Aldi Closes West Pullman Store, Leaving Neighborhood with Fewer Options for Food
Community Reacts to Sudden Closure
Discount grocery chain Aldi closed its West Pullman store Sunday, in a move that locals criticized because it would leave the Far South Side neighborhood with fewer options for food.
Ald. Ronnie Mosley (21st) said Aldi gave his office only a few days’ notice about the sudden closure of the store at 821 W. 115 St. In a Facebook post Friday, Mosley said, “My office received a call yesterday informing us that Aldi had made the unfortunate decision to close this location, and we were told this decision is final.”
Mosley said in the post that he spoke to Aldi representatives a year ago and “they assured our community that they were here to stay, that they intended to remodel and potentially expand. That assurance has now been broken.”
Store History and Impact
The store opened in November 2007, according to an Aldi spokesperson.
“Our neighbors have nowhere within walking distance to buy the food they need for their families — nowhere they can shop and return home before their ice cream melts,” Mosley said on Facebook.
Alternative Options
While Aldi’s closure leaves a gap in the neighborhood, discount grocer Save-a-Lot opened in West Pullman at 10700 S. Halsted St. last week, about a mile north of the shuttered Aldi site. It joins a Jewel-Osco that’s roughly 1.5 miles west, toward Morgan Park.
Aldi’s Response
Mosley’s spokesperson Michael Peery said Tuesday that Aldi told the alderperson that locals can drive to another location or use delivery services for an added fee. Peery said Mosley “was very shocked at their very glib response.”
Aldi said in an emailed statement: “Aldi has made the difficult decision to close two Chicago stores. The final day of operation for our location at 1836 N. Clybourn in Lincoln Park was October 13, 2024, and our store located at 821 W. 115th Street, closed on Sunday, November 10, 2024. The recent closures are unique situations and not indicative of any larger trends. In fact, we recently announced our intention to hire more than 13,000 associates as we embark on our most ambitious growth plans yet, aiming to open 800 new stores by the end of 2028.”
Food Deserts
Grocery chains have been criticized for closing locations on the South and West sides, leaving food deserts where there’s little access to quality fresh food.
Food deserts are a big concern in Chicago. A WBEZ-Chicago Sun-Times analysis found low food access in Chicago rose by 63% in the last decade. That includes high-profile closures of a Walmart Supercenter in Chatham, a Whole Foods in Englewood and an Aldi in Auburn Gresham.
Last summer, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation pledging $20 million to grocers that open and expand stores in underserved rural towns and city neighborhoods as part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative.
Future Plans
Meanwhile, Aldi opened a new store on Nov. 7 in Forest Park at 215 S. Harlem Ave. The company also expects to open its first West Loop store at a new mixed-use development in 2026.
The discount grocer announced aggressive expansion plans in March. Its 800-store expansion across the U.S. includes nearly 330 new sites in the Northeast and Midwest at a total investment of more than $9 billion. Aldi has more than 30 locations in Chicago.
In 2021, Aldi came under fire when it shuttered its location in West Garfield Park, citing high expenses largely due to theft and security.
Conclusion
The sudden closure of the West Pullman Aldi store has left the community with fewer options for food and highlights the ongoing issue of food deserts in Chicago. While alternative options are available, the loss of a local grocery store can have a significant impact on a community’s access to healthy and affordable food.
FAQs
Q: Why did Aldi close the West Pullman store?
A: Aldi did not provide a specific reason for the closure, but stated that it was a unique situation and not indicative of any larger trends.
Q: What alternatives are available to the community?
A: Save-a-Lot and Jewel-Osco are available options, with Save-a-Lot opening a new location nearby.
Q: Will Aldi reopen another location in the area?
A: Aldi has not announced any plans to reopen a location in the West Pullman area.
