A Grocery Chain with 161 Locations Now Makes Unexpected Closures

July 11, 2024

Updated on January 10, 2025

A grocery chain with 161 locations now makes unexpected closures in two different states as leases near their end.

Fresh Market has decided to close its Birmingham location in Alabama and another store in Valrico, Florida.

One shopper found out about the store’s closing through an unusual email, reports The US Sun.

“Say it aint so…but a friend sent me this disturbing notification just now stating that our Fresh Market on Lithia Pinecrest will be closing,” the shopper said in a Facebook post.

“That’ll be a large spot to fill….and they haven’t yet permanently filled the old Stein Mart location…maybe a Spirit Halloween Super-Store.”

In the email, the retailer thanked its “valued guests” for their patronage and asked them to continue shopping until the store’s closure.

The retailer urged customers to visit nearby locations in South Tampa and Lakewood Ranch after the store’s official closure – which hasn’t been announced yet.

Fresh Market shoppers were upset by the sudden news.

“Very sad to see them go, truly loved going in there and stepping up the cooking game on certain days,” commented one shopper.

“Great ambiance too.”

“We will miss them greatly,” echoed another.

“The specialty beers, foods, deli hot meals, the food combos they put together and sold at great prices.”

In an official statement, the retailer said the decision to close the two stores came after a “regular review” and “detailed organizational analysis.”

“We are committed to supporting our affected team members by facilitating transfers to nearby The Fresh Market locations and for those unable to transfer, we will provide severance packages to ease their transition,” the statement read.

No timetable for the closing was given.

Fresh Market is a food retailer with over 160 locations across 22 states.

Fresh Market currently has six Alabama locations, including one in Homewood.

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Also Read: An Unexpected Retailer Is Now Closing All Stores in Illinois

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An unexpected restaurant now abruptly closes 7 locations in one state after revealing plans to shutter a total of 36.

TGI Fridays is closing a total of seven restaurants in one state as part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy.

This comes after the chain abruptly closed 36 locations across 12 states in at the beginning of the year, per The-Sun.

The restaurant chain will pull the plug on seven locations across the state of New Jersey in the coming weeks.

Today, Fridays will welcome in famished diners at its location in Brick for the final time.

“As we continue along our path of transformation to revitalize the Fridays brand and implement a long-term growth strategy, we see a bright future for TGI Fridays,” said Weldon Spangler, CEO of TGI Fridays earlier this week.

“We are at the helm of a pivotal moment that will allow us to explore boundless advancement, expansion, and innovation to keep delivering ‘That Fridays Feeling’ that our fans know and love.”

Before the closures, TGI Fridays had about 270 US locations, according to the company’s website.

“As part of the store closures, TGI Fridays is offering more than 1,000 transfer opportunities, which represents over 80% of total impacted employees,” the company previously said in a statement.

“Our top priority has always been delivering a superior experience for each and every TGI Fridays guest, and we’ve identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations to ensure we are best positioned to meet – and exceed – on that brand promise,” said Ray Risley, US president and chief operating officer, in the release.

Eight other locations were sold to former CEO Ray Blanchette, a longtime stakeholder who will acquire the previously corporate-owned restaurants.

The sale comes as major changes have been made to the brand’s leadership, including the news of Weldon Spangler being made CEO.

“As we continue along our path of transformation to revitalize the Fridays brand and implement a long-term growth strategy, we see a bright future for TGI Fridays,” said Spangler in a statement.

Also Read: Retirees Will Now Receive More Money For Social Security

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