What Should Replace Dominick's in Evanston?

Last Thursday, Dominick's parent company announced that it was selling all 72 of its Chicago-area Dominick's stores.

That includes two in Evanston, one at 2748 N. Green Bay Rd. and the other at 1910 Dempster St. On Monday evening, both Ald. Peter Braithwaite and Ald. Jane Grover said they had not heard any news about what would move in. Braithwaite represents the second ward, where the Dempster Street Dominick's is located, while Grover represents the seventh ward, including the Green Bay Road Dominick's.

Braithwaite said he had received several e-mails and phone calls asking questions about the Dominick's in his ward, which is located in the Evanston Plaza shopping center and has first right of refusal over certain tenants. 

"As soon as I know more, you will know more," Braithwaite said.

Grover said she lives very close to the Dominick's on Green Bay Road, and expressed concern for the employees. However, she also said that the seventh ward Dominick's is a busy store on a prime piece of real estate that will likely attract another grocery store buyer.

"It will be interesting to see how our two Dominick's locations fare," she added.

Some residents have blamed the Dempster Street Dominick's for vacancies at Evanston Plaza, which was recently purchased by developer Bonnie Investment Group. Given the stipulations in Dominick's lease at Evanston Plaza, a new tenant at 1910 Dempster St. "could be an opportunity to move things around," Grover said.

Around the Chicago area, competitor Jewel-Osco has already purchased four of the Dominick's stores, including one in Glenview, according to the Chicago Tribune. Meanwhile, Cincinnati-based Kroger's and Milwaukee-based Roundy's (owner of Chicago's Mariano's grocery stores) have expressed interest in purchasing several Dominick's, Crain's reports.

Besides Mariano's (opening in Skokie by 2015), another new grocery store recently entering the Chicago area market is Cleveland-based Heinen's Fine Foods, which has one location in Barrington and another coming to Glenview.

Since Evanston finally got it's long awaited Trader Joe's at 1211 Chicago Ave. this September, what would you like to see replace the Dominick's stores? Tell us in the comments.