Two major Chicago eateries, Dom’s Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot Market, have unexpectedly shut their doors for good. 

This turn of events occurred merely six months after their high-profile merger. An official statement from Dom expressed profound regret and is proof that there was an exhaustive search for alternatives that was not ultimately successful.

“Each and every Dom’s and Foxtrot store closed Tuesday,” the company said. This applies to physical stores as well, as delivery services, mobile applications, and even store credit cards were abruptly deactivated. This shutdown signals a massive upheaval for the staff and loyal customers alike.

The closure of these stores has significantly affected the employees and loyal customers. In their farewell message, the companies acknowledged the effect of their decision, saying, “This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on you, our loyal customers, as well as our dedicated team members.”

After the news went live, employees like Monica Perez expressed shock by the sudden shutdown. Perez, who worked at Dom’s Lincoln Park location, said, “We just got here, and apparently everything is closing, so a lot of people—everyone here—are out of work now.” Being blindsided by the sudden loss of jobs has left many in a difficult position.

Regular customers of these stores are also facing the fallout of this unexpected closure. Amy Tanner, a frequent shopper, said she was “shocked and really upset, you know, we literally just come down here to decide what we’re going to have for dinner every night.”

Employees and customers were made aware of the closure via signs posted on the doors of the stores. One sign at a Foxtrot store read, “As of today, we are closed for the final time. Thank you for the time we had together.” 

This move has left employees suddenly without work, with little to no prior notice. Kevin O’Brien, a worker affected by the closure, commented on the lack of communication, saying, “I think they could have definitely given us a little more notice.”

Employees affected by the closures have had to go on impromptu job searches. Perez, reflecting on her new reality, said, “I don’t got a job now. Now I’ve got to go back and search for a job.” The sudden end to employment has forced many to quickly adapt to their new circumstances.

The closure came as a surprise to not only employees and customers but also to suppliers like Michael Ciapciak, owner of Big Bang Pie. Ciapciak shared his frustration, “We made deliveries as recently as yesterday… It’s discouraging.”

Concerns about legal compliance have arisen following the sudden shutdown. Laura Feldman, an attorney whose area of specialty is employment and labor law, highlighted potential violations of the WARN Act, noting, “So these employees, it seems like, were given not even a minute’s notice.”

The community’s reaction to the closures has been one of confusion and concern. One regular customer, Matt Tanner, expressed uncertainty about what the future holds. He said: “We’ll see what happens, if this is a reorganization, or if it’s just something going on financially, but it’s kind of weird that they’d throw everybody out and shut things down.”

While the community and former employees deal with the aftermath of these closures, the future remains uncertain. Many are left wondering about their next steps, grappling with the sudden change and the broader implications for their lives and the local economy. Others are wondering when their almost perfect lives will be greatly affected by the struggling economy.