We all know it's tougher to get credit these days. So perhaps it's no surprise lenders in our area are shutting their doors. Consumer reporter Jeff Chirico has that and more in this month's local business report.

LENDERS CLOSING

The subprime mortgage meltdown is taking two lenders out of the business. HFC --formerly Household Financial has two locations in Dickson City and Wilkes-Barre Township. Beneficial will also close its two offices in Edwardsville and Stroudsburg on Monday. HSBC Financial owns both lenders. We're told 800 branches are closing in almost every state. 6100 people will lose their jobs.

RESTAURANT WOES

More bad news in the restaurant business. The Quizno’s franchise on south main street in downtown Wilkes-Barre has gone out of business. Meanwhile Ground Round in Wilkes-Barre Township has also stopped serving. Its owner blames the economy and the state's smoking ban for a drop in business.

SUPERMARKET OPENS

There's a new place to pick up groceries in Luzerne County's back mountain. Thomas' Super Foodtown opened last month in the Country Club Shopping Center in Dallas Township. It's in the former BiLo Market. 100 full and part time workers were hired.

BAKERY OPENS

Business will soon be cooking at a landmark bakery in Wyoming County. The Red House Bakery will open Tuesday in Tunkhannock. It's in the former Gables Bakery that closed a couple years ago. Workers have been renovating the shop. It's owner says the struggling economy doesn't seem to be hurting the baked goods business.