Protests, delays and outright controversy were unwelcome side effects of Yellow Banana’s attempt to open a handful of Save A Lots in the city of Chicago.
It appears that these relationships are on the verge of being severed, as six more sites are scheduled to begin production in the coming months.
A Garfield Park store at 420 S. Pulaski has set its grand reopening date for Sept. 5. Barring further project delays, October opening dates are planned for the 10700 S. Halsted, 7240 S. Stony Island and 2858 E. 83 locations.rd Street, and shops at 4439 W. 63rd Street and 7908 S. Halsted could reopen in November. Many of the stores are located in food deserts.
Yellow Banana has worked on a comprehensive internal and external refurbishment at each site, including new floors, Lighting, appliances, heating and ventilation, dairy and meat counters, interior and exterior paint, decor, fittings and signage.
However, delays quickly occurred.
Yellow Banana initially intended to renovate the Auburn Gresham site (7908 S. Halsted), but an unexpected subsurface condition that required additional geotechnical work and other investigations resulted in months of additional remediation work. According to official information, the floors will be ready in January 2024, but the store will remain closed.
Neighbourhood problems also stood in the way. Yellow Banana was preparing to open a store in Englewood in January 2023, but faced protests angered by Whole Foods vacating the location.
The opening of Save A Lot on West 63rd and Halsted was then put on hold for months while Yellow Banana, including CEO Joe Canfield, attempted to work with residents and community leaders. A town hall meeting was held on May 3, 2023 to address the concerns.
