Gaggin' in the Grove: Food fights?

What a difference a few months can make.

               Buffalo Grove grocery shoppers, which until recently had limited selection of grocery stores in the village, may soon have a wider variety thanks to the closing of the three Dominick’s stores in the village.

               With Mariano’s grabbing the Dominick’s at Half Day and Buffalo Grove roads there remains speculation and hope that the remaining two sites at Lake Cook and Arlington Heights roads and Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads, would attract new tenants.

               It looks as though the Dominick’s at Buffalo Grove and Dundee roads may become a Garden Fresh Market.  Village officials have confirmed that the Mundelein-based firm has applied for an “an application for Tenant & Use” for the site.

               It will be interesting to see how Jewel handles its new competition.  In addition to Mariano’s and Garden Fresh, the Sunset in Long Grove is a 9-iron shot from the village while the newly opened “The Fresh Market” in Lincolnshire is a par-five from the village.

               I am amazed that grocery stores flaunt “fresh” in their name. Maybe it’s me, but I’m not in the market for dated food. 

               As a friend of mine noted, it seems like more and more consumers are making multiple trips for groceries, almost like they go the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.  If he’s right, then the Caputo’s at Rand and Hicks factors in because it strives to be a major player in the produce game – my guess it’s fresh as well.

               If Garden Fresh gets the green light and opens at Dundee and Buffalo Grove road, it could make things interesting for Jewel.  If Garden Fresh emulates its Northbrook store, it would bring a very active kosher operation to Buffalo Grove, something Jewel has been trying to do in recent years.  But not on the scale as Garden Fresh.  In addition to have a Chicago Rabbinical Council approved “Kosher Korner” and a dedicated kosher manager – not to mention an afternoon minyan (services).  Calls to Garden Fresh’s corporate office have not been returned.

               As for Mariano’s, they will likely sabre rattle with Sunset and The Fresh Market since the three tend to be a bit more “upscale”.  Despite what has been reported, the Mariano’s concept is not a Bob Mariano idea.  One Mariano’s official told me the store is modeled after Rochester, New York-based Wegman’s.  The chain, which has stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Massachusetts, Virginia and Maryland, features food courts with prepared foods and tables.  They thrive on community involvement and local ownership, similar to what Mariano’s aims to be.

               Other players?  Rumors have been flying about Kroger coming to the Chicago area.  It would not surprise me if Cleveland-based Heinen’s, which has a store in Barrington and one planned for Glenview, would make a bid for one of Chicago area Dominick’s.  Buffalo Grove would be a good fit since Heinen’s does well in suburban areas.   I have visited Heinen’s stores in Cleveland and Wegman’s in both Erie, Pennsylvania and Jamestown, New York, which should give you an idea as to the excitement that often reigns in my life.  Most visits include my mother-in-law, which concerns me because if either Wegman’s or Heinen’s opens nearby, she may be tempted to visit more often.   No further comment.

               In the meantime, the village’s grocery landscape is rapidly changing.  No more will it be two standard stores, but there will be a little variety and competition.

               And who knows, maybe even a minyan too.