Vacant since 2007, grocery store aisles on Lemont Road in Downers Grove are looking more lush this week.
And with the infusion of sales tax expected to be generated at the new Michael’s Fresh Market, another grocery option is on schedule to open in April.
Michael’s Fresh Market, 7241 Lemont Road, is hosting its grand opening Feb. 10. Store Manager David Villegas said several sales will be running and demonstrations and sampling will be available.
“We have friendly customer service, fresh products and a variety of ethnicities from Indian to Greek to Chinese and of course American,” Villegas said.
The market is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Michael’s opened at the former Dominick’s Finer Foods grocery store, which was shut along with 13 other stores by its parent company, Safeway Inc., in 2007.
The Lemon Tree grocer, 935 Burlington Ave., is set to open in April, said Greg Bedalov, president of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corp. Last year the village proposed a 10-year agreement in which the Lemon Tree would be rebated a percentage of the sales tax generated from sales made at Michael’s Fresh Market.
Deputy Village Manager Michael Baker said Michael’s is projecting annual sales of about $15 million, which would result in $150,000 in sales tax. Based on that calculation, Baker said the Lemon Tree would receive 37.5 percent, or just more than $56,000 to operate a location downtown.
“The owners of Michael’s (Fresh Market) have an ownership interest in the Lemon Tree and therefore there was the opportunity for this unique partnership with these two entities and the village,” Baker said.
Even with competition in the area, Villegas said there has been quite a bit of interest in Michael’s.
For the grand opening, he is expecting a big turn out.
“We offer a lot of different things for people,” Villegas said. “The store speaks for itself.”
The store has ethnic food selections, produce, deli, seafood, dairy, frozen food and a bakery.
