- The Fresh Market will close two underperforming stores in Naperville, IL and Framingham, MA, affecting nearly 100 employees.
- The chain is expanding aggressively in Chicago and the Midwest, opening multiple new locations and planning more through 2026.
- Company strategy: cut underperformers to reallocate resources toward high-potential urban markets while continuing targeted growth.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — In a move that’s become all too familiar for specialty grocers navigating a tough retail landscape, The Fresh Market announced plans this week to close two underperforming stores as part of its ongoing portfolio review.
The closures, affecting locations in Naperville, Illinois, and Framingham, Massachusetts, come at a time when the chain is doubling down on expansion in promising urban markets like Chicago, where it’s already planted roots with multiple new openings this year.
The Naperville store, a fixture in the Chicago suburbs, and the Framingham location north of Boston will shutter permanently, impacting nearly 100 employees in total.
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According to WARN notices filed with state labor departments, 47 workers at the Naperville site and 50 at Framingham will be affected.
The closures are set to take effect in the coming weeks, though exact dates weren’t specified in the announcement.
A company spokesperson told Grocery Dive that these decisions stem from a careful assessment of each store’s performance against the chain’s long-term goals.
“While closing a store is never easy, The Fresh Market is on a growth trajectory,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing that the moves allow the company to redirect resources toward higher-potential areas.
A Growing Trend of Store Closures Across the United States
This isn’t the first time the Greensboro, North Carolina-based retailer has pruned its lineup.
Back in 2024, The Fresh Market shuttered 13 locations across Texas, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas, citing similar reasons of underperformance and a need for a “stronger, more agile company,” as then-CEO Rick Anicetti put it at the time.
That round of cuts also included a café at the Museum at Prairiefire in Kansas, and the company committed to relocating as many affected employees as possible.
Despite the setbacks, The Fresh Market isn’t pulling back from growth.
In fact, it’s accelerating in the Midwest, particularly around Chicago, where the chain now operates eight stores after a series of debuts in 2025.
The company has already opened five new locations this year, including two in the greater Chicago area: one in Northbrook and another in Algonquin, both of which have drawn crowds with their emphasis on fresh produce, gourmet prepared foods, and local partnerships.
The Northbrook grand opening in late February, for instance, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a $2,000 donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and reusable gift bags for the first 500 shoppers — a classic touch for a chain known for its hospitality-driven vibe.
CEO Brian Johnson couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about the Chicago push.
“We are incredibly excited to open our latest store here in Northbrook and to continue expanding our presence in the Chicago area,” he said in a statement marking the occasion.
The Algonquin store, which followed in March, transformed a former retail space into a sprawling 25,000-square-foot haven for specialty items, complete with a food hall-style setup offering hot smoked brisket samples and colorful produce displays right at the entrance.
Shoppers there have raved about the case-ready meats, like imported Argentinian beef cuts, and the bakery’s lineup of tortes and single-serve desserts.
It’s Not the End for The Grocery Store
Looking ahead, The Fresh Market confirmed two more openings before the end of 2025: one in Lexington, Kentucky, and another in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood at 1233 N. Wells St.
The Old Town spot, slated for early December, will mark the chain’s second takeover of a former Dom’s Kitchen & Market location — the first being in Lincoln Park, which debuted in October 2024 after Dom’s abrupt closure.
Dom’s sudden exit from the market last year left a void in Chicago’s upscale grocery scene, and The Fresh Market has stepped in seamlessly, partnering with local food banks and suppliers to fill it.
Two additional stores are in the pipeline for the first quarter of 2026, though specific sites remain under wraps.
This balanced approach — cutting losses while chasing opportunity — reflects broader trends in the grocery industry, where chains are increasingly selective about footprints amid rising operational costs and shifting consumer habits.
The Fresh Market, with its current tally of 166 stores across 22 states, is betting big on markets that crave its blend of everyday essentials and elevated touches, like thousands of organic options and signature baked goods.
In Chicago alone, the chain’s eight locations (including upcoming ones in Lombard at Yorktown Center and Schaumburg at The District at Veridian) target redeveloping suburbs where demographics support premium pricing.
The company’s growth ambitions stretch further. Last December, The Fresh Market opened its third Kentucky store in Louisville — its second there — as part of a larger plan to add 22 locations by August 2025, aiming for a 14% fleet increase.
So far, it’s hit six of those targets, including spots in Florida and Maryland.
And while Massachusetts loses a store this fall, the chain is eyeing two new ones in the state for 2025, building on its lone existing location in Hingham.
Moving Forward
For loyal customers in Naperville and Framingham, the news stings, especially after years of community ties.
The Naperville store, for one, was part of an earlier wave of Chicago-area entries dating back to 2005.
But as Johnson noted during the Northbrook launch, the focus remains on “bringing our brand of impeccable hospitality to our new guests.”
In a market crowded with competitors like Whole Foods and discounters expanding into organics, The Fresh Market’s strategy seems to be honing in on what it does best: fresh, flavorful experiences that keep shoppers coming back.
As the holiday shopping rush kicks off, these changes could reshape local routines.
For now, though, the chain’s trajectory points upward, one strategic opening at a time.
Also Read: A Massive Convenience Store Now Closes 500 Stores
