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Mariano's and Wal-Mart May Compete for Bronzeville Shoppers

By Sam Cholke | May 31, 2013 8:39am
 Capri Capital Partners had ambitious plans for a Mariano's Fresh Market at 39th and State in 2009, but it's unclear where that project stands.  A Wal-Mart is under construction at 47th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue.
Capri Capital Partners had ambitious plans for a Mariano's Fresh Market at 39th and State in 2009, but it's unclear where that project stands.  A Wal-Mart is under construction at 47th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue.
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Capri Capital Partners

CHICAGO — Grocery stores are competing to enter the Bronzeville market, with Mariano’s Fresh Market showing an interest in the neighborhood and Wal-Mart in the midst of building a store there.

Crain’s Chicago Business reported Wednesday that Mariano’s and Wal-Mart may both be considering a move into a site at 39th and State streets.

Crain’s quotes unnamed sources on Mariano’s interest, but the company has been eager to move into Bronzeville since at least 2009.

Bob Mariano, the chairman and CEO of Mariano’s parent company Roundy’s, has made frequent visits to the neighborhood to tout the store. He was unavailable for comment on Thursday.

“I’ve got a signed legal document for 39th Street,” Mariano said at a 2009 3rd Ward meeting regarding a plan to build a store at 39th and State streets.

At the time, Capri Capital Partners signed on Mariano’s to a development for a shopping center in Bronzeville. Despite numerous subsidies and incentives from the city, the project floundered during the recession.

Representatives from Capri Capital Partners did not return calls on the status of the project, and the city’s Department of Housing and Economic Development was not immediately available to comment on the development.

“Believe me, we would love to move somewhere else in the ward. If we can get out of 39th Street and move somewhere else, we will,” Mariano said in 2009.

Crain’s reports that Wal-Mart also is interested in 39th and State streets for a Supercenter store, which is typically about 182,000 square feet. The report cites unnamed sources, and the interest by the retailer could not be confirmed.

Sources told DNAinfo that Wal-Mart was interested in Bronzeville, but it was unclear whether it was seeking to replace Mariano’s or compete. Both retailers sell low-cost groceries and other goods.

Representatives from Wal-Mart were not immediately available for comment.

Wal-Mart has a 20-year lease for a location at 47th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue currently under construction.