Joe Caputo & Sons grocery store in Algonquin 'strong' despite financial, legal issues

ALGONQUIN – Family-owned grocer Joe Caputo & Sons took to Facebook to assure customers its original locations in Algonquin, Des Plaines and Palatine "remain strong," despite recent store closings elsewhere in the Chicago area.

In the post dated Feb. 13 on the independent grocer's official Facebook page, Joe Caputo & Sons said an expansion effort into Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village and Northbrook left the company with a "large and unexpected financial burden" on its core operations, causing the business to pull back on its plan.

"We want to assure you, our valued customers, that Joe Caputo & Sons will continue to offer the very best values in produce, deli and specialty items available anywhere," the post read. "Thanks to you, our original locations in Des Plaines, Algonquin and Palatine remain strong and committed to a continued effort to meet and exceed our shoppers' expectations."

The post comes after numerous media outlets in Chicago reported last week about a lawsuit filed in federal court by Chicago-based produce wholesaler Anthony Marano Co., which alleged Joe Caputo & Sons failed to pay for $3.6 million in produce delivered to the grocer dating back to last summer.

A federal judge subsequently issued a temporary restraining order that froze Joe Caputo & Sons' assets, according to reports by the Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business. The complaint also reportedly stated Caputo & Sons had advised the wholesaler it couldn't pay back the debt because of cash flow problems.

In early 2014, Joe Caputo & Sons announced plans to add three locations at former Dominick's stores in Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village and Northbrook.

But the effort quickly failed. The grocer closed the locations in Arlington Heights and Northbrook late last year, followed by the move this past weekend to close the Elk Grove location.

Despite the closings, its original locations in Algonquin, Des Plaines and Palatine remain strong and committed to customers, according to the Facebook post.

Joe Caputo's and Sons opened the Algonquin location, 100 S. Randall Road, in 2007, promising to offer customers in the Algonquin area the freshest fruits and vegetables and quality Italian specialties.

The family-owned chain first started doing business in 1989 out of its store in Des Plaines.