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Mariano's South Chicago Plans Detailed for U.S. Steel Site

By Sam Cholke | July 9, 2014 3:52pm
 Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Mariano's Fresh Markets CEO Bob Mariano talk after announcing the newest Mariano's location in South Chicago.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Mariano's Fresh Markets CEO Bob Mariano talk after announcing the newest Mariano's location in South Chicago.
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DNAinfo/Sam Cholke

SOUTH CHICAGO — City and state officials came out Wednesday to celebrate the announcement that a Mariano’s Fresh Market grocery store will be built in the shadow of the walls that once held ore for the U.S. Steel mill.

“The walls that used to exist here and in our minds are coming down,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “South Chicago is not an island.”

The grocery store is expected to open in 2016 and create 400 jobs at 87th Street and South Lake Shore Drive, the western edge of the former U.S. Steel property that is being rebuilt as the 500-acre Lakeside commercial and residential development.

“We felt it was important to commit to this project now,” said Bob Mariano, CEO of Mariano’s parent company, Roundy’s.

Mariano said it was important for the company to come at the beginning of the Lakeside development to help establish local hiring as the standard and to provide fresh and healthy food.

“Every time a Mariano’s opens, 400 new jobs are created and I appreciate their commitment to hiring from the neighborhood,” said Gov. Pat Quinn.

The Mariano’s will offer a full selection of meats and produce, as well as sushi and other prepared foods.

Residents on the west side of the extension of Lake Shore Drive that was completed eight months ago are also looking forward to the Mariano’s.

“This means so much to those of us who have waited so long for a full-service grocery store,” said Dan Lira, executive director of the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce. “This site will once again provide the opportunity to provide for our families.

The store will be the 11th Mariano’s in Chicago and Mariano said the company plans to continue to expand in the Chicago area.

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