MCKINLEY PARK — The deep discounts are underway at the Dominick's Finer Foods grocery store, which is going out of business later this month.
"Come on in. Join the party," one employee said early Monday, as crowds numbering in the hundreds reportedly swarmed the store, 3145 S. Ashland Ave.
The sale includes 50 percent off most grocery and general merchandise, but excludes items like liquor, dairy and fresh meat.
The store is set to close Jan. 25, part of grocery chain Safeway Inc.'s decision to close the Dominick's stores in the Chicago area.
Last month, Roundy's Inc., the parent company of Mariano's Fresh Market, signed a $36 million deal with Safeway to convert 11 Dominick's stores into the high-end stores, including the McKinley Park location and two others in the city, 2021 W. Chicago Ave. in West Town and 5201 N. Sheridan Road in Edgewater.
Roundy's executives have said existing Dominick's employees will have to re-interview for their jobs.
It's expected to take upward of 45 days for the store to reopen as Mariano's.