CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- After losing one grocery store, Hyde Park on Chicago's South Side is getting another.
After 55 years, the Treasure Island store in the Hyde Park Shopping Center closed; and when that happened, the University of Chicago surveyed Hyde Park residents about what should happen to that space.
The November 2018 survey revealed the four most valued elements of a new grocery store were produce, price/value, quality meats, and specialty foods. In an optional field for comments at the end of the survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents said they wanted to specifically see a Trader Joe's take Treasure Island's place.
On Tuesday, Trader Joe's and the University of Chicago's Commercial Real Estate Operations group announced that the grocery store chain plans to open a location Hyde Park Shopping Center in the fall of 2019.
"We recognize the importance of a grocery store in this location to the community, and we carefully selected Trader Joe's based on a number of factors, including community input and timeline to opening," said Angie Marks, Associate Vice President of Real Estate Operations, in a statment. "We look forward to working with Trader Joe's to open its doors to the community later this year."
This will be the first Trader Joe's located on the South Side of Chicago. The grocer expects that the majority of its employees will be hired from neighboring communities.
"We couldn't be more excited to bring a Trader Joe's store to the Hyde Park community," said Kenya Friend-Daniel, Trader Joe's spokesperson, in a statement. "As always, our focus is on making sure it's a great neighborhood grocery store that offers quality products at everyday prices and is run by a team that is passionate about being a part of the community and providing a welcoming customer experience. We look forward to sharing more information about the new store and hiring efforts, as details are finalized."
The new Trader Joe's, expect this fall, will occupy a portion of the space formerly leased to Treasure Island Foods. The remaining space will be available for other retail uses.
Trader Joe's was named America's Best Employer by Forbes and also ranked as one of the Best Employers for Diversity. Trader Joe's was also ranked on Forbes' 2018 lists of America's Best Employers, Best Employers for Women and Best Employer for New Grads.
