Mostly Cloudy 39°
Business
Hearst Lays Off Around 200 Employees From Magazine Division Hearst Lays Off Around 200 Employees From Magazine Division
Hearst Lays Off Around 200 Employees From Magazine Division Hearst Magazines has just fired around 200 employees, most of whom were assigned to the company's midtown Manhattan headquarters, according to multiple reports. Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Men's Health, Popular Mechanics, Town & Country, and Harper's Bazaar are among the titles the division of Hearts Communications publishes. Affected employees were notified in a private meeting days before Thanksgiving, according to New York Magazine. Some of the Hearst publications :were already run by a skeleton crew" after years of downsizing, the report in New York said.

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination
Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination Cucumbers distributed throughout the US and Canada and organic eggs sold in 25 Costco stores in several states have been recalled due to the risk of Salmonella contamination. Cucumber recall SunFed Produce, LLC (SunFed) is recalling all sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “SunFed” label or in a generic white box or black plastic crate with a sticker that provides the implicated grower’s name “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V." The recalled cucumbers were sold between Saturday, Oct. 12, through Thursday, Nov. 26, 2024. The whole fresh America…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amid the busiest shopping weekend of the holiday season, workers for Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, have gone on strike. Protesting under the banner of “Make Amazon Pay.” employees have walked off the job across six continents in 20 countries, including the United States. The strike is scheduled to last from Black Friday on Nov. 29 through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, the UNI Global Union announced, saying protests will be held in majors cities in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and elsewhere. The strike could cause customers' holiday deliveries …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving
New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving With Thanksgiving meals just a day away, there are concerns over the nation's food supply after multiple major recalls the last few days. Federal authorities are now saying that all products linked to the outbreaks are off the shelves and products currently being sold are safe to eat. After a deadly E. coli outbreak, a California-based company pulled bagged organic carrots from such popular retailers as Whole Foods, Walmart and Trader Joe's.  For the latest info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here. In a Listeria outbreak linked to meat and poultry pr…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Two NJ Restaurants Make OpenTable’s 2024 Top 100 List Two NJ Restaurants Make OpenTable’s 2024 Top 100 List
Two NJ Restaurants Make OpenTable’s 2024 Top 100 List Two celebrated New Jersey dining destinations have earned spots on OpenTable’s 2024 Top 100 Restaurants list, chosen entirely by diner reviews. Stella Restaurant in Ventnor and The Saddle River Inn in Saddle River represent the Garden State in this year’s rankings, which are driven by insights and reviews from verified OpenTable users. Stella Restaurant carries a rich legacy. Founded by Chef Nicholas LoBianco and his late wife, Stephanie, the Ventnor gem is the latest in a series of acclaimed LoBianco restaurants in South Jersey. Known for exceptional food and personable service, the restau…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Business
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says A Macy’s employee misstated up to $154 million in delivery expenses over several years, the company just said. The development forced the retailer to delay its third-quarter earnings report. The employee, whose name has not been released, has been fired. According to the company, the employee responsible for accounting small package delivery expenses made erroneous accrual entries to conceal the costs from the fourth quarter of 2021 through the most recent quarter. During that time, Macy’s reported a total of $4.36 billion in delivery expenses. The company conducted an independent investi…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald’s will ring in the new year by serving more for less. The fast food giant will unveil its new “McValue” menu nationwide starting on Tuesday, Jan. 7. McValue will include current fan-favorites, like the $5 Meal Deal, and a new “Buy One, Add One for $1” offer, allowing customers to mix and match their order. Breakfast options include classics like the sausage McMuffin and hash browns, while lunch offerings feature the 6-piece chicken McNuggets and double cheeseburger. McDonald’s is also extending through next summer its $5 Meal Deal, a combination of a McDouble or McChicken sandwi…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Business
Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts In NJ, Along East Coast Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts In NJ, Along East Coast
Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts In NJ, Along East Coast Imagine strolling through your local supermarket, scanning items, calculating your total, and then, skipping the checkout line? Thanks to an AI-powered "smart cart," that's now possible. This futuristic shopping experience is now a reality in select ShopRite locations in the East Coast as the supermarket chain introduces technology designed by Instacart to save shoppers time and make grocery runs smoother than ever. The so-called "Caper Carts" are designed to make grocery shopping faster, smarter, and more interactive. To date, about a dozen ShopRite stores have added the carts as another…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products
Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products An E. coli outbreak linked to bagged organic carrots has prompted an expanded recall as the number of cases grows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 39 people across 18 states have been sickened.  Click here for a new, updated story - Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving The outbreak has resulted in 15 hospitalizations and one death. The recall initially began earlier this month when reports of illnesses linked to Grimmway Farms’ bagged carrots surfaced. The recall now covers multiple brands of orga…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Apple Issues 'Update Now' Warning To iPhone, iPad Users Apple Issues 'Update Now' Warning To iPhone, iPad Users
Apple Issues 'Update Now' Warning To iPhone, iPad Users Apple has just issued what it calls an urgent update for iPhone and iPad users that it says provides protection two critical security vulnerabilities related to exploits of user data while browsing on these devices. The download to iOS 18.1.1 fixes issues in JavaScriptCore and WebKit that could allow attackers to execute malicious code through crafted web content.  Apple says users should install the update promptly. You can do this by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update on your device. For more information on the updates from Apple, click here.

