Dutchie’s Waterloo closes after more than 15 years in business

After years of allegations and legal battles, Dutchie’s Fresh Market has shuttered its Waterloo store. CTV’s Jeff Pickel has the story.

Dutchie’s Fresh Market in Waterloo is closing its doors after more than 15 years in business.

The announcement, posted to its Facebook page on Nov. 1, stated it would be the store’s final day of operations.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce Dutchie’s Waterloo will be closing,” the post said, in part. “Our family has been dedicated to serving this community for many years, and we have been truly blessed to get to know so many of you personally. We will miss you deeply!”

The message also reflected on the company’s past, from its early days at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market to team trips to Canada’s Wonderland. It also thanked staff, suppliers and customers for their loyalty, adding that Dutchie’s aimed to provide quality products at affordable prices for the community.

The post said the closure of the Waterloo store would allow its owner, Michael Renkema, to focus on his health and other commitments, including honouring his promise to former employees and suppliers. Some of them previously went public with allegations of unpaid work, setting off a slew of similar allegations against the grocer.

Dutchie’s and Renkema were sentenced in June after more than a year of allegations, protests, orders to pay and court delays.

Renkema pleaded guilty to 13 counts of wage theft under the Employment Standards Act in December 2024.

One June 20, a joint submission was filed by the Crown and the lawyer representing Dutchie’s and Renkema. It recommended a $25,000 fine for Dutchie’s as a corporation and an additional $7,500 for Renkema alone.

According to Renkema’s lawyer, Rachel Goldenberg, the 13 former employees involved in the case have been paid. She said more than $10,000 in fees also went to the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Finance.

Dutchie’s Fresh Market also operated a Kitchener location for several years before its closure in August of 2024.

Reaction to store closure

Joanna Mullen is an employment lawyer with Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, which provides free legal services for low-income individuals and families. She was shocked to learn Dutchie’s was closing its Waterloo store.

“One of the constant themes that I hear when I talk to workers who have worked in this business is this disbelief that a business that is well-known for not paying their workers has been allowed to continue to operate.”

Mullen said the closing of Dutchie’s could also complicate things for former employees.

“Whenever a business shuts down or ceases to operate, certainly there becomes a question about whether workers will be able to get paid, whether or not there are any assets at the disposal of the corporation that can be used to pay the workers,” she explained.

The Employment Standards Act, however, does not the let the business owner off the hook completely.

“One of the good things about the Employment Standards Act does is that if there is an ‘Order to Pay’ against a business, a [business] director can also be found liable or be held responsible for those unpaid wages,” Mulled said. “So even if Dutchie’s Fresh Market no longer exists, that doesn’t mean that the owner and director Michael Renkema is not still responsible if there’s an ‘Order to Pay’ issued against him.”