BUTERA BEGINS REMODELS, PLANS NEW STORES

CHRISTINA VEIDERS

ELGIN, Ill. -- Butera Finer Foods here will invest $2 million in remodeling its four remaining stores located on the outskirts of Chicago in Harwood Heights, Norridge, Des Plaines and Elgin. The independent also plans to build two new stores following the remodels, said Paul Butera, founder.

This follows an unsuccessful move by Butera to get out of the food business by selling his eight stores. However, when the prospective buyer could only come up with the financing for four stores, Butera, who at one time owned 28 units, decided to keep four stores and build up the business again.

Butera's two 36-year-old twin sons -- Joseph and Paul Jr. -- will run the business as president and vice president, respectively.

Plans are to build two new 40,000-square-foot stores on company-owned property. Butera declined to give the locations.

The remodelings of the four stores that range from 35,000 to 44,000 square feet should be completed by September, he said.

Butera told SN that he has been competing with everyone in the Chicago market since 1963. He specializes in produce -- about 5,000 square feet are devoted to the department and deli. In deli, Butera selects items based upon the various ethnic groups that make up his neighborhood markets.