Unsold Dominick's Stores to Close Dec. 28: Report

Safeway, Inc. plans to close all unsold Dominick's stores Dec. 28, Crain's Chicago Business reported Thursday. Crain's cited a company memo informing employees they would be "separated" and that the closures are expected to be permanent. 

The Chicago Tribune reported earlier this month that Safeway wants to pull out of the Chicago market within the year. There are currently 72 Dominick's stores in the Chicago area. Four of the stores have been sold to Jewel-Osco owner New Albertson's, Inc., according to Crain's.

Read the full Crain's report here.

Oak Park's Dominick's is located at 259 Lake St. River Forest's Dominick's is located at 7501 North Ave. Oak Park Business Service Manager Loretta Daly said on Oct. 11 that other companies have expressed interest in the 259 Lake St. property, but could not disclose further specifics. 

"We recognize, and the industry recognizes, that (259 Lake St.) is a significant location. There's not a lot of competition around there," said Daly.

In a Facebook post on the Oak Park-River Forest Patch page, readers say they want to see a Mariano's Fresh Market open in place of Dominick's. Mariano's expanded quickly over the past year or two to the Chicago area, with locations in suburbs including Arlington Heights and Elmhurst and multiple Chicago stores.

Related: What Should Replace Dominick's in Oak Park? Mariano's a Favorite