[Whitley]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Email arrived this morning, Earth Fare will stat today with 30% off. No exact date for closing.

I have shopped Earth Fare for many years, and will miss their no preservatives or additives in their products. Sadly, TV and the surrounding area didn’t have their key customers. So will be traveling to Whole Foods in Gainesville to shop for my pantry.

There was one in Sarasota/Manatee Lakewood Ranch area. It also closed. With the current state of the country people may not feel comfortable spending the extra money.

[Whitley]

It was not a very welcoming store. The lighting was harsh. Had an unusual odor. I can go to the Fresh Market for two items and leave with several bags. It is a pleasure to be there. Not crazy about wholefoods either, though better (imo) than earthfare. From the strong scent of patchouli oil to a $5.50 snickerdoodle cookie (1 cookie). Still, sad to see any company not make it.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Whitley

It was not a very welcoming store. The lighting was harsh. Had an unusual odor. I can go to the Fresh Market for two items and leave with several bags. It is a pleasure to be there. Not crazy about wholefoods either, though better (imo) than earthfare. From the strong scent of patchouli oil to a $5.50 snickerdoodle cookie (1 cookie). Still, sad to see any company not make it.

For 5.50 must go into the record books as one of the largest cookies being sold. Or not being sold based on the price

[mlmarr]

Originally Posted by asianthree

If you ask that question you were not their key customer, and might be the reason many went once, not realizing the products they sold. Plus I am guessing the cost, of products without additives and preservatives is about 20% higher.

Those who seek or require no additives and preservatives, every shelf was stocked with everything you could think. In Publix or Winn Dixie, you might find 3-8 items on your list.

If you have always eaten processed food, too late to change now. From the time I had solid food, until now I don’t eat processed food. That means eating out is very minimal, and if I do, it can take days to recover

besides the economic state of this country, location is a HUGE issue .. with the road construction .. for many it's hard to get there.. went a few times, wasn't a fan.

[mlmarr]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Email arrived this morning, Earth Fare will stat today with 30% off. No exact date for closing.

I have shopped Earth Fare for many years, and will miss their no preservatives or additives in their products. Sadly, TV and the surrounding area didn’t have their key customers. So will be traveling to Whole Foods in Gainesville to shop for my pantry.

looks like corporate is closing... Web site ... Earth Fare soon will close its last store in metro Orlando. Earth Fare soon will close its last store in metro Orlando. The Asheville, North Carolina-based specialty grocer in an email said the store at 655 N. Highway 27/441 in Lady Lake will close, less than a year after it opened in November 2021.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by mlmarr

besides the economic state of this country, location is a HUGE issue .. with the road construction .. for many it's hard to get there.. went a few times, wasn't a fan.

Did you see any actual road construction? All I ever see is torn up roads and traffic barricades. But, you can get to that area by going through Sam's parking lot.

[mikeycereal]

Darn, there goes my fresh ground almond butter source.

Gonna have to find another store with one of those grinders now.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I hate to see any business close. But, I went there once when they first opened. I asked myself, why am I here, when I could be at Publix? I think a lot of people did the same thing.

Exactly. Nothing in that store "spoke" to me. Much prefer Publix and Winn Dixie. I never went back either. Can't wait to see what will take the place of this store.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by asianthree

If you ask that question you were not their key customer, and might be the reason many went once, not realizing the products they sold. Plus I am guessing the cost, of products without additives and preservatives is about 20% higher.

Those who seek or require no additives and preservatives, every shelf was stocked with everything you could think. In Publix or Winn Dixie, you might find 3-8 items on your list.

If you have always eaten processed food, too late to change now. From the time I had solid food, until now I don’t eat processed food. That means eating out is very minimal, and if I do, it can take days to recover

Your insides may be healthier but I'm happier eating the bad stuff.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

What a surprise. Went last week in afternoon and only two other customers in store. Prices absurd. Adios Earth Faire. Replace with Trader Joes

Trader Joe's would be a great in that location. Sign me up!

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by REDCART

Location certainly contributed to Earth Fare’s early demise. One, it’s outside TV and too far North to attract many villagers. And two, the road construction in the area has further discouraged many who might consider visiting the store. I know we have avoided the area whenever possible. IMHO, Sprouts wii be a better location for villagers.

Too far north? That location is part of my "stomping ground" of retail stores, big box stores and restaurants.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Ltwise3500

I went there for the 1st time last week to find a specific bread and planned on purchasing other items until…the over whelming terrible smell when I walked in the door. It was horrible! Walked out with only 1 item.

I know. Agree about the smell. What is that?????

[REDCART]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Email arrived this morning, Earth Fare will stat today with 30% off. No exact date for closing.

I have shopped Earth Fare for many years, and will miss their no preservatives or additives in their products. Sadly, TV and the surrounding area didn’t have their key customers. So will be traveling to Whole Foods in Gainesville to shop for my pantry.

Wouldn’t the Earth Fare in Ocala be closer?
2405 SW 27th Ave Ste 101. Ocala, FL 34471

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by JSR22

There is not a Whole Foods in TV. Do you mean Fresh Market?

I'd like to make a wager that you are correct.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I'm on somewhat of a budget, but can afford to pay extra for certain things. Like chicken salad. My husband likes Earth Fare's chicken salad. It was around $2 more than Publix, and much tastier, with much quicker service, plus you get a free sourdough french bread to go with it. So it was a reasonable deal to pick up a pound every 10-14 days.

I went there today and thought - if they had only half the number of customers every day leading up to today, compared to how many were actually there when I went in, they wouldn't have had to close down.

It wasn't as crowded as Publix usually is, but it had a really solid flow of patrons coming in and leaving with food.

This tells me that the only reason people didn't come previously was that the prices were too high. Obviously it wasn't obscured too much by construction that no one knew it was there. Because a LOT of people knew it was there today.

Obviously it wasn't that you couldn't get there by golf cart because a LOT of people were there today, without golf carts. Obviously it wasn't that it was "too far north" because obviously a lot of people managed to get there. Also on that point - the Villages isn't the only community in the area. That side of 441 is primarily residential and there's also Water Oak, which is less than 3 blocks away and clearly MORE convenient to the hundreds of people living there, than it is to anyone in the Villages.