As of February 21, Trader Joe’s, which is located at the intersection of Milwaukee Ave. and Artaius Parkway, just south of competitors Jewel and Mariano’s, has joined the fierce market competition in the Libertyville area.
Regardless of many grocery businesses seemingly retreating and selling like Dominick’s, Trader Joe’s hopes to make progress by expanding, as shown by the new location in Libertyville. Libertyville store “Captain” Scott Peddicord couldn’t release information involving sales. He stated that as the chain is a “privately held company, so we don’t disclose information about our annual sales, profits or sales of our products.” Either way, the store, without a doubt, has a growing following that could mean trouble for other local grocers.
According to a Chicago Tribune article by Michael Holtz, Tom Williams, a managing partner at Paragon Real Estate, Trader Joe’s “will become an instant success in Libertyville. In its original application, Paragon estimated that the store combined with the new retail outlets would generate about $675,000 in sales-tax revenue for the village in 2013.”
In response to their potential concern with competition in the area, Peddicord stated, “We believe our presence in a market like LIbertyville gives customers additional shopping options.”
He went on to say that “we compete against ourselves and we focus constantly on trying to get better at what we do everyday.”
Regardless of the overwhelming competition, the chain proves to be a very popular market. While the arrival of this market is not likely beneficial to other local grocers, many seem to be thrilled about the change.
According to Peddicord, “We consider ourselves to be a unique neighborhood grocery store. Our stores are brimming with foods and beverages that are ideal for get-togethers and we have lots of options for quick, delicious dinners, sweets, and snacks.”
LHS students are just as excited. According to junior Christina Reszel, “I’m excited!!!! It’s the best store and I can’t wait to have it so close!”
Junior Jordan Rule was just as enthusiastic. She commented, “ I love [Trader Joe’s]…I’m really excited because I know it will do really well. [Trader Joe’s] is so flipping good, and they have organic yet tasty food!”
According to Peddicord, the store came to Libertyville because “it is filled with foodies. This location and community seemed like a great fit for us.”
The lot, having been a hardware store several years ago, was empty for a significant amount of time. Construction was once started for another corporation, but then seemingly abandoned. According to Holtz, “Paragon, a regional development firm, approached Libertyville officials last summer with a proposal to build the Trader Joe’s.”