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Nationwide Ground Beef Recall Issued Over E. Coli Contamination Risk Nationwide Ground Beef Recall Issued Over E. Coli Contamination Risk
Nationwide Ground Beef Recall Issued Over E. Coli Contamination Risk A major, nationwide recall is underway for more than 167,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible contamination with E. coli. Wolverine Packing Co., based in Detroit, issued the recall, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced late Wednesday night, Nov. 20. The affected products include fresh ground beef with a “use by” date of Nov. 14 and frozen products marked with a production date of Oct. 22. The items, bearing establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA inspection mark, were shipped to restaurants nationwide. View the full product …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Jersey Mike’s Sells Majority Stake To Blackstone, Chain's Founder Aims For 'Greater Heights' Jersey Mike’s Sells Majority Stake To Blackstone, Chain's Founder Aims For 'Greater Heights'
Jersey Mike’s Sells Majority Stake To Blackstone, Chain's Founder Aims For 'Greater Heights' Jersey Mike’s Subs, a Garden State icon that grew into a national sandwich powerhouse, is set to sell a majority stake to private equity giant Blackstone, officials said. The Manasquan-based restaurant chain has agreed to sell the stake in the company, Blackstone said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro will keep a significant equity share and continue leading the business. When he was 14 years old, Cancro began working at the original location in Point Pleasant that opened as Mike's Subs in 1958. At 17, he bought the restaurant in 1975 and…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
End Of An Era: Jersey Shore Bar Closes After 17 Years End Of An Era: Jersey Shore Bar Closes After 17 Years
End Of An Era: Jersey Shore Bar Closes After 17 Years A popular Wildwood staple is saying farewell after nearly two decades. Goodnight Irene’s, the iconic restaurant and bar at Pacific Avenue and East Poplar Avenue, announced that this weekend will be its last after 17 years. "AND THAT’S A WRAP FOLKS!" the owners shared on Facebook. "We appreciate you all more than you know." The final days of service, running through Sunday night, Nov. 17, promise to be filled with goodbyes and nostalgia. "We hope to see as many of you as possible," the Irenes family wrote, signing off with "LOVE." For countless locals and visitors, Goodnight Irene’s has b…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Business
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Two months after exiting bankruptcy, restaurant chain Red Lobster is unveiling a revamped menu. It features these seven new items: Lobster Pappardelle Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops Lobster Bisque Lemon Basil Mahi Simply Prepared Mahi Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Roasted Asparagus In addition, a pair of old fan-favorites that had been discontinued are back:  Popcorn Shrimp, Hush Puppies  Red Lobster is now giving guests the ability to customize their seafood favorites with the launch of "Create your Own Ultimate Feast." Customers can mix and match two premium picks such as …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores A nationwide auto parts retailers says it will close over 700 stores as part of “a strategic plan to improve business performance.” Advance Auto Parts, which has about 4,800 total stores, and locations in almost every state, made the announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14. The affected outlets will close by May 2025 and are made up of 523 corporate stores, and 204 independently owned locations. In addition, four distribution centers will also close. Specific locations to be closed have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, President and Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Kelly said…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Massive Hotel Proposed To Replace Shuttered Jersey Shore Amusement Park: Reports Massive Hotel Proposed To Replace Shuttered Jersey Shore Amusement Park: Reports
Massive Hotel Proposed To Replace Shuttered Jersey Shore Amusement Park: Reports A developer is planning to bring a new purpose to a shuttered and iconic amusement park on the Ocean City boardwalk, according to reports. Wonderland Pier owner Eustace Mita said he wants to create a 252-room hotel on the site of the theme park that closed in October, abc6 Action News reported. Mita is also the developer and CEO of ICONA Resorts. The $135 to $155 million proposal would preserve Wonderland's famous Ferris wheel and carousel. "Our thought was we will rehab it, keep it, and actually raise it by 10 feet," Mita told abc6. "That will be a $1.5 million project." A renderi…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Central Jersey Mall To Open First New Store Amid $500M Redevelopment Central Jersey Mall To Open First New Store Amid $500M Redevelopment
