What I would really love to see in the Osco spot is a produce market or other (nice) little specialty grocery. We have lost so many grocery spots but the drugstores seem to reproduce quickly.

Ann,

The Trader Joe's that opened in Manhattan in January is 15,000 square feet. By coincidence, the Osco building, unless it grew or shrank after the initial plans is c. 15,000 square feet. They would probably have to be able to sell wine and beer.

Edited by author 06-25-2006 09:36 PM
Charles, I am on top of it. However, Trader Joe's regularly rejects Evanston locations. Perhaps CVS can push the space.

There is a license for stores of 15000 sq ft. We passed it for This location.

Ann,

Any idea why Trader Joe's rejects Evanston locations?
I am sure they would get a TON of business in Evanston. The other ones are too far from here to be convenient.

Jill Birschbach
125 Clyde Ave.

btw- would you happen to have any info on the condition of the woman who drove into the retaining wall on the end of Brummel St. by lot 18?

On Jun 25, 2006, at 6:52 PM, QT - Ann Rainey wrote:

< replied-to message removed by QT >

Condition is very very serious.

I have been told by Trader Joe's cashiers for several years that the company is looking into Evanston locations. Maybe this is just the one.

As I understand it, Trader Joe's/Aldi's (did you know they are the same owner?) wants low rent of a certain size place in upper middle class areas. I believe the Wild Oats location was too large for them, and the Main/McCormick location not upscale enough. They will not locate at the prices that must be being paid in Sherman Plaza or Church Street.

This could be perfect since it is a destination store, unless they require other stores around them. I don't see what CB2 does for them on Lincoln Avenue.

Dear Ann,

I am heartbroken at the thought of losing the OSCO. We shop at this store nearly every day. I know that I spend hundreds of dollars there a month on everything under the sun. That's where we purchased all our mulch this year and brought it over to the yard in the wagon, three bags at a time. To lose this retail outlet will be a severe hardship to this neighborhood, not just our family, but to all the older neighbors, who I see wheeling their carts to the store. To be able to walk across the street to get our prescriptions, what a blessing.

CVS will not get one dime of our drugstore budget. I don't like their stores, they don't have enough product and seem to just be a place to pick up a soda or a candy bar. Osco was so full service. This is a real blow to our family, and the next time CVS stops by the City Council asking for special treatment, I hope we all remember that what we have lost via the Osco downtown and here has not equalled to what we have gained CVS-wise.

By the way, anyone can get a perscription filled at the little pharmacy in St. Francis. The hours are not great, but the service is very nice.

I would be the first person cheering if Trader Joes came in, and the Asbury street location, along with the recent prices for real estate sales might make a difference, although they like to be part of a shopping center, not stand alone. But, that would not replace the great greeting card section, pharmacy, small toys, housewares, kitchen items, and leaf bags.

Ann, we so appreciate all the good work you did in bringing the OSCO to this location, it was a wonderful service to the community. I hope this storefront isn't dark for long. I will now have to purchased every little thing from Peapod, sending all that money to Skokie.

very sad,
Candace

CVS Real Estate has agreed to make the Trader Joe contact.

The Osco location and surrounding demographics are not what Trader Joe would like. A smaller space downtown where they could compete with Whole Foods or Wild Oats is more their speed.

BTW Boos is correct, they are owned by the same holding company that owns Aldi -- which they don't like to be known.

Dear Candace Hill

Please try the cvs here on howard. the pharmacy people are cheerfull and helpful. i have been to walgreens they are the pits. they messed up my prescriptions on every occassion then called the wrong doctor for the prescrition that was had no refill on it. then explained to them what they did wrong they said not their fault. go figure it or when they ran out of it they did not even suggest the another walgreens in the area. took the prescpition label over to cvs and they filled it. no problem with them since in now almost two years. Had mucho problems with my medicare d card but cvs kept calling the company handling it time after time without complaining and filled prescription until they heard from the company. at the medicare price. my mother commented her walgreens would not do this. so please give a try or try target on howard or jewel-osco on howard. so you do not have to send your money to skokie spend here in evanston.

Vito - give me a break - people drive to TJs. People of enormous means drive down asbury every day. They were offered just the space you describe downtown and refused it.

Ann,

If TJ opens there I'll buy you a case of two or three buck chuck.

The 17 yo girl who drove into the embankment has survived and is out of surgery.

A wonderful neighbor ran out of his apt and gave aid in an effort to rescue her.

Ann,

Thanks for having the courage to state that the Research Park was a huge mistake. So much for partnership with NU.

Perhaps they can make them shelters for the homeless -- or a hige aviary.

Edited by author 06-27-2006 11:41 AM
Vito mentioned turning research park buildings into an aviary. I grew up a block from what is now the NU president's home, when "Old Man" Wieboldt lived there. He'd sit outside in the driveway in an engineer's cap and uniform, smoking his pipe. He was very sweet. He had turned the garage area into a large "birdhouse" complete with exotic birds, peacocks, and fancy pigeons. He'd peacefully watch them all day (enjoying his retirement after founding his chain of stores). He ended up deeding the house to NU. So we could resurrect the old aviary concept at the research park, bringing everything around full circle. I volunteer to receive a large stipend from NU, paying me to sit outside the aviary in an engineer's outfit, smoking my pipes. ;-)