Press
Time Out Chicago / Issue 162 : Apr 3–9, 2008
2008 Eat Out Awards
Critics' picks
Best Localvore Leader
Green Grocer Chicago
Unless you live in some fairy-tale neighborhood whose local market brims year-round with local produce, freshly butchered, grass-fed meat and still-warm bread, you have to expend a lot of effort to be a localvore in Chicago. That is, until Cassie Green and Gary Stephens decided to jam as many local products as they could get their hands on into their five-month-old Green Grocer Chicago. They pack a lot into their small store: Papa Lena’s veggie chips, Temptations soy ice cream, Mu Tofu tofu and tempeh, Terry’s Toffee, Metropolis Coffee, Bennison’s breads…all made right here in Chicago and all finally under one roof. 1402 W Grand Ave, 312-624-9508.
—Heather Shouse
Where to eat green on this Earth Day
By Monica Eng | Tribune reporter
April 10, 2008
More and more Chicago restaurants have gotten the message. Local diners want to feel good about what they're eating and its impact on the Earth. And many are happy to pay to do it.
Restaurants, including North Pond Cafe, Lula Cafe, Vie, Chipotle, Ina's, Carnivale, Uncommon Ground, Big Bowl and Blackbird, have been dedicated to serving local sustainable produce for some time.
But what is especially pleasing is to see all the newcomers born since last year's Earth Day. Here are just eight of those newcomers:
The Balanced Kitchen, 6263 N. McCormick Blvd.; 773-463-1085. Who knew that vegan, gluten-free and organic could taste as good as they do at this clean Lincoln Village spot with eco-friendly building materials and no bottled water.
Bleeding Heart Bakery, 1955 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-6934. Chicago's first all-organic bakery changed locations this year to this funky North Center spot where you can sit and eat or grab and go.
Butterfly Social Club, 722 W. Grand Ave.; 312-666-1695. From its green construction to its all organic or sustainable line of liquor, beer, wine and juices, this place shows that clubbers care about the Earth too.
Crust, 2056-58 W. Division St.; 773-235-5511. Chicago got its first certified organic restaurant last spring with the opening of Crust. And the fact that this pizza, salad and sandwich joint is still going strong almost a year later shows that this formula—strict certified organic guidelines and all—can actually work.
Drew's Eatery, 2207 W. Montrose Ave.; 773-463-7397. Hot dogs, potato chips and ice cream sundaes have never felt so virtuous as they do at this all-organic Lincoln Square eatery.
Green Grocer Chicago, 1402 W. Grand Ave.; 312-624-9508.With its yummy takeout selection and meticulously chosen local and sustainable prepared foods as well as fresh produce (local when possible), GGC makes gathering the best of the area's "green" foods a pretty easy task.
Honey Cafe, 499 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn; 630-469-0000. More sustainable love came to the suburbs this year with the opening of this comfort food spot that serves antibiotic-free, grass-fed beef (sometimes local), free-range chicken, organic greens and more.
Uncommon Ground on Devon, 1401 W. Devon Ave.; 773-465-9801. A bar serving organic sustainable drinks, solar panels on the roof and plenty of local and organic chow make this homey new outpost of Wrigleyville's Uncommon Ground a welcome addition to Rogers Park.
Find more on local restaurants that are marking Earth Day at chicagotribune.com/stew
April 2008
The Jolly Green Grocer
By Tanya Fritz
Cassie Green and Gary Stephens have recently opened a small cheery store called Green Grocer in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. It’s a quaint spot, with an array of local and artisan producers, but it’s got a really interesting twist: Green Grocer is a great venue for a spiritual pick-me-up. The walls are brightly colored, the food is healthy and one of the best attributes is that Green stands at the door welcoming everyone with a smile, a warm greeting and an uplifting brightness in her eyes. I was in the store for nearly an hour and not a person walked in or out without being greeted by Green.
(Read the Full Article)
Originally posted: January 31st, 2008
Q&A: Green Grocer Chicago
By: Jeff Wells
It’s always great to hear from independent natural and organic retailers. Many of them are passionate, uncomplicated operations that have their finger on the pulse of their community and the movement. We recently spoke with Cassie Green, owner of Green Grocer Chicago, a 900-square-foot store that opened last week in the windy city’s West Town neighborhood, and got her insights on what it’s like to be a small store in the big city.
(Read the Full Article)
Originally posted: January 28, 2008
New market opens at Grand and Noble
Posted by Robin Mather Jenkins
We popped in Sunday to see the new Green Grocer Chicago shop and were delighted with what we found. The little shop features organic foods, and locally produced products whenever possible. We saw Trader’s Point Creamery products, frozen cuts of grass-fed beef, high-end butters and cheeses, some excellent frozen foods and lots of top-quality canned goods. There are books for sale, items for pets and a few toiletries. All in all, the space is warm and welcoming, and we look for good things from it.
(Read the Full Review)
Originally posted: January 30, 2008
Green Grocer is more than a name
BY LISA DONOVAN Staff Reporter
In 2006, Cassie Green and Gary Stephens stepped out of their West Town home in search of ice cream. They ended up at the nearby Shell gas station.
That was the start of a conversation about the need for a small grocery in their neighborhood.
(Read the Full Article)
