South Side Stony Island Poised to Save A Lot-Win a Free Bag of Groceries Here

Save-A-Lot is open and ready to live up to it's name.   There's a new grocery store at 8240 S. Stony Island on Chicago's south side and they have great prices, a sense of humor, and a heart.   This makes five new Save-A-Lot stores opening in Chicago's South Side neighborhoods, for a total of 13 Chicagoland stores.   An additional five stores are planned by February 2012.


The new stores stock some name brand staples, but predominantly carry their own brand, to keep prices low, similar in price point to Aldi stores.   We were amused at some of the names, like Mother's Split Top bread and Tickles diapers.   They feature the cheap, chuckle inducing Bubba Cola--blue Bubba for Pepsi fans and Red Bubba for Coke.   They also name many of their products after actual employees, like Kaskey's soups and Jones' potato sticks. 


ChiIL Mama had a chance to take a tour the day before their grand opening celebration.    The store is spacious, clean, and stocked with finds for families on a budget, like Splash Out juice pouches for kids' lunches and a number of cereal options like Cocoa Diamonds, Apple Bobbers and Hootn' Honey.


Save-A-Lot's parent company, Supervalu, also runs the local Jewel chain.  The grocery retailer is dedicated to providing affordable access to high quality produce, USDA-inspected meat, fresh dairy and other items needed to feed families.   They're moving in to fill a huge need in urban, food desert areas.


We were especially happy to see the decent fresh produce section, as there is a decided lack of access to affordable fruits, veggies, and healthy foods in the areas Save-A-Lot is serving.   They offer a 40% average family savings on primary food needs.   This is good news for growing children and parents trying to stretch a paycheck.   Speaking of paychecks, the new groceries hired over 100 employees from the local communities, creating much needed jobs.


We were also impressed by Save-A-Lot's community relations.   At the Stony Island grand opening, a $25,000 check was given to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository.   They also gave away colorful, reusable bags full of groceries as gifts for nearly 7,000 families, as a celebration of the new store openings.   When we toured Stony Island, a grateful recipient had just dropped off a heartfelt thank you note.


This whole weekend, shoppers can enter to win $100 gift cards.   Drawings will be held Monday, March 7th, with one winner per store.    Here at ChiIL Mama, we also have one of the gift bags full of groceries to share with our Chicago readers, courtesy of Save-A-Lot.   Enter here through Monday noon for your chance to win.