CHICAGO — Grocery chain Aldi is expanding its footprint in Downtown Chicago, confirming plans to move into the former Whole Foods location in River North, according to city business and liquor license filings.
The new Aldi will occupy the 25,000-square-foot space at 30 W. Huron St., which has sat empty since Whole Foods shut down operations there in 2022.
New Downtown Location After Dom’s Market Collapse
The space was originally slated to be taken over by Dom’s Kitchen & Market. However, those plans dissolved when Dom’s unexpectedly ceased operations in 2024, leaving the future of the high-traffic retail corner in limbo.
Now, Aldi has submitted paperwork to acquire both a business license and a liquor license for the property, signaling its intent to open its second Downtown Chicago location.
“Aldi did not immediately respond to a request for comment,” the original report notes.
Part of a Broader Expansion Across the City
Aldi currently operates 32 stores throughout Chicago, including another Downtown location at 201 W. Division St. in the Gold Coast.
The company also has plans for continued growth in the city. In the West Loop, Aldi has signed a 15-year lease to anchor a major development at 1016 W. Jackson Blvd. There, developers plan to build a 380-unit apartment complex, with Aldi’s 22,000-square-foot space serving residents and commuters alike when it opens in 2026.
A Strategic Move Amid Grocery Shakeups
The replacement of the River North Whole Foods comes amid significant shifts in the Chicago grocery landscape. High-end and boutique chains like Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market have shuttered several stores in recent years, citing economic pressures and post-merger instability.
Aldi’s move into a high-profile River North location underscores its commitment to serving urban neighborhoods with low-cost, high-efficiency grocery options — a stark contrast to the upscale models pursued by the brands it’s replacing.
Have you lived in River North since Whole Foods closed? Are you excited about Aldi’s arrival, or were you hoping for another retailer to take over the spot? Share your thoughts with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
