In April, when Outfox Hospitality abruptly closed all 33 Foxtrot locations in Chicago, Texas, and the Washington, D.C., area, as well as two Dom's Kitchen & Market locations on Chicago's North Side, approximately 1,000 people lost their jobs. Employees lost their jobs and stores without warning. Vendors competed for solutions. Outfox has made little public comment and has provided little communication with former employees.
In particular, Foxtrot has built a major brand that is particular about Chicago's North Side. It was a hybrid corner store, cafe, bar, and Instacart competitor. The chain's characteristics were similar to 7-Eleven, but instead of Slurpees, Foxtrot sold natural wine, craft beer, and gourmet products created by famous chefs. Weeks after closing, stores have been left in various states of disrepair. Some are pasted on paper. Some stores appear to have fully stocked shelves and are ready for business. As of early May, a “Coming Soon” sign was still posted at the site of Dom's in River North.
Outfox was backed by venture capital. When Dom's and Foxtrot merged in November 2023, Foxtrot had reportedly already raised a total of $194 million in funding. Under the Outfox umbrella, both brands had plans for expansion, with Foxtrot set to debut in New York. Foxtrot's assets are currently being sold at auction. No bankruptcy filings have been made.
Read Eater Chicago's article on Foxtrot and Dom to get a clearer understanding of what Shutter means. Please bookmark this page for future updates.
