June 18, 2014

Mayor Emanuel Celebrates Opening of New Pete’s Fresh Market on Near West Side

Company to Add 160 Jobs and Bring More Food Options to Area; Supporting Neighborhood Economic Development is a Key Initiative of the Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today opened the City’s newest Pete’s Fresh Market, bringing more food options to residents in the East Garfield Park and Near West Side neighborhoods. The 68,000-square-foot store is part of a new retail complex on the southeast corner of Madison Street and Western Avenue. The market will bring 160 full-time jobs to the neighborhood along with 100 construction jobs.

“Before today, the Near West Side lacked convenient access to fresh, healthy food options,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Not only is this Pete’s Fresh Market within easy reach of thousands of Chicago residents, but it is helping to grow employment in an area that needed new, steady jobs and will be an anchor for the continued economic revitalization of the neighborhood.”

Construction started in May 2013 on the $18.4 million retail development that is anchored by the Pete’s Fresh Market and includes more than 11,000 square feet of additional retail space with 30 part time jobs associated. The new development was built on a 3.5-acre City-owned site that was sold to JD Real Estate Inc. for $1 million. The $5.5 million land write-down enabled the project to move forward.

“Both the Near West community that advocated for Pete's Fresh Market and I are very excited to welcome the store to the 27th Ward,” said Alderman Burnett, Jr. “This area, that was once known as a food desert, will now provide a broader variety of healthy food choices.”

Opening this location of Pete’s Fresh Market is an important step forward for the “Chicago Neighborhoods Now” initiative which is coordinating approximately $4 billion in new economic development, housing, and quality of life improvements across seven opportunity-rich sections of Chicago. The Eisenhower Corridor, in which this project is located, is currently undergoing more than $650 million in public and private investment.

“Pete’s Fresh Market is pleased to announce its 10th store opening,” said owner James Dremonas. “We are celebrating bringing food to an area that has long been without options and are excited to be the anchor in this community. We appreciate the warm welcome from the neighborhood and look forward to making long lasting relationships with the community members.”

Since Mayor Emanuel took office, more than 18 new grocery stores have been built or are in construction across the city and six new stores are currently in planning phases. This is the seventh Pete’s Fresh Market location in Chicago.


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