Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Alderman Will Burns, Alderman Pat Dowell and Bob Mariano, chairman and CEO of Roundy’s, Inc., a leading grocer in the Midwest, today broke ground on the newest Mariano’s grocery store, at the intersection of 39th Street and King Drive in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Development of the new store, the first Mariano’s to break ground on the south side, will create over 200 construction-related jobs and 400 permanent jobs and increase the availability of fresh and healthy foods for residents when it opens in 2016.

“This new store will create 400 new jobs and provide an economic opportunity for Bronzeville and as importantly, it will also provide the opportunity that every family deserves to get healthy food in their own neighborhood,” said Mayor Emanuel.

To ensure the new 74,000-square-foot facility aligns with the architectural feel of the Bronzeville neighborhood, Mariano’s is working with Phil Johnson of Johnson & Lee Architects, a Bronzeville resident who also designed the Ping Tom Memorial Park boathouse that opened in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood in June 2013.

"At Mariano’s, we make it our business to take care of people—that’s why we’re joining the Bronzeville community and are honored to be part of its revitalization efforts,” said Bob Mariano. “I look forward to bringing the people of Bronzeville the same signature Mariano’s experience that Chicagoland has come to know and love, including our fresh and affordable local produce, in-store dining offerings like Vero coffee and gelato bar and our world-class customer service.”

The new Mariano’s store is utilizing land that sat vacant for several years, providing high-quality and affordable food options that will complement the Chicago Housing Authority’s mixed-income development. Development of Mariano’s Bronzeville is a joint venture between John Bonds from Safeway Construction and Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, a community development origination that aims to strengthen Chicago-area low to moderate-income neighborhoods.

"I'm very excited that the Bronzeville Mariano's is moving forward," said Alderman William D. Burns, 4^th Ward. "The project will create a great grocery store, and hundreds of construction and permanent jobs. This is the kind of development that we have wanted in Bronzeville for a long time."

Mariano’s is also working with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to place Mariano’s team members at various locations across its Chicago and suburban Cook County locations. Additionally, Mariano’s will continue its successful process of hosting career fairs in advance of the Bronzeville store’s opening, welcoming both experienced and entry-level local candidates to meet one-on-one with recruiters and learn about opportunities to join the Mariano’s team.

“I know I share the sentiments of all Bronzeville residents when I say how ready we are for this Mariano’s to break ground,” said Alderman Pat Dowell, 3rd Ward. “This community is thrilled to have a grocery store nearby that we can depend on for fresh and affordable food items—and to be a great community partner.”

Over the past four years, Mariano’s has created thousands of jobs in the City of Chicago. As of today, Mariano’s has opened 29 stores in the Chicagoland area with 10 locations in Chicago, including Ravenswood, Edgewater, Bridgeport, Bucktown, Jefferson Park, Lakeshore East, Roscoe Village, Ukrainian Village and the South and West Loop. To find the nearest location to you please visit www.marianos.com/storelocator.

In the last year and a half, greater Bronzeville has experienced $1.52 billion in planned and completed public and private investments, creating 2,700 permanent jobs and 12,000 construction jobs. Bronzeville’s resurgence can also be seen it its influx of new residents, a 4.5 percent increase in residents since 2010.

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About Roundy’s
Roundy’s is a leading grocer in the Midwest with nearly $4.0 billion in sales and more than 22,000 employees. Founded in Milwaukee in 1872, Roundy’s operates 148 retail grocery stores and 97 pharmacies under the Pick ’n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano’s retail banners in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Roundy’s is committed to helping the communities its stores serve through the Roundy’s Foundation. Chartered in 2003, the Roundy’s Foundation mission is to support organizations working to relieve hunger and helping families in crisis due to domestic abuse, neglect and other at-risk situations.