Foxtrot Market shutters Austin stores

Foxtrot Market abruptly closed all stores Tuesday, including four in Austin.

Why it matters: The Chicago-based boutique grocer bet big on Austin, opening stores on The Drag, South First, Burnet Road and Second Street.

• The shops were filled with artisanal snacks and wine and quickly became a popular local spot after first arriving last year .

Driving the news: All of Foxtrot's 33 national stores across Austin, Chicago, D.C. and Dallas closed as of Tuesday , per a company release.

• Delivery, the Foxtrot app and customer credits also ceased.
• "We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts," the release says.

Between the lines: The closures come just a few months after Foxtrot Market merged with Chicago boutique grocery Dom's Kitchen & Market .

The intrigue: Management notified corporate workers over a conference call Tuesday morning, and many store employees were left in the dark, Eater Chicago reports .

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