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The opinion of the author is his own and has no affiliation with the topic that was included. Sources that are used in this article are the following: Wweek, MSN, Oregonlive and for information about individuals, he used Wikipedia.
Introduction
Green Zebra Grocery, a Portland-based chain of healthy convenience stores, announced that it will close all of its three locations by March 31, 2023.
The company cited financial challenges caused by the pandemic, inflation, supply chain and staffing shortages, and thin grocery margins as the reasons for its decision.
Green Zebra was founded in 2013 by Lisa Sedlar, a former CEO of New Seasons Market. The company aimed to redefine the neighborhood convenience store by offering fresh produce, prepared foods, local craft beer, kombucha slushies, and other healthy products. The company also pledged fair-wage jobs and affordable health insurance for its employees.
The company operated three stores in Portland: one near the Portland State University campus, one in Richmond neighborhood, and one in Arbor Lodge neighborhood.
The company had plans to expand to more locations, but those were put on hold due to the pandemic.
Green Zebra, 2023
Sedlar said in a press release that the company had been “holding on by a thread” since the pandemic started and had been in “austerity mode” since then.
She said that the company experienced nine straight quarters of increases in its cost of goods, packaging, fuel, insurance, taxes, freight charges, and other expenses.
Sedlar said that the company will pay all of its team members in full, including their accrued vacation hours. She also said that she is reaching out to other leaders in the grocery industry to encourage them to hire Green Zebra’s employees once the company shuts down.
She also urged customers to continue shopping at Green Zebra until March 31 and support other local businesses.
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