Godiva To Close All New York City Stores

NEW YORK CITY — Chocolatier Godiva became the latest victim of the pandemic, announcing plans to close its 128 North American stores, including stores throughout New York.

The international chocolatier announced the move Sunday less than two years after initiating a major push to open 2,000 cafes worldwide, Business Insider reported. However, the pandemic stymied those plans as customers shifted their dining habits to take-out and their shopping online.

Godiva will keep its brick-and-mortar locations open through Valentine's Day, the busiest time of the year for Godiva sales.

"Of course, this decision was difficult because of the care we have for our dedicated and hard-working chocolatiers who will be impacted," the company's CEO Nurtac Afridi said in a written statement. "We have always been focused on what our consumers need and how they want to experience our brand, which is why we have made this decision."

Chocolate lovers will still be able to find their favorite Godiva treats online and at retail partners, the company announced.

Godiva locations in New York slated for closure after Valentine's Day include the shop at 747 Seventh Ave. in Midtown and the Queens Center Mall. Other locations around the city have closed in recent years.

The company did not say how many employees will be affected by the closures. The company plans to complete the closures by March, CNN reported.

Written by Paige Austin, with additional reporting by Michael Woyton.