Roundy's to expand in Chicago

Milwaukee Grocery retailer Roundy's said it has plans to open between 12 and 18 stores in the Chicago area over the next five years under the Mariano's Fresh Market banner, according to a report by Supermarket News.

Bob Mariano, chairman, president and CEO of Roundy’s, said the first store in the expansion plan opened Tuesday in Arlington Heights, Ill., an upper-middle-income area north of the city.

Future stores are scheduled to open in a two-story structure in downtown Chicago next summer; the south side of Chicago in late 2011 or early 2012; Vernon Hills at the end of 2011; and the Lincoln Park area at a site on which the company is still negotiating, Mariano told Supermarket News.

Stores will range from 50,000 sq. ft. to 80,000 sq. ft. and, like the 68,000-sq.-ft. store that opened Tuesday, will emphasize perishables.