Olympia Fields Jewel-Osco Closing, Customers and Employees Saddened

The Jewel-Osco chain's announcement Tuesday that it was closing its Olympia Fields store upset some loyal customers and employees, who questioned whether the retailer had exhausted all its options.

One employee urged customers to call 1-800-JEWEL61, the company's customer hot-line, to protest the decision.

"Call them, maybe they'll listen to you," said the employee, who declined to be identified. That employee speculated that high rents at the store's 2500 Lincoln Highway location had placed undue pressure on its bottom line.

85-year-old Patricia Stevenson was shocked by the news that the store would close its doors forever on Aug. 30.

"Oh no, no," said Stevenson. "I've shopped here for 53 years. Jewel was at Park Forest before, then I followed it over here."

Stevenson, a Park Forest resident, said she was not tempted to switch to nearby bargain chains Food 4 Less, ALDI or Ultra Foods.

"No, I'm not going there," declared the senior. "The food here is out of this world, high-class food. And Aldi's? I can't bag my own groceries."

Matteson resident Lex Johnson, shopping in the produce section, said the news took him by surprise, but like Stevenson, said he would not be headed to the discount chains.

"I like Jewel because of the quality of food, so most likely I'll now shop at Dominick's or the Jewel in Frankfort," said Johnson. 

Shopper Rose Klauck, of Chicago Heights, said she would also miss the convenience and quality of Jewel.

"I liked having Osco here, Jewel here, close to home," said Klauck. She said she'd heard rumors that Jewel's Olympia Field's store was on the way out, but said it was upsetting to learn they were true.

The Rev. Leona Tichenor, a pastor at Olympia Fields United Methodist Church, commented in an email that it was "unfortunate" that Jewel was closing, but pointed out, "area shoppers will still enjoy high quality shopping experiences such as Bizios in Olympia Fields."

She added that she hoped Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields would work together to ensure retail development at the Lincoln Highway and Western Avenue area.

Another Jewel employee said she'd heard that employees would be offered the opportunity of transferring to other grocery locations, such as Jewel's locations in Frankfort, at 352 N. LaGrange Road, and South Chicago Heights, at 3220 Chicago Road.

Company spokesperson Karen X. May, interviewed by phone Tuesday afternoon, said that the store's 80 employees are unionized and that Jewel will work with the union as the store closed.

"It's a business decision, and it's always a tough decision," said May. Asked if the presence of discount grocers had hurt Jewel, May responded, "it's a complicated marketplace, we try to stay in line with our competition."

She pointed out that the chain's stores in nearby South Chicago Heights and Homewood, 17705 Halsted St., remain open and shoppers' "Preferred Cards" work at all locations. The Olympia Fields' Osco pharmacy is scheduled to close July 15, while the TCF Bank will remain open until Oct. 31, she said.

May issued a press release to Patch Tuesday thanking residents for their business. "The Olympia Fields store is closing after almost 23 years of operation, and Jewel-Osco would like to thank the store’s customers for their patronage."