Historic Sheridan Fruit Company is closing its doors after more than 100 years in business

After 110 years in Portland, Sheridan Fruit Company is closing its doors. The independent grocer announced the closure Thursday confirming its final day will be on Friday, Feb. 13.

A visit to the store revealed rows of nearly empty shelves. Only a handful of produce and some shelf-stable items were left, with teller’s boxes and other business supplies also up for sale.

“It has been this gradual decrease of the inventory on shelves, more empty spaces and that became empty aisles,” said Melanie Katz, who works about two blocks away from Sheridan and regularly went there for lunch. “So we suspected there could be something going on.”

Sheridan was one of a handful of businesses original to an area of Portland known as Produce Row. For generations, this network of predominantly Italian American grocers sold local produce out of the city’s Central Eastside.

On its website, Sheridan thanked their staff and customers for their continued support and loyalty over the decades.

“Since 1916, it has been our greatest honor to be a part of your kitchens, your holiday traditions, and your daily lives,” Sheridan officials said in a statement. “We have been proud to champion local farmers and serve the city we love for over a century.”

According to reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive, the grocer, like many other businesses, faced several challenges keeping its doors open following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Katz purchased a beanie with the Sheridan logo on her final visit to the grocer on Thursday.

“I picked it up because I wanted a little piece of this Portland history to bring with me even as it closes down,” she said.