Trader Joe’s coming to Uptown, records hint

Popular grocer Trader Joe’s could soon be opening its next Chicago location in Uptown, according to city records.

Trader Joe’s applied for a packaged goods liquor license at 804 W. Montrose Ave., where vegan food hall XMarket used to operate until it closed in November 2024. City records show the grocer paid for the liquor license Oct. 30.

A spokesperson for Trader Joe’s wouldn’t confirm the Uptown location is opening but said in a statement, “We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country, including a few in Chicago, as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year.”

Rumors have swirled about Trader Joe’s opening an Uptown location since late summer.

Block Club Chicago reported in August that the grocer applied for a packaged goods liquor license for the store.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection told the Sun-Times the specialty grocer had only requested a preliminary inspection to check for distance restrictions. “The establishment has not filed a full liquor license application,” the spokesperson had said in a statement.

Trader Joe’s has six locations in Chicago and one in Evanston. A seventh store was expected to open in Jefferson Park, though Nadig Newspapers reported in August it was no longer opening at the former CVS Pharmacy site.

On Tuesday, a Trader Joe’s spokesperson said in a statement, “We are actively looking for a great location in Jefferson Park.”

Trader Joe’s also has stores in the Chicago suburbs, including Arlington Heights, Oak Park and Park Ridge.

This story has been updated to correctly reflect Trader Joe’s plans in Jefferson Park.

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