Friday was the last day on the job for workers at a century-old mill in Columbia County. More than 130 workers at Bloomsburg Mills won't be going back.
Employees have known for a couple months this day was coming but it doesn't make it any easier for people who spent years, decades even, working at the same job.
Nate Albertson walked to his car after the last day of work at Bloomsburg Mills. The 22-year-old father of two is now unemployed, one of roughly 130 workers dealt the same fate.
"They put in 40 years a lot of these people. You grow into the place. You pretty much plant your roots here. A place like this to shut down is heart breaking," Albertson said.
"Everybody's really down today. It's our last day. What can you say? It's over that's it," said Rita Roadamel.
Bloomsburg Mills opened in 1889 and survived the Great Depression, first, making silk then switching to fabric to stay ahead of overseas competition. It was the cheaper, foreign imports the company blames for going out of business.
Darla Shell of Danville bought lots of fabric at the factory outlet. Friday's would be her final visit and purchase.
"I don't know, there are going to be a lot of jobs lost. A lot of people looking for work," Shell said.
Workers said the last couple weeks have been difficult, with a lot of emotions and a tribute to the dozens who are out of work. Outside the outlet store one of the regular customers set up flowers, flags and a message to dozens of workers who struggled with the loss.
"It's a tribute to these very hard-working people. These are tough people in Pennsylvania. They're not going to fold. I think they need to be honored and respected," said Patricia Ver Ellen, who left the tribute. She said she wants to make a quilt in which each square would represent one of the employees at the mill. The quilt would then be sent to the White House to make a statement and honor the former workers.
"We didn't know a thing about it. She left it this morning. It's beautiful, isn't it?" Roadamel asked.
Workers, like Albert Johnson, were touched but it could not take his mind off the old timers, some who spent most their lives at Bloomsburg Mills.
"People in there have more time in than we did. Some's got 41, 42 years. Some's got 50 years in here," said Johnson. "You've lost your job. You can't do anything about it. It's a shame. It's sad."
Nate Albertson said he's not sure what is next for him. For now, it's just unemployment and knowing Bloomsburg Mills is a thing of the past.
"At the end of the day, you go home. Nobody will ever come back here," Albertson added.
Most of the workers were sent home early today.
Employees have known for a couple months this day was coming but it doesn't make it any easier for people who spent years, decades even, working at the same job.
Nate Albertson walked to his car after the last day of work at Bloomsburg Mills. The 22-year-old father of two is now unemployed, one of roughly 130 workers dealt the same fate.
"They put in 40 years a lot of these people. You grow into the place. You pretty much plant your roots here. A place like this to shut down is heart breaking," Albertson said.
"Everybody's really down today. It's our last day. What can you say? It's over that's it," said Rita Roadamel.
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Darla Shell of Danville bought lots of fabric at the factory outlet. Friday's would be her final visit and purchase.
"I don't know, there are going to be a lot of jobs lost. A lot of people looking for work," Shell said.
Workers said the last couple weeks have been difficult, with a lot of emotions and a tribute to the dozens who are out of work. Outside the outlet store one of the regular customers set up flowers, flags and a message to dozens of workers who struggled with the loss.
"It's a tribute to these very hard-working people. These are tough people in Pennsylvania. They're not going to fold. I think they need to be honored and respected," said Patricia Ver Ellen, who left the tribute. She said she wants to make a quilt in which each square would represent one of the employees at the mill. The quilt would then be sent to the White House to make a statement and honor the former workers.
"We didn't know a thing about it. She left it this morning. It's beautiful, isn't it?" Roadamel asked.
Workers, like Albert Johnson, were touched but it could not take his mind off the old timers, some who spent most their lives at Bloomsburg Mills.
"People in there have more time in than we did. Some's got 41, 42 years. Some's got 50 years in here," said Johnson. "You've lost your job. You can't do anything about it. It's a shame. It's sad."
Nate Albertson said he's not sure what is next for him. For now, it's just unemployment and knowing Bloomsburg Mills is a thing of the past.
"At the end of the day, you go home. Nobody will ever come back here," Albertson added.
Most of the workers were sent home early today.
