More than a year after a Save-A-Lot store in Richton Park closed and left residents on the village’s east side concerned about accessing groceries, an independent, full-service grocery store is expected to open there in the next few months, officials said Wednesday.
Richton Park Fresh Market, owned by Sal Omer, is slated to move into the vacated 15,000 square foot store at 3736 Sauk Trail by the end of the year. Omer said the store will offer a daily selection of fresh produce, along with a butcher counter and deli.
Village officials said the market will offer residents more services than the previous Save-a-Lot store provided, which residents relied on. The Save-A-Lot store did not have a deli or butcher, according to Brandon Boys, economic development director for Richton Park.
Moreover, village officials said they also intend to offer the owner tax incentives to move into the area to ensure area residents have access to a grocery store, and the owner would be required to maintain the store as a full-service grocer to continue qualifying for receiving the incentives.
“The scarcity of fresh produce and nutritious foods is a major contributor to health disparities in the Southland and throughout Cook County,” Commissioner Donna Miller said in a statement Wednesday. “By incentivizing grocery stores to establish themselves in these areas, we can drive progress in improving health outcomes for all residents, creating healthier communities and elevating the quality of life in our county.”
Richton Park village President Rick Reinbold said Wednesday the store is within walking distance to the Metra Electric station, along with several neighborhoods and other Town Center businesses.
Its location along Sauk Trail also attracts commuters along the road, Reinbold said.
“The new Richton Park Fresh Market is locating in about the most accessible spot for groceries in the village, and I think the butcher shop is going to be a draw,” Reinbold said in a statement Wednesday.
Village officials said construction work has begun on the interior of the store building. The owner, Omer, said he plans to expand the kitchen in the store to offer hot food options.
Omer also operates Socotra Market in Oak Lawn, Shibam Market in Bridgeview and La Super Grocery Store in Chicago Heights.
“These stores have prepared me to run a larger-scale grocery store while maintaining close attention to detail and personalized service,” Omer said. “I am confident that Richton Park Fresh Market will serve the community with professionalism and care.”
The Save-a-Lot store closed in Feb. 2024 due to property tax issues after operating in the community for over 17 years, according to the owners at the time.
The grocery store chain was acquired by the company Yellow Banana, a grocery company owned by a Cleveland-based investment firm, which has since closed several of its stores due to financial issues.
Reinbold said in 2024 he hoped a new specialty grocer would fill the space. He also said the store served residents in Richton Park and nearby Park Forest, Matteson and University Park and greater northeast Illinois.
The village will consider later this year offering the new grocery store the Cook County Class 7D property tax incentive, which provides a reduced assessment level for 10 years, officials said. The incentive, Miller said is a way “to open the door for more grocery stores in the neighborhoods that need them most.”
“This not only enhances access to healthy foods in food deserts but also ignites economic development,” she said.
Richton Park is one of several south suburban areas where grocery stores have closed in recent years, and some municipal officials say they struggle to attract grocery stores, making it harder for residents to access fresh, healthy and affordable food.