In contrast to the fanfare that greeted shoppers when the West Ridge Dominick's re-opened on 13th August, the brand new ALDI in Edgewater will celebrate its grand opening on a quieter note, on Thursday, 27th August 2009, from 9:00 A.M. til 8:00 P.M.
Jackie
25 August 2009
14 August 2009
West Ridge Dominick's Grand Re-Opening
Yesterday, I attended the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the resurrected West Ridge Dominick's at 6623 N. Damen on Chicago's Far North Side. Present were Dominick's President, Don Keprta, 50th Ward Alderman, Bernard Stone, and Illinois Senator, Ira Silverstein. The store manager, John Katsantones, formerly the manager of the chain's 6009 N. Broadway store in Edgewater, is now at the helm of this beautifully rebuilt store. The presentation got underway at around 4:10 P.M. and included the presentation of a $10,000 check to a Misericordia representative, a brief speech from Alderman Stone and lastly, a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Stone spoke both as Alderman and a spokesperson for the absent Mayor Daley.
As for the store itself: There is ample seating for those who wish to eat in - store or enjoy their Starbuck's coffee. Instead of Chase Bank (a common presence inside most Dominick's), it is US Bank that provides financial services. The restrooms have been moved from the back of the store (next to the pharmacy department) to the front near the seating area. People with laptops were greeted by disappointment that the store's WiFi was not working, and store personnel gave no timetable when it will be up and running.
I ate my way through the store like Pacman, as there were plenty of stations offering free samples. In the meat department, there was a meat - trimming demonstration and, in the pharmacy, health screenings.
Don Keprta, Dominick's President, described the West Ridge store's format as "Lifestyles,' which is more upscale than the other nearby Dominick's I have shopped in. It has a HUGE wine selection and (my favourite) two brands of Japanese rice (the best for sushi-making)! Outside the store are a few chairs and tables. By the way, while I was there talking to a friend I ran into, I observed some gang banger with a bicycle shoving a grocery cart, sending it rolling out of the parking lot and close to the street. An accident was narrowly averted when a store employee retrieved the cart.(I would hope the store's security personnel will pause from watching the aisles for shoplifters and scan the parking area from time to time, for the purpose of preventing such mischief.)
A strange sight was a grand player piano to entertain the customers (apparently, they didn't want to spend money on a live pianist).
There were high hopes, on the part of the store managers and employees, that the sound of beeping scanners will be repeated in the months and years to come. I also hope that the West Ridge Dominick's does well. For one thing, I won't have to walk to the Edgewater location from my Rogers Park home (okay, it's a selfish reason) Navigating the aisles yesterday was quite a challenge because of the high turnout. But after the ribbon has been cut, will this Dominick's manage to maintain yesterday's flow of customers? Time will tell. The neighbourhood will vote with their feet and their wallets.
Jackie
As for the store itself: There is ample seating for those who wish to eat in - store or enjoy their Starbuck's coffee. Instead of Chase Bank (a common presence inside most Dominick's), it is US Bank that provides financial services. The restrooms have been moved from the back of the store (next to the pharmacy department) to the front near the seating area. People with laptops were greeted by disappointment that the store's WiFi was not working, and store personnel gave no timetable when it will be up and running.
I ate my way through the store like Pacman, as there were plenty of stations offering free samples. In the meat department, there was a meat - trimming demonstration and, in the pharmacy, health screenings.
Don Keprta, Dominick's President, described the West Ridge store's format as "Lifestyles,' which is more upscale than the other nearby Dominick's I have shopped in. It has a HUGE wine selection and (my favourite) two brands of Japanese rice (the best for sushi-making)! Outside the store are a few chairs and tables. By the way, while I was there talking to a friend I ran into, I observed some gang banger with a bicycle shoving a grocery cart, sending it rolling out of the parking lot and close to the street. An accident was narrowly averted when a store employee retrieved the cart.(I would hope the store's security personnel will pause from watching the aisles for shoplifters and scan the parking area from time to time, for the purpose of preventing such mischief.)
A strange sight was a grand player piano to entertain the customers (apparently, they didn't want to spend money on a live pianist).
There were high hopes, on the part of the store managers and employees, that the sound of beeping scanners will be repeated in the months and years to come. I also hope that the West Ridge Dominick's does well. For one thing, I won't have to walk to the Edgewater location from my Rogers Park home (okay, it's a selfish reason) Navigating the aisles yesterday was quite a challenge because of the high turnout. But after the ribbon has been cut, will this Dominick's manage to maintain yesterday's flow of customers? Time will tell. The neighbourhood will vote with their feet and their wallets.
Jackie
12 August 2009
West Ridge Dominick's Re - Opens 13 Aug. 2009
The much - anticipated re-opening of the Dominick's at 6623 N. Damen (near Ridge) will occur on Thursday, 13th August 2009 @ 4:00 P.M. The grocery chain's West Ridge location was abuzz with activity on Tuesday; I watched as workmen and landscapers prepared the property for the grand re - opening, and pallets of groceries were being unloaded from delivery trucks.
Jackie
Jackie
05 August 2009
Rogers Park Postal Sites Slated to Close
To cut costs, the U.S. Postal Service is closing some of its sites, including over 20 in Chicago. Email has replaced letters sent by snail mail. In Rogers Park two sites are slated to close, and they are:
5424 W. Devon Ave.
7617 N. Pauline St.
Jackie
5424 W. Devon Ave.
7617 N. Pauline St.
Jackie
25 July 2009
Tenant Vigilance in West Rogers Park
All of the tenants in my building came home to find a letter from our property mananger at Hallmark and Johnson, alerting us that there have been incidents of vandalism lately on our co - op buildings. Apparently, tenants have been calling Branko (our building manager) instead of law enforcement whenever they witness criminal property damage. A city park across the street attracts not only kids who just want to have fun in the playground but, also, gangbangers with the intent to cause trouble.
Jackie
Jackie
20 July 2009
Market I Frequent a Target of Attempted Robbery
Devon Market, 1440 W. Devon, a supermarket where I purchase a large portion of my groceries, was a target of a robbery attempt this past weekend. The incident occurred at 11:00 p.m. Sunday. A store clerk sustained injuries after he was beaten with a tire iron by two offenders.
As I stated earlier, I am a regular customer of this always - busy grocer which I consider an oasis for cost - concious consumers who shun the over - priced items at large grocery chains. I am confident that the owner(s) will not leave the neighborhood because of this incident; but it is unsavory characters like these who make the area an unfavorable location for new businesses. A poor economy is not a valid excuse for criminal behavior.
Jackie
As I stated earlier, I am a regular customer of this always - busy grocer which I consider an oasis for cost - concious consumers who shun the over - priced items at large grocery chains. I am confident that the owner(s) will not leave the neighborhood because of this incident; but it is unsavory characters like these who make the area an unfavorable location for new businesses. A poor economy is not a valid excuse for criminal behavior.
Jackie
01 July 2009
Get Your Quarters Ready!
Get Your Quarters Ready!
At 6221 N. Broadway , the location of ALDI's new Edgewater store, I saw workmen installing the sign bearing the familiar ALDI logo. The interior - with the grocery chain's signature minimalist style - also is beginning to take shape.
Jackie
At 6221 N. Broadway , the location of ALDI's new Edgewater store, I saw workmen installing the sign bearing the familiar ALDI logo. The interior - with the grocery chain's signature minimalist style - also is beginning to take shape.
Jackie
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