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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Shots Around the Sloop: Digging at Trader Joe's

On March 21st, an anonymous commenter posted something no one in the neighborhood wants hear:
Sorry to possibly start a new rumor mill on this one, BUT I was at the River North Trader Joe's yesterday and was told that the S. Loop location was on hold indefinitely. Has Sloopin or anyone else heard the same from any reliable sources? Thanks!

We haven't heard that and hope it's not true. Regardless, we are pretty skeptical as the underground parking lot dig is in full swing and progressing quickly. Here are some shots we took on Monday:

16 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Digging a parking garage is just not going to happen. The cost is going to be extremely high to create the miniscule amount of spaces they would be able to have on this small footprint. I overheard at the Niver North TJ's that the dig wasn't going to happen and everything is on hold until a solution is found.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    I'm confused as to why you say the dig isn't going to happen.

    It already has started...look at the pictures

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  3. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    anonymous at 10:59... Not going to happen? The pictures show that it is going to happen so I am not sure what you are confused about. This isnt Domnicks/Jewel running the show this is a real company!

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  4. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    When I asked at the River North location, they said the open date had been pushed back to Fall 2012 because of the underground parking lot project, but that's about a month old.

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  5. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Honestly, I just walked back from school, and they're digging as I speak...

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  6. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    I really wish TJ would explain why they are building an underground garage to begin with, why not build up?! Like a mini lot like Target has.

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  7. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Go Trader Joe's! Go! Work around the clock to get it done! :)

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  8. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    It's probably going under the Sam's building as well as the lot, but that's just a guess.

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  9. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    I think it's pretty silly to put an entire store on hold just for parking. The store space itself is ready. People will figure out where to park. The Lincoln location has crap for parking, and they place is a mad house...but no one dug underground there. And the Parking at Ontario isn't great. You have to drive up a 90 Degree angle, and there are only like 20 spaces. My point is, they will still be PACKED with people in the hood walking, or taking the train. That is what most people do now at the Ontario Location.

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  10. SouthLoopScotMarch 30, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    I suspect your overheard conversation seems to be lacking in fact. I just walked by there, and they are obviously digging down to a level lower than the pictures that are shown here. Explain to me why TJ's and the construction company would continue the project if it were too expensive?

    No offense, but any company that has customer service employees will experience idle chat and rumors about growth, etc., that usually isn't grounded in reality. Only the corporate higher ups really know what is what.

    Front line employees are almost always the last to know what is going on with their company.

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  11. Dennis McClendonMarch 30, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    Given the high water table, I think only one level will be underground. The other level or two will be above ground.

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  12. JasonMarch 30, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    There is a basement level to the old Sam's building so I cannot see how they could extend underground parking under the actual building. It would have to be REALLY deep.

    My guess would be 1 level below grade, 1 on the surface, and maybe 1 above grade.

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  13. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    I live right next to this location and I can hear them working all day long from my condo unit. I read the city permit that says it is a parking lot going in with office space also, but they were out there today (it was loud) We can take the noise as long as we get a trader joe's!!!!

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  14. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    I agree with Dennis. They are currently at a depth for one level underground.
    The sheetpiling is nearly in place around the perimeter.
    I asked a construction worker at the gate (he was holding a radio, so he must be in the know, right :-)if they're planning one level down and one level up...and he said "yep".

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  15. RichMarch 31, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    The majority of Trader Joe's stores have very limited parking - as long as they are near good public transport, they know that they will get a lot of business, and good for them for squeezing as many parking spaces as possible out of that small area.

    So is it open yet? How about now? ...... Now? Siiiiigh.

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  16. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    I was just at the Trader Joes in LaGrange, and asked them if they knew about any delays, since I witnessed the dig this morning that looks very promising... They told me, one of their Managers is coming to this store, and tomorrow is the last day for her at La Grange, and she will be starting on shelving and doing interior build out while they continue on parking lot, and store should be open in 2-3 months... which I find optimistic but hopeful!!! JG

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