Bridgeport Jewel closes its doors
By April Galarza 

The Jewel-Osco grocery store at 3033 S. Halsted St. has served patrons from the surrounding Bridgeport neighborhood since 1967. A sign posted on the door two weeks ago, however, announced its closure effective at 3 p.m. on Sept. 6.

            The Halsted Street Jewel is one of the few remaining stores with original 1960s architecture, and a Jewel has occupied the neighborhood for more than 50 years. This location ranked as Bridgeport’s big chain supermarket, and its closure means patrons must shop elsewhere and will force many to leave the neighborhood altogether.

Kathryn Totaro, a longtime Jewel shopper, felt confused and frustrated by the closure. "This Jewel store serves the neighborhood, Illinois Institute of Technology students, Pilsen, Canaryville, and people from Englewood," she said. "No, we are not the South Loop or the North Side, but we still buy groceries. What is the problem?"

Residents such as Totaro feel betrayed by Jewel's apparent abandonment of their neighborhood. Totaro mentioned that, in her experience, the store always bustled with activity.

Jewel employees pressed for answers are suggesting patrons shop at the Jewel at Ashland Avenue and Roosevelt Road. For many of the neighborhood's non-driving senior citizens, though, this may pose more than a mere inconvenience. They have depended on this Jewel because it is within walking distance of their houses.

"We are accustomed to the convenience of stopping by the Jewel on our way home from work," Totaro said. "After the Jewel closes we will have to go two neighborhoods over to do our shopping…making an extra trip out of our way." 

The closure may present an even larger obstacle than anticipated. Mari Gallagher of Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group called the neighborhoods of Armour Square and the Bridgeport area of the Near South Side a "food desert." According to her, "any area with few or distant mainstream grocery stores" qualifies for this definition.

In a prepared statement, Jewel-Osco spokesperson Miguel Alba said, "The decision to close the 35-year-old store at 3033 S. Halsted was difficult but is guided by what is best for the company's ongoing success and future growth. The store's 110 employees—17 full time and 93 part time—will be offered transfers to other stores."

On July 24, Jewel-Osco's owner, grocery retailer and distributor Supervalu, announced the planned closing of 15 more stores throughout the nationwide chain.

Three other Jewel-Osco stores local shoppers can consider patronizing are at 3644 S. Archer Ave., 5320 S. Pulaski Rd., and 1220 S. Ashland Ave. Two Dominick's grocery stores can be found at 3145 S. Ashland Ave. and 1340 S. Canal St.

Those who wish to shop at close-by independents instead of chains may consider Uncle Johnny's Grocery at 500 W. 32nd St., Lupita's Grocery Store at 2000 W. 23rd St., and Diaz's Grocery Store at 2400 S. Homan Ave.