It has been just under three months since Treasure Island Foods closed all Chicago locations, and the University of Chicago’s Real Estate Operations (REO) group is making significant progress in the process to secure a new grocery store tenant for the Hyde Park Shopping Center space.
While several specific grocers are under consideration as potential tenants and in discussions with REO, standard industry confidentiality agreements are in place and the University is unable to disclose the details of those discussions.
Beginning early next year, there will be a variety of construction activity taking place at the location. This will include maintenance such as roofing repairs and utility upgrades which will help prepare the building for any future tenant.
The University’s goal is to announce the new grocery store tenant in the first quarter of 2019. Once a new tenant has been announced, the full build-out of the store will begin and more details will be provided regarding the timetable until opening.
After the Treasure Island Foods closing, the University partnered with Fifth Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Mac Properties, and Arise Chicago in hosting an October 13 hospitality job and resource fair geared to former Treasure Island employees at the Shoreland Apartments. The fair included 10+ companies, with participating jobseekers receiving an average of 3-4 job offers per person.
The University also solicited community feedback through an online survey, open from November 1 through November 18, which received more than 3,400 responses and identified community priorities for a new grocer.
For those affected by the closure of the store, a recent 53rd Street Blog post details shopping alternatives including Hyde Park and neighboring stores as well as online delivery services.