Joe Caputo & Sons opens new store in Arlington Heights

Shoppers in the Northwest suburbs have another grocery option now that Joe Caputo & Sons Fruit Market IGA has opened its fifth Northwest suburban location in the former Dominick's on Palatine Road in Arlington Heights.

The new store, 325 Palatine Road, was celebrated with a ribbon tying ceremony Friday morning with local business officials and Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes.

“It's always a great day when we welcome a new business to Arlington Heights,” Hayes said. “Especially one with such a large square footage. It's going to be a welcome addition to this community.”

Hayes said the store's location is close to the downtown, but also centrally located to many neighborhoods where residents might walk to the store to shop.

While there are many grocery stores in the area, including a Trader Joes, Harvest Fresh, Aldi and Ultra Foods nearby, officials said Caputo's would help fill the void left by Dominick's, which closed all its Chicago area stores at the end of 2013.

“I'm sure Caputo's will find their niche in a competitive market and do very well here,” Hayes said.

The Arlington Heights location is one of four former Dominick's stores purchased by Joe Caputo & Sons Fruit Market IGA in January of this year. The Northbrook store opened in May, while conversions of the Elk Grove Village and Des Plaines locations are expected to be done by the end of the summer.

“This brings another choice for a fresh market grocery store to this area,” said Jon Ridler, executive director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce. “It was great to have this store turn around so fast.”

The 50,000-square-foot grocery store in Arlington Heights offers a full-service deli, bakery and an expansive produce section.

“Like our recently opened Northbrook location, the Arlington Heights store gives us the opportunity to bring our family owned and operated brand to a whole new customer base,” said Nat Caputo, president of Joe Caputo & Sons Fruit Market IGA.

“We look forward to introducing Arlington Heights to the way we do business.”

Employees were still stocking the shelves on Friday morning as customers streamed in.

The first customer through the door, Regina Fortman of Arlington Heights, had heard the store was opening soon, but didn't realize she would walk in on the grand opening.

“I was just driving past on my way home from the gym and decided to stop,” Fortman said. “I shop at the one in Palatine, but this is so much closer. I love the produce, I love the deli. It's just a great place.”