EDGEWATER — As Ald. Harry Osterman courted a number of "quality grocers" to replace two Dominick's stores that will be closing in his neighborhood, another local politician had a message for him.
"Tell Harry, I've got first dibs on Mariano's and Trader Joe's," Ald. Joe Moore jokingly said in an email about what will happen to the Dominick's at Gateway Centre, which is in his neighborhood but not far from Osterman's ward.
Osterman (48th) is actively going after both of those stores in hopes they will buy the Dominick's at 5201 N. Sheridan Rd. and 6009 North Broadway. Another 13 stores will shutter in Chicago next year, Safeway Inc., Dominick's parent company, announced Thursday.
"My office has been in contact with representatives from Mariano's and Trader Joe's since the announcement, as well as other quality grocers that the community has voiced they would like to see in our neighborhood," Osterman said in an email to constituents Friday.
Jewel-Osco has offered to buy two Dominick's in the city — at 2550 N. Clybourn Ave. and 1340 S. Canal St. — and rumors have swirled about the fate of the chain's other locations.
Kroger Inc., the owner of the Food 4 Less brand, and Roundy's Inc., the owner of Mariano's stores, have both shown interest in buying some of the stores, Crain's reported Friday.
Residents in Edgewater have long awaited a Trader Joe's to come to the neighborhood — and Osterman has long courted the chain to open shop.
Most recently, he was in talks to bring the grocer to the former Piser Funeral Home lot at 5206 North Broadway, the alderman had said, but the company turned down the offer.
Moore (49th) said Friday he's confident another grocer would step in to replace or but the Gateway Centre Dominick's, which anchors a major development at Clark and Howard streets.
"My understanding is the Dominick's at Gateway was one of the better performing stores," he said.
