Despite hanging its new sign last week, there is no official opening date set for Pete’s Fresh Market’s second Oak Park location village government wrote in an email June 29.
The grocery store has still not received a Certificate of Occupancy from the village even though it was supposed to have one by Feb. 15. Pete’s has paid $137,280 in fines or lost opportunity costs to the village for failing to meet the project schedule. These fines are meant to reimburse the village for lost sales tax revenue, alcoholic liquor dealer tax revenue and lost increases in property taxes.
Until a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued, Pete’s will have to pay the village $45,760 monthly or a portion on a pro rata basis village officials stated previously.
The grocery story recently received electricity and dry goods have been stocked, however, tests on refrigeration still need to be completed and additional site work is needed. The continued delay in opening comes after Project Manager Eugene Grzynkowicz told the village board last June it was on pace to open months ago.
The new sign hung above the entrance follows the sign code variance approved by the Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals on May 6.
The store is located on the lot at 640-728 Madison St.