Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A popular downtown grocery store has closed, citing low customer volume and other issues since opening in early 2020.
Lee's Market at 4th West, located at 255 N. 400 West, permanently closed over the weekend. Signs now plaster the outside of the building directing customers to the company's North Salt Lake location.
Jonathan Badger, president and CEO at Lee's Marketplace, informed customers about the impending closure in a public letter on Thursday, saying the decision was made because of the "current economic and competitive circumstances" created by the "lack of volume coming into the store from surrounding areas, the COVID-19 pandemic and public accessibility."
The store opened within the 4th West Apartments complex just weeks before pandemic-related shutdowns and health precautions began across Utah in March 2020.
"The urban store format you would find in a high-density city like New York, Chicago or Boston was a test for our company," he wrote in the letter. "Unfortunately, we found this style of shopping is not yet conducive to the Salt Lake City area."
Residents at the apartment complex received a notice of the grocery store's intent to close only two days in advance of the closure. The 4th West management wrote Wednesday that they were informed earlier in the week that the store would close, according to a letter to residents obtained by KSL.com. The management began offering renters a $200 credit toward any grocery subscription service as a result of the closure, in another letter sent on Thursday.
The store wasn't just for residents of the 4th West and the Hardware apartments but was the closest grocery store option for some residents of the city's downtown, Capitol Hill and Fairpark neighborhoods — a section of the city on the rise with many new building projects in place or in the pipeline.
It was also an option for West High School staff and students since it was located across the street from the school, and for the many people who work in the downtown area. The store was popular enough in its time to earn a 4.5 out of five-star Google rating before closing.
In recent weeks and months, the company seemed to try to draw in more customers, with additional advertising and outdoor flags.
Many of the nonresident customers were caught off-guard by the sudden closure. Jodi Wheeler, who lives near the store, arrived Sunday afternoon to pick up produce, only to come across the signage. She said the store became a favorite of hers because of its proximity and food selection.
"I am just blown away — just heartbroken," she said.
Residents who live in the area still have a few options, even if it requires a bit more traveling. Harmons Grocery at 135 E. 100 South, Rancho Market at 140 N. 900 West, Smith's Food and Drug at 1174 W. 600 North, and The Store: Gateway at 90 S. Rio Grande Street, which are all located within 2 miles of the old Lee's Market location, according to Google Maps.
Lee's Marketplace still has locations in Heber City, Herriman, Logan, North Salt Lake, Ogden and Smithfield.
Meanwhile, 4th West Apartments management wrote that they would like to replace the vacated building space with something similar in the future.
"We have truly enjoyed our partnership with Lee's Market and know that many of you have not only enjoyed but counted on their market," management wrote on Wednesday. "Our goal is that we will soon be able to introduce to all of you a new business that will follow in their footsteps. This is our top priority right now."
