Residents Sound Off on What Should Replace Lake Zurich Dominick's

Safeway, the parent company of Dominick's, announced last week it will sell all 72 of its Chicago-area Dominick's stores, including the Dominick's store at 345 S. Rand Road in Lake Zurich. 

With news of Dominick's departure from Lake Zurich, local residents sounded off on Facebook and Patch last week on what they thought should replace Dominick's. Many suggested replacing it with a different type of grocery store such as a Meijer, Mariano's or a Woodman's Food.

A number of other commenters suggested a store that sold camping, fishing and sporting goods, such as a Bass Pro Shop or an Outdoor World while some thought a Portillo's, Hobby Lobby, roller rink or indoor water park would be a good fit for the location. 

Still others said attention should first be focused on filling the vacated Kmart building on Rand Road, which has been empty for over a decade.  

Around the Chicago area, competitor Jewel-Osco has already purchased four of the Dominick's stores: two in Chicago, one in Homer Glen and one in Glenview, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

Cincinnati-based Kroger Inc. is interested in at least 15 Dominick's locations for its Food 4 Less stores, Crain's reports.

Milwaukee-based Roundy's (owner of Chicago's Mariano's grocery stores) also has expressed interest in purchasing several Dominick's. Roundy's CEO Bob Mariano's roots are with Dominick's, having worked in every area of the company before becoming Dominick's president and CEO.

Competition from newer grocery stores popping up has created this market-share problem for Dominick's and other traditional grocery retailers, according to the Tribune article. 

Karen Chadra contributed to this article.