CHICAGO — As it ponders a takeover of some area Dominick's stores, Mariano's Fresh Market is planning an expansion that includes Bucktown, executives said Thursday.
In a conference call with investors, Roundy's CEO Robert Mariano said the Milwaukee, Wisc.-based grocery chain plans to open five new Mariano's stores next year and believes the Chicago market can "sustain 30 Mariano's" locations, including a new one opening sometime next year at 2112 N. Ashland Ave.
He said five new Mariano's stores — two in the city and three in the suburbs — will bring the chain's area count to 18 by the end of 2014.
Mariano acknowledged the company is "investigating the opportunity" of purchasing some Dominick's locations, but did not provide details.
Mariano's next Chicago store will be an 80,000-square-foot location at 2112 N. Ashland Ave. set to open "in the middle of 2014," according to spokesman Jim Hyland.
Hyland said the store will be called "Mariano's Bucktown."
Hyland did not respond to question on future potential acquisitions including a Dominick's at 2021 W. Chicago Ave. in Ukrainian Village.
Hyland said on average 400 people are hired in a mix of full- and part-time jobs when any new Mariano's store opens.