Earth Fare Williamsburg to close at the end of January

*Earth Fare in Williamsburg. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle)*

WILLIAMSBURG – Sad news for Earth Fare shoppers. The specialty grocery store is closing its Williamsburg location on Jan. 31.

In an email sent out to customers on Jan. 9, the store’s management announced that “everything must go” as the store prepares to close its doors.

“We’re grateful for the incredible support from the Williamsburg community over the years,” the email states.

Updates about sales and hours will be sent out to subscribers of the store’s newsletter, according to the email.

While an Earth Fare spokesperson said the grocery store chain as a whole remains strong, the store’s last location in Charlotte, North Carolina, will also be closing, the company announced Thursday.

According to the Charlotte Observer, the company cited intense competition as a primary reason for the closure of the Charlotte location.

Earth Fare operates 18 stores in seven states, including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Florida and Georgia.

A sign on the door of Earth Fare’s Williamsburg store announces a 25% store-closing sale, stating that “everything must go.” (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle)

There are currently three stores in Virginia, including one in Christiansburg and one in Roanoke, in addition to the Williamsburg location.

While a reason for the Williamsburg store’s closure has not yet been announced, the area’s grocery market has become increasingly competitive. Several other grocery store options exist within a few-mile radius of Earth Fare, including Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter, Fresh Market, Publix and Food Lion.

Earth Fare Williamsburg previously went out of business due to a company-wide bankruptcy in February 2020. But the store soon made a surprise comeback, opening its doors again just seven months later.

Earth Fare specializes in health-conscious grocery items, including natural and organic foods as well as allergy-free options. The Midtown Row location offers a wide variety of health supplements as well as a large produce department, a specialty bakery and a deli.

The local store also participated in charitable giving initiatives, regularly donating food to local organizations for families in need.

This is a developing story. The Triangle has reached out to Earth Fare for further comment and is awaiting a response.