Treasure Island Foods recently opened its seventh store and among its 100 minority vendors 14 are Chicago area companies. A complete list of minority vendors was not available at press time but Reggio’s Pizza, Uncle Ben’s Rice and Glory Greens are among t
Treasure Island has about 300 vendors in total, according to Maria Kamberous, executive vice president of Treasure Island Foods. The new, 56,000 square foot grocery store at 55th Street and Lake Park Avenue consists of 36,000 square feet upstairs and 20,000 square feet in the basement.
A credit union and post office occupy the basement level and soon a liquor store will join them as tenants. Treasure Island replaces the 75- year-old Hyde Park Co-Op that closed in January. Prior to Treasure Island opening, local residents voiced concerns about whether the store planned to rehire former Co- Op employees and if it would use the same Black vendors the Co-Op used.
“I have been shopping at the Co- Op for 23 years and got to know the employees very well,” said Arthur Brown, 62, a Hyde Park resident. “We addressed each other by our first names. That’s how close us shoppers were to the staff and management at Co-Op.” “The number one thing customers keep telling us is that they are relieved to see someone they know,” Bernnetta Clark said.
“Basically, not too much has changed although the store manager is no longer Black.” Clark previously worked at the Co- Op for 20 years. Clark is one of 65 former Co-Op employees hired by Treasure Island even though 85 applied, said Kamberos, who owns the grocery chain with her husband Christ.
Every Monday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., any vendor can make a presentation to management in hopes of getting their products in the store’s lineup. Kamberos said she hopes this day will encourage more minority vendors to pitch their products. “At no time were we not going to use Black vendors as rumored within the community,” Kamberos added.
But Treasure Island wasn’t the only grocery store bidding for a Hyde Park location. Dominick’s also made a proposal to the University of Chicago. Officials at the University of Chicago said they are pleased with their selection of Treasure Island.
“I am confident that Treasure Island will be a tremendous asset to our extended community,” said Jo Reizner, assistant vice president for real estate operations at the University of Chicago. Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, whose 4th Ward includes Hyde Park, declined comment but did confirm she spoke to the university about possible tenants for the Co-Op location.
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