Niwot, Colo.-based Lucky’s Market plans to shutter 32 stores in the coming weeks, including all but one of its Florida locations.
The company’s new distribution center in Orlando, Fla., is expected to close Feb. 15, and stores will cease operations the week before, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Local newspapers have also been reporting the approaching closures, and numerous Lucky's employees posted on LinkedIn to let their networks know they were looking for new opportunities in wake of the announcement.
After the stores close, Lucky’s will have just seven locations remaining.
The news comes less than two months after Kroger announced it would divest its stake in the organic-focused, fresh produce-forward retailer. Lucky’s had entered into a partnership agreement with Kroger in 2016, an arrangement designed to allow Lucky’s to improve product quality and reduce prices on numerous items.
In late August, the retailer began carrying Simple Truth products — Kroger’s organic private label — in all 39 of its stores. In December, Kroger revealed that it would divest its stake in Lucky's after a portfolio review.
Florida had been an area of significant growth for Lucky’s — according to the company’s website, the retailer planned to open stores this year in Port St. Lucie, Lake Mary, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Venice, Brandon, Clearwater, Boca Raton (Spanish River Rd), Boca (Glades), Dania Beach, Del Ray and Miami.
A spokeswoman for Lucky’s has not yet returned a call and email seeking comment.