LOGAN SQUARE — Beginning Monday, the Dill Pickle Food Co-Op will enter the final phase of construction on its massive new location next to the Logan Square Blue Line's Spaulding stop.
The team is now aiming for a late August opening.
At 9 a.m. Monday, the owners, co-op members and residents will convene for an official ground-breaking ceremony at the new location, 2746 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The $3.5 million project, which was funded largely by the co-op's members, was announced in 2015, but was pushed back a few times as the co-op tried to raise more money.
In a blog post published this week, general manager Sharon Hoyer said her team was finally able to secure a loan through Chicago Community Loan Fund after several delays, which means the last leg of construction can begin. She expects this phase to take roughly four to five months.
"This means we’re about to kick into high gear, building new systems for bigger departments, developing new training plans, and planning out an entire deli!" Hoyer wrote.
"And then there’s the next rounds of owner loan raising that meet our part of the financing agreement and take us to opening."
The co-op has grown immensely since its birth in 2005. In its first fiscal year of operation, the store grossed $1.3 million in sales, which was nearly twice what they had projected they'd gross by its fifth year.
The new spacious 10,000-square-foot location will be a big step up from the original 1,300-square-foot store at 3039 W. Fullerton Ave. The new location, which is six times the size, will offer a deli, beer and wine section and a community room.
