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This specific cart in Uptown is especially unique because we will use it as a training station for 9 of our upcoming produce cart vendors, 3 of whom are also StreetWise vendors. The training process will begin Tuesday and last until Friday, August 31. During that almost 2-week period, these 9 vendors will gain the skills they need to be successful produce vendors in the community."
Will they accept LINK like the Farmers Markets are now doing?
ReplyDeletecute but the idea that Uptown has a food desert problem is kind of a laughable.
ReplyDeleteYou're not reading the flyer. Streetwise is providing two weeks of training for its vendors in Uptown, right next to its main offices, which are in the McJunkin Building.
ReplyDeleteAfter the vendors are trained, food carts will go out to neighborhoods that are true food deserts. I don't know if you've ever tried buying food in Englewood (I have). There are lines at the mini-marts in gas stations. That's their Jewel-Osco. There is literally no other place to buy groceries for miles. These carts will provide a very necessary service in those communities.
I know it's really cute to have
"cynical" as a default mode, but how cute is it to poke fun at good ideas because you haven't read them through?
That is nice, but I would like to see Trader Joe's or Mariano's in one of our vacant buildings in Uptown. If we want organic we are spending our money in River North or West Side. Whole Foods is too pricey, but these two would be affordable alternatives for our population in Uptown.
ReplyDeleteNancy, my suggestion is just wait. If you read the financial section of the paper you will see that Jewels parent company, Safeway, could very well head towards bankruptcy in the next year. If they do, and I would take that bet, then my guess is the store at Broadway and Montrose will close.. and leave it available for someone else to move in, perhaps even one you just mentioned.. although I do believe Marinos is building a new store at Ravenswood and Lawrence so I doubt it would be them.
ReplyDeleteJewel and Dominick's have such poor customer service it is an insult to customer service to even compare what they do to it. I fully invite Mariano's and other fine grocers to bring some much-needed class into Uptown.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I saw Caprisun-style booze being sold openly at Jewel, which I think is against the law.
Actually....Safeway is the parent conpany of Dominic's; Supervalu is the parent of Jewel; the parent of Mariano's is Roundy. All three are trading at hiatoric lows currently though Supervalu is particularly tennuous presently.
ReplyDeleteBoth Safeway (Dominick's) and Supervalu (Jewel) are in bad shape at the corporate level. Those particular regional chains are doing well individually though. jewel may well be sold as Supervalu sheds some assets, not closed. Mariano's is planning to open at Lawrence and Ravenswood sometime next year.
ReplyDeleteWe always go to Mariano`s for our food at Western & Belmont. The service is super as well as the prices. Dominick`s and Jewel are sky high and customer service is a big joke....
ReplyDeleteI guess the article doesn't state though if the food cart will be staying at this location, after the training is completed. Would be nice - I've often thought how great it would be to have a quick stop fresh product option on my way to/from the El for my daily commute.
ReplyDelete@TrumanSquareNabr Actually, Englewood has an Aldi's, a Food 4 Less (read: Kroger), and a dozen small groceries. Just because Jewel, Dominick's, or Wal-Mart aren't there doesn't make it a food desert.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned earlier... I am guessing the Jewel at Montrose will close when it is sold..too much competition within a mile or so of it..http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-jewelosco-parents-seeks-bidders-for-entire-chain-20120824,0,7269199.story
ReplyDeleteThat's actually a pretty prize location. Jewel Osco has little competition there, a mile away is a lot in the city where many people walk to the grocery store. The neglected state of that store is more reflective of how crummy its parent company is doing than the Jewel group of stores. If it gets sold, new owners would maximize that space and the parking lot, redo it and make an improvement that would benefit Uptown.
ReplyDelete