Store creates Chicago retail jobs
Posted on July 8, 2014
A new Whole Foods has been built that will create Chicago retail jobs.
The 5.5-acre retail development is planned for completion in 2016. The store, located on the northwest corner of 63rd and Halsted streets on Chicago’s South Side, will create 100 jobs and provide area residents with additional access to fresh and healthy food options.
The Englewood Square project and Whole Foods build on the more than $362 million in planned and completed public and private investment underway in the community; projects that are expected to create or retain over 4,140 jobs.
Chicago Neighborhoods Now projects in Englewood are expected to create nearly 500 permanent jobs, over 3,000 construction jobs, and retain more than 500 current jobs, further strengthening economic development, bringing more affordable housing, attracting new retail and jobs to the area, and driving additional private sector growth.
“We are elated to begin construction of our Englewood store, and are working closely with community stakeholders to imagine and develop a destination that not only provides fresh, healthy food choices for the community of Englewood, but also serves as a community meeting place for information and education about food and living a healthier lifestyle,” said Walter Robb, Whole Foods Market co-CEO. “This new store in Chicago’s South Side is an example of our sincere efforts of living our company’s core values.”
“Our roots are deep in the communities where we open our stores and Englewood will be no different,” said Michael Bashaw, Whole Foods Market Midwest Region President. “As the brick and mortar of the store builds this future Whole Foods Market, we look forward to building our relationship as a trusted resource for quality natural and organic foods, and health and wellness information. We will continue to meet with city and community members to build a store that serves the neighborhood the highest quality natural and organic food, and offers residents free educational classes on healthy eating and nutrition, shopping on a budget and cooking demonstrations.”
“The residents of the 16th Ward and I are very pleased to celebrate the historic groundbreaking of Whole Foods. We thank Mayor Emanuel and Whole Foods for making 63rd and Halsted home,” said Alderman Joann Thompson, 16th Ward. “Our neighborhood and community will see growth in economic development, job creation, nutrition, and opportunity as a result of this development and I look forward to lasting prosperity for Englewood.”