Whole Foods plans small-format store at former Logan Square Family Dollar

Whole Foods Market is developing a smaller-format store in the former Family Dollar at 2280 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square, a company spokesperson confirmed, as first reported by Block Club Chicago.^{1, 2} The spokesperson did not give an opening date or other details.^{1, 2}

The site sits at Milwaukee and California avenues, steps from the CTA’s California stop on the Blue Line.² The Family Dollar there closed in 2023 after dangerous building issues and had served the neighborhood for more than 25 years, Block Club reported.¹

A smaller store

The store will be one of Whole Foods’ Daily Shop locations, which carry groceries and prepared foods in a smaller footprint than a full supermarket and are aimed at dense neighborhoods near transit.^{1, 2} The company announced the format in May for Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia over the next two years.¹

Chicago’s first announced Daily Shop is at 1200 N. Ashland Ave. in Wicker Park, the former CVS site.^{1, 2}

Daniel La Spata, the 1st Ward alderperson, said the development needs no zoning relief or city subsidies, calling it a “buy right economic development decision,” the Sun-Times reported.² “The opportunity to step off the train and into a grocery store is a great one for our residents,” La Spata told Block Club in a text message.¹

He told the Sun-Times that the store could cut down on deliveries and driving for neighbors who could walk or ride the train to it.² La Spata also said the building has been renovated in recent months and the store is likely to open on an accelerated timeline.²

The building

The one-story, 30,000-square-foot building got an updated brick facade and roof work earlier this year under a permit issued in April, according to Block Club.¹ Cook County property records show a limited liability company for Shapack Partners, a Fulton Market-based developer, bought the site for $5.6 million in April, Block Club reported.¹

Two more permits, one for a roof replacement and one for a renovation with new facade openings, interior remodeling and landscaping, were submitted to the city this month and had not been approved, according to Block Club.¹

Shapack Partners also bought the nearby former Dollar Tree building in March for $2.2 million, and La Spata said the owner plans to divide that space for new businesses, Block Club reported.¹

Logan Square is also due to get its first Trader Joe’s, at 2053 N. Milwaukee Ave., a few blocks away, which could open next year.^{1, 2}