Fresh Market to close Cedar Rapids store

Fresh Market on Tuesday said it will close 13 stores in four states on May 18, including locations in northeast Cedar Rapids and West Des Moines.

The Greensboro, N.C., specialty grocer opened a 24,000-square-foot store at 180 Collins Rd. NE on Oct. 1, 2014.

In a news release, Fresh Market said the decision to close the locations was made following the completion of an organizational analysis and consideration of the company's overall growth strategy and long-term financial performance.

'The decision to close these stores is a difficult but necessary step with the end goal of producing a stronger, more agile company,” Rick Anicetti, Fresh Market president and chief executive officer, said in the statement. 'This shift also allows us to focus our energy and resources on the growth of our remaining stores, as well as new stores we have planned in the future.”

When the Cedar Rapids store opened, in a former Kmart location, it employed about 90 people.

Fresh Market said all eligible employees at the stores scheduled to close have been offered the option to apply for a position at another store location and will receive a separation package.

'We will have human resources and store operations team members in each of these stores throughout the week to assist employees with any transition needs they may have,” Anicetti said.

Founded in 1982, Fresh Market operates 175 stores in 23 states.

The Cedar Rapid store is a tenant in the Collins Crossing shopping center, which also has a Home Goods, Hobby Lobby and Shoe Carnival.