines different types of businesses must follow in order to reopen in Connecticut on Wednesday, May 20 amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have been unveiled. Gov. Ned Lamont announced the measures that have been put in place at a news conference late Friday afternoon, May 8. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and David Lehman, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, joined Lamont at the news conference.…

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by Joe Lombardi