Foxtrot addresses rumors the company plans to reopen 15 locations within weeks – but fans say ‘the damage has been done’

FOXTROT has addressed rumors of an unexpected return following mass closures earlier this year.

Whispers about the convenience store chain coming back from the dead this summer had been going on for several weeks.

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Foxtrot co-founder Mike LaVitola has now confirmed that’s true, and customers can expect about 15 stores to reopen, per Chicago Eater.

The popular convenience store chain abruptly closed 33 locations in Illinois, Texas and Washington D.C. in April.

Its sudden shutdowns were unexpected for both employees and customers and came after the merger with Dom’s Kitchen & Market in November 2023 to form Outfox Hospitality.

The merger was supposed to help Foxtrot’s financial difficulties following layoffs, but the partnership did not work out as executives had hoped and Outfox Hospitality filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

“We have explored many avenues to continue the business but have not found any viable options despite good faith and exhaustive efforts,” Outfox Hospitality said in a statement at the time.

“We understand this news may come as a shock and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

In Chicago, several shoppers and employees were seen hugging and grabbing some of their favorite items before closures were finalized on April 23, per Chicago Club Block.

The following days saw the remainder of the closures in Texas in Washington DC.

Fans also vocalized their devastation, with some saying they only moved to the city because of Foxtrot, and others furious that there was “no warning.”

Foxtrot employee Kayla Pineda said at the time that she was informed by her manager over the phone about the news the morning of the closures and worried about those who relied on Foxtrot as their sole source of income.

LaVitola said many employees like Pineda have been contacted about their interest in returning to one of the 15 Foxtrot stores open in Illinois and Texas, and none in Washington D.C. yet.

Some of the stores are expected to open within six to eight weeks, with more than half of them in Chicago.

FAN FURY

While many fans and former employees may be excited about Foxtrot’s return, others say they can’t forgive Foxtrot for the closures that occurred in April.

“I believe ‘the damage has been done’ may be applicable here,” one customer wrote in a Facebook thread.

“It was all a hoax,” said another.

“Unless it’s a new property, I’d be surprised if it could make a successful comeback. Who would want to work for them after that fiasco?” a third asked.

FOUNDER’S RESPONSE

The co-founder’s message to former employees who had little notice before the April closures was that he was “sorry they found themselves in this situation and we want to do what we can to be there for them now as this new version of Foxtrot really offers opportunities .”

LaVitola added that reopening was simply “the right thing to do.”

Customers can also expect the “same layout and merchandising” at reopened Foxtrot stores.

It has been speculated for some time that a company linked to the co-founder purchased Foxtrots’ assets on May 10 when they went up for auction following the bankruptcy filing.

It’s unclear if it was, but the company LaVitola started is now back in his possession and he intends to bring customers the Foxtrot experience once again.

Other chains closing their doors may be looking for a similar return opportunity.

A Midwest convenience store is permanently closing its 25 stores as fans wait for a “perfect” replacement.

Retailer Stop & Shop also announced an unconfirmed number of store closures later this year as shoppers scramble to find alternatives.