Woodman's Food Market hopes to open in Buffalo Grove

Woodman's Food Market announced plans on Wednesday to anchor a new 25-acre commercial development in Buffalo Grove.

The shopping center, which would be built at the western corner of Deerfield Parkway and Milwaukee Avenue, is a joint project with Shorewood Development Group, according to a news release.

Woodman's would take up 240,000 square feet and also develop a fuel center, convenience store, quick lube and car wash on the site.

The Wisconsin-based grocery chain has only a few other locations in Illinois, including Carpentersville, North Aurora and Rockford.

The grocery chain is known for offering "everyday low prices" on more than 100,000 items sold in the stores, according to the release.

"We are very excited to introduce Woodman's and their development team to our village and look forward to having them join the Buffalo Grove community," said Village President Beverly Sussman in a news release. "Woodman's will be an outstanding addition to our retail offerings."

The project is still subject to a public hearing and additional zoning and development agreements that must be approved by the village board. The project would include intersection improvements, such as added turn lanes for the shopping center.

Officials say they are planning for a store opening in 2018.

The project site was annexed into Buffalo Grove in 1990 and designated for commercial development, but it has remained empty.

"Woodman's is excited about the opportunity to serve the Buffalo Grove market," said Phil Woodman, president of Woodman's Food Markets, an employee-owned chain with 16 locations.

"We feel the village's assets and location are ideal."