Pete's Fresh Market Moving Into Freshline Foods Space

OAK LAWN, IL -- A South Side-based grocer will be transitioning into the former Freshline Foods space. Pete’s Fresh Market is poised to move into the space at 5355 95th St. in Oak Lawn after finalizing a purchasing agreement on Wednesday. The move is commensurate with the Village of Oak Lawn’s 95th Street Corridor Plan to retain and grow a successful urban grocer in the downtown area.

John Siakotos announced earlier this summer that he would be closing Freshline Foods after 47 years of doing business in Oak Lawn and retiring. Freshline’s last day of business was Aug. 8. Village officials wanted to see another grocery store move into the space.

Pete’s Fresh Market began in the early 1970s as a small, full-service produce stand on Chicago’s South Side. The supermarket chain currently has a dozen locations in the Chicago area, and plans to open six new stores in the next few years. Fresh produce still remains at the core of the business, Pete’s offers a full service kitchen, bakery, and deli. (SUBSCRIBE: Get Real-Time Alerts and a Daily Newsletter for Oak Lawn.)

Steve Radice, economic and business development director for Oak Lawn, said the family-owned supermarket chain’s owners, Jimmy and Stephanie Dremonas, are planning a complete renovation of the former Freshline building with a focus on remaining a neighborhood grocery store. The owners are planning to hire between 110 and 120 full-time employees, ten part-time employees and five seasonal employees, which will include hiring some team members with special needs. Former Freshline employees have also been extended job offers and a priority will be placed on hiring Oak Lawn residents.

The coming of Pete’s Fresh Market to downtown Oak Lawn complements a historic period of growth and economic development in the village. Stony Creek Promenade at 110th Street and Cicero Avenue is about to break ground for two new restaurants including the Rock ‘n Brews backed by KISS band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, a TJ Maxx and Homegoods Store, and

Chicago-based developer The Hubbard Street Group is also expected to appear before Oak Lawn’s planning and development commission in September to discuss plans for the former Kmart property at 95th Street and Pulaski Road. The developer is looking to add retail and restaurants. There are no plans to add housing.

Mayor Dr. Sandra Bury thanked Freshline owner and seller Siakotas and buyer Pete’s Fresh Market for “embracing our community’s vision of a vibrant village center.”

“I want to express my appreciation for the people who have chosen to invest in Oak Lawn. Residents will love shopping at Pete’s Fresh Market in Oak Lawn. It will be convenient, walkable and we know Pete’s will do it right,” Bury added. “Investors are learning what residents have always known, that Oak Lawn is a great place to live, works and shop. I also want to thank our business development team and our board of trustees for their hard work and support of these important projects, which will greatly enhance the quality of life in our village.”

~ Top photo by Patch Editor Lorraine Swanson