The Biz Week That Was: Mariano’s stores sold, fitness club closures and outdoor dining among the highlights

Mariano’s Fresh Market in Arlington Heights is among the 35 Illinois grocery stores being sold by supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons if their merger is approved, the companies announced Tuesday.
Daily Herald file, 2010

Suburban Mariano’s among those to be sold in Kroger, Albertsons merger

Mariano’s in Arlington Heights, Palatine, Des Plaines, Lake Zurich, Wheaton, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Elmhurst, Gurnee, Lombard, Naperville and Vernon Hills are among the 35 Illinois grocery stores being sold by supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons if their merger is approved, the companies announced Tuesday. C&S Wholesale Grocers, a supplier to independent grocery stores and owner of a retail pharmacy and 23 supermarkets under the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union banners, has agreed to acquire a total of 579 stores in a revised divestiture deal worth $2.9 billion.

Signature Fitness Club closes locations in Schaumburg, Naperville, Yorkville

Despite a sign on the door blaming a legal dispute with its Schaumburg landlord, all three locations of Signature Fitness Club across the region are permanently closed this week. Municipal officials in Schaumburg, Naperville and Yorkville said they had no knowledge of the reasons for the closings.

How Wauconda is trying to attract visitors, nurture business and raise its profile

Wauconda isn’t called out by name, but you may recognize Bangs Lake or local businesses in television spots urging visitors to see what Lake County offers. Phil’s Beach, Lindy’s Landing, Slyce Coal-Fired Pizza, Hometown Gifts, Threads Boutique and Main Street scenes were among the images a Visit Lake County production crew captured recently while in town.

Pritzker signs bill targeting ‘predatory’ health insurance practices

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Wednesday that puts new controls on the state’s health insurance industry, including bans on practices companies have used to reduce costs by controlling the amount of health care services a patient receives. The Health Care Protection Act, House Bill 5395, was among Pritzker’s top legislative priorities during the just-completed legislative session.

Outdoor dining season is heating up. Here are some spots you can hit in the suburbs

While patios and al fresco restaurant experiences are de rigueur in southern climates where it’s warm enough to do it year-round, the experience is all the sweeter in the Midwest where we’re driven indoors half the time. With more restaurants adding outdoor dining after the pandemic, there is no shortage of choices when it comes to restaurants with patios in the suburbs. Here are a handful of options to get you started.

Legislators, advocates seek reforms to curb rates for private water customers

Illinois lawmakers including Rep. Nabeela Syed of Palatine and Rep. Dagmara Avelar of Romeoville joined consumer advocacy group Citizens Utility Board on Wednesday to call for legislative reforms designed to curb rates for customers of the state’s two private water utilities.