What Should Replace Billy's Fruit Market?
Longtime grocer's departure leaves a void on Madison Street. What do you want to see take its place?
Billy's Fruit Market, 400 Madison St. in Oak Park, has been vacant since Fall 2010.
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"Fully equipped grocery store...Just stock up and open!" reads a flyer taped to the windows of the building that used to house Billy's Fruit Market.
The longtime grocery store, 400 Madison St., closed in fall 2011 after owner Peter Nikols fell on hard times, "squeezed out by competitors" according to Wednesday Journal.
Located at the northwest corner of Madison Street and Ridgeland Avenue, the single story building is 4,150 square feet. A quick peek inside reveals racks, registers and shelving — all apparently ready for the next tenant.
The going price? $695,000.
What would you like to see replace Billy's?
Tell us in the comments.
just a guy speaking the truth
6:47 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
try SQUEEZED OUT BY OAK PARK TAXES
Casey Cora
5:35 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
A roundup of comments from our Facebook page.
• Alejandra Moran — I've been thinking about it since the day I saw the place empty.
• Markie Lyons — Aldi!
• Will Belmonte — KFC...oh wait, that's what it was many many many years ago lol, also the one on the next block probably wouldn't be to happy about that.. Earl Schibe<sp?>
• Jennifer Lowe What about the Sugar Beet, the new food co-op? I think this would be a great place for them!
• Jen DelPage Olsen — Not a hair salon!
Got something to say? Jump in!
Sarah LaBelle
8:32 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
The local foods co-op would be great.
Can they afford to buy? Prefer to rent?
Definitely a location for food.
Maria C Lopez
5:53 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
mexican carry-out!!! Without doubt!! Bet it would make a killing....
Oakparker
11:31 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Oak Park taxes and no parking. Village took out the couple of parking places across the street. So many times I would have stopped going northbound on the way home and then it became impossible when the parking places across the street were taken out. Apparently the Village never gets it that not everyone lives in walking distance of a store or needs a car to bring groceries/merchandise home. Should be fun when they start building the high rise at Forest and Lake without enough parking places.