Posted Friday, May 16 --- 9:39pm

NOTE:
The Janesville Gazette reports: On Friday, Lear Corp. notified the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development that the company would lay off 336 employees on July 14.

The neighborhood bar in the city of Janesville is seeing less and less familiar faces. They're feeling the effects of recent layoffs at several factories in the area.

"We've slowed down a lot," says Charlie's Place bartender, Jeffrey Scott. "A lot of lunches and stuff through here. A lot of to-go orders that have been cut off."

Charlie's Place is home to many Lear Corporation regulars, a factory that makes car seats and works closely with the local GM plant. Those there tonight told us the company recently announced plans to lay off nearly 350 employees.

"I feel really horrible about it and yes I do have to worry about my job," says Lear Corp. employee Darcy Duncan. "I mean they only got 2 years under me. They had 14 years in the plant. Who would ever think they would lose their job you know that's the thing."

This local bar is usually filled with regular faces, but since the announcement, bartenders estimate a 40 percent decrease in sales. Now store owners are trying to figure out how to make up the difference.

"They've started to maybe cut back some of the hours during the day and just readjusting little pieces here and there," says Scott.

While Lear employees say those affected by the lay offs have been offered severance packages, they're forced to cut back on a place they quite often frequent.

"They come in, they cash their check (here)," says Duncan. "I mean, they won't be having that no more."