Michael's, Tampico Take 101,000 SF for Stores

Independent grocers such as these two companies are very successful in the retail market, says Jeff Howard with Inland. "They are more flexible and nimble than the larger chains, they operate and buy locally and know what communities want and need," he tells GlobeSt.com. "They do a better job of servicing the customer, and put a larger emphasis on produce. For example, whenever an independent takes over a chain-store location, they make the produce section four times larger."

He says that the large chains such as Aldi and Jewel of course have an enormous presence, but that they have a generic product line. At the opposite end is a company like Trader Joe's, which has a unique and interesting product line, but at a price point that is high for the general public. "For every market, 'x' dollars goes to groceries, and you can count heads and see where the money goes. Independents can do a better job of reaching local customers, though I see larger retail is making a comeback," he says.

The Country Club Hills location at the Coopers Grove retail center was leased previously by Eagle Grocer. However, the site was vacant for 10 years until Michael's agreed to the lease, Howard says. Tucker Real Estate Inc. represented Michael's.

Tampico is leasing the Oliver Square retail center in West Chicago. The other Tampico store is locating at a former Dominick's, which had a covenant against another grocer at the Oliver Square center in West Chicago. "We worked hard to reach an equitable solution. We were five miles from another Dominick's, Tampico is not going to put them out of business. We agreed to keep that a small, 40,000-square-foot store," he says.