Pete’s Fruit Market, a south side grocery store located at 1400 S. Union St., on Sunday announced plans to open a north side store at the northwest corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and North Avenue in the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood.
The 13,700-square-foot store will be located in the former Walgreens store site at the corner of King and North. The remodeling project is expected to be complete in time for the store to open by the end of this year.
“We are ecstatic to be coming to the Bronzeville community and serving the residents of Bronzeville and surrounding neighborhoods,” Pete’s Fruit Market director of operations Rob Heotis said. “It is our family’s pleasure to provide over 50 years of experience in the produce and grocery industry to a community that deserves food security and healthy and economical food choices.”
The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation is participating in the financing of Pete’s Market. Specific lease terms were not disclosed.
Milwaukee-based Vangard Group LLC is the developer for the project. The general contractor will be Milwaukee-based JCP Construction LLC.
“Pete’s Fruit Market brings so much to Bronzeville. The store already has a well-earned reputation for great quality food and great prices,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. “Pete’s is also known for its corporate citizenship, and I’m confident this will be a very popular shopping destination.”
“The neighbors made it clear they wanted a full-service grocery store here, and we are so proud and happy today,” Alderwoman Milele Coggs said. “With Pete’s Market coming to Bronzeville, the neighborhood gets what it wants.”
