ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - After about a year and a half in operation, the Amazon Fresh Market at The Ridge shopping center will soon vacate its space as part of a company-wide decision to close its physical Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores.

The company confirmed the closures in a Jan. 27 post on its news blog, stating the move is part of an effort to “prioritize investment in growth areas.” The company announced all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores will close, with some locations expected to be converted into Whole Foods Market stores.

The 42,000-square-foot grocery store, located off Elk Grove Boulevard and Bruceville Road, opened in September 2024 following a long-anticipated debut. The store was first announced nearly two years earlier, and its grand opening drew hundreds of customers who lined up after waiting for the location to officially open.

Amazon operates 22 physical grocery stores across the state, including locations in Roseville, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove. The company confirmed to the Elk Grove Citizen that Feb. 1 marked the final day of operation for its physical grocery stores nationwide, except for California locations, which will remain open longer to comply with state requirements. Under California law, stores must remain open for 45 days following a public closure announcement, placing the Elk Grove store’s official closure in mid-March.

Amazon, which acquired Whole Foods Market in 2017, stated the decision was made after the company determined the stores were not delivering the “distinctive customer experience” or the “right economic model needed for large-scale expansion,” according to the post.

Despite the closures, Amazon said it will remain in the grocery delivery market and focus on services such as Same-Day Delivery and Amazon Fresh online. The company also plans to invest in opening more than 100 new Whole Foods Market stores in the coming years and will introduce Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, a smaller-format concept focused on everyday essentials and grab-and-go options.

A Whole Foods Market is already planned as one of the anchor tenants for The Village, a new shopping center under construction about two blocks from The Ridge. That location is expected to open later this year.