Updated: Checker Motors to close

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The chaotic economy is taking another bite out of Michigan's dwindling job market.

Checker Motors originally opened back in the 1920's, and produced those famous Checker Cabs that were featured in so many movies over four decades. Checker has served as an auto supplier since the 1980's, but filed for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy back in January.

Over the weekend, employees at Checker Motors learned that the doors are soon to be closing. Employees received a letter, which they then gave to Newschannel 3. That letter says the facility will close in June. That's when layoffs will begin for the remaining 273 workers.

A walk through the Gilmore Car Museum is a trip back in time to when Kalamazoo had 17 auto manufacturers in the early 1900's.

"We jokingly call it the other motor city because there were so many cars that were made here," said Jay Follis of the Gilmore Car Museum.

Checker Motors was the last survivor, making taxis for 59 years and then moving on to making auto parts in 1982.

The plant will close permanently around June 30^th and layoffs of the remaining 273 workers will begin June 5^th.

"If they had their own cabs on the road still, they still would have the name of Checker Cab that's so universally known," said Follis.

Now, Checker Motors is no longer the same Kalamazoo icon, and by July its legacy will simply be a piece for the Gilmore Car Museum.

"It's a difficult time to look at it and realize Kalamazoo can longer be considered a car manufacturer," said Follis.

A federal judge has not ruled on Checker's filing for bankruptcy and it is not known if the plant closing will affect that. In court records filed in March, several of the company's creditors said Checker Motors was losing substantial amounts of money and could not compete in the current auto supply industry.