WINNETKA – Lakeside Foods was recently sold to new owners in December, but don’t expect any major changes to the iconic Winnetka grocery store located at 800 Elm Street.
“We came to this store and liked the people. We hoped the store could keep going for the historical value of Winnetka,” Tammy Koh told DailyNorthShore.com. Koh purchased Lakeside Foods with her husband, Cheng Koh.
Lakeside Foods has been an institution in Winnetka since 1958, when it was established by Archie Gaudreau, according to the store’s website. Most recently Lakeside Foods was owned by Brian and Terri Geraghty.
Lakeside Foods in Winnetka.
The Kohs moved to Evanston four years ago from California, where they own several grocery stores, when their child started at Northwestern University. Tammy Koh said she and her husband spent the past year looking all over the area for a grocery store to purchase. When they stumbled upon Lakeside Foods the couple was smitten. “We came to the store and liked the people. We hope the store can keep going for the historical value to Winnetka,” she said.
The Kohs do not plan to make any major changes to the store and will continue to stock the same products that customers love.
“I’ve heard from a lot of customers that they come in specifically for the deli and meat,” Tammy Koh said, noting they would continue purchasing those items from the same source. “If we make changes it will be for the better, not the worse,” she added.
Over time the Kohs may consider adding new items to the store, but only what customers want. “If there is a need to bring in new products we will definitely do it for our customers,” she said.
Likewise, they don’t envision making any structural changes to the storefront. “I understand that this building is iconic in Winnetka, and so as long as it is safe to be here, we won’t make any major structural changes,” she said.
And the Kohs do not foresee any changes for employees. “I was very impressed by the customer service that the staff provided. I felt very welcome,” Koh said.
