Expanded Produce World Sees Big Crowds at Peak Times

Steve Pavlopoulos doesn’t expect to compete directly with the three blocks away on Dempster Street.

But his customers may have something to say about a duel of grocery retailers.

The 20-year-old meat-and-produce store has greatly expanded its space in new digs in the former Old Navy store at Harlem and Dempster, having moved from its original cramped quarters on the northwest corner of Waukegan Road and Dempster. Patrons are voting with their feet. The parking lot outside the new Produce World, only the second supermarket-sized store in Morton Grove, has been jammed since the store’s opening. Business has been humming in the aisles inside.

On a recent Saturday noontime, the lot was hard to navigate with spaces occupied all the way back to Kappy’s restaurant. Lines formed at the deli counter inside. Meanwhile, Dominick’s seemingly had the business of an off-hours time, with spaces available in the front of the store, only a smattering of shoppers in the aisles and just two registers open.

Expanded jobs at two stores

Pavlopoulos isn’t just offering an expanded line and competition for a grocery giant. He has hired half a dozen new employees at the Morton Grove store. But his employment rolls will grow significantly from there. He’s opening a third Produce World outlet near year’s end across Skokie Boulevard from the Jewel in Skokie. He expects to hire up to 50 new employees to staff the store, an uncommon job upsurge in the area amid a stagnant economy.

“The name Produce World is well-recognized in this area,” said Pavlopoulos, who originally wanted to open shop in Morton Grove.

He opened a second store on Cumberland Avenue in Chicago’s Northwest Side 10 years ago.

Pavlopoulos settled on the present site after a decade of searching, sidetracked by deals that fell through and the economy. Produce World had long been rumored as headed for a site in the 9000 block of Waukegan Road. He finally locked down the Harlem-Dempster site a year and a half ago.

“A store of this size and magnitude cost $2 million, $2.5 million to put together, without inventory” Pavlopoulos said. “I expect at least 20 to 30 percent increased business.”

More ethnic foods than Dominick’s

Pavlopoulos differentiates his store from Dominick’s by offering far more ethnic foods — especially Indian and Asian goods — than the chain outlet.

“We’re more of an international store, while Dominick’s is more American-oriented,” he said. “They don’t do ethnic products like we do. They’re not going to close the doors tomorrow because I just opened up. I may have been here 20 years, but I’m not going to put a major dent in their business."

A Dominick’s spokesman did not respond to phone and e-mail messages about competition from the enlarged Produce World.

But Pavlopoulos increased quantity and variety could duel with Dominick’s on a number of fronts if he can be competitive on prices.

“Groceries are where I increased the most – I went from 4,000 skews (items) to 8,000 skews,” he said.  “At the old store, merchandise wasn’t visible. It was hidden in corners and nooks and crannies. Here, everything’s linear and pleasing to the eye.”

Pavlopoulos’ longtime employees appreciate the additional elbow room compared to the tiny store at Waukegan and Dempster.

“This is totally different,” said seven-year Produce World veteran Pablo Cavallero, working at a cheese station that would have been unthinkable at the old store. “It’s totally easier having a place like this to work in.”

The deli also features far many more items than the old store.  A fish counter has been introduced separate from its meats counterpart.

“We hired a deli guy, Pete Repak, and he’s done this at other stores,” Pavlopoulos said.  “He came over with a menu. We said go with it.”

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