Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market, two upscale grocery chains, announced the closure of their stores starting Tuesday, less than a year after the merger that created Outfox Hospitality. The closure affects 33 Foxtrots and two Dom’s locations in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, and Washington D.C. The grocers explored various avenues to continue the business but ultimately found no viable option.
Outfox called a meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the next move with its workers, including around 1,000 staff members with about 100 full-time workers in Chicago. The sudden closures of the grocery stores led to some locations handing out free wine while others had to remove customers during operating hours. Employees at one Chicago-based Foxtrot location were unable to disclose the reasons for the closure when asked by customers.
The closures come as a surprise, especially considering that Foxtrot had raised $100 million in series C funding in early 2022 and then received $18.6 million in debt financing to open new locations just a year before. The merger between Foxtrot and Dom’s was announced late last year, placing both grocers under the entity of Outfox with Liz Williams as CEO. Williams later announced her departure in February, and Rob Twyman took over as CEO on March 11.
Foxtrot, known for its locally sourced foods, organic products, and curated wine selection, has 15 stores in Chicago alone. Dom’s Kitchen & Market was also well-regarded for its selection of goods and restaurant stalls. The sudden closure of these beloved grocery stores has left customers and employees shocked and disappointed. Foxtrot has not yet responded to requests for comment from Forbes regarding the closures.
For more information on the closures of Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market, readers can visit articles from Chicago Eater and the Chicago Tribune. The closures mark the end of an era for these upscale grocery chains that were beloved for their unique offerings and commitment to quality products.
