Maplewood coffee shop, Foundation Grounds was for sale, according to a listing on BizBuySell.com in the end of March, but owner Pedro Abatte said (after the article posted) that the listing should have been taken down; it’s no longer for sale. The listing is no longer active.
40 South News tried to contact Abatte about 24 hours before this article posted but didn’t get a reply until after it was published.
BizBuySell.com had listed FoGro at $250,000: “1,265 Sq Ft with 40 seats inside, Great patio that can seat up to 32, Turnkey with menus, equipment, recipes and staff in place.” The reason listed for selling was “moving”.
Last Thursday (March 24), I stopped into FG to buy a bag of coffee. I talked with one of the guys behind the counter about their limited run of Case Coffee, which I have really enjoyed since FG started carrying it. The employee wasn’t too sure as to how long they’d continue to carry Case, since “the new owner” was going to take over the store on Friday. Have things changed with FG since this story was published, or could the employee have been mistaken about the ownership change?
Was the owner of Foundation Grounds contacted before this story was initially published? Was sufficient time given to allow for a response? I can’t help but look at the original 2-sentence story and the subsequent update and think that none of this would have ever been published if contact were made with the owner.
Contact was made (via text) about 24 hours before it was published, but a response didn’t come until after it was up.
I heart FroGro! But the owners moved permanently to Oregon, so it may only be a matter of time until they sell their business, especially if they need $ to start a business in their new home state. I’m only speculating, based on common sense. I hope FroGro stays 🙂
What exactly does this mean? Will Foundation Grounds still be there? Is it just a change in ownership?
Kristen, Pedro contacted me just now – I did try earlier – that he’s taken it off the market.