Butera’s Clock Tower Plaza store in Elgin sold to Frank’s Freshway Market

Butera’s last remaining grocery store at Elgin’s Clock Tower Plaza has been sold and will become a Frank’s Freshway Market on Aug. 11.

The sale marks the end of the chain’s 63-year legacy but continues the tradition of independent grocers anchoring the historic strip mall on the city’s northwest side.

“We’re very happy to take over the store,” said Frank Casaccio, one of its new co-owners.

Casaccio said they plan to expand the grocery store’s carryout/hot food menu and the produce section and will offer more items for the city’s diverse Hispanic population.

The Clock Tower Plaza store will be the fourth Frank’s store. Following the first in Genoa, the family-owned business also purchased the Butera stores at 20 Tyler Creek Plaza in Elgin and at 1175 W. Spring St. in South Elgin in 2024.

Butera, also a family-owned business, announced in a newspaper ad that its final store was closing.

“After 63 years, this marks our final advertisement. We sincerely thank you for your loyalty, trust and support throughout the years. It has been our privilege to serve you and your families. Thank you for being part of the Butera Family.”

Butera company officials were unavailable for comment.

Shop & Save Market purchased the Butera store in Algonquin in May and recently took over the store’s locations in Harwood Heights and Norridge.

Butera’s ties to Elgin date back to 1989, when the company purchased the Clock Tower Plaza location. It moved into the store previously operated as the Gromer Supermarket, the owner of which built the plaza. Gromer had moved there after having been at Wing and McLean streets.

The strip mall site is where the Elgin National Watch Co. was once located. The buildings there were demolished in 1966.

One regular customer, who identified herself as Mary M., said she travels from Bartlett to Elgin to shop at Butera’s because the company offered “good sales” at a time when food prices have been escalating.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grocery prices have increased 3% between June 2025 and June 2026.

A Bain & Co. report found that 28% of Americans are actively trying to cut back on groceries, according to the global management consulting firm’s website.

Mary M. said that’s been true for her. “I’ve cut out a lot of the snacks. It’s just the basics now,” she said, which is why finding sales has become more important to her.

The Elgin Butera store is “a little out of the way, but they have better prices than Jewel,” she said.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.