Berkeley Finer Food to close in Batavia

The only grocery store on the east side of Batavia is closing after 16 years in business.

Berkeley Finer Foods announced the closing on its Facebook page Thursday. It said it had been struggling for several years.

“It’s with great sadness to have to announce the closing of Berkeley Foods, after 16 years in business we had to make a difficult decision to close our business,” the store posted. It thanked its regular customers, noting they had gotten to know many of them personally.

It also thanked its staff, “the best crew we could’ve asked for. We thank you for your hard work and dedication to us. We wouldn’t have been here this long without you. We love our Berkeley family.”

The store, at 28 S. Van Buren St., will close July 30, according to the post.

Messages have been left seeking comment with the store’s owner.

On Friday, a worker at the store told customers that he was told another store will open in its place.

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said he had not been officially informed of the closure.

“I personally use it all the time for the delicatessen,” said Schielke, who lives on the east side.

On Facebook, customers lamented the loss of the store, including its popular fried chicken and house-made guacamole.

They also noted it was convenient for people living on the east side of Batavia. All the other grocery stores are on or near Randall Road on the west side of town, more than 2 miles away from Berkeley’s. To the east, the closest store with groceries is a Walmart on Kirk Road in Aurora.

A grocery store has existed on that spot on Van Buren since the early 1960s. A Walt’s Super Market was there until 1996. Amstadt’s moved in in 1997. Berkeley’s bought it in 2009.

Berkeley’s is part of Torres Fresh Markets, which has stores in Berwyn, Cicero and Melrose Park.