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Friday, March 29, 2024

Earth Fare closing Ocala location as part of company’s nationwide shut down

Earth Fare will close its Ocala location as part of the company’s nationwide shut down of all 50 of its stores.

Earth Fare in Ocala, Florida
Earth Fare announced on Monday that they will close all of their 50 stores, including their Ocala, Florida location.

Earth Fare, which is based in Asheville, North Carolina, announced on Monday morning that it would begin “inventory liquidation sales” at all of its stores effective immediately.

According to the company, although it implemented a variety of strategic initiatives aimed at “growth and expansion,” it faced continued challenges in the retail industry and could not refinance its debt, putting them “in a financial position” in which they could no longer operate.

“Earth Fare has been proud to serve the natural and organic grocery market, and the decision to begin the process of closing our stores was not entered into lightly” said the company’s press release.

Earth Fare prided itself on filling a void in the natural and organic grocery market
Earth Fare prided itself on filling a void in the natural and organic grocery market

Employees from the Ocala Earth Fare were told of the store’s closing just minutes before the news broke nationally.

The company will begin liquidation sales and will continue to look for “potential suitors” to purchase all of their locations, according to the release.

According to staff, the Ocala branch will close its doors towards the end of this month.

The news comes in the midst of construction of a new Earth Fare location in The Villages. Despite having been on track to open later this year, the location will no longer carry the Earth Fare name.

Earlier this year, the organic and natural grocer announced that they would close Indianapolis-area locations in Carmel, Noblesville and Greenwood. All three locations were under 8-years-old.Â