On Tuesday, storefront signs posted in the windows of Dom's Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot that read “Goodbye” and “Closed” received a mix of shock and sadness from customers.
Less than six months after the Chicago-based companies shared plans to merge, the specialty grocer suddenly announced the immediate closure of all of its stores in and around Chicago.
Dom's Kitchen posted on its website that this was a “difficult decision” and came after both companies considered multiple options to remain open. In the end, no viable options were found. Two Dom's Kitchen stores and 33 Foxtrot stores in Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C., will “close starting April 23, 2024,” the newspaper said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyalty and trust in Dom's and Foxtrot,” the statement said. “It was an honor to serve you and I will cherish the memories we made together.”
Foxtrot posted a similar statement on its website.
Crystal Jones, who works at Wrigley Field, said she walks by the nearby Foxtrot store, 3649 N. Clark St., every day. When she saw the sign posted in the window, she was surprised to learn that it was closed and she felt sorry.
The signboard read: “To all Wrigley regulars: Our store is permanently closed. We loved serving you coffee every day.”
“I don't understand why they would close because they were making good food and everything,” Jones said. “We've seen things come and go, so it's not new to see it disappear, but it's sad.”
A sign announcing the closure outside the Foxtrot store, 3649 N. Clark St., near Wrigley Field.
Stephanie Roatis, 26, lives down the street from Foxtrot's Wrigley store. While on her work call when she heard about her closing, she stopped by ASAP to see for herself.
“I'm pretty shocked,” Roatis said. “They just did a merger and it's only been six months? I expected them to expand, not just randomly close. And I was also hoping for a more detailed explanation.”
She said her team from work visits Foxtrot once a week and she regularly comes by herself to stock up on snacks.
Employees told the Sun-Times they were told to throw out perishables and keep everything else. However, some employees arranged for food to be donated to a nearby food bank.
Merged with Outfox Hospitality
In November 2023, Foxtrot and Dom's Kitchen announced plans to merge under a new company called Outfox Hospitality. The deal was expected to close by the end of the year, but financial terms were not disclosed.
At the time, stores argued that the merger would improve the customer experience and revitalize the retail industry. The brand kept its name but planned crossover offerings, including serving Foxtrot's signature dishes in Dom's locations.
Foxtrot CEO Liz Williams was expected to assume the top operations role at Outfox, with Dom CEO Don Fitzgerald expected to remain in the role through the transition period.
Both stores were known for their smaller footprint compared to mass retailers. They were often located in upscale neighborhoods, stocked a selection of food and spirits, and also offered online pickup and delivery orders.
Customers shop at Dom's Kitchen & Market, 2730 N. Halsted St., on opening day in 2021.
Ashley Regin/Sun-Times File
Foxtrot and Dom's Kitchen, including co-founder and co-chairman Bob Mariano, did not respond to requests for comment.
The companies did not provide details about what led to the closure in their statements, and as of Tuesday, they did not appear to have filed for bankruptcy.
A little warning to employees
Rebecca Haller, who worked at Foxtrot's Wrigley Field store for a year and a half, said she sensed something was wrong Tuesday morning.
“We were told as of this weekend that there were issues with the supply chain, which is strange because weekends are usually our busiest time of year,” Haller said. “It seemed a little strange, but this morning, on our mobile app, people couldn't order in advance anymore. That was the first hint that I thought, 'This isn't good.'”
Haller was at the store when she received the company email about the closure and learned that the grocer's paycheck was off as of noon. However, she said she first heard the news from her colleague, who was too busy to read all the emails.
“I really loved working here. I loved being next to Wrigley Field and I loved the people I worked with. So my only priority at this point is to close the store and It’s just about making it easier for the managers,” Haller said. “I have a lot of respect for my neighborhood and community. And the company, no, doesn't show the same consideration.”
Foxtrot operates 15 stores in Chicago, 17 in Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Dom's Kitchen in Washington, D.C., operates two stores at 2730 N. Halsted St. and 1233 N. Wells St. , was planning to open a third store at 30W. Huron Street this summer.
In addition to closing Tuesday, grocery stores announced they would be closing other services, including delivery services. Access to account credits and member benefits. and other customer-facing services. The grocer's mobile app will also be shut down, according to Dom's website.
Employees at the Foxtrot store in Washington, D.C., were handing out free wine, according to the Washington Post, where general managers learned of the closure “in an 11 a.m. phone call.”
It's unclear how much advance notice Chicago staff was given. A search of the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website found that the companies had not filed warning notices, which are often required by employers planning to lay off employees.
Employees said the human resources department sent an email to employees informing them of the store's closure at 11:38 a.m., one minute before customers received an email about the store's closure.
“This decision was not made lightly and we understand the impact it will have on each of you,” the email, seen by the Sun-Times, said.
“We know this news is shocking, but we want to assure you that we will do everything we can to support you through this transition,” the email said.
It also provided access to an FAQ document that would be updated “as more information becomes available” to help employees find “the necessary and accurate information.” The letter states staff are no longer employed and should not report shifts after Wednesday “unless specifically requested,” final checks will be mailed by Friday and medical benefits will end April 30. has been done.
A person removes appliances from Dom's Kitchen & Market in Lincoln Park, 2730 N. Halsted. Shoppers learned the grocery store was closing.
locked door
Trinh Vo, 20, a DePaul University student, said she heard about the closing from a classmate who worked at Dom's Kitchen. She and her friend went to the Lincoln Park store at 2730 N. Halsted St. on Tuesday afternoon in hopes of finding discounts on groceries, but found the door locked. Disappointed.
“He was scheduled to work later this afternoon and they were like, 'Please don't come today,'” Vo said. “I live near here and I know a lot of people who go here, so I thought it was pretty popular. I'm kind of shocked.”
A Dom's Kitchen employee at the Lincoln Park location, who requested anonymity, said he first heard about the closing Monday through gossip, but was not informed by the company until Tuesday.
“Officially, I found out today,” he said. “I called my manager. He had a 10-minute meeting with his upper management, and they had his Zoom meeting and said, 'Yes, we're closing at 12 o'clock. Make sure to take your trash home with you.' said. Please lock the door. ' That was it. They are asking questions, but they just ended the meeting and didn't answer any questions. ”
Jane Foster, 19, who lives near Dom's Kitchen, said the closure felt “surreal”.
“It's frustrating to see people thrown out of work so suddenly,” Foster said. “This is people's lives.”
A sign outside Dom's Kitchen & Market in Lincoln Park reads: “To our neighbors, we are saying goodbye to Dom's and closing our store and app. Thank you for eating and enjoying with us.”
People stand outside Dom's Kitchen & Market in Lincoln Park and read a sign announcing the specialty grocer's permanent closure.
