New Grocery Store to Open in Elgin in Early 2027

The Elgin City Council approved zoning requests for a new grocery store at the former Ace Hardware site on Lillian Street.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

New Grocery Store to Open in Elgin in Early 2027

Live Poll

Do you believe new grocery stores improve the quality of life in your neighborhood?

The Elgin City Council recently approved zoning requests to transform the former Ace Hardware building at 1158 Lillian Street into a new grocery store. The 17,000-square-foot space is expected to open to the public in early 2027.

Why it matters

The project will repurpose a former hardware site into a retail facility that will operate seven days a week. The approval allows for key site enhancements, including new landscaping and infrastructure for trash management.

The new facility will occupy 17,000 square feet and feature daily operating hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Seven days a week.

The players

Elgin City Council

This local government body is responsible for municipal zoning decisions and community development projects within the city.

J. Alfredo Sanchez Lopez

He is the owner of the property located at 1158 Lillian Street through his organization, Lillian Street Property LLC.

The details

The site development plan includes installing an outdoor refuse enclosure on the property's north side alongside parking lot improvements like seal-coating and restriping. Additionally, the existing pole sign will be removed as part of the exterior renovation process.

Building permits for the conversion were approved in May 2026.
Elgin City Council approved the necessary zoning requests on October 28, 2026.
The new grocery store is expected to open in early 2027.

Market Landscape

This project aligns with the national trend of adaptive reuse in commercial real estate by repurposing a legacy hardware site into a modern grocery store. It positions the local area to maintain retail density without requiring new ground-up construction.

Residents can expect a new local grocery option to become available by early 2027. The store will provide daily access to goods with consistent operating hours spanning from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The takeaway

Repurposing existing commercial structures helps reduce local vacancies while providing new amenities to the surrounding neighborhood. Residents should monitor future announcements regarding the store's official grand opening date and grand opening sales.