After a sudden closure in April, the upscale convenience chain Foxtrot Market is plotting a comeback. Eater Chicago reports that Foxtrot, which unexpectedly shut down all of its stores, including four in Austin, has plans to resurrect some of its locations under a new company that retains the original branding. Mike LaVitola, co-founder of Foxtrot, is taking the helm as the executive chairman of the reformed entity and is looking to reopen stores in Chicago, Austin, and Dallas.
The company's stores in Austin had only been operational since early 2023, starting off with a significant $100 million series C funding windfall. Locations included the 5,000-square-foot flagship at 301 W. Second St., along with outposts at 4818 Burnet Road, 2270 Guadalupe St., and 1804 S. First St. It remains unclear which, if any, of these Austin spots will welcome back customers. According to the Eater Chicago piece, Further Point Enterprises, the business entity that acquired Foxtrot's assets in a May auction, is gearing up for this revival.
Before the abrupt cessation of operations, Foxtrot had merged with Dom's Kitchen & Market to form the Outfox Hospitality Group in 2023. However, the transition did not stave off financial challenges, culminating in a bankruptcy filing and the eventual auctioning of its assets. The Chicago Business Journal detailed that the affected locations spanned across Chicago, Austin, Dallas, and Washington D.C., with a total of two Dom's stores and 33 Foxtrot markets facing the shutdown.
The new Foxtrot intends to maintain its known aesthetic and product selection, emphasizing "small and local makers." A spokesperson for Foxtrot communicated this to the Chicago Business Journal, signaling a commitment to the market's original components. This approach aligns with LaVitola's insight shared with Crain’s where he said, “It’s a totally new company starting from scratch," but operating under the familiar Foxtrot name and at the original locations.
Pending lawsuits from former workers and vendors hang over the nascent Foxtrot, a legacy of its abrupt earlier closure. However, a hopeful tone has been set by the company itself with a message teasing the return: "A new Foxtrot with some old friends. Coming soon." As summer approaches, details about which stores will reopen and what the new iteration of Foxtrot will exactly look like remain largely undefined, leaving both customers and local suppliers watching for the next move.
