Butera opening gives Grayslake second supermarket
Supermarket competition has returned to Grayslake.
Butera Fruit Market opened Friday morning in a mall space at Center Street and Atkinson Road that was vacant since 2013. Company President Joseph Butera snipped a ribbon to officially debut his family's 12th store in a brief ceremony attended by village trustees and other leaders.
"They invested $6.2 million," Trustee Kevin Waldenstrom said, "and all the other businesses are going to see that. I know the businesses around here are excited."
Jewel-Osco on Route 120 has been without competition in the village since Farmers Market Place closed at Atkinson and Center in 2013. As part of an effort to bring Butera into the vacant space, the Grayslake village board last month approved an economic development incentive package potentially worth $750,000.
Extensive remodeling went into the space, including an expansion from 26,000 to 35,000 square feet and the addition of gleaming new refrigerator cases. Store manager Bill Weide said about 100 full- and part-time employees have been hired.
Butera said his family's business bought the property in December 2015. He said Friday's opening provided a sense of relief and pleasure.
"It's nice to be open and to start serving the community," he said as he toured the store.
Butera said the store will have an emphasis on fresh produce, its delicatessen and international foods while offering supermarket staples. Annual sales are projected at $8 million to $9 million, according to village documents.
Under the agreement with Grayslake, Butera will receive an initial payment of $195,000 after May 1. Up to $555,000 will be available to Butera over 10 years in a sales tax sharing agreement with the village, making the deal worth a maximum $750,000.
Butera must return all public money if the store closes or moves from the shopping center within 10 years of its debut.
Grayslake Trustee Adam Shores said it's good to have two supermarkets in the village.
"People are excited," Shores said. "This is going to be great competition. It's a perfect example of our approach to helping our economy, bringing new business into the community. And we're excited about it."
Piggly Wiggly operated at Center and Atkinson from 1993 to mid-December 2012. Farmers Market Place opened a few months later and closed in November 2013.
Butera has stores in towns including Lindenhurst, Naperville, Roselle and Elgin. A Butera Fruit Market is scheduled to open in Des Plaines late this year.