Introduction to Trader Joe’s
UPTOWN – A Trader Joe’s could be coming to the Montrose Avenue storefront left vacant by the closure of a vegan food hall, city records show. The speciality grocery store chain has applied for a packaged goods liquor license for the commercial space at 804 W. Montrose Ave., according to a city database. Payment for the license application was made Monday.
Background of the Location
The location was previously occupied by XMarket, the vegan food hall that closed in November and became the latest food business to close in the large retail storefront. Twitter user minc798 was first to report news of the liquor license application. A Trader Joe’s spokesperson would not confirm plans for an Uptown store, only saying it routinely assesses the viability of new locations.
Trader Joe’s Expansion Plans
“We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country, including a few in Chicago, as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year. At this time, we do not have a new location confirmed in the area,” spokesperson Nakia Rohde said in a statement. The new store would achieve a goal of many Far North Siders who have advocated for a Trader Joe’s for years. It comes after plans to bring the grocer to Clark Street in Andersonville fell through in 2023.
Previous Attempts to Bring Trader Joe’s to the Area
Trader Joe’s is often one of the first businesses Far North Side neighbors pitch for new developments. In 2020, West Ridge neighbors and business development officials petitioned Trader Joe’s to open at the former Baker’s Square spot at Western and Touhy avenues. That site has since been redeveloped into a strip mall anchored by Starbucks. In 2015, Edgewater neighbors pushed for Trader Joe’s to open at the former home of El Norte at 5600 N. Ridge Ave., but the company declined the offer. Instead, a School of Rock music lessons business now anchors that development.
History of the Storefront
XMarket in Uptown is closing Sunday after only a year in business. Credit: Joe Ward/Block Club Chicago The grocery chain almost came to Edgewater before that, as the strip mall on Broadway just north of Foster Avenue was once slated to house a Trader Joe’s. But the company pulled out at the last minute, much to the dismay of neighbors, DNAinfo Chicago reported. A PetSmart, Chipotle and Starbucks ended up coming to the development. The plans for a Trader Joe’s on Clark Street were floated to city officials for approval, but that project fizzled after the property owner behind the project died, Block Club previously reported.
Current Status of Trader Joe’s in the Area
Trader Joe’s has locations in Lakeview and suburban Evanston, and one is planned to open in Jefferson Park. The Trader Joe’s in Uptown would bring stability to a storefront that has struggled with vacancy since it opened. Former occupant XMarket, which opened its doors in October 2023, featured several vegan food vendors after replacing two other short-lived plant-based grocery stores that used the space in 2021 and 2022.
History of XMarket
Peter Rubi Plant Based Market opened in the space in September 2021 as the second location for the Plainfield-based vegan grocery store. It was the first business to open in the 811 Uptown apartment building that was completed in 2018. At one point, the building was slated to house a Treasure Island grocery store before the grocery chain went out of business. By January 2022, Peter Rubi had sold its Uptown and Plainfield stores to Plant X, the plant-based food company focused on e-commerce and traditional retail targeting the vegan market. The store was rebranded to XMarket, a vegan grocer, before being turned into the short-lived food hall.
Conclusion
The potential opening of a Trader Joe’s in Uptown is a significant development for the area, which has long been advocating for the grocery store chain. While the company has not confirmed plans, the application for a liquor license is a positive sign. The new store would bring stability to a storefront that has struggled with vacancy and provide a much-needed grocery option for the community.
FAQs
Q: Is Trader Joe’s confirmed to be opening in Uptown?
A: No, the company has not confirmed plans, but it has applied for a packaged goods liquor license for the commercial space.
Q: What was the previous occupant of the storefront?
A: The previous occupant was XMarket, a vegan food hall that closed in November.
Q: How long has the storefront been vacant?
A: The storefront has struggled with vacancy since it opened, with several short-lived businesses occupying the space.
Q: Are there any other Trader Joe’s locations in the area?
A: Yes, Trader Joe’s has locations in Lakeview and suburban Evanston, and one is planned to open in Jefferson Park.
