BUCKTOWN — A grocery store and taqueria on the border of Bucktown and Logan Square that shuttered earlier this month will undergo a full-scale renovation and reopen in the fall, its new owners said Monday.
Paul and Peter Marinis, owners of Fresh MarketPlace at 2600 N. Central Ave. in Belmont Cragin, purchased Danny's Fresh Market at 2140 N. Western Ave. on April 1.
Paul Marinis, 29, said that he and his father, Peter, 56 — who has 40 years of experience in the grocery business — are "very excited" to expand to Bucktown and add a second location for their family-owned market.
"Only the four walls will be the same, it won't look anything like it does now," said Paul Marinis.
According to the City of Chicago Food Protection reports, there were 11 inspections at Danny's Fresh Market between August 2010 and September 2012.
Danny's Fresh Market failed three of 11 inspections, with problems including mold in an ice machine; pork, chicken and beef being held at improper temperatures; "overflowing garbage" and "an abundance of flies," city records show.
While Danny's Fresh Market served "about 80 percent Hispanic clientele," according to Marinis, Fresh MarketPlace will strive for "a 50/50 mix" that reflects the changing demographics of the neighborhoods to the east and west of Western Avenue.
"We want to cater to everybody. All the kinds of foods like high-grade meats and organic produce you'd find at Whole Foods, you'll find at Fresh MarketPlace," Marinis said.
According to Marinis, 15 workers were laid off in the closure of Danny's Fresh Market, but his family has already hired four of them, who are currently undergoing training at their store at 2600 N. Central Ave.
The remaining 11 laid-off workers will have the first chance at 30 new jobs being created, Marinis said.
While the taqueria adjacent to Danny's Market will remain intact, Paul Marinis said "It will be completely different" and offer a wider variety of foods such as hamburgers and gyros along with tacos and burritos. In addition, a rotisserie will roast whole pigs every weekend.
Marinis said barring any unforeseen problems with obtaining permits from the city, they're "shooting to open by the beginning of October."
In addition to himself and his father, Marinis said his younger brother, Evan, 18; sister, Gia, a nutritionist and dietician; and mother, Louiza, will help to run the store.
"We are very excited about getting into the neighborhood and becoming part of it. We are community orientated and look forward to the festivals, the celebrations coming up," he said.
Fresh MarketPlace Hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. The store will continue to sell lottery tickets and alcohol as Danny's Fresh Market did, Marinis said.
