No Piggly Wiggly Coming To Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Nothing is changing with the Mariano's grocery store in Western Springs, despite an ownership change, a representative of the new company said this week.

Mariano's stores in Illinois, now owned by Kroger, are mostly being sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers, which runs several chains, including Piggly Wiggly. The divestiture is part of the planned nationwide merger between Kroger and Albertsons, which owns chains such as Jewel.

This week, the Western Springs Village Board got to ask about the local ownership change because C&S, as the new owner, must get liquor licenses because they don't automatically transfer.

The closing date for Mariano's stores is Oct. 1, said attorney Kevin Gerow, who is representing C&S.

Asked when the store would become Piggly Wiggly, Gerow said it would remain Mariano's.

"They recognize that in the Chicagoland area, the Mariano's brand still has a lot of weight and goodwill," Gerow said. "They don't want to operate under Piggly Wiggly's name here."

He said the local store would keep the same general manager, employees and products.

"It's just a change of ownership," he said.

The village's lawyer, Michael Jurusik, said the company was seeking the same class of licenses as the current owners.

"It's a seamless transition," Jurusik said. "The goal for them is not to turn the lights off. When the new folks come in, it will be to step in the shoes of the old operator and move forward."

The Village Board is expected to vote on the liquor licenses at its Sept. 23 meeting.