FARGO, North Dakota — A neighborhood grocery store that has served south Fargo residents for decades is closing its doors for good next month.
Hornbacher’s Express at 1433 South University Drive is set to shut down on June 27, leaving a gap in a community that has long relied on it for everyday essentials.
For many shoppers, it is more than just a store. It is a familiar stop — part of the daily routine.
Employees Say the News Came Out of Nowhere
Workers at the store only found out about the closure on Monday.
One employee described the announcement as a “total surprise” to many on the team — people who had built their work lives around this location and the community it served.
The abrupt notice left staff with a lot of questions and uncertainty about what comes next.
Why Is the Store Closing?
Hornbacher’s is owned by Coborn’s, a St. Cloud, Minnesota-based grocery chain.
The company says the lease on the South University Drive location is expiring, and after reviewing its options, it made the decision not to renew.
Coborn’s CEO and Chairman Chris Coborn addressed the closure directly.
“Decisions like this are never easy, especially for an employee-owned company where our people are at the heart of everything we do,” he said.
He was clear that the closure is not a reflection of the store team’s work. “We are incredibly proud of the Express team and deeply grateful for the dedication and care they have shown our guests over the years,” Coborn said. “Their efforts have helped make this store an important part of the community.”
What Happens to the Workers?
The south Fargo location currently employs more than 60 full-time and part-time workers.
Coborn’s says all of them will be offered positions at other store locations, which is a meaningful commitment for employees who may have feared losing their jobs entirely.
Still, for workers who have built relationships with regular customers in this neighborhood, a transfer is not quite the same as staying.
What It Means for the Neighborhood
South Fargo residents now face the loss of a convenient, community-rooted grocery option.
For those without easy access to transportation or other nearby stores, the June 27 closure could mean longer trips for basic groceries — a real inconvenience that hits some residents harder than others.
As the final weeks count down, longtime shoppers are left to say goodbye to a place that has been part of their neighborhood for a long time.
Did you shop at Hornbacher’s Express in south Fargo? Share your memories or thoughts in the comments — the community would love to hear from you.
