Chicago Construction News staff writer
Construction has begun on a new grocery store in Venice, marking a major step toward ending the city’s long-standing status as a food desert and revitalizing the local economy. The project—known as Venice Market—is being funded through a $2.4 million state grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and $3.5 million in private investment led by Dr. Ed Hightower.
Once complete, the grocery store will bring fresh, affordable food within reach for hundreds of families who have been traveling several miles to shop for basic necessities. The project is part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, a statewide program launched in 2023 to expand access to healthy food and support small, independent grocers in underserved communities.
The Venice Market is one of several projects funded under the initiative’s New Stores in Food Deserts Program, which aims to open grocery stores in areas where access to fresh food is limited. The program also includes an Equipment Upgrades Grant Program to help existing small grocers modernize their operations. To date, DCEO has awarded $18.1 million statewide through both programs.
For Venice, a working-class community that has faced decades of disinvestment, the new store represents more than a place to buy groceries. Local leaders say it signals the beginning of a broader effort to restore vitality and opportunity to the city.
“Venice Market is a symbol of renewal,” said Dr. Hightower, who also serves as vice chair of the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees. “By bringing access to fresh, healthy food back to Venice, we’re taking the first step in rebuilding a community that once thrived.”
In addition to providing access to nutritious food, the project is expected to create construction and retail jobs, support local farmers and suppliers, and encourage further commercial investment along the Route 3 corridor.
Venice Mayor Phil White said the new market will fill a critical need for residents. “For too long, families here have gone without access to something as basic as a grocery store,” he said. “This project is about restoring dignity and showing what’s possible when we invest in our communities.”
The store is expected to open next year, providing both a practical lifeline and a symbolic turning point for Venice and surrounding Madison County communities.
