Ohio-based Heinen’s is set to open its doors in Naperville at 10 a.m. Wednesday, making it the upscale grocery store chain’s fifth location in Illinois.
Heinen’s has taken the 1244 E. Chicago Ave. spot formerly held by Butera Market. The new location is about 46,000 square feet and includes wellness and floral departments, a specialty cheese shop and an in-house butcher, among other special features.
“The customer response has been unbelievably positive so we’re just thrilled to be here,” Jackie Shultz, director of marketing for Heinen’s, said. “We have beer on tap that you can enjoy while you shop … you can have a glass of wine or a glass of beer.”
This particular location also features a taqueria with made-to-order tacos, burritos, quesadillas and bowls. Only one other Heinen’s store, located in Ohio’s Chagrin Falls, offers these hot food items, Shultz said.
“We make our own tortilla chips here on site and fresh-made guacamole on site as well,” Shultz said. “You don’t find that in other Heinen’s stores in Illinois.”
Customers can dine at the store, with indoor and outdoor seating areas available. Online ordering for grocery delivery and free curbside pickup is available.
Following opening day, Heinen’s store hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Heinen’s opening marks an important step in the redevelopment of Naperville’s Eagle Crest Plaza. The 7.3-acre plaza used to be home to a number of other businesses, including a travel agency, a martial arts studio and Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant.
Pepe’s closed in early 2024, but the owners opened a new bar called “The Can” at 34 E. Ogden Ave. last September.
While none of these businesses are part of the redevelopment, a McAlister’s Deli opened in the plaza in early August.
Plans to bring Heinen’s to the strip mall have been in the works since August 2022, when the topic came before the Naperville City Council as part of a broader discussion on revitalizing the blighted plaza following years of neglect and deterioration by rainwater detention.
At the time, Heinen’s was looking for support from the city with regards to stormwater system improvements at Eagle Crest. To help pay for those repairs, the council approved the creation of a business district for the shopping center in December 2022, allowing the city to collect an extra half-percent sales tax from purchases made within the district.
Last summer, the Naperville City Council signed off final plans so construction could begin.
Founded in 1929, Heinen’s was started in in Shaker Heights, Ohio, by local butcher Joe Heinen. According to the website, Heinen’s later evolved into Cleveland’s first supermarket and remains family owned and operated.
There are 19 locations in Ohio and the chain made their Illinois debut in Barrington in 2012. By 2014, the grocer had opened locations in Glenview, Bannockburn and Lake Bluff.
cstein@chicagotribune.com
