World Food Mart, one of Houston’s largest and most beloved international grocery stores, has gone dark. The sprawling Beechnut market has temporarily closed after its parent companies filed for bankruptcy, leaving aisles of perishable goods and a loyal customer base wondering when, or if, the doors will swing open again. The closure is the latest turn in a bruising legal fight over the store’s ownership that has dragged on since a proposed sale in 2014.
Store announces shutdown
In an April 2 social media post, the store said it had filed for bankruptcy and was shutting down temporarily, calling the decision one made “with a heavy heart” and thanking staff and shoppers for their support, according to the Houston Chronicle. Management also asked for “understanding, prayers and support” as it tries to navigate the mounting legal and financial trouble, the outlet reported.
A decade of litigation
The sudden closure traces back to a long-running dispute over a 2014 sale. Court records show World Food agreed that year to sell the grocery and its real estate…..