Legacy Cabinets shutdown shocks laid off employees: ‘It’s really messed up’
The Eastaboga manufacturer invoked the “faltering company” exemption to the federal WARN notice directive.
Mason Reed 
Hundreds of employees at Legacy Cabinets in Eastaboga were left reeling this weekend after the manufacturer abruptly shut its doors, leaving staff without jobs on short notice.
A Sudden Shutdown
Malachi Heathcock, who spent three years on the assembly line handling material, cutting, and drilling, was among those blindsided by the news on Saturday. The cabinetry manufacturer announced its immediate closure, citing "business circumstances" in an email notification shared online.
To bypass the federal requirement for 60 days' notice before mass layoffs, Legacy Cabinets invoked the "faltering company" exemption under the WARN Act.
Employees Left in the Dark
The closure came as a shock to workers who were operating the plant as recently as Friday. According to Heathcock, supervisors had been encouraging staff to stay positive during a "rough couple of weeks," even as workers faced reduced hours and "blackout days" following Memorial Day to cut costs. He noted that even his supervisors appeared to be kept in the dark by upper management.
"We were told by our supervisors that production would be picking up and to stay positive," Heathcock said. "It’s really messed up. They knew they were going to shut down and made us all think things were going to look up."
Rebranding to Closure
The sudden move is particularly jarring given that Woodworking Network reported a rebranding effort at the company just one month ago. At the time, Legacy Cabinets touted a "refreshed brand identity" and a continued commitment to craft and service.
Looking Ahead
While some employees like Jerilee Anderson, who lost her job alongside her husband, began searching for work as soon as the company cut overtime and hours, many remain concerned about their financial futures. Heathcock said he is currently uncertain if he will receive his final paycheck scheduled for June 11.
In response to the crisis, Don Hopper of the Calhoun County Economic Development Council stated that officials are working to organize a job fair. Meanwhile, area businesses including Kronospan, C&E Remodeling and Repair, and BRW have already begun posting job opportunities on social media to assist those displaced by the closure.
