LOGAN SQUARE — The Dill Pickle Food Co-Op is moving to a new location, a site on Milwaukee Avenue that more than six times its current size.
The co-op, which has grown immensely since its birth in 2005 and the opening of its current Fullerton Avenue location in 2009, plans to move to 2748 N. Milwaukee Ave. early next spring.
"We need everyone on hand whether its their voices or bodies to participate and be a part of this," said Kevin Monahan, president of the co-op's board of directors. "We are going to build the greatest co-op Chicago has ever seen."
The new spacious 10,000-square-foot location will be a big step up for the 1,300-square-foot store it has now at 3039 W. Fullerton Ave. The new location will allow the co-op to expand its offerings to include a deli, beer and wine selection and a community room.
The Dill Pickle Co-Op is owned and governed by its 1,600 members. In 2008, there were 400 members. The co-op was started by people seeking a source for healthy food in Logan Square.
In the first fiscal year of operation the store grossed $1.3 million in sales; that was nearly twice what they had projected they'd gross by its fifth year.
Th co-op's success led managers to begin looking for a larger space more than two years ago.
"We are not very conservative in this move, but we feel that the projects we have been seeing and the growth have us ready for this big step," Monahan said. "The first store was never a longtime solution."
The new location is steps from the Logan Square Blue Line station.
The expanded location will include a community room that will serve as a meeting place for the co-op's business operations as well as a place for events like nutritional workshops.
The co-op plans for 35 new living-wage jobs at the new location.
Monahan said he anticipates the move will result in lower prices for customers due to larger buying power.
"We are not trying to pick certain profits for our ownership," he said. "We are trying to make affordability and accessibility our goals."
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