Joliet Vows To Fill Empty Certified Grocery Stores With New Business Tenants

JOLIET, IL - This city has had a lot of positive business developments this year, the latest being a redevelopment agreement with a suburban Denver investment group to open a large innovation campus geared for millennials living downtown. But some projects, however, remain a work in progress. Back in March, Joliet was dealt a tough unexpected blow. Certified Warehouse Foods announced it was closing both of its long-standing east-side supermarkets.

This summer, the pair of storefronts along East Jackson Street and on Richards Street continue to sit vacant. Residents on the east side obviously aren't pleased. They came to rely upon these businesses to buy their groceries and now the stores are empty.

However, city leaders tell Patch that finding a new business use for the Certified Foods stores is a high property at Joliet's city hall. "There has been dialogue with the property owner, and the city is working with the broker for the Certified Foods," city economic development director Steve Jones said. "I'm very optimistic that something can happen before the end of the year."

Ideally, Jones said, another grocery store would fill the void. "We feel there is a definite need for food on our east side, and our efforts are directed to try to make that happen at one or both sites."

Joliet's zoning regulations allow for retail use at both of these commercial properties. "It's not necessary that what will happen at one (site) will happen at the other," Jones explained. Additionally, "the zoning does not require it be grocery."

On Friday, Mayor Bob O'Dekirk told Patch he doesn't envision the storefronts on Richards Street and East Jackson Street will stay vacant indefinitely.

Mayor Bob O'Dekirk

"I do think something will come to fruition pretty soon," O'Dekirk said. "We've met with the property broker, and they're exploring a few different options."

The mayor added that he's hopeful another grocery store would open "at one location for sure."

Image of Certified Warehouse Foods on Richards Street via Joliet Patch Editor John Ferak

Image of Mayor Bob O'Dekirk via City of Joliet