Whole Foods Closing 2 Toronto Stores on Aug. 22: Employee Rights

Is Whole Foods Closing Stores in Toronto?

Yes — Whole Foods Market (Whole Foods) is shuttering its Yonge and Sheppard location as well as its Leaside store on Aug. 22, 2025.

“Like any retail business, we regularly evaluate each of our stores and make decisions to position the company for long-term success,” a spokesperson told Now Toronto in an email statement.

Despite the closures, the Amazon-owned grocery chain still plans to open a new location on King Street West in 2026.

How Many Employees are Affected?

The exact number of Whole Foods staff in Toronto affected by the closures remains unclear.

However, several individuals posted on Reddit that they’ve been let go — with one claiming they plan to have their severance offer reviewed by an employment lawyer.

• SEE ALSO: Layoffs in Canada: Which Employers are Slashing Staff?

Next Steps for Whole Foods Staff in Toronto

If you’ve been fired or let go from Whole Foods, understanding your legal rights in Ontario is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are entitled to severance pay. This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly.

The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.

Your rights don’t change when your employer closes an office or shuts down entirely.

📺 WATCH: Everything You Need to Know About Severance Pay

Key Severance Facts

• Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Ontario Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
• Deadlines: You generally have up to 2 years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
• Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Ontario employment laws.

Lost Your Job at Whole Foods? Contact Us

If you’ve lost your job at Whole Foods for any reason, contact the experienced Toronto employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our Ontario team has helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals in the province enforce their rights and secure the compensation they’re owed.

📞 Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.