In a recent newsletter to stakeholders, Wheatsville Food Co-op stated there had been “a change in plan,” regarding the acquisition of two local Fresh Plus neighborhood grocery stores in North Austin.

What’s happening?

Previously, the company had announced plans to take over the two grocers as it prepares to shutter its 50-year location on Guadalupe Street near The University of Texas at Austin campus sometime in late 2026.

Company leaders launched a $4 million community-funded campaign venture in August to support the future co-op grocery store locations in North Austin.

However, in the organization’s October newsletter General Manager Bill Bickford told patrons to prepare for the store’s closure and operation out of its remaining location on South Lamar Boulevard.


“... After a great deal of consideration and based on information obtained during our due diligence period, we shared with owners that the deal we were exploring [with Fresh Plus] was no longer financially viable and that we would not be moving forward,” Bickford states.

A manager at Fresh Plus in the Hyde Park neighborhood—one of the two locations previously considered—confirmed the deal had “fallen through.”