With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Fresh & Easy On Closing Rumors: 'We're going to keep on fighting the good food fight'
()
Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/LAist
It's been a few weeks since word began to circulate that Fresh & Easy was "likely" to sell off or close down their stores, but the UK-parented grocery chain has remained largely mum on the subject.
Today they've sent out an e-mail message to the members of their loyalty program, Fresh & Easy Friends, to take on the rumors head-on.
F&E explains that their parent company, Tesco, is "conducting a strategic review" of their stores, and they are "looking at all options to find the best outcome" for the stores. The store admits they don't know what that outcome will be, or if Tesco is indeed going to bail and sell off their interest in the U.S. chain based in SoCal.
Support for LAist comes from
The one point they want to drive home, though, is that, at least for now, they aren't going to close any of their stores. So in the meantime, while the big wigs are sorting out their bottom lines, you can still cruise their aisles and get your fill of F&E's foodstuffs.
Fresh & Easy opened their first stores in 2007 in California, on a mission to, in part, enter areas considered "food deserts," where access was limited or non-existent to fresh foods. Though they soon began to enter more competitive markets, the chain has had a wobbly tenure amidst SoCal grocery powerhouses, from the big guys like Ralphs and Vons to the more niche-oriented Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.
Over the years, Fresh & Easy has worked hard to change initial impressions their stores were short on selection, and has expanded their ready-made food offerings, as well as brought in more mainstream name brands. Current fans of the chain can continue to enjoy their shopping while they can, and maybe the chain can get some new "friends" in the interim.
Here's the e-mail to their Friends members in full:
Thank you for being a Friend of Fresh & Easy. We wanted to reach out to you to address numerous news and online reports about the future of our stores. Our parent company Tesco is conducting a strategic review of Fresh & Easy - they're looking at all options to find the best outcome for the neighborhood market that you - and we - have come to love. While we don't know exactly what that outcome will be, or if Tesco will continue to own the company, we're confident that Fresh & Easy can continue to be your favorite market.
We want to assure you: we don't have plans to close stores. We're still committed to providing delicious, wholesome and affordable food every day. We're still Fresh & Easy; open for business with everything that you enjoy about our store, with even more exciting things to come. That's why we're going to keep on fighting the good food fight.
Now, more than ever, we appreciate your energy in our stores and being able to share a smile with you. We look forward to seeing you soon and thank you for your continued support.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist