The Little Dominick's That Could

By Jocelyn Geboy in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 26, 2006 4:15PM

Well, the empty lot that was once a Dominick's over in Lakeview/Boystown finally has a contract on the table for a new structure and the developer for the project, Michael O'Connor of Dionysius LLC, says "the date hasn't closed yet, but the contract is hard." We're trying to leave that be, and just be grateful. Every time we walk past that gaping hole, we sigh and lose a little bit more hope that it will be just another set of boxy, half-a-million dollar condominimums.

Chicagoist was there the day the little Dominick's that could (it was small and sort of ramshackle sometimes, but did brisk business) burned right up last June, and we were absolutely stunned. And even then, we were dreading the eventual announcement of what would come to occupy the space.

We thought to ourselves, "We're not stupid. We've seen too many of our favorite institutions fall to the mighty condo developer wrecking ball (e.g, Rainbo Roller Rink, the Marigold Bowl)!!"

But Alderman Tom Tunney (44th ward) confirmed tentative plans with Crain's Chicago Business for a multi-use structure that would include a full-service grocery store, parking, and yes, condominiums.

Detailed plans will be presented at a meeting tonight at Mt. Carmel Church. The meeting will actually be held in their school auditorium, Casey Hall (728 W. Belmont) from 6 to 9 p.m.

It looks like mum's the word from everyone else, though -- the real estate arm of the DiMatteo Family, a Dominick's spokeswoman, and a representative from the Southeast Lakeview neighbors' group all "did not return a call seeking comment."

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