Chicago Market Plans 2025 Opening in Uptown
Ten years in the making
Arnett said there’s potential for Chicago Market to have a major social and community impact. Uptown isn’t a food desert, but the co-op’s community-led approach is missing in the area and largely across the city, he said.
“Chicago is perhaps the best least-developed market for natural food products in the country,” Arnett said. He moved from California to Chicago in 2021, when he was hired to manage Chicago Market. He previously managed co-ops in Kentucky, Seattle and Northern California.
Cities such as Minneapolis and Seattle have many co-op markets, for example, but there’s a dearth in Chicago even though it’s densely populated, diverse and has the most fair-trade businesses of any U.S. city, according to Arnett. “It’s really odd,” he said.
“You don’t see things like [Chicago Market] open often because the capital is hard to raise,” Arnett added. “Anything we do well has the potential of inspiring other initiatives.”
The founders of Chicago Market began laying the groundwork in spring 2013, and the co-op was incorporated later that year.
A community-led approach
More than 2,400 members have raised $1.7 million through the purchase of common and preferred shares, as well as owner loans, where members loan money to the co-op rather than buying equity. The co-op also received $5.8 million in tax increment financing from the city, with the balance financed by a cooperative bank. Shared Capital Cooperative also provided a TIF bridge loan.
Anyone can become a member of Chicago Market by purchasing equity stakes of $250 or $500. The co-op also offers membership grants to people who need financial assistance.
Most members live nearby such as in Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, Wrigleyville and Albany Park. Besides being near the CTA Red Line, Chicago Market also has parking.
A focus on local and sustainable products
To ramp up its supply chain, Arnett has been busy meeting with local food producers from farmers to ranchers. For example, recently he’s been working 18-hour days to visit Amish farmers in southern Illinois, who will supply jams, pickles, relishes and other products.
Chicago Market has also partnered with Chicago vendors such as Phoenix Bean Tofu, Metropolis Coffee, Gunthorp Farms, Janie’s Mill and more.
Food co-ops favor selling local, organic and fair-trade products. More than 1.3 million people in the U.S. belong to a food co-op that is a member of the National Co+op Grocers, according to the association.
What to expect
The 13,000-square-foot store at 4618 N. Broadway is being touted as the city’s largest cooperative grocer once it opens. It joins other co-op grocery stores such as Dill Pickle in Logan Square, Sugar Beet in Oak Park and Wild Onion in Rogers Park, which opened in June.
The new store will sell locally and ethically sourced dairy, produce, meat, dry goods, frozen foods, prepared foods, baked goods and alcohol. It also will have a juice and coffee bar and host workshops and classes.
Chicago Market plans to hire at least 70 people when it opens around September 2025. It could expand its staff up to 160 people over five or six years.
Conclusion
Chicago Market is a unique opportunity for the community to come together and support local businesses. With its focus on local and sustainable products, community-led approach, and commitment to hiring locally, Chicago Market is poised to make a positive impact on the Uptown community.
FAQs
Q: What is Chicago Market?
A: Chicago Market is a member-owned cooperative grocery store that aims to provide high-quality, locally sourced products to the Uptown community.
Q: When will Chicago Market open?
A: Chicago Market is expected to open around September 2025.
Q: What products will Chicago Market sell?
A: Chicago Market will sell locally and ethically sourced dairy, produce, meat, dry goods, frozen foods, prepared foods, baked goods and alcohol.
Q: How many people will Chicago Market hire?
A: Chicago Market plans to hire at least 70 people when it opens, with the potential to expand its staff up to 160 people over five or six years.
Q: How can I become a member of Chicago Market?
A: Anyone can become a member of Chicago Market by purchasing equity stakes of $250 or $500. The co-op also offers membership grants to people who need financial assistance.
Q: What is the mission of Chicago Market?
A: The mission of Chicago Market is to provide a community-led approach to grocery shopping, focusing on local and sustainable products, and committed to hiring locally.
