With Whole Foods coming to Northwest Indiana, will Mariano's also enter this region? (bankrupt, costs)

[richb]

Originally Posted by ta1064

Would Mariano's pose a competitive threat to Strack & Van Til?

I doubt it, at least in NW Indiana. Even if they enter NW Indiana they would likely only put in one or two stores. Stracks has two locations in Hammond alone. Mariano's would never put in as many stores as Strack already has.

Maybe more in Illinois as Strack's has been expanding into more lately. They been doing more Ultra's in Illinois though, and Ultra and Mariano's don't really compete against each other as much.

Mariano's seems better run then Dominick's was in the last decade, so growing into Illinois will be more competitive.

I think Jewel will be the "victim" in the long run.

[iidreamtheaterii]

Originally Posted by richb

I think Jewel will be the "victim" in the long run.

Jewel was already bought out by Cerberus last year. I can see it "trying" for a couple of years, and so far I haven't seen any decline locally at the Dyer Store.

Cerberus takes control of Jewel - Chicago Tribune

We'll see if they're back on track. I think it's the 3rd owner in 13 years.

[ta1064]

I noticed the Munster Jewel has been renovated and updated, but not sure if old or new owner did that.

[ta1064]

Originally Posted by richb

I doubt it, at least in NW Indiana. Even if they enter NW Indiana they would likely only put in one or two stores. Stracks has two locations in Hammond alone. Mariano's would never put in as many stores as Strack already has.

Maybe more in Illinois as Strack's has been expanding into more lately. They been doing more Ultra's in Illinois though, and Ultra and Mariano's don't really compete against each other as much.

Mariano's seems better run then Dominick's was in the last decade, so growing into Illinois will be more competitive.

I think Jewel will be the "victim" in the long run.

I could see Mariano's putting stores in Schererville and Merrillville/Hobart (the latter along the U.S. 30 corridor).

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by ta1064

I noticed the Munster Jewel has been renovated and updated, but not sure if old or new owner did that.

It has been renovated for a few years now, I believe. I think the facade could use a little freshening up though.

[tvida42]

The Munster Jewel is still a nightmare place to shop, with crappy produce and high prices. Stracks down the street on Ridge isn't any better. Most people I know in Munster head down to Meijer. Should Jewel (as I hope, although I'd hate for those people to lose their jobs) close, I think there's a niche on Ridge for an upscale grocer like Mariano's or Fresh Market to come in.

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by tvida42

The Munster Jewel is still a nightmare place to shop, with crappy produce and high prices. Stracks down the street on Ridge isn't any better. Most people I know in Munster head down to Meijer. Should Jewel (as I hope, although I'd hate for those people to lose their jobs) close, I think there's a niche on Ridge for an upscale grocer like Mariano's or Fresh Market to come in.

If it closed, it would be perfect for a Whole Foods too! At the same time, I believe that if Jewel were to begin closing locations, Munster would be one of the last ones to close (or Dyer)...First to close would probably be Crown Point.

[drss01]

Originally Posted by midwest1

They already have a store in Tinley Park and just purchased one in Shorewood, near Joliet. Not sure why they wouldn't eventually enter the NWI market.

It's actually near downtown frankfort which is more upscale then Tinley

[CCrest182]

Originally Posted by ta1064

Looking forward to Whole Foods opening in Schererville in 2014. Mariano's (Mariano's : Mariano's) has a similar brand and would also likely do well in Northwest Indiana. I've gone to the Mariano's in Frankfort, IL and totally enjoyed the shopping experience.

What do you think?

It's possible. Jewel opened up 1 (2?) NW indiana store(s), which is a Chicago based chain. I don't know why it would be insane to think marianos would do the same. Technically, Marianos is roundy's Chicago metropolitan area branch, and, some parts of NW indiana is considered the Chicago metropolitan area. But I'd only imagine it opening in Dyer or Munster. With the exception of a store opening via tax dollars in a rough Chicago neighborhood, marianos are mainly found in affluent suburbs or areas, so if it ever does go there, I wouldn't bet on seeing it in Hammond, Gary, or east Chicago .

[richb]

I think Mariano's will be taking the next couple of years integrating all those bankrupt Dominick's it picked up in Illinois to even bother with NW Indiana. Had Dominick's still had a store here maybe, but since there wasn't, they have enough on their plate.

Maybe a few years down the road.