Far South Community Development Corporation awarded a City of Chicago Community Development Grant to support predevelopment work on new West Pullman grocery store


Far South Community Development Corporation awarded a City of Chicago Community Development Grant to support predevelopment work on new West Pullman grocery store

 

Far South CDC partners with Melody Winston to expand access to fresh food on Chicago’s Far South Side

 

CHICAGO —The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is excited to announce it was awarded a Community Development Grant (CDG) from the City of Chicago’s $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond this morning. The grant will support predevelopment work on a proposed new grocery model in West Pullman, including architectural and civil drawings, consultants, and general store layout and operations plan. Once predevelopment work is completed, Far South CDC intends to submit a full CDG application for city funding in August 2026.

 

Far South CDC is collaborating with Melody Winston and the Living Fresh Market team to develop a smaller-format urban grocery store designed to expand access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food options in underserved communities.

 

“When Aldi left West Pullman, I promised residents that we would not stop fighting to bring quality food options back to our community. This is no longer an idea. It is a project moving through predevelopment. There is still work to be done and we are undertaking that work with a committed development partner, an experienced grocery operator, and the support of the City of Chicago,” said 21st Ward Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley.

 

The proposed new West Pullman grocery store will be located at 821 W. 115th Street at the corner of 115th and South Halsted Streets, the former Aldi site. An opening is planned for Spring 2027.

 

Building on the success of Living Fresh Market’s flagship location in Forest Park, this initiative aims to replicate a streamlined, community-centered grocery model tailored to the unique needs of Chicago’s Far South Side neighborhoods. The proposed store concept will deliver high-quality fresh produce, essential grocery items, and a welcoming retail experience in a more compact and scalable footprint.

 

“This partnership represents an important step toward addressing long-standing food access challenges in our communities. By working alongside experienced operators like Melody Winston, and with the support of Alderman Mosley and the City of Chicago, we are creating a sustainable grocery model that prioritizes both health and economic development,” said Far South CDC President Abraham Lacy.

 

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to revitalizing neighborhood retail corridors, supporting local job creation, and improving overall quality of life for residents. The smaller-format store is expected to serve as a replicable model for other urban areas facing similar barriers to fresh food access.

 

Additional details regarding the development timeline and community engagement efforts will be announced in the coming months.

 

About Far South Community Development Corporation

Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides strategic community-building and planning services to catalyze economic development and benefit local residents and businesses. As one of the largest comprehensive community development nonprofits in Illinois, Far South CDC serves neighborhoods and municipalities across Chicago’s Far South Side, the Chicagoland area, and statewide. The organization is a voice and advocate for economic, environmental, and social justice for the region. Since its inception in 1977, Far South CDC has raised more than $150 million in funding for planning and development projects that invest in communities. For more information, visit farsouthcdc.org.

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