The newest store in the Berkot’s Super Foods grocery chain opened Thursday on 147th Street in Midlothian.
The 30,000-square-foot supermarket occupies the former Sentry Foods store and part of the building previously occupied by the St. Vincent DePaul thrift shop, which has relocated to Orland Park.
Mayor Sharon Rybak and Berkot’s co-owner Luke Kotara handled the ribbon cutting at 8 a.m. before a line of more than 100 customers filed inside.
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“We’ve received a lot of support from the community, and we’re grateful this many people have turned out,” said Ken Szudy, Berkot’s marketing and social media manager. “A big focus for us is to be a part of the community. That’s why we like to go into smaller towns.”
Berkot’s arrival in Midlothian was largely a matter of good timing and some luck, Rybak said.
“We were like a grocery desert after Sentry left,” she said. “People were upset that Sentry was closing, and a few of the employees told me they heard Berkot’s was coming in. I told them I didn’t think so, but I called Berkot’s and got to talk to co-owner Tom Kotara.
“He said they had just opened another store in Aroma Park, (Illinois), and I asked if he was interested in coming to Midlothian. We started talking (about the possibility), and construction started in July.”
The store, 4640 W. 147th St., is the 16th for fast-growing Berkot’s, which opened its first grocery in 1990 in Mokena.
“This is a huge day for us,” Rybak said. “People are very excited about being able to shop in the neighborhood again, and it’s going to be a boost for our sales tax revenue.”
It also means jobs. Szudy said the store employs nearly 100, with 90 percent coming from Midlothian and neighboring towns.
Berkot’s has scheduled a number of special sales and events for the opening weekend in Midlothian. The first 100 customers each day Thursday, Friday and Saturday receive a free bag of groceries valued at about $100.
On Friday, former Bears linebacker Otis Wilson will be in the store from 5 to 6 p.m. to greet customers, and the Blackhawks Ice Crew will appear from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday.
All customers this weekend will receive a raffle ticket for
a cash prize and get to spin
a special prize wheel at the
door.