UPDATE: The highly anticipated Richton Park Fresh Market is set for a soft opening this week, marking a critical development for the community as it seeks to address food access issues. Located at 3736 Sauk Trail, this new grocery store aims to fill a significant gap left by the closure of the previous Save-A-Lot store in 2024, which left residents grappling with limited access to fresh and affordable food.
Owner Sal Omer, who has a family legacy in grocery retail, emphasizes the importance of community engagement. Omer plans to treat the market like a family, encouraging customer feedback during the soft opening. “Customers will see me every day, you know, anything they want, they’ll ask me, and I’ll try to do everything they like,” he stated.
The market will span 15,000 square feet and aims to provide a variety of fresh produce, meats, and deli options, all at competitive prices. Omer is personally selecting produce to minimize costs and plans to have a butcher on-site for fresh meat preparation. He is also working on licensing a grill to cook meat on request, enhancing customer convenience without extra fees.
Municipal officials, including Brandon Boys, the Richton Park director of economic development, express excitement over the new offerings, particularly the butcher counter and full-service produce sections. “Residents seem most excited to see the offerings at the butcher counter,” Boys noted, highlighting the store’s potential to revitalize the food landscape in the area.
Located within walking distance of multiple neighborhoods and the Metra Electric station, the market is strategically positioned to serve the local community. The village has taken measures to support this initiative, including approving a Cook County Class 7D property tax incentive to facilitate its development. This program aims to combat food deserts by promoting grocery store establishments in underserved areas.
Despite the enthusiasm, Omer is starting with a limited number of employees and product offerings, ensuring a manageable launch. He has received over 100 job applications and has assembled a dedicated team to help run the store. While no new positions are currently available, there may be opportunities for expansion in the future.
As the area continues to face challenges with grocery store availability, the Richton Park Fresh Market’s opening is a beacon of hope for residents. With an emphasis on customer satisfaction and community engagement, Omer’s vision for the store could redefine food access in the region.
The soft opening is expected to take place within the next week, but Omer has not confirmed the date for the store’s full opening. As this story develops, residents are encouraged to visit the market and participate in shaping its offerings to better suit their needs.
