Plans To Bring Trader Joes To Jefferson Park Scrapped

Trader Joe’s has canceled its plans to open a store in Jefferson Park, according to Alderman James Gardiner, who cited disagreements over property costs as the reason. The grocery chain aimed to establish a presence at a former CVS Pharmacy located at 6200 W. Higgins Ave. , which was rezoned for this purpose. Gardiner indicated that his office will continue efforts to attract another grocery store to the site.

The proposed location would have included 15,500 square feet of commercial space and 108 surface parking spots. Trader Joe’s has a strong following in Chicago, with residents eager for new locations, as seen with recent excitement over potential openings in Uptown and Andersonville. Past efforts to bring Trader Joe’s to neighborhoods like West Ridge and Edgewater have also been unsuccessful. The failure to secure this location highlights the ongoing challenges of expanding grocery options in the area. Trader Joe’s currently operates in several neighborhoods across Chicago, including North Center and Lincoln Park.