The anticipated Dominicks going out of business sales are here and the inventory is flying off the shelves. Its like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Endless lines of people waiting to check out and huge sections of missing products. Everybody is buzzing about what they were able to get and what they missed out on.
I know it was darn near a fight for the salmon, but I managed to be right there as a box was being opened. As I walked down the snack aisle I wondered if they ever had potato chips at all. I specifically went for frozen fish and alkaline water, and when I entered the store I went straight to the health food section. I knew I could expect to find certain things virtually untouched, and I was correct. The vegan section was paradise although I was surprised to see the yogurt and my favorite protein drink gone.
Anyway, the sale is still going on but If you haven’t gone you better get there soon. I highly suggest you get up early about 7 am and make it an all day outing. Try to go to multiple stores because each neighborhood shops differently. One store might be fully packed with vegan food and pet food while other stores in the suburban areas will be completely out of those products. I was surprised to see so much pet food still on the shelves. 
I was not surprised to see the pizza gone; all except my brand Kashi. I’m not complaining that’s more Kashi for me. The aisle for peanut butter, almond butter, and hazelnut spread was also virtually untouched. Honestly, I found that a bit disturbing. Peanut butter is something the kids can grab and eat whenever they are hungry and it should be readily available where ever there are children. Peanut is a staple food that provides the much needed protein as a healthy fulfilling snack.
Dominick’s maybe closing but there is an upside to this. From the looks of those lines it’s going to be a very Merry Christmas for a lot of families all thanks to Dominick’s going out of business. The picture below is a small section for Gluten free products including some yummy cookies that resemble Oreo’s. It’s a shame some people just don’t know how to recognize good for you food.
Eating Right Gluten Free Products
While I was standing in line I talked to a few people who said that they never shopped at Dominicks because the prices were too high. I, myself, usually only bought produce from Dominicks because they have the best produce in my neighborhood. Which leads me to the conclusion that it’s only sensible for a chain with lower prices to take over the store. The store is much too big for AlDI’s so they are not to be considered and Mariano’s isn’t going to come to the crime ridden South Shore neighborhood. They can’t handle it.
So, who’s coming ? Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Food 4 Less or Ultra.
Oddly, the fresh produce, fresh meat and bread were not 50% off on Friday the 13th. I was told that they will continue to reduce the prices over the coming days. Next Friday is supposed to be the start of the 75% off sale. With the way people arrived at the store Friday I don’t see how they will have enough product to stay open until next Friday.
At one point the store was so crowded they stopped letting people in and did not open the doors and allow more customers in until 4:00pm.That was about an hour wait for some folks. Some people were all gathered together waiting to enter the store through the revolving doors while others waited in their cars. Still some people decided to leave and come back later rather than stand and wait in the cold. It was entirely too cold to stand outside a store waiting. I was pretty surprised that they decided to stop letting people in.
While I was making my way through the store nobody seemed to know who was going to take over the store. I did not give up finding out though and according to my source the store at 71st and Jeffery may be taken over by food 4 less. That’s according to my source I however, have my own opinion based on a review of the locations for food 4 less and it’s competitor Ultra Foods.
Locations for Food 4 Less
Locations for Ultra Foods
Trader Joes ?
I seriously doubt that you can expect to see Trader Joes or Whole foods take over this huge space. Although, it would be nice to have a Trader Joes on the south side; I don’t think South Shore is the community for it. Now, Hyde Park would welcome Trader Joes with loving and open arms. While these two stores are quality stores in this community bargain stores do best.
So, a Kroger owned store such as food 4 less would do pretty well. I was told that Ultra prices beat out Food 4 Less and gives the most value for your buck. I’ve only shopped at both of these stores once so I can’t really say. I do know that Kroger has great deals and is an ideal store for those who clip coupons. Youtube is full of videos showing how these coupon queens clip coupons not only to save a few bucks but also to earn a living. Illinois residents could certainly benefit from more Kroger owned stores that allow you to get in on the coupon action.
Right now, it seems to be a toss up between Food 4 for Less and Ultra. We will see if my source is correct or if my prediction is correct. The worst thing that could happen is that the location remains empty for months. Not long ago the Ace Hardware store next door to Dominick’s closed and the Foot Locker too. The neighborhood is going through a change with an abundance of cheap dollar stores popping up seemingly over night. That Isn’t representative of a thriving middle class community with mansions, condos and beach front properties. South Shore is changing, and one can only hope for the best even though this does not look good.
While I was making my rounds through the store I saw shopping carts with stacks of frozen chitterlings. The Smart One’s and Healthy Choice sat in the freezer waiting. I honestly doubt though that these highly preserved, pre-packaged foods are any healthier than chitterlings. The freezer directly across from the Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones where the ice cream was kept the Haagen Diaz took a really big hit. It was nearly cleared out. The other ice cream brands, apparently less favorable than Haagen Diaz was practically fully stocked. Ben and Jerrys however cleared out faster than Haagen Diaz.
Just a survey of the store after the first big sale says a lot about the way people in this community shop, eat and live. For me, seeing this was also a cultural learning experience. I did manage to end up in line between two weight watchers participants, one who had lost 81 pounds and the other who was also a 15 year vegan. She was snacking on dehydrated fruit and granola which was also practically untouched over next to the alkaline water.
Smart Ones and Healthy Choice
A google search landed me on this blog where the blogger who is a resident of the South Shore community gives another perspective on the closing of Dominick’s in the South Shore community.
