Foxtrot's Gold Coast is first location to reopen after abrupt closure

Foxtrot is expected to reopen its Gold Coast store Thursday, nearly five months after abruptly closing all 33 locations across the U.S.

Why it matters: The popular Chicago-based chain of upscale convenience stores was known for selling local brands, and when it abruptly closed in April, small business owners and Foxtrot employees were left stunned and wondering if they would get paid.

• In an announcement on Foxtrot's social media, some of the local brands the store promised to bring back to its shelves include Big Fat Cookie, Marz and Gemma Foods.

Driving the news: Foxtrot is rebranding as Foxtrot Café & Market with "an expanding coffee experience," according to a press release.

• The store, located at 23 W. Maple St., is offering free coffee from 6-10am Thursday and $4 draft beers and $7 glasses of wine Friday beginning at 3pm.
• Eater reports Foxtrot is only planning to reopen stores in Chicago and Dallas.

Catch up quick: After stores closed in April, Foxtrot's parent company, Outfox Hospitality, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in May.

• Later that month, Foxtrot founder Mike LaVitola and a New York-based investment group bought the store's assets at auction and rumors swirled they would reopen stores in Chicago and Texas.

Flashback: LaVitola started the company in 2014 as a delivery service featuring upscale and local products, like specialty cookies and canned wine, and opened a brick-and-mortar store in Fulton Market the following year.

• Foxtrot expanded quickly, becoming a popular morning spot for breakfast tacos and coffee, as well as a place to work remotely or grab a glass of wine.

Zoom in: Several former employees sued Outfox Hospitality , saying the company violated the federal WARN Act, which requires employers give 60 days notice before mass layoffs.

• Because the company filed for bankruptcy, an automatic stay has been applied to a few of the cases, preventing plaintiffs from seeking damages from the bankrupt company.
• Former workers at the Gold Coast Foxtrot told Axios recently that they were given the opportunity to interview for positions in the new stores.

What they're saying: LaVitola did not respond to Axios' emails and phone calls. Someone who identified as a manager at the Gold Coast location would only say the store was opening Thursday.

What's next: The Wicker Park location at 1576 N. Milwaukee and the Old Town store at 401 N. Wells are most likely the next Foxtrots to reopen, based on liquor license applications .