Fresh Thyme grocery closing in July after less than a year
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, which opened less than a year ago on East Reynolds Road, is closing.
The store announced in an ad in the Herald-Leader that it is closing, with 30 percent off all items, beginning Friday, coincidentally the day the new expanded Whole Foods Market is opening nearby at The Summit at Fritz Farm.
A Fresh Thyme spokeswoman said the store will close July 12. It’s unclear how many employees will be affected by the closing.
“We love the Lexington area and are sad to be closing one of our stores,” CEO Chris Sherrell said in a statement. “As we continue our rapid expansion plans throughout the Midwest, it is inevitable that some stores will not be as successful as others, and we need to evaluate our position in the market.
“However, this was not a decision that was taken lightly, and we are working with all employees to ease their transition and provide additional support.”
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market opened Sept. 28. The $1.5 million store was the latest entrant in Lexington’s competitive wholesome-grocery market, going up against Lucky’s, Good Foods, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, Meijer, Walmart and Kroger, among others. When it opened, Whole Foods was just across the road in Lexington Green.
It was the third Fresh Thyme store in Kentucky, opening after stores in Louisville and Newport. The chain specializes in organic and healthy food at competitive prices.
Janet Patton: 859-231-3264, @janetpattonhl
This story was originally published June 23, 2017 at 9:44 AM with the headline "Fresh Thyme grocery closing in July after less than a year."