Two days after news broke that Niwot, Colo.-based Lucky’s Market planned to shutter 32 of its 39 stores, the company has confirmed the closures and described them as “part of its restructuring efforts.”
“After exploring multiple alternatives, the decision was made to close various stores, in addition to a reduction in staff at the company’s support office in Niwot, Colo.,” the company stated in a news release.
Some locations began closing Jan. 22, and the company expects the closing process for the remainder of the selected stores will happen over the next three weeks.
“Deep discounts on in-store merchandise during that time will allow customers to stock up on some of their favorite Lucky’s products before they are sold out,” the company stated in the release.
Stores in Traverse City, Mich.; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Columbia, Mo.; Melbourne, Fla.; North Boulder, Colo., and Fort Collins, Colo., will remain open.
The company is also closing its new distribution center in Orlando, Fla., according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
The news of the closures 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 private organic label — in all 39 of its stores. In December, Kroger revealed that it would divest its stake 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.