The popular supermarket chain that competed with Walmart has permanently shut down, citing “we can’t justify it anymore” as the reason for the decision.

Because its management “can’t justify it anymore,” one of Chicago’s most beloved grocery stores is closing.

Local Foods, known for its excellent butchery and public market, has announced its impending closure.

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The locally sourced and produced food store will close for good after being open for nearly a decade.

However, the market’s own Butcher & Larder, known for its high-quality meat and butchery classes, will also be closing.

The grocery store located near the Elston Industrial Corridor informed customers via email that some services would be maintained.

Local Foods shared the news of the closure on Instagram alongside Butcher and Larder, where they gave details about why the store was closing.

It read, “It is with great sadness that we must inform you that the doors to Local Foods Public Market and Butcher & Larder will be permanently closed on March 26, 2023.

Despite everyone’s best efforts, we just can’t see a way to keep going as a company.

Over the past year, as we have worked to make the business sustainable, our staff has been extremely accommodating and encouraging.

Because of our remote location and the general slowdown in the economy, we have been unable to make any significant progress despite our best efforts.

Until its final closing date, the company will be offering “significant” discounts, such as up to 50% off on specialty grocery items.

Butcher & Larder will fulfill all St. Patrick’s Day pre-orders and will continue to offer premium meat from local farms until the store permanently closes.

The wholesale distribution business will continue as usual, according to Local Foods, which is good news.

In addition, the statement said, “Local Foods distribution had record sales in 2022 and we look forward to continuing to provide source-identified foods to restaurants, schools, businesses, and other food operations committed to supporting sustainable food systems.”

During its eight years in business, Local Foods has received a lot of support from loyal customers.

The wholesaler prioritizes stocking items that are made or grown within 350 miles of Chicago and can be shipped to the city within a day.

Although some products may not be able to be grown locally, they hope to be processed there.

Local Foods makes sure that even non-regional items, like avocados, come from reliable sources and are produced in a moral manner.

The shop that is conveniently located near the Hideout Inn had only opened the year before, in 2015, when the pandemic hit.

The store shrank its physical footprint and reorganized its inventory to better serve its clientele.

Supply chain problems and shifting restaurant practices like takeout and table service compounded the challenge of adapting the shop to the new reality.

It’s the latest in a string of store closings caused by rising prices and shifting consumer preferences.