Baristas had to kick customers out of cafes in dramatic scenes after their cafe chain announced it was closing all stores with immediate effect.
Customers and employees were shocked after Foxtrot, a high-end coffee shop and convenience store, announced Tuesday that it would permanently close all of its U.S. locations.
‘I found out two hours before that our company was closing nationwide!!!’ wrote one barista in the caption of a TikTok video showing how it played out at his coffee shop. ‘Does anyone know how to apply for unemployment???’
The video documents two baristas reacting to the news before having just hours to close the store, kick out customers, and leave mid-shift.
‘What do we tell them?’ says one staff member as he looks at the customers waiting at the tables, while another says: “I want to call my dad.”
Baristas had to kick customers out of cafes in dramatic scenes after their cafe chain announced it was closing all locations with immediate effect.
Customers and employees were shocked after Foxtrot, a high-end coffee shop and convenience store, announced it would permanently close all of its US locations.
The video documents two baristas reacting to the news before having just hours to close the store, kick out customers, and leave mid-shift.
The TikToker filmed herself sadly pouring the last latte she would make for the chain into a to-go cup, before heading to the empty store.
“They kicked out all the customers,” he said, showing rows of deserted tables and chairs. The baristas then toast their “last day” with two purple drinks.
Foxtrot, which was established in 2014 in Chicago, had 33 locations in the Chicago, Austin, Dallas and Washington DC areas.
News of its closure came less than six months after Foxtrot announced a merger with Dom’s Kitchen & Market, a boutique grocery store with two locations in Chicago. Washington Post reported.
In a message posted on the company’s social media channels and website on Tuesday, Foxtrot said it had “explored many avenues to continue the business but did not find any viable options despite good faith and efforts.” exhaustive”.
The Foxtrot website also appears to have disappeared, with an error message appearing on Wednesday.
Foxtrot began a decade ago as a high-end food and alcohol delivery service, before opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Chicago in 2016.
The stores offered delivery and pickup upon request, or customers could shop in-store for gourmet “pantry essentials” and carefully selected wines, spirits and beers or purchase a coffee, pastries or ready-to-eat meal.
Its business flourished during the pandemic, and in 2022, the company announced it had raised $160 million in funding, according to a company. Press release.
In a statement announcing the closures, the company said: “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.”
The TikToker filmed herself sadly pouring the last latte she would make for the chain into a to-go cup, before heading to the empty store.
The video documents two baristas reacting to the news before having just hours to close the store, kick out customers, and leave mid-shift.
‘We want to express our sincere gratitude for your support and patronage over the years.
“We understand this news may be shocking and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.”
The company confirmed that starting April 23, all deliveries and store credits will also be unavailable to customers.
Account credits and member benefits would also cease, Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market said.
Baristas were formally notified around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday that it was their last day of work, according to an email and FAQ reviewed by The Washington Post.
They were told they would only be paid for shifts through the end of April 23 and that their health benefits would end in a week, he reported.
A Chicago worker, Julia Harlos, posted a video on TikTok announcing her shock at the sudden closure.
“We just found out that our store will close today at 12,” he said in the video.
‘And by close, I mean close the entire chain. And I have three more hours on my shift.
Pan the camera to show customers sitting in the store drinking coffee and working on their laptops. ‘What do we tell them?’ she said.
Foxtrot, which was established in 2013 in Chicago, had 33 locations in the Chicago, Austin, Dallas and Washington DC areas.
Foxtrot began a decade ago as a high-end food and alcohol delivery service, before opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Chicago in 2016, also serving coffee, pastries, and ready-to-eat meals.
The company posted a message on its website and social media channels following the shocking closure announcement.
One location in downtown Washington DC had a sign in the window that read: “As of today, we are closed for the last time.” Thank you for the time we spent together,’ The Washington Post reported.
It comes amid a series of store closures across the United States as companies grapple with rising costs, persistent inflation and growing demand for e-commerce.
US retailers will close a total of nearly 5,500 stores in 2023, with big brands like Bed Bath & Beyond, Walgreens and Rite Aid leading the way.
The closures affected a wide range of sectors, from clothing stores and food retailers to discount stores and pharmacies.
The total number of closures in 2023 was 5,463, according to the latest estimates from the consulting firm Coresight Research. That’s a 30 percent increase from the previous year.