Continuing Walmart's quest to break into high-density urban markets, the big-box chain on Wednesday will open a smaller shop in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.
The 27,000-square-foot, grocery focused Neighborhood Market sits at the base of the Presidential Towers at Monroe and Jefferson streets and will offer fresh produce, dairy, meats, a deli, pharmacy, and health and beauty goods.
Larger than the Walmart Express that opened in July in the West Chatham neighborhood, it's the first Neighborhood Market in Illinois. The new location is smaller than the city's first Super Walmart, which broke ground this week in the Pullman neighborhood as part of a larger retail center.
Crews worked into the night stocking shelves and getting the West Loop store ready for its Wednesday morning unveiling with Ald. Robert Fioretti, Walmart's senior vice president and West Loop business leaders.
There are about 200 Neighborhood Markets across the country. Walmart hopes to open another market in Chicago within the next two years.
The company recently signed a lease to open a Walmart Express at 3636 N. Broadway in Wrigleyville.
