Business & Tech

Residents Sound Off on What Should Replace the Elmhurst Dominick's

A rather vocal camp of Elmhurst residents has wanted a Trader Joe's in town for years. Could this provide the opportunity?

Safeway, the parent company of Dominick's, announced it was selling all of its 72 Chicago area Dominick's stores, and many Elmhurst residents look at this as a golden opportunity to maximize the prime real estate at the corner of Route 83 and St. Charles Road.

A Chick-fil-a is under construction along the west side of the property, across the parking lot from Dominick's. Also in the shopping center is Kmart, Kohl's, Petco, Shoe Carnival, Portillo's, Bath and Body Works, and a number of other shops. Readers had lots to say on Patch and on Facebook about what new business should move in once Dominick's vacates.

Many suggested replacing it with another grocery store; an overwhelming majority of those folks said they want a Trader Joe's in the Dominick's spot. The nearest Trader Joe's is in Glen Ellyn. 

Of the 61 comments on Elmhurst Patch's Facebook page, more than half suggested Trader Joe's. Other grocery store suggestions included Whole Foods, Meijer, Piggly Wiggly, Tony's, Caputo's and the Prairie Food Co-op.

Non-grocery suggestions included a home improvement store, Ross, a flea market, a football field, lazer tag/paintball/bowling, Bed Bath and Beyond , "not a bank or salon," Hooter's and ... a strip club. (There's a wise guy in every crowd.)

Readers responded on Elmhurst Patch with equal fervor. The responses mirrored those on Facebook, with additional suggestions that included Woodman's Markets, an ice rink, Cheesecake Factory restaurant, HH Gregg and a casino.

Sweet Life said: I think a certi-saver store like Market Place use to be! There are too many high priced stores in Elmhurst. A Home Depot, Menards, Lowes would be nice also.

Idont Givitout said: In my 50 + years in and out of Elmhurst there have been many grocery stores at that location. None have survived. That tells me that there is not enough shopping at this location and a grocery store should be ruled out. A nice restaurant/night club/bar would be good. I did like the thought of a gun range, perhaps a combined gun range/nightclub.

Carol Reisenbuckler said: Either a Kroger or Meijer and a Bed Bath and Beyond should work. Though a mini-Cubs park would be interesting.

Deanna Belczak said: If grocery, Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. If more general retail, Old Navy, Ulta, Marshalls. If restaurants, let's get some diversity...Vietnamese, Indian, etc.

Around the Chicago area, competitor Jewel-Osco has already purchased four of the Dominick's stores: two in Chicago, one in Homer Glen and one in Glenview, according to the Chicago Tribune

Cincinnati-based Kroger Inc. is interested in at least 15 Dominick's locations for its Food 4 Less stores, Crain's reports.

Milwaukee-based Roundy's, owner of Chicago's Mariano's grocery stores, also has expressed interest in purchasing several Dominick's stores outside of Elmhurst. Roundy's CEO Bob Mariano's roots are with Dominick's, having worked in every area of the company before becoming Dominick's president and CEO.


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