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Strawberry Fields to reopen with new ownership

The News-Gazette has reported this morning that Strawberry Fields Natural Food Store — after announcing it would be closing its doors just a few weeks ago — will be reopening. Here’s some information from their report:

URBANA — Fans of the Strawberry Fields natural and organic foods store can look for its rebirth this spring, thanks to Mohammad Al-Heeti and his family.

Al-Heeti, who owns the World Harvest international food store in Champaign, said he is a longtime fan of Strawberry Fields and has purchased the business and the building on the west side of downtown Urbana.

Not only does he plan to use the Strawberry Fields name and its formula of natural and organic foods, but he also plans to revive the cafe that once occupied the south side of the store. His target for reopening is March or April of this year.

“We’ll keep the bakery, the same line of groceries and bulk foods, and refrigerated and frozen items,” he said.

To make way for the cafe, Al-Heeti said he will likely reduce the size of the vitamin and body-care product sections. He said he intends to consult the previous operators about what items sold the best and is open to suggestions from customers.

Strawberry Fields closed at 306 W. Springfield Ave., U, in mid-December, 40 years after the enterprise first opened on campus.

Read the whole story here.

We’re very excited to see what comes next.

Photo by Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette.

Executive Editor

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