New grocery store open in Prospect Heights

Ruffolo Fresh Market is now open in Prospect Heights at 610 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The grocery store offers fresh meats, produce and deli items, and fills a grocery deficit on the east side of the city, said Mayor Nick Helmer.

The 17,000-square-foot store is in the Palwaukee Plaza shopping center space that previously housed a Save-A-Lot that closed in mid-2014 after only being open for about a year.

Ruffolo has a tax-sharing agreement with Prospect Heights in which the city will rebate 50 percent of the sales tax it receives from the store back to the business. Over the ensuing years that amount shared will decrease to 40 percent, 30 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent by the fifth year.

This is a second location for owner Louie Ruffolo, who in March took over and renamed the Farmer's Pride Fresh Market at 1414 W. Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights.