El Guero's Joliet Grocery Store Finally Opening, For Real

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El Guero's Joliet Grocery Store Finally Opening, For Real El Guero has been super slow to open its first Joliet grocery store, despite significant sales tax incentives from the city of Joliet.

JOLIET — One of the slowest redevelopment projects in Joliet over the past several years, the addition of the El Guero grocery store at the former Certified Foods Warehouse along East Jackson Street, is apparently on the verge of actually opening for business.

Although contractors have been all done with the extensive remodeling of the building since early summer, the El Guero at 118 East Jackson Street has remained empty for the past several months.

For years, east side residents implored their city of Joliet officials to bring another grocery store to their side of town after both Certified Foods went out of business in the spring of 2017. The Certified Foods on Richards Street was remodeled into a facility to treat people overcoming substance abuse addictions.

During an interview Thursday at City Hall, Joliet's new economic development director Paulina Martinez said it's her belief the new El Guero grocery store will be open for business during these next two weeks.

The city has not been notified of the actual first day of business, according to Martinez.

"I met with them last week, Priscilla Cordero and I," Martinez said, referring to the executive director of the Joliet City Center Partnership. "We've been in communications with them, and they are in the process of hiring 50 to 60 staff members."

Martinez said it's her understanding the long delay for El Guero's opening was caused because of the hiring process.

"Honestly, hiring can take time. They're almost there, which has been their biggest delay," Martinez said. "They are targeting to open by the end of this month. It will be a soft launch. They just want to get open and do a soft launch now."

Martinez believes that people on the city's east side will flock to the El Guero and use it regularly once it opens for business. It's been seven and a half years since the Certified Foods left.

"It's been empty for years," Martinez noted. "I think whatever El Guero has done in terms of the beautification and the inside improvements to the store, it's something that's sorely needed on that site, and it will be for one less eyesore for the east side.

"I think it will have a draw. It's near Collins Street. It will be an enhancement to that."

The city of Joliet sales tax incentives rebate agreement with El Guero does not provide the Chicago area grocery store company with any funds until the grocery store is open. The only incentives the city has done so far is waiving of the building permits for the construction, Martinez noted.

Joliet will mark the seventh grocery store for El Guero, according to Martinez. The company's closest location is the El Guero on Theodore Street, across from the old Crest Hill City Hall.

Martinez expects the Joliet El Guero will feature a bakery and butcher shop. El Guero's produce and food selections focus on the Central America population.

The city of Joliet has already approved a liquor license allowing El Guero to sell packaged liquor here.

"I think this is one of those projects to spur more development and investment in that area," Martinez said. "And kind of set the standards for beautification."