In a bustling, mid-sized community like Orland Park, the announcement of a new “Amazon Fresh” fulfillment center and an accompanying physical store sent ripples of both anticipation and unease.
The village of some 60,000 residents, long a picture of Main Street Americana, has long relied on a healthy ecosystem of 16 local grocers, including Costco, Pete’s, Whole Foods, Mariano’s, Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s and a pair of Jewel-Osco’s and Aldi’s. Locals and others who drive from miles away have their pick of grocery stores and products.
But with Amazon’s recent announcement to build a nearly 230,000-square-foot facility on some 35 acres that includes the long-shuttered Petey’s II property (9600 W. 159th St.), both local business and residents wondered aloud what impact the giant retailer will have on the community and their livelihood.
To put into perspective the enormity of the proposed development, Costco and Target are both roughly 150,000 square feet.
The proposed facility would feature more than 800 parking spaces, seven truck docks and two enclosed dumpster locations. Trucks would enter and exit the facility off Ravinia Drive. There will be 29 bike racks to accommodate 58 bikes. There would also be a new right turn lane off LaGrange Road into the development.
Sara Stasukewicz, CEO of the Orland Park Chamber of Commerce, said she thinks Amazon’s entrance into Orland Park will have a positive impact on the business community.
“Each new development brings fresh dynamic shopping experiences for both residents and visitors while strengthening the local economy by elevating opportunities for our local businesses,” she said. “At the chamber we advocate for all our businesses.”
Stasukewicz said that while Amazon may be a draw to bring people to Orland Park, “once they get here they will see the diverse and dynamic retail base we have here.”
“The idea is that other businesses will flourish when shoppers come out and realize all the different and unique shopping experiences we have,” she said. ”We’re banking on it being a win-win for everyone.”
Orland Park resident John Paul called the village a “retail community.”
“That site is a prime retail location,” he said recently. “Whatever goes in there will be big. If we tell Amazon ‘no’ then something else will come in there. Good retail attracts traffic. I think this is a well thought out plan.”
But not everyone is as certain.
Jim Savage, also an Orland Park resident, who spoke at a recent plan commission meeting where the proposal was unveiled, said: “Amazon is a great company, but it’s destroying the retail base of America. It is cannibalizing smaller stores.”
Resident Jeffrey Leonard said Amazon is going to “push the village to its limits in terms of public services, especially schools and the police department.”
“The village is rapidly growing,” he said. “Schools are at maximum capacity. The police department is at capacity in terms of the number of officers on each shift, especially at night.
“Tinley Park has an Amazon (Fresh),” he said. “We don’t need one.”
Two calls to Amazon lawyer Katie Jahnke Dale were not returned.
The Orland Park Village Board is expected to vote on the plan when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19.
More competition in grocery is a good thing! Bring grocery prices down!