CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — While there are still many unknowns regarding the sale of Mariano’s Fresh Markets and Jewel-Osco stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, city officials in Crystal Lake shed some light this past week on what may happen to the Mariano’s on Route 14.
Thirty-five Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s stores in Illinois, including the Crystal Lake Mariano’s, will be divested as part of a merger between parent companies, Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. The companies announced their $24.6 billion merger in October 2022 and both agreed to sell stores and other facilities to C&S Wholesale Grocers.
The New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers, whose subsidiaries include Piggly Wiggly, will purchase the stores as part of the merger agreement.
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Carywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Carywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
City officials are aware of the sale of various Mariano’s, including the Crystal Lake location.
“We are aware of the sale of various Mariano’s, including the Crystal Lake location to C&S. Our understanding is the branding is also being sold and the stores will remain as Mariano’s,” said Heather Maieritsch, economic development manager for the city of Crystal Lake.
Mayor Haig Haleblian said he has not heard much from residents regarding the merger.
Mariano’s employees were notified of the deal Tuesday in a memo that said they’ll become employees of C&S Wholesale Grocers once the merger is complete, according to a report from Crain’s Chicago Business.
In 2022, the Crystal Lake Mariano’s was sold to a New York family for $35.5 million. The sale came four years after the store opened along Northwest Highway. The shuttered Sears store was demolished to make way for the 74,800-square-foot grocery store, which opens on May 1, 2018. .
Route 14 has seen several changes in grocery stores in recent years. The same year Mariano’s opened, Joseph’s Marketplace, which was beloved by Crystal Lake residents for 13 years, decided to close its doors.
After several years sitting vacant on Route 14, a new polish grocer, KD Market, is slated to move into the shuttered Joseph’s this summer. Also, in recent weeks, La Rosita Fresh Market opened in the same strip mall as Savers, Heather Maieritsch, economic development manager for the city of Crystal Lake, told Patch.
The grocery store, located at 230 W. Virginia Street, specializes in fine meats, produce and Mexican food.
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