As the Post Went to Print Tuesday, Rumors Swirled About an Erewhon Takeover
By SARAH SHMERLING and CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA
Just five-and-a-half months after its grand opening, Vintage Grocers employees are under the impression that the store will be taken over by Erewhon Market.
On Tuesday afternoon, a statement from Erewhon and Vintage Grocers regarding the takeover was reportedly being finalized.
Rumors of a takeover began circulating in the store last week, according to multiple employees who were unsure what was to come of their future.
A meeting for employees on the subject was expected to take place on Wednesday where some expect to be told if their employment will be transferred over, or if they will be terminated completely.
Erewhon currently operates four locations across Southern California: Santa Monica, Calabasas, Venice and Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles.
“We strive to sell only the purest, ethically and sustainably produced foods, wellness and beauty products, and household items,” the Erewhon website states.
“Our mission is to make healthy, pure, nutrient-rich foods and products available to all and to inspire people to eat better, eat less and live longer.”
Founded in 1968, Erewhon was purchased by Tony and Josephine Antoci in 2011. According to the website, the stores offer brands and items that are free of artificial preservatives, synthetic pesticides, ripening agents, growth hormones and other additives.
The Erewhon website lists store departments, including a Tonic and Juice Bar, Superfoods, Wellness and Beauty, Kosher, Macrobiotics and Café.
“You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at one of our café tables or take it home for a truly special meal,” the website says.
If confirmed, this would be the first Erewhon Market to open in a Caruso development.
Vintage Grocers, owned by Walmart heiress Paige Laurie, was one of the first tenants confirmed to open in Palisades Village, securing a 12,000-square-foot space facing Sunset Boulevard.
The Palisades iteration marked the third Vintage Grocers location, following Malibu in 2014 and Westlake Village in 2016 at Caruso’s The Promenade at Westlake.
As the Post went to print Tuesday night, it was unclear if the alleged takeover would affect the other Vintage locations.
Representatives from Caruso did not respond to requests for comment, and Erewhon neither confirmed nor denied the takeover at press time.
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