U.S. retailers Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market are shuttering operations – just five months after the two companies merged and became Outfox Hospitality.
The closures of the two Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.-based grocery retailers include 33 Foxtrot locations and two Dom’s Kitchen & Market locations spread across the cities of Chicago; Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; and Washington, D.C. Foxtrot also maintained a nationwide e-commerce presence, which will similarly cease to exist.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you of a difficult decision we have had to make. After much consideration and evaluation, we regret to announce that Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market will be closing their doors starting on 23 April 2024,” the two companies said in a statement. “We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts.”
Many of the grocers’ vendors have expressed shock at the suddenness of the closures.
“I was just in Chicago on a sales call [recently],” Dani Wong, the founder of dried mango brand Señor Mango, said, according to Forbes. “They were a very important account for us and the second retailer to carry our product.”
It is unclear as news of the closures broke how this move will impact seafood suppliers to the two companies. Seafood products served at Foxtrot locations included shrimp and mahi under the Franklin, Tennessee, U.S.A.-based brand Wixter Seafood, as well as several tinned products under the Pacific Grove, California, U.S.A.-based Fishwife brand.
Foxtrot and Dom’s were particularly known for their locally sourced, prepared, and organic products, as well as its wine curation and restaurant stalls. Foxtrot offered 30-minute delivery and five-minute pick-up of fresh meat and seafood products.
The retailers thanked their loyal customers, team members, and partners, “without whom we would not have been able to build such a strong brand.”
“We understand that this news may come as a shock, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. We genuinely appreciate your understanding during this challenging time,” Foxtrot and Dom’s said.
