Financial Incentive Package Considered as Batavia Looks to Open Blue Goose Market Downtown

BATAVIA, IL - A new Blue Goose Market could open in Batavia as early as fall 2017 but first the village must decide how much money it should spend, if any, to try and lure the grocer to open a store downtown, according to media reports.

Blue Goose is looking at putting a new grocery store in the Batavia Plaza on West Wilson Street in a location formerly occupied by a Walgreens according to the Kane County Chronicle. Batavia aldermen on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to spending $12,500 to hire Ehlers and Associates Inc of Chicago, a consulting firm, to determine if the amount of TIF funds suggested by the owners of the Batavia Shopping Center, Batavia Enterprises Inc., is warranted. The funds would be used to redevelop the property, which would include the addition of a new facade.

BEI is working with Blue Goose to determine how much space it would want for the new store, but as much as 20,000 square feet could be needed, according to the Daily Herald. Since the former Walgreens building makes up 12,564 square feet, the building could be expanded into the service alley in the rear or a second story could be added to make room for the grocer.

Blue Goose Market currently runs a popular grocery store at 300 S. 2nd Street in St. Charles. If approved, the Batavia Blue Goose Market would be the store’s second location.

More via the Daily Herald and the Kane County Chronicle