Earth Fare Closing All Locations, Including 3 Ohio Stores

CLEVELAND — Organic grocer Earth Fare will shutter all of its stores nationwide, the brand announced. The company currently operates three stores in Ohio, with locations in Fairview Park, Akron and Canton.

The Fairview Park store is in Westgate Shopping Center, the Akron location is on West Market Street and Canton's store is on Everhard Road. The company said the shifting economic environment led to intent pressure on the Earth Fare business.

"While many of these initiatives improved the business, continued challenges in the retail industry impeded the company's progress as well as its ability to refinance its debt. As a result, Earth Fare is not in a financial position to continue to operate on a go-forward basis. As such, we have made the difficult, but necessary decision to commence inventory liquidation sales while we continue to engage in a process to find potential suitors for our stores," the company said in a statement.

All employees have been told of the impending closures. Company management said they are still trying to find a buyer to take over the brand.

Earth Fare locations have begun liquidating their inventory. Fixtures at the individual stores will also be available for purchase, the company said.

"Earth Fare has been proud to serve the natural and organic grocery market, and the decision to begin the process of closing our stores was not entered into lightly. We'd like to thank our team members for their commitment and dedication to serving our customers, and our vendors and suppliers for their partnership," said Earth Fare.