By Sara Beth Williams–
Amazon Fresh remains open in Citrus Heights through March 13 according to a sign posted at the entrance to the store. The store appeared open for business with multiple customers coming and going on Thursday after being closed one day earlier this week.
The grocery store with a unique shopping concept opened in Citrus Heights at Sunrise Village on Nov. 7, 2024, to a crowd of people and enthusiasm from the community. A long line of shoppers could be seen assembled in front of the brick-and-mortar grocer prior to the store’s opening, with the line extending all the way to the former Rite Aid.
Last Tuesday, residents reported that the store at 5425 Sunrise Blvd. was closed to customers. On a visit to the Citrus Heights location Tuesday afternoon, Sentinel staff found the parking lot empty, and the store closed, with multiple customers walking up to the entrance in confusion. A sign on the front entrance stated that the store would be closed for the rest of the day on Jan. 27 but did not indicate a date of permanent closure.
Numerous online news outlets reported on Tuesday that Amazon announced plans to close dozens of brick-and-mortar Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores, including three in the Sacramento region.
Store locations in the region are expected to close by Feb. 1, with the exception of its California locations, which should “remain open longer to comply with state requirements.” Some locations will be converted into Whole Foods Market locations, and each location will be evaluated individually.
The major online retailer which took over Whole Foods in 2017, has seen strong and positive sales growth and expansion since its Whole Food Market acquisition and plans to open more than 100 new Whole Foods Market stores over the next few years.
In an update on Wednesday, Amazon also announced that it was cutting about 16,000 corporate jobs, its second round of mass layoffs in three months.
Nearby Amazon Fresh locations impacted include relatively new locations in Elk Grove, Roseville and Citrus Heights.
Amazon Fresh in Citrus Heights is located at 5425 Sunrise Blvd.