Central Jersey Mall To Open First New Store Amid $500M Redevelopment The first store at a revamped Monmouth Mall is about to open, officials said. The new Barnes & Noble location in Eatontown will open on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the bookstore chain said in a news release. The previous store closed about two weeks before the new location's opening. The new space is a few hundred yards away from Macy's. "We are very pleased to be opening this beautiful new bookstore here in Eatontown," Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt said. "The Eatontown booksellers have gone above and beyond to have this new space ready so soon after closing the previous location, and jus…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says A cybersecurity “issue” has led the parent company of a supermarket chain to disconnect some systems to protect them. Ahold Delhaize USA said it recently detected a cybersecurity issue within its US network. "Immediately upon detecting the issue, our security teams began an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts," the company said. "We also notified law enforcement." The move affects: Stop & Shop, which has around 400 locations in New England, New York, and New Jersey; Hannaford, with stores in eastern upstate New York and New England; Giant Company, with…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
These 10 NJ Stop & Shop Stores Have Closed These 10 NJ Stop & Shop Stores Have Closed
These 10 NJ Stop & Shop Stores Have Closed New Jersey officially has 10 fewer Stop & Shop stores. The 10 underperforming locations closed were among 32 nationwide that the grocer announced would be closing by year's end. Stop & Shop has kept 350 stores open, including 47 in New Jersey. The stores that closed on or before Nov. 2 were: 1083 Inman Ave., Edison 1049 US Highway 1 South, Edison 4861 US Highway 9, Howell 1278 US Highway 22, Phillipsburg 581 Stelton Rd., Piscataway 625 Paterson Ave., Carlstadt 1221 State Route 27, Franklin Township 130 Skyline Dr., Ringwood 505 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach 2275 West County …

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Business
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants Casual dining chain TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy several weeks after at least 12 of its restaurants suddenly closed. The company filed the Chapter 11 petition on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Texas, near its Dallas headquarters. Founded in New York City in 1965, TGI Fridays has 95 restaurants in the US, 39 of which the company owns and operates. The other 56 are independent franchises not involved in the bankruptcy petition. The company said that all those locations will remain open. According to the TGI Fridays website and other reports, the following locations are now listed as permanent…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
America's First-Ever Sesame Street Experience Opening At New Jersey Mall America's First-Ever Sesame Street Experience Opening At New Jersey Mall
America's First-Ever Sesame Street Experience Opening At New Jersey Mall A brand-new immersive Sesame Street experience is opening at the American Dream in East Rutherford. The highly-anticipated Sesame Street Learn & Play, the first-ever in the United States, opens on Nov. 16. "This groundbreaking attraction will combine learning with play, offering an immersive experience for guests of all ages through the enchanting world of Sesame Street," a press release reads. Sesame Street Learn & Play promises timeless memories for the entire family through adventures, photo opportunities, and learning experiences.  Children can explore the rainforest as t…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Business
Goldfish Snack Crackers Now Have New Name: Here's What, Why Goldfish Snack Crackers Now Have New Name: Here's What, Why
Goldfish Snack Crackers Now Have New Name: Here's What, Why One of America's favorite snacks has just gotten a more upscale rebranding. Goldfish, the popular cheddar-flavored catch launched in 1962 and known for a special appeal to kids, now has a new name. For a limited time, at least. And there's nothing fishy about why it's made the change. To try to get more adults to reel in the product. Out from the familiar orange-and-white packaging is the iconic "Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers" name, and in is this: "Chilean Sea Bass Baked Snack Crackers." It's a big switch, but the crackers are made with the same ingredients, says Connecticut-based p…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Bloomie's, Smaller Bloomingdale's Store, Opening In Central Jersey Shopping Center Bloomie's, Smaller Bloomingdale's Store, Opening In Central Jersey Shopping Center
Bloomie's, Smaller Bloomingdale's Store, Opening In Central Jersey Shopping Center Bloomingdale's is bringing one of its smaller curated stores to Shrewsbury, officials said. Bloomie's will open in The Grove at Shrewsbury on Thursday, Nov. 14, Bloomingdale's said in a news release. It's the fourth location for the concept shop curated with special selections of fashion, jewelry, and beauty products. The store will be the first of its kind to carry an all-women's collection with "contemporary ready-to-wear" clothing and complementary accessories, among other products. "Bloomie's is a perfect example of how our brand continues to evolve with our shoppers' ne…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Fingerz And Wings: Zaxbys Expanding To NJ With Southern Fast-Food Classics Fingerz And Wings: Zaxbys Expanding To NJ With Southern Fast-Food Classics
