Whole Foods Market is expanding its Chicago footprint with a new store in Old Town, taking over the space once occupied by the now-shuttered Treasure Island grocery store on North Wells Street.
The announcement, made in early September 2026, means Whole Foods will operate 11 locations across Chicago. The Old Town store fills a grocery gap in the neighborhood that opened when Treasure Island closed, leaving residents—particularly those without cars—with fewer nearby options for fresh food.
The Treasure Island closure had been a source of concern for community advocates who warned about food access in the densely populated Near North Side neighborhood. Whole Foods’ decision to take over the site addresses those concerns while also signaling confidence in the area’s demographic and economic profile.
Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, has been selectively expanding its brick-and-mortar presence even as the broader grocery industry undergoes digital transformation. The company’s physical stores serve as both retail destinations and fulfillment hubs for online grocery delivery, a model that has become increasingly important since the pandemic.
The Old Town location will face competition from nearby chains and independent grocers, but Whole Foods’ emphasis on organic produce, prepared foods, and specialty items positions it in a different market segment than conventional supermarkets. The store is expected to create approximately 100 to 150 jobs.
Real estate analysts note that grocery-anchored retail has proven resilient even as other retail categories have struggled, making the Old Town site a strategic addition for Whole Foods’ Chicago network. The store’s opening date has not yet been announced, but renovations to the former Treasure Island space are expected to begin in the coming months.
Sources: Chicago Tribune
