Another major employer is closing some of its stores to cut costs.

Office Depot says it plans to shut down 112 under-performing stores across the country in the next three months. An additional 14 stores will close when their leases expire next year.

Those announced store closures will effect the Valley.

Employees say the Harrisonburg location will close. A date has not been set for the closure, but several employees will soon be out of a job.

Recently, there have been too many customers, like Harold Moyers, walking out with no shopping bags in hand.

"I've seen it get like this in our area," says Moyers. "I really feel that we're making our recession almost a depression by quitting spending."

Even regular customers like Anthony Holton are cutting down on spending.

"As a matter of fact, I used to be here when Office Max used to be here," says Holton. "And, they closed down too. I don't know. Maybe it's the area."

It all amounts to more job losses in the Valley. Taylor Howell at the Virginia Employment Commission says they've seen a big increase in people seeking jobs since November.

"With the financial situation nationally, it certainly has had an impact here locally and in the Valley," says Howell.

However, there are some industries that are doing well. Howell points to the restaurant and hotel industries. He says commercial construction is also in demand.

Still, for overall employment, Howell says, "It's been a relatively flat demand, as you can tell from the newspaper listings."

Especially at this time of year, Howell says it can be difficult to find work.

He says, "We don't anticipate having a really healthy job environment till probably February or so."

No closing date has been set for the Harrisonburg Office Depot. A manager says a liquidator has come in to start moving the remaining merchandise. Employees will remain on payroll until the liquidation is finished.