Who Will Survive- Walmart Express or the 83rd Street Convenience Stores?

The sign is up and its a matter of time before the store opens and we officially enter the Walmart era in Chatham. The Walmart Express is Walmart's answer to Supervalu's now defunct Urban Fresh concept and a strong competitor to local convenience stores.

Aldi's has already thrown the first blow by adverising a gallon of milk for $1.79 which is .40 cheaper than what a convenience store is charging on 83rd street

So I expect Walmart to beat both and force them to either match or get out the way. Sources have told me that Walmart has shopped the community and has looked at goods and services they can duplicate and beat competitors on price such as soul food, chicken, sandwiches and  basic staples( milk, bread, eggs, etc.).

So can the convenience stores along 83rd street compete and stay in business? Will the Walmart Express be the lesser of evils some perceive of these stores?

Convenience Stores- Do we really need them

There was a post several weeks ago on this blog concerning a store named ANU Store located on 79th between Indiana and Prairie. I saw the outside and was not impressed with the handwritten sign and the potato chip racks at the door. Also, makes me wonder are they operating with all the necessary licenses. It appears it will be another place that we will have young people unnecessarily congregating.

Secondly, Fresh Mart Foods on 83rd King Drive. This store opened under a lot of controversy. The store was suppose to spur economic development and jobs in the community and referred to itself as a "grocery store. According to some residents and organizations this store was "greatly" needed.

Well, the facts are that only one job has been created. No other businesses want to locate near it. Crime has increased as the store has been burgularized 3 times and is on special attention from the 6Th district police district. Also, the store consistently closes early (4PM on Sunday) because of a lack of business. As well as the owners have been publicly threatened several times.

Also, a store on 75Th street has been mentioned. Do we need these problems in our community?

Anu's Store opening on 79th

A new store, called Anu's Store, is opening on 79th. There isn't an exact date yet, but they have been working on it for several months.

Their website is anusstore.com , but it looks like just a place holder for now...GoDaddy is exploiting that by having questionable links on the placeholder site.

The strange thing is, Canik's Conevnience store recently closed a couple of doors down. And Chatham Food Market is just down the street (literally). So is a conevnience store really needed? One that provides ethnic food (such as from nations in West Africa) would be unique. But are we at a point where it would be frequented by customers?

At the left is a graphic of the flyer announcing the store -- i happened to find it on the ground.

At the bottom of this entry is a photo of the building , from the Cook County Assessor Website's property search. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the front view of the storefront. But it gives you an idea where it is.

New Store on 75th

Found this flyer on the ground (see right), regarding a new store has opened in the new strip mall on 7th & Indiana.

I'm not too impressed, for several reasons.

The flyer said it was open on Wednesday, but when i went in at 12:55pm,there was a sign sayign it would open at 2pm. That caused an unnecessary delay in my schedule.

i wound up going the next day (Thursday).

The shelves were definitely full. But it felt more like a gas station convenience store than a food mart. The selection was limited, and the prices were OK, I guess (Milk, eggs & bread were good tewasers, but how long will that price last?).

The cashiers were behind (bulletproof?) glass windows. It was a little more open during the day. There was a lobby area which i assume will be the only place people can stay if they come in during the late hours. (I.e. they will probably lock up the store, and get the items you want, if you come in late at night).

The only other store that seems to be opening is a Maxwell's restaurant...yes, more burgers & such. Nothing unique (like Asian, African or Latino food). The restaurant wasn'topen yet, but I am betting it will be mostly, if not exclusive, take out. That would probably replace Pizza King formerly across the street.

Looking at the bigger picture...does this neighborhood REALLY need another convenience store? OK, it's open 24 hours. That replaces a void from Chatham Grocery (maybe).

It's not necessarily the developers responsibility to get "ideal" businesses...but it begs the question: what business do we NEED to ADD to Chatham? And then -- who do we ask to make it happen?