CHICAGO — Shoppers in McKinley Park and Bridgeport say they're thrilled to hear that a neighborhood Dominick's grocery store will be rescued and turned into a Mariano's Fresh Market.
"It's about time that Bridgeport got something nice," said shopper Christine Narducci via Facebook as the news rocketed around the Web.
Mariano's parent company, Roundy's Inc., issued a statement Monday announcing its acquisition of 11 Chicago area stores — including the Dominick's at 3145 S. Ashland Ave. — and said it would close the $36 million deal by the end of December.
After months of speculation, shoppers said they were elated about the prospect of the new store.
But many have said they're concerned about the fate of the store's longtime workers.
Those Dominick's employees aren't guaranteed a job.
A spokesman for Roundy's said Dominick's employees "will still have to be interviewed, hired and trained for new opportunities at Mariano's."
The stores scheduled for conversion to Mariano's will close for up to 45 days.
That's when prospective employees can apply online or at forthcoming job fairs.
Several employees at the Ashland Avenue store declined comment.