Fingerz And Wings: Zaxbys Expanding To NJ With Southern Fast-Food Classics A popular fast-food chain in the South is bringing its chicken fingers and wings to the Garden State. Zaxbys is planning to open six restaurants across New Jersey, the company said in a news release. The first two locations were expected to open in the summer of 2025. GSP Group will operate all six Zaxbys in the state. "We started looking into Zaxbys about a year ago," GSP Group co-owner Premanand Gupta said. "We have always been interested in the growing chicken market, and Zaxbys stood out with its exceptional product and strong business model. We're confident that it will…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants
Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants Restaurant chain Denny's plans to shut down as many as 150 of its locations. The company said half of the underperforming outlets will close by the end of the calendar year and the others will go out of business in 2025. Specific restaurants slated for closure have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, Denny's said customers have been ordering from restaurants less often. In addition to the closures, Denny’s will trim the number of items on its menu from 97 to 46 and no longer require outlets to be open 24/7, according to a CNN report. Founded in 1954 in California as Dann…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Buybuy Baby Closing Stores Again — Including Middlesex County Location Buybuy Baby Closing Stores Again — Including Middlesex County Location
Buybuy Baby Closing Stores Again — Including Middlesex County Location Buybuy Baby is closing all of its physical stores as the company transitions to a digital-first approach, according to a statement on its website. Last summer, the company announced it would be closing all stores amid parent company Bed Bath & Beyond's bankruptcy liquidation. Months later, some stores reopened under a new parent company. But, those stores will be closing, again. They are located at: CONNECTICUT 1433 New Britain Ave., West Hartford DELAWARE 501 W Main St., Christiana MASSACHUSETTS 160 Granite St., Braintree MARYLAND 1683 Rockville Pike, Rockville NEW JERSEY …

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Business
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands A massive voluntary recall has been issued for frozen waffles sold by over 14 different grocery store chains nationwide due to the potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, TreeHouse Foods, Inc. announced on Friday, Oct. 18. Over 500 varieties of frozen waffles manufactured by TreeHouse Foods and sold with the branding of major retailers such as Walmart's Great Value and Target's Good & Gather have been recalled because of possible Listeria.  As stated in the release: "Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections …

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
Business
Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets
Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria has been expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Late Tuesday night, Oct. 15, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced 1.8 million pounds of new products have been added to the recall. Info on …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Robot Masseuses: NJ's First Fully Automated Massage Table Opens At Atlantic City Resort Robot Masseuses: NJ's First Fully Automated Massage Table Opens At Atlantic City Resort
Robot Masseuses: NJ's First Fully Automated Massage Table Opens At Atlantic City Resort Massage technology much more advanced than a handheld wand device has arrived at an Atlantic City casino. Aescape has opened a "fully automated, AI-driven massage table" at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, the resort said in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Founded in 2017, Aescape also has machines at luxury spas in New York City and Miami. The first-in-New Jersey system generates more than 1.1 million 3D data points on a person's body to map out a unique and targeted massage. "Users access a touchscreen interface to choose from a variety of treatments tailored to their…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores
Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores Walgreens plans to close about 1,200 stores over three years amid a decline in prescription drug payments and a rise in online competition. About 500 closures will come in 2025, the company announced in a statement released Tuesday morning, Oct. 15. Specific sites for store closures were not announced. Walgreens said its operating loss in fiscal 2024 was $14.1 billion, an increase of 104.5 percent compared to the year-ago period. Retail sales decreased 3.5 percent compared with the year-ago quarter, "reflecting a challenging retail environment and continued channel shift," Walgreens s…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores 7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of stores in North America. Parent company Seven & I Holdings said that the 444 locations were “underperforming.” They make up about 3 percent of 7-Eleven's total of around 13,000 outlets in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Specific sites of the stores have not yet been released. In announcing the closures, the company said that 7-Eleven stores saw a 7.3 percent decline in traffic in August, saying a "pullback in consumer spending has persisted beyond prior expectations" that has affected store traffic and sales growth "as consu…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi