Logan Square residents will likely see a new Trader Joe’s grocery store open its doors in early 2027, according to Alderman Daniel La Spata. The alderman confirmed the retailer is moving forward with a lease from property owner James “Jimmy” Dremonas, who bought the former CVS building at 2053 N. Milwaukee Ave. in 2024 for $10.5 million.
Permits and Planning Progress
The city has already approved an ordinance allowing the commercial space to be subdivided into a strip‑center with two retail units. This amendment, passed in September, follows a 2024 city‑led plan that earmarked the building and several others along an 11‑mile stretch of Milwaukee Avenue for redevelopment.
Renovation permits for the exterior – including façade work, roof repairs, parking‑lot upgrades, new barrier curbs, a pedestrian connection to Milwaukee Avenue, and a dedicated truck‑delivery area – have been filed and are under review by multiple city agencies. An interior‑renovation permit has yet to be submitted, and no liquor or packaged‑goods licenses are on file.
Parking and Community Impact
Unlike many other Chicago Trader Joe’s locations, the Logan Square store will offer substantial parking. Marketing materials show more than 130 spaces, and Alderman La Spata joked that the site aims to become the city’s largest Trader Joe’s parking lot. Neighbors have long advocated for a grocery anchor in the neighborhood, and the new store is expected to provide convenient access to affordable, high‑quality food for families.
Real‑Estate Details
James Dremonas, owner of the Pete’s Fresh Market chain and Chicago‑based JD Commercial Real Estate Inc., is leasing the storefront to Trader Joe’s. Earlier rumors that Dremonas might open a Pete’s in the space proved unfounded. The property also includes an additional 12,000 sq ft of retail space that is being marketed to another tenant, according to a flyer from Axis Realty.
Previous attempts to repurpose the vacant building – including a 2021 deal with Farmer’s Best Market – fell through, leaving the site empty since 2017. The new lease represents the latest effort to revitalize the corner of Milwaukee Avenue.
Trader Joe’s Expansion in Chicago
The company confirmed that its Uptown location will open next year and that a North Park store is also in the pipeline. While the Logan Square site does not yet appear on Trader Joe’s website, the retailer typically adds new stores three to six months before opening. Hiring will commence once the store is listed publicly.
Community Reaction
Local residents have expressed excitement, noting that a Trader Joe’s would fill a long‑standing grocery gap in the neighborhood. The alderman reported hearing these requests constantly since taking office. A recent prank by street artist Derek Erdman, who placed a fake Erewhon sign on the building, sparked a brief stir but underscored the community’s eagerness for a new grocery anchor.
With permits moving forward and a clear timeline from city officials, the Logan Square Trader Joe’s appears on track to become a vibrant addition to the neighborhood’s retail landscape, offering both shopping convenience and ample parking for families.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
