Those 11 stores will close before they are converted to Mariano's stores, which means hundreds of employees could be out of a job.
Roundy's, which owns Mariano's, signed an agreement with Safeway, the owner of Dominick's, to pay $36 million for 11 Dominick's stores. Dominick's announced last month it was leaving the Chicago market. The company has 72 stores. Four have been sold to the parent company of Jewel-Osco.
A deal, while not very surprising to many, is still bittersweet, even to the owner, a former Dominick's employee.
"I spent 27 years at Dominick's. I worked with Mr. D, with a lot of people that started Dominick's. I remember when Dominick's had 18 stores, and so there were a lot of wonderful people, a lot of lessons learned," said Bob Mariano, CEO, Roundy's.
Hundreds of Dominick's employees may lose their jobs, but Mariano says he encourages those workers to come over to his store.
"All of the people can apply to work for Mariano's. We will talk to them, we will interview them, see if there are opportunities for them that fit with what they're looking for, and we will try to make it work," said Mariano.
"We're looking forward to remodeling those stores over a period of the next couple of years to offer the Mariano's experience to everybody," said Mariano.
Mariano's is buying three stores in Chicago on South Ashland, West Chicago Avenue and North Sheridan Road. The other eight are suburban stores in Park Ridge, Western Springs, Northfield and Westchester, and stores in Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Aurora and Shorewood.
"It's kinda heartbreaking because they've been a staple in the community so long, but if Mariano's does a good job, I think a lot of people will give them a chance and make it their grocery store," said Melissa Cozzi, customer.
Hundreds of Dominick's employees may lose their jobs, but Mariano says he encourages those workers to come over to his store.
Acquired Dominick's Store Locations
Park Ridge: 1900 S. Cumberland Ave.
Western Springs: No. 14 Garden Market Street
Chicago: 3145 S. Ashland Ave.
Chicago: 2021 W. Chicago Ave.
Northfield: 1822 Willow Rd.
Westchester: 3020 S. Wolf Rd.
Buffalo Grove: 450 Half Day Rd.
Chicago: 5201 N. Sheridan Rd.
Gurnee: 6655 Grand Ave.
Aurora: 3025 E. New York St.
Shorewood: 950 Brook Forest Ave.
Mariano's already has 13 locations across the city and suburbs, with five more under construction. By this time next year, there will be 29 stores employing 10,000 people.
"I'm just a neighbor but I need the volume and variety," said Kurt Redman, shopper.
Mariano tells Eyewitness News the first five Dominick's stores will close on December 28 and reopen in March, and the remaining stores will be rehabbed after that.
