Foxtrot store in Chicago's Gold Coast reopening this week

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The first Foxtrot store to reopen will be the Gold Coast location, this coming Thursday.

But even as the company hopes to entice its customers back in with offers of free coffee, the question whether the high-end cafe can regain its luster after abruptly closing last spring.

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There was a lot of activity inside Foxtrot's Gold Coast location at 23 W. Maple Street on Tuesday as the store gets ready to reopen later this week under new ownership, but with its original founder and CEO at the helm.

"Today is an exciting day. It's also a very, busy day. Lots and lots of vendors coming in dropping off all their products. There's tons of cleaning going on. We're doing our final training," said Foxtrot Cafe & Market Chairman Mike LaVitola.

The closure of Foxtrot, along with its sister company Dom's last April, came as a shock to everyone, including the company's nearly 1,000 employees, many of whom reported being fired mid-shift. A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of many of them shortly after.

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"I'm just really distraught, because this was my livelihood. This was my only job," said former Foxtrot employee Alexandra Meraz.

That lawsuit does not impact the company's new owners, who purchased Foxtrot's assets at auction earlier this year and who are trying to make things right by prioritizing former employees for jobs.

"A lot of our store staff are folks who are returning, which is great for us. It's great for our customers," LaVitola said.

LaVitola said a lot of the same vendors are coming back as well. And while only time will tell whether the company can regain its previous success under new leadership, residents said they are looking forward to the reopening.

READ MORE | Closure of Foxtrot, Dom's markets impacting Chicago-area small businesses that supplied stores

"We're happy to have it back. I'm sure I will be here several times," said customer Pete Genovese.

Foxtrot's Old Town, Wrigleyville and Willis Tower locations are all slated to welcome back customers by the end of the year, with the company's stated goal being to reopen 11 stores between Chicago and Dallas by next spring.

The stores will have exclusive coffee blends as well as offering retail and CPG selections from roasters including Metric and Kyoto Black. Food offerings will include breakfast tacos, panini sandwiches, salads and cookies.

"Our new coffee and food menus are a true reflection of Foxtrot's founding principle: taking the ingredients we're passionate about, partnering with the best purveyors, and making them a special part of our day- and yours- every day," LaVitola said.

At the Gold Coast store's grand opening Thursday, people can get a free coffee from 6-10 a.m., no purchase necessary, and complementary samples of new cookies and berry chai refresher.

On Friday for happy hour starting at 3 p.m., there will be $4 local draft pours and $7 wine pours until closing.