Uptown residents welcomed the long‑awaited arrival of Trader Joe’s on Monday morning. The grocery chain opened its doors at 9 a.m. at 804 W. Montrose Avenue, a location that sits at the base of an apartment tower and replaces a series of short‑lived tenants, most recently the vegan‑focused XMarket food hall that closed in 2024.
Community excitement after years of anticipation
Local shoppers have been clamoring for a Trader Joe’s for years, and the grand opening featured complimentary samples, giveaways, and a festive atmosphere that highlighted the store’s commitment to neighborhood convenience. The 10,000‑square‑foot space is the first new Trader Joe’s in Chicago since 2018, marking a significant retail milestone for the city’s Far North Side.
Background on the site and previous attempts
Trader Joe’s interest in the Montrose Avenue storefront first surfaced last year when the company filed a preliminary liquor‑license inspection request for the space. A build‑out permit was issued by the city in March, though the chain did not confirm its plans until later. The site has a history of turnover: after a long vacancy, it housed XMarket, which shuttered in 2024, and before that saw a succession of other businesses.
Earlier proposals to bring the grocer to other parts of the Far North Side fell through. In 2023, plans for a Clark Street location in Andersonville were abandoned. A 2020 petition from West Ridge residents and business officials sought a store at the former Baker’s Square site at Western and Touhy, but that property has since been redeveloped into a strip mall anchored by Starbucks. In 2015, Edgewater neighbors pushed for a location at 5600 N. Ridge Avenue, only to be declined; the space now hosts a School of Rock facility.
Future Trader Joe’s expansions in Chicago
Trader Joe’s is not stopping at Uptown. The chain announced a second upcoming store in the Lincoln Village Shopping Center at 6191 N. Lincoln Avenue in North Park, though the timeline for that opening remains unclear. Additional plans include a Logan Square location in a former CVS on Milwaukee Avenue and a future store in a planned 25‑story apartment tower at 170 N. May Street in Fulton Market.
What the new store offers
The Uptown store carries the full range of Trader Joe’s private‑label products, fresh produce, prepared foods, and specialty items that have made the chain a favorite among Chicago shoppers. Its size allows for a broader selection than many of the brand’s smaller urban locations, and the store’s layout includes a dedicated sample station that will continue to operate beyond the opening day.
City officials praised the development as a boost to the local economy, noting the creation of new jobs and the added convenience for residents who previously traveled to other neighborhoods for the chain’s offerings. The opening aligns with broader retail trends in Chicago, where grocery anchors are increasingly seen as essential components of mixed‑use developments.
Community response
Neighborhood leaders and longtime residents expressed relief and optimism. “We’ve been asking for a Trader Joe’s for years,” said a local community organizer. “Having it here means families can access affordable, high‑quality groceries without a long commute.”
With the store now open, the Uptown community can look forward to a new shopping destination that supports local families, offers a variety of food choices, and contributes to the neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
