‘It’s going to happen’: Buffalo Grove president says new grocers are coming

Buffalo Grove leaders are working to lure new grocery stores to replace a closed Mariano’s and fill space that had been slated for an Amazon Fresh store.

Those were among the economic development efforts Village President Eric Smith discussed with residents Tuesday during a “President’s Pick” event.

One major development waiting in the wings is a possible new grocery store to fill the Woodland Commons space vacated by Mariano’s last year. The shopping center at 450 W. Half Day Road has a new owner, identified as Chicago Food Property, LLC.

“We're hoping that they're going to put in another grocer,” Smith said.

The village also hopes for a grocery tenant where Amazon Fresh was supposed to open in The Clove development, at McHenry and Lake-Cook roads. Amazon last month pulled the plug on its Amazon Fresh stores, putting Buffalo Grove in a precarious spot, since the development of The Clove depends on it being anchored by a grocer.

“It has to be a grocer, by the (redevelopment) agreement, and it's going to be a grocer,” Smith said. “So it’s going to happen. We’re going to have a grocer in there.”

The Clove is expected to see two new tenants: Dutch Bros Coffee at the former Burger King, and Naani’s Cafe, which is opening next to Sushi Grove.

Chase Plaza at Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights roads is now on the fast track to redevelopment, with the former Dominick’s site bring converted into Club Studio, a high-end fitness center.

“My number one goal coming in (as village president) was Chase Plaza, because that is the entrance way to (Buffalo Grove), and it looked terrible for over a decade,” Smith said. “We've got a new developer here that is going to fix that up, make it a beautiful entryway.”

Developer Louis Schriber III said he is on the verge of announcing additional projects at Chase Plaza.

“I would say this is one of the most attractive areas to come and do business,” he said of Buffalo Grove. “What they’re doing right is they’re listening to the market. They’re listening to developers. But they’re not a pushover. They want to do what’s best for this community.”