The Planet Organic chain has shut down all locations across Canada including the one in Saanich.
On March 3, the 11-store health food chainB次元官网网址檚 CEO Alan Thompson sent a letter to employees explaining Planet Organic will be B次元官网网址渃easing operations.B次元官网网址�
He wrote that despite efforts to keep the company afloat, the time had come to admit that it was time to shut down.
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B次元官网网址淎fter conducting a full review of our current financial state, we concluded that there were too many factors working against us to continue operating,B次元官网网址� Thompson wrote.
He thanked staff for their dedication and emphasized that employees will receive any money theyB次元官网网址檙e owed including vacation pay.
Vendors also received a letter indicating that the company is in B次元官网网址渕assive debt,B次元官网网址� said Rula Sharkawi, CEO of My Little Chickpea B次元官网网址� a Toronto-based Middle Eastern food supplier.
SharkawiB次元官网网址檚 company is owed several thousand dollars and, after months of problems and unpaid invoices piling up, she filed a lawsuit in November 2019. However, according to the letter vendors received from Planet Organic, she can expect to only receive between seven and eight per cent of the original claim.
She added that itB次元官网网址檚 disappointing when a company publicly states its support for small and local businesses but acts differently behind closed doors.
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B次元官网网址淢any of their practices were not in good faith,B次元官网网址� Sharkawi said, pointing out that vendors like her now have to deal with the outcomes of Planet OrganicB次元官网网址檚 actions. SheB次元官网网址檚 evaluating her options for moving forward with a lawyer.
The Planet Organic location on Quadra Street B次元官网网址� the only B.C. location B次元官网网址� has been shut down. On Wednesday morning, the lights were out inside and the open sign sat dark. Signs were posted at all entrances informing customers of the closure and thanking them for the support over the years. Calls to the Saanich location went unanswered.
One customer posted an open note entitled B次元官网网址淩equiem for Planet OrganicB次元官网网址� on the front door of the Saanich location expressing their disappointment over losing the store.
B次元官网网址淭hese doors had opened to a world that kept me motivated and inspired to eat, feel and look more healthy vibrant and alive,B次元官网网址� Tamara Hernandez wrote. B次元官网网址淚 cannot express just how much poorer we will be as a community for the loss of this place.B次元官网网址�
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Hernandez added that the managers called to let her know about the permanent closure just two hours after finding out themselves.
A spokesperson for Hansbraun Investments Ltd. B次元官网网址� the company that owns Saanich Centre B次元官网网址� told Black Press Media in an email on March 11 that as Planet Organic is still a tenant, they are declining to comment on the situation.
Planet Organic opened in Edmonton in 1993 and operated 11 locations across Canada including four in Edmonton, five in Calgary, one in Ontario, and one in B.C.
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