By Karen Haave
According to a report during the village board meeting, Monee will be getting a grocery store.
Someday.
Having a grocery store in town has been a major mayoral election issue for decades. It would almost seem that whoever accomplishes it, can look forward to being mayor for life.
“Spoiler alert, this is not to announce that we are getting a grocery store,” Monee Economic Development Director Bill Barnes said in a report to the village board.
“I will tell you about the work I’ve been doing to kind of make things happen…and to help Monee grow. I can tell you there are a couple things that are in the process of working, but that’s all I can say because it’s not a signed deal, and it’s not a grocery store yet.”
Barnes said he has “reached out to various grocery stores” to test the waters.
Bizio’s Fresh Market’s owners said they “are not interested in growing the business;” Aldi representatives said it is “not our business model to be the only grocery store in town;” Jewel-Osco, who seemed interested “in several months of conversation, but then they got into the acquisition of Albertsons and that put things on kind of hold, as far as their growth goes;” Pete’s Fresh Market’s daughter said, “Thanks, but not at this time;” Strack and Van Til are focusing on stores in Indiana;  Berkot’s, who said “It’s not our business model typically to build a new store, what (available buildings) do you have that’s already there?’
“And then, we’ve had some conversations with Amazon Fresh, and they said, ‘Yeah, we have a great relationship with Monee.’
“Actually, California and Illinois have the most ‘Freshers’ out in the country; however, because of cost of materials and that type of thing, new stores are on hold right now,” Barnes said. “So the search continues, so stay tuned.”
Also during his report, Barnes pointed out there is “a great 2,400 square feet (space) next to Thornton’s” gasoline and convenience store on Monee-Manhattan Road that “has a double window for drive-through, a great location.”
Barnes said he has been in contact with Wendy’s hamburgers, whose owner said he is “scaling back, so I’ll pass.”
“The next one was Pop’s Beef, and they were very interested, but…one of the things that’s important to them is getting a gaming license for the restaurant.”
Thornton’s already has applied for a gaming license through the state, making it unlikely that Pop’s Beef could also have one at that location.
Similarly, Hog Wild B-B-Q and Joey’s Red Hots, both also want gaming licenses.
“But Joey’s is still interested in any opportunity that Monee has for the future,” he said.
“And then, Wing Stop. So, again, as someone very famous once said, ‘Never give up. Never, ever give up.’”
Trustee Michael Wilson commended Barnes for his efforts, and said, “He has been working very hard.”
“There’s a lot of work going on, day-to-day. I could say that it’s exhausting,” he quipped, “but somebody’s got to do it. So thank you for all your hard work.”