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BUSINESS
Ventura County Star
Customers of Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins in Thousand Oaks will have until the end of the month to get their organic fruits and specialty supplements.
The Ventura-based organic grocery chain posted signs announcing the store's last day as April 30. Raymond Martherus, regional marketing director for Lassens, said by email Monday the company is closing the store at 2150 Thousand Oaks Blvd. because its lease was not extended.
"It’s not the outcome we had hoped for, but we’re grateful for the time we’ve spent in the community and excited for what’s ahead," he said.
Martherus said workers who wished to stay on with Lassens have been offered new roles in the company. Lassens opened its first Thousand Oaks location in 1985 and has spent seven years at its current spot, he said.
"This particular closure was completely unforeseen," he said in the email. "As we’ve shared, it was unintentional, unplanned, and certainly not something we wanted."
Two messages left with the management offices at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks' offices were not returned.
Thousand Oaks resident Lauri Kamiel said she was so devastated to learn of Lassens' closure, she started a Facebook group. She goes to the market at least once a week for groceries, supplements and prepared foods from the hot bar.
"It's just a friendly environment," Kamiel said. "It's a community."
Kamiel, who has dietary restrictions, said Lassens' supplies of specialty items simplifies her shopping.
"It provides in one place everything I need," she said.
She heard that another market chain is planning to open in Lassens' place and emailed their customer service department, which sent a response indicating it was opening at The Lakes. The Star contacted the company by email, which was not returned.
Lassens has 10 other stores under the name, including the three remaining in Ventura County in Oxnard, Simi Valley and Ventura. Other locations dot the region between San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield and Los Angeles. The company's website says the first store was opened in 1971 by matriarch Oda Lassen as Lassen’s Health Food Store, initially out of a leased shop in Camarillo.
Martherus said the store's closure is not part of any downsizing. Instead, the company is growing. He did not say where.
But a story in The News Tribune in Tacoma, Washington, in November reported that Lassens acquired a two-store chain called Marlene's Market & Deli, which has stores in Tacoma and Federal Way. The stores are not listed on Lassens' site but representatives of Marlene's have Lassens emails.
Martherus noted Lassens' loss can be customers' gain because the store is offering deals while supplies last. Lassens is offering 20% markdowns of nearly all items except produce and deli, according to store signs.
Lassens is the second grocery store closure Thousand Oaks in recent weeks. The Amazon Fresh at 140 Promenade Way is slated to close April 27 after two years in the spot. An Amazon spokesman said certain locations work better than others.
Stacie N. Galang is news director of the Ventura County Star. She can be reached at [email protected] and 805-437-0222.