Photographer Captures Evanston's Beloved Dominick's Employees

To stay up to date on this and other Evanston news, sign up for our free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

"They were not just cashiers, they were like neighbors, they were like friends," Trautmann says. "I wanted to take photos of these events as a way to help us all remember that."

She photographed employees and customers who came out to say goodbye at two employee appreciation events organized at the Dominick's at 2748 Green Bay Rd. and the store at 1910 Dempster St.

Ald. Jane Grover (7th Ward), estimated that 70 people lost their jobs when the Green Bay Road Dominick's closed, while Ald. Peter Braithwaite (2nd Ward) estimated that more than 100 people were employed by the Evanston Plaza Dominick's in his ward.

There has been no official word yet on whether another grocery is interested in buying either Dominick's store, although there were rumors of Whole Foods coming to the Green Bay Road location. Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl announced Monday that she is forming a committee to help fill the vacancies created at 1910 Dempster St. and 2748 Green Bay Rd.

Now that her local Dominick's has shuttered, Trautmann says she's reluctant to shop elsewhere. She recalls the "warm and friendly" service at her old grocery, and says she will miss several employees she knows by name. 

"Holly, Karen, Lily, Patty I was very fond of," she recounts. "Gloria. And more."

To see all of Trautmann's photos, visit the Evanston Dominick's Community page she created on Facebook. She is hoping more employees can access the photos, and is asking residents to share the photos and tag whomever they know.