Mariano’s at 5353 N. Elston would be sold as part of Kroger-Albertsons merger 

by BRIAN NADIG

The Mariano’s Fresh Market grocery store at 5353 N. Elston Ave. in the Jefferson Park/Forest Glen area would be sold as part of the Kroger-Albertsons merger plan, although the store is not expected to close but could be rebranded.

In Illinois, 35 Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s stores would be among the more than 500 supermarkets nationwide that Kroger and Albertsons would sell to C&S Wholesale Grocers, whose brands include Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union. 

Also included in the sale would be the Mariano’s at 1900 S. Cumberland Ave. in Park Ridge and 3358 W. Touhy Ave. in Skokie.

"We have reached an agreement with C&S for an updated divestiture package that maintains Kroger’s commitments to customers, associates and communities, addresses concerns raised by regulators and will further ensure that C&S can successfully operate the divested stores as they are operated today," Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s Chairman and CEO, said in April.

He added, “Importantly, the updated divestiture plan continues to ensure no stores will close as a result of the merger and that all frontline associates will remain employed, all existing collective bargaining greements will continue, and associates will continue to receive industry-leading health care and pension benefits alongside bargained-for wages. Our proposed merger with Albertsons will bring lower prices and more choices to more customers and secure the long-term future of unionized grocery jobs."

The Kroger-Albertsons merger plan was first announced about two years ago but was delayed over concerns expressed by regulators that the merger would reduce competition and lead to higher food prices. As a result, Kroger and Albertsons have to sell more stores if they hope to gain approval of the merger. The Federal Trade Commission and several states are suing to block the initial deal.

A total of about 400 stores were going to be sold to C&S, but under the revised divestiture plan, the number would increase to 579. C&S reportedly would pay Kroger $2.9 billion for those stores. It is not clear if and when the sold-off stores would be rebranded to conform with the C&S existing brands or possibly new ones.

The Elston Ave. store opened about 12 years ago.

The following is a list of stores that would be sold:  https://assets.website-files.com/63128e32f4c52f8fbaea44ef/668d4f8e506219a28cf72800_Planned%20Divestiture%20Locations.pdf#page6

The full list was released on July 9.

• 
  Burglars hit dozen businesses in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Avondale early Wednesday
  by BRIAN NADIG About a dozen smash-and-grab-style commercial burglaries in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park and Portage Park were reported to have occurred early Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, in the 16th (Jefferson Park) and 17th (Albany Park) police districts, and there were additional break-ins in other parts of the city and suburbs, totaling about 20 incidents, according
• 
  Burglars hit at least 9 businesses in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park, Portage Park early Wednesday
  by BRIAN NADIG At least nine smash-and-grab-style commercial burglaries in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park and Portage Park were reported to have occurred early Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, in the 16th (Jefferson Park) Police District, and there apparently were additional break-ins in at least two other districts and possibly the suburbs, according to Chicago police. The incidents
• 
  CTA targets fare evaders to reduce violent crime; disappointment expressed in release of suspected shooter at Jefferson Park terminal
  by BRIAN NADIG Violent offenses reportedly are down 34 percent on the CTA from a year ago as the agency targets a section of the Red Line where criminals are boarding, while a shootout at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal last summer remains under investigation. CTA security vice president Kevin Ryan addressed many crime and
• 
  Crime Watch: gunfire reported on Berteau, car break-ins reported, robbery reported in store lot
  Two men reported that a man fired shots at them at about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in the 5300 block of West Berteau Avenue, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police. A 25-year-old man reported that he was talking to a neighbor, who was sitting inside his parked vehicle, and two men walked toward the vehicle and one of them fired
• 
  Sip & Shop set for Oct. 17 in ‘Jeff West’; NW Side Halloween events also set
  The second annual “Sip and Shop” in “Jeff West” will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, running along Lawrence Avenue from Austin Avenue on the west and Major Avenue on the east. The event had been scheduled for Sept. 19 but was postponed due to rain. It will feature many of the existing businesses

This is just part of today’s coverage. Get the full story - every article, every ad, every page. Subscribe now.

The Latest From Our Community