Festival Foods to Permanently Close Greenfield Location, Affecting 91 Employees

Festival Foods, a Wisconsin grocery chain, announced the closure of its Greenfield location. The decision, influenced by low sales and security concerns, will impact 91 employees.

Festival Foods, the family-owned grocery chain operating in Wisconsin, has made the difficult decision to close its Greenfield location. The move, which is set to affect 91 employees, has been influenced by a combination of low sales and security concerns at the store.

Factors Leading to the Closure

The decision to close the Greenfield location was not made lightly. The company cited disappointing sales figures as a significant factor in their choice. Despite the dedication and hard work of the employees at the Greenfield store, the sales performance did not meet the company's expectations. In addition to financial concerns, the company expressed worries about security issues, including an uptick in theft and safety-related incidents that impacted both customers and staff.

Impact on Employees and Future Plans

The closure will directly affect 91 employees at the Greenfield location. According to the company's notice, all but three workers will be terminated effective November 4, 2024. The remaining three employees will have the opportunity to transfer to other Festival Foods locations. In the face of this closure, the company emphasized that it has no intention of closing any additional stores. Instead, it aims to continue its growth strategy with the upcoming openings of stores in Kimberly and Hudson this fall. This indicates that while the Greenfield closure represents a setback, the company remains committed to expanding its presence in Wisconsin.

Community Reactions

The announcement of the Greenfield location's closure has elicited a sense of loss and disappointment within the community. Mayor Michael Neitzke expressed his sadness over the news, highlighting Festival Foods' strong ties to the community and its philanthropic efforts. He noted that the company not only recognized the importance of being an active participant in the community but also backed it up with genuine support and donations. Neitzke emphasized that the community's strength is diminished by the departure of the store, highlighting the impact of Festival Foods' engagement beyond mere business operations.