Local officials are not expressing fears of closing stores or erosion of quality if some individual Mariano’s grocery stores are sold off as part of a proposed merger between two large grocery store chains.
On July 9, Kroger and Albertson’s revealed a list of 35 Illinois stores to be divested as the two companies seek federal approval of the merger initially proposed in 2022. Kroger is the parent company of Mariano’s and Albertson’s owns the Jewel-Osco chain.
Kroger would sell off 31 Mariano’s locations in the greater Chicagoland area as part of the deal. Albertson’s would sell four Jewel grocery stores as part of an overall divestiture plan to get federal approval.
Set to purchase the 35 supermarkets in a nearly $3 billion deal is C&S Wholesale Grocers, the owner of the Piggly Wiggly chain, which has locations in Zion, Antioch and throughout Wisconsin.
C&S intends to maintain the Mariano’s brand name under the proposed deal. A note on the company website states there would not be any closing of stores, distribution centers or manufacturing facilities due to the merger, nor would there be any layoffs of frontline associates.
Northfield Village Manager Patrick Brennan said he has contacted people involved in the transaction and he is not expecting to see any changes in terms of branding or activity at the chain at the store located on Willow Road, just west of the Edens Expressway.
“I believe the new ownership is professional enough to recognize what works well with the current offering of goods and services as well as the type of store and employees that is really fitting for the North Shore,” Brennan said. “We believe that is why so many people are coming from the overall region because it is such a gem for the community.”
In Arlington Heights, Business Development Manager Michael Mertes offered a similar outlook on the Mariano’s located at 802 E. Northwest Highway
“We don’t believe it is the intent to change the quality of the product being sold or the experience. Arlington Heights has quality demographics and whatever grocer is there, we assume will provide a high quality experience for the customers in the area,” Mertes said.
Mertes mentioned the store’s prominence in the community.
“It is an important site and location. Grocery provides an important service to residents in the surrounding area and as the area around that location develops further, having grocery at that site will only increase in importance and demand,” he said.
Vernon Hills Village Manager Kevin Timony said his team has not been altered by either the current Mariano’s ownership or the future owner for the plans of the Mariano’s at 1720 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
Representatives from Skokie, Gurnee and Bannockburn, where other Mariano’s are located, either had no comment or did not respond to multiple messages.
While the divestiture plan has been announced, its future is uncertain.
The Federal Trade Commission initiated litigation in February to prevent the merger with the trial expected to start next month.
The Chicago Tribune reported last week the proposed merger also faces opposition from local elected leaders including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and some unions.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
