Dominick's May Lay Off 5,600 Employees

Written by Pam DeFiglio and Jennifer Fisher.

Dominick's stores in Chicagoland, which are slated to close on Dec. 28, could lay off as many as 5,600 employees, it said in a notice filed Oct. 30 with the state, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

Earlier: Closing Date Set For Evanston Dominick's

Competitor Jewel-Osco bought four of the stores, and there remains speculation whether other businesses might buy others. Last weekend was the deadline for interested buyers to submit offers, according to Ald. Peter Braithwaite, who represents the 2nd Ward where one of Evanston's Dominick's is located.

Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl told residents at a town hall meeting last week that city officials should know by Thanksgiving if there is a buyer for either of the city's two Dominick's stores.

One is located at 2748 Green Bay Rd. and the other at 1910 Dempster St., while a third Dominick's frequented by Evanston residents is also located just over the border in Chicago, at 1763 W. Howard St.

Some residents have blamed the Dempster Street Dominick's for vacancies at Evanston Plaza, which was recently purchased by developer Bonnie Investment Group. The store had obtained has first right of refusal over certain tenants, and some said it was keeping new business out.

Ald. Peter Braithwaite wrote in an e-mail to residents Friday that he is working with Bonnie Investment Group and city staff to find a new tenant. 

"I am confident that we will see the best case scenario for the site, with a purchase by another quality grocery store chain and the quick resumption of operations at the location. However, I am also working to make sure that the City can move quickly to assist Evanston Plaza identify other users for the location if not occupied by the end of the year," he wrote in the e-mail. "The site is an anchor for the entire Evanston Plaza center, and I am committed to ensuring that the location be filled with a quality tenant."