Amazon To Open No-Checkout Store In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — Amazon officials might still be mulling over whether to build its HQ2 campus in Chicago, but it appears one of the online retail giant's cashierless stores is heading to the city. An Amazon Go location could be opening in the Loop soon, although exactly when that will happen is still a mystery.

An Amazon representative told the Seattle Times that plans were in the works for a no-checkout, bricks-and-mortar store in Chicago, but the spokesperson didn't say when that location would open. A listing for a Chicago Amazon Go store manager position, as well as other openings, has been posted on the company's website.

In February, a building permit was filed for a 625-square-foot retail space at 203 N. LaSalle St., across from the Thompson Center, real estate website Curbed reported earlier this year. If that space is a future Amazon Go site, it will be smaller than the company's 1,800-square-foot Seattle location, which is currently Amazon's only cashierless store.

"Amazon Go is a new kind of store with no checkout required," a description in the store manager listing states. "We created the world’s most advanced shopping technology so you never have to wait in line. With our Just Walk Out Shopping experience, simply use the Amazon Go app to enter the store, take the products you want, and go! No lines, no checkout."

More Patch Amazon HQ2 Coverage:

• Amazon HQ2 Protesters In Chicago Don't Like City 'Hunger Games'
• Emanuel Releases Chicago's Shatner-Narrated Amazon Bid Video
• Amazon HQ2 Search Committee To Tour Chicago
• Chicago, Amazon Talk About 2nd Headquarters In City
• Chicago Submits Amazon HQ2 Bid
• Chicago Lands On Amazon's List For 2nd HQ2

The store experience works by using sensors and cameras to track what customers buy before charging their accounts for the purchases. Amazon opened its Seattle store in January, and the company said it had plans to open six more this year, although it didn't specify the cities.

If an Amazon Go location opens in Chicago, it wouldn't be the retailer's first physical store in the city. Amazon opened a book store in 2016 in the Lake View neighborhood. The company also has a downtown office with 200 employees that was recently doubled in size.

In January, Chicago made it on Amazon's list of potential cities to be the site of the Seattle-based retailer's second headquarters. The city joined New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver and others as possible candidates for the $5 billion venture that could create 50,000 jobs.

An Amazon search committee visited the city in March as part the company's tour of potential candidates. During the visit, Chicago leaders generated a William Shatner-voiced video to woo Amazon officials, particularly Bezos, an admitted "Star Trek" fan.

Seattle's original cashierless Amazon Go store. (Photo by Neal McNamara | Patch editor)