In the Know: Vom Fass store closes in Mercato

Q: I received an email yesterday saying Vom Fass at Mercato had closed. A friend went by this morning and said there was no sign on the door and all looked the same as usual. There was no warning or "closing" sale. I hope the family is OK. Are you able to find out what happened? They will be missed! Thank you.

— Lisa Mair, Naples

A:  Vom Fass permanently closed March 10 in Mercato, according to a spokeswoman for the mixed-use center in North Naples.

“We are talking to a potential new tenant but cannot divulge any details until the lease has been fully negotiated,” said Valerie Cope, Mercato’s marketing director.

The local franchisees of Vom Fass could not be reached for comment regarding the store’s closing.

The specialty store, which opened in December 2014 between Grace & Shelly’s Cupcakes and Le Macaron French pastries, was a franchise of a German chain specializing in high-quality oils, vinegars, liqueurs and spirits. Its name means “on tap” or “from the cask” in German and refers to the opportunity to sample products from jars and barrels in the store.

A representative of the chain in Las Vegas said the Vom Fass location there has been receiving telephone calls from Naples customers with questions about redeeming gift cards. Holders of Vom Fass gift cards are invited to call 702-882-8821.

Vom Fass franchises remain operating in Boca Raton, St. Petersburg and Wesley Chapel in Florida and about 25 other locations in the United States. To shop online, go to vomfassusa.com.

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