Chicago Save A Lot store opening delayed

The opening of a Save A Lot grocery store in the West Pullman neighborhood of Chicago is being pushed back to early June, according to an article on news website blockclubchicago.org. 

The store at 10700 S. Halsted St., owned by Cleveland, Ohio-based grocer Yellow Banana, closed in February for renovations and was scheduled to reopen on May 1. 

Local Ald. Ronnie Mosley said Yellow Banana officials met with community members on March 2 to discuss the delayed opening. 

Yellow Banana is set to receive $13.5 million in tax-increment financing from the city, along with $13 million in tax credits, to renovate six locations across the South and West sides of Chicago, and reopen one that had closed in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood that closed in 2020.

Under the agreement with the city, Save A Lot must keep its doors open at the locations for at least 10 years, or the city will reclaim the funds.  

The company has faced scrutiny over health code violations at some of its Chicago locations. The company was protested in 2023 by residents of the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago when the grocer took the place of a shuttered Whole Foods Market.