CTA to announce new grocery store for transformed Wilson Red Line station
The Wilson Red Line stop’s transformation from grungy to grand is about to be completed.
Next week, the Chicago Transit Authority is expected to announce that Chicago Market, “a communityowned grocery store,” will occupy the newly restored and historic Gerber Building that is part of the station, a source told the Chicago Sun- Times Tuesday.
The future of the 13,000- squarefoot Beaux- Arts building has been a hot issue in the Uptown neighborhood, with some residents concerned the CTA, which owns the space, might lease it to a fast- food chain restaurant.
Officials with the transit agency wouldn’t confirm the identity of the new tenant Tuesday.
“Until our board has the opportunity to review and consider the lease at the Wilson station, we’re unable to comment on a pending procurement,” said CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase. “The pending new tenant at the newly reconstructed Wilson station will be an exciting development for the Uptown community and CTA customers, and we look forward to announcing the project after our board has voted on the proposal.”
The Chicago Market name surfaced more than a year ago as a possible tenant. The organization, a locally based co- op, submitted a bid last June. The group is planning a “big, bright, beautiful communityowned grocery store featuring local, sustainably farmed, organic produce, meat and dairy products, as well as all of the other staples you’d expect from your market,” according to the organization’s website. The market also plans to sell wine and spirits.
A spokesman for Chicago Market had no immediate comment but promised more information soon.
The majestic Gerber Building rose at the corner of Wilson and Broadway during Uptown’s heyday in the 1920s. Through the years, the building fell into disrepair, but that all changed with the $ 203 million rebuild of the Wilson stop, which included installing elevators and restoring the terra cotta facing.