Urban convenience-store and delivery chain Foxtrot Market and small-format grocer Dom’s Kitchen & Market began closing all of its stores on Tuesday, according to a statement from Foxtrot and Dom’s. The move comes less than six months after the brands announced a merger, closed at the end of the year, forming a new entity, Outfox Hospitality.
Foxtrot had 33 locations in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Dallas and Austin, Texas. Dom’s had two locations in Chicago.
“We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts,” Dom's shared in a statement to Dom's and Foxtrot customers on its website.
The companies thanked its customers and employees, and apologized for “any inconvenience it may cause.”
“This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on you, our loyal customers, as well as our dedicated team members,” the statement said. “We want to express our sincerest gratitude for your support and patronage throughout the years. It has been our highest honor to elevate the everyday and create a remarkable shopping experience for people who love food as much as we do.”
All Dom’s and Foxtrot account credit and member perks will expire on Tuesday, the statement said.
On Tuesday, a few customers stood outside the shuttered Foxtrot in the Willis Tower in Chicago and said they came to the location in hopes of scoring reduced or free merchandise. The store was gated off, and a sign on the doors read: “As of today, we are closed for the final time. Thank you for the time we had together."
People were also gathered outside of the Foxtrot in Chicago's Near North Side neighborhood at 23 W. Maple St. waiting for free merchandise (pictured below). Employees, actively clearing out the store, brought out a few T-shirts, hats, mugs and umbrellas.
Representatives from Chicago-based Outfox did not respond to CSP requests for comment.
The first of two Dom’s locations in Chicago located at 1233 N. Wells St. in Old Town closed around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Outside the store, employees could be seen drawing the blinds from inside the store. Every few minutes, an employee would unlock the door and let the last of the customers out. Employees were given no warning and found out Tuesday that they had lost their jobs, according to employees who spoke to CSP.
Dom’s at 2730 N. Halsted St. in Lincoln Park had a parking lot full of shoppers and employees. CSP asked an employee what happened, and they said that they weren’t sure if they were allowed to say what happened, but said they were “in shock.” At the same location, a shopper said, “We spend so much money there. We’re like, what do you mean [they are closing]? We’ll help you stay open.”
Representatives from Chicago-based Outfox did not respond to CSP requests for comment.
Outfox named former Whole Foods Executive Vice President Rob Twyman as chief executive officer in February. Most recently, he was with nonprofit grocery chain Daily Table.
Twyman begins in his role as CEO on March 11 and succeeded Liz Williams, who has been named CEO of restaurant chain El Pollo Loco. Jay Owen and Bob Mariano, both co-founders and co-chairmen of Dom’s, and Mike LaVitola, co-founder of Foxtrot, maintained their advisor and board roles at Outfox. LaVitola was among CSP’s Indie Innovators in 2018 and a Power 20 executive in 2021.
The upscale c-store chain, which featured delivery services, sold a wide variety of convenience products, including freshly crafted chef-prepared meals, premium groceries, handpicked wine, snacks and sweets, personal care products and gifts. It also served as a neighborhood destination for local makers. Foxtrot had raised hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years to fuel its rapid expansion.
Dom's Kitchen & Market was an omnichannel food experience providing guests a place to eat, drink, discover, shop and connect to their community. Its stores served as neighborhood hubs offering curated market products, chef-crafted meals and in-store dining. Additionally, Chicagoans could shop the stores and order meals online via Dom’s Go, for quick pickup or delivery.
Rachel Gignac, Hannah Hammond and Chuck Ulie also contributed to this story.
