DOWNERS GROVE – Closing sales have left dozens of aisles bare at Dominick’s in Downers Grove, and the storefront will be similarly vacant on Dec. 28 if a buyer does not come forward.

The parent company, Safeway, is looking for competitors to buy all 72 Dominick’s locations in the Chicago area. Those that are not bought will close.

Employees like bakery manager Anthony Grzesiak hope someone will “swoop in last minute” to buy the store, and save their jobs. Though he’s not optimistic.

“It’s hard for all of us here,” said Grzesiak, an employee at the store for three years. “Hopefully people find somewhere to go.”

Another long-time employee, Tom Campbell, has worked for Dominick’s for 23 years, he said, starting at a store in Aurora in 1991. He said he’s been at the Downers Grove location at 42 Ogden Ave. for eight years, and has lined up work at another grocery store if this one closes.

Though, he said he thinks a buyer will come through.

“I would think so,” he said. “It’s a beautiful store.”

By Thursday of last week, most of the general merchandise, health and beauty shelves were empty following 50-percent-off sales. Food went on sale Friday, and liquor will go on sale in the coming days.

Hinsdale resident Karen Sugay took advantage of the sale to buy diapers for a needy family her child’s middle school is sponsoring for the holiday season. She shopped at the Downers Grove Dominick’s on occasion, she said, when other errands made it convenient.

“I’m surprised and disappointed,” she said. “I didn’t know they were closing. Dominick’s carries some of the stuff I can’t get at Jewel.”

Mariano’s Fresh Market and Jewel have announced the purchase of several Dominick’s in the Chicago area, and Whole Foods is rumored to be pursuing a short list of the stores. So far, Downers Grove’s Dominick’s is among the dozens that have not found buyers.

Safeway and the strip mall’s landlord, Inland Real Estate Corporation, are still in discussions with potential buyers, Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation President Michael Cassa said.

“I obviously would love to see that space filled with a quality tenant as soon as possible,” Cassa said. “Almost every community is affected by these closings.”

The 72,000-square-foot grocery store serves an anchor business for about a half-dozen businesses in the strip mall, including Sally Beauty Supply, Hallmark and Oberweis Dairy.

Cassa and employees of neighboring businesses expressed concern Thursday about how losing the shopping anchor would affect business.

“I think it’s a shame what Safeway is doing,” said Deborah Hansen, the manager of an adjacent business. “When people say Dominick’s is closing, it’s not just Dominick’s employees who are affected.”