South Chicago Mariano’s Won’t Build Until Lakeside Woos More Retailers

Sam Cholke, DNA Info

HYDE PARK — A planned Mariano’s for South Chicago is on hold until other retailers commit to moving into the Lakeside development.

In 2014, Mariano’s promised to open a South Chicago store in 2016and bring with it 400 new jobs to the former U.S. Steel property being redeveloped as the 500-acre Lakeside development.

“The situation with the proposed South Chicago Mariano’s is that the store has always been dependent upon the developer being able to get enough other interest in the project to allow it to move forward,” said James Hyland, a spokesman for Mariano’s. “We are still waiting for that to happen.”

The development is being spearheaded by McCaffery Interests, which envisions converting the former steel mill site into an entire new neighborhood on the southeast corner of the city.

That vision has not yet progressed to the satisfaction of Mariano’s, which is exercising a clause in its contract that allows the grocer to wait to start construction until other retailers commit to the development.

A representative from McCaffery Interests did not respond to requests for comment and it’s unclear whether the developer is close to signing leases that would prompt Mariano’s to start.

Once open, Mariano’s is expected to offer a full selection of meat and produce, as well as sushi and other prepared foods.

McCaffery Interests also is behind a major development on the North Side at the former Children’s Memorial site. That project had been stalled by a lawsuit filed by neighbors, though the deal finally closed this week and demolition will begin soon.