City Committee Formed to Fill Vacant Dominick's Stores

Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl announced Monday that she is forming a committee to help fill the vacancies created when Dominick's closed its two Evanston stores this December.

The grocery store chain shut the stores at 1910 Dempster St. and 2748 Green Bay Rd. on Dec. 28, as part of its move to exit the Chicago market. All together, Dominick's closed or sold 72 stores. At one point, it appeared that Whole Foods might be interested in the Green Bay Road Dominick's, but so far, there has been no official word on a buyer for either property."

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.

“I believe we must work together to fill these two key locations,” Tisdahl said in the release. “I'm confident that this group of people working together and the available prime real estate of both locations will attract new retailers to our thriving city.”

Along with Tisdahl, the committee will include Ald. Peter Braithwaite (2nd Ward), Ald. Jane Grover (7th Ward), economic development division staff members, property owners of the two closed locations and two residents from each neighborhood impacted by the closures.

Dominick's parent Safeway Inc. still lists the Dempster Street store as an available property, according to the city, but the Green Bay Road location has been removed from the list.

"There is hope that this signals an upcoming announcement regarding the plan for the property in the first quarter of 2014," the release said. 

Scott Inbinder, principal at Bonnie Management and owner of Evanston Plaza, where the Dempster Street Dominick's is located, says he has heard that some local, independent grocers are interested in moving into the Evanston market.

“Filling the vacant Dominick’s space is key in our work to revitalize Evanston Plaza and we appreciate the support that has been provided thus far by the city," Inbinder said in the release.