Chicago’s retail sector has been dealt a major blow that will result in a plethora of vacant storefronts across the city.
Foxtrot Market and Dom’s Kitchen & Market are closing all of their stores, effective immediately, Crain’s reported. Foxtrot had 33 locations, and Dom’s had two.
The move comes less than six months after the two brands merged under the parent company Outfox Hospitality.
A statement posted on Dom’s website expressed regret over the closures, citing exhaustive efforts to explore alternative solutions. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that employees have been laid off.
Foxtrot’s first brick-and-mortar location, at 1019 West Lake Street, sent its employees home and locked its doors early Monday morning. Meanwhile, Dom’s stores posted signs about closing, leaving suppliers in the dark about the future of outstanding invoices and products still on the shelves.
The closures are a setback for craft breweries in the area. Hopewell Brewing, a local supplier, expressed concern over the lost opportunity to connect with customers.
The news has sent shockwaves throughout the Chicago community, particularly among shoppers who have witnessed Foxtrot’s rapid expansion over the past decade and Dom’s emergence post-pandemic. Both brands, born in Chicago, garnered significant backing, with Foxtrot raising over $160 million in funding before the merger.
Dom’s, founded by industry veterans including Bob Mariano, aimed to revolutionize the grocery shopping experience with its upscale offerings. The store’s closure comes as a surprise, considering its ambitious plans to open multiple locations by 2025.
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Foxtrot, known for its trendy convenience stores, experienced a tumultuous journey, marked by layoffs and a slowdown in expansion plans. Despite a change in leadership and the merger with Dom’s, the company struggled to sustain its growth trajectory.
Social media erupted with reactions to the news, reflecting the community’s disappointment and surprise. Representatives from Outfox Hospitality and the founders of Foxtrot and Dom’s have remained silent on the matter.
—Quinn Donoghue