Amazon Fresh Stores in Oak Lawn and Tinley Park to Close Amid Strategic Shift

Amazon Fresh stores in Oak Lawn and Tinley Park are set to close on Sunday, February 1, as part of Amazon's strategic shift toward enhancing its online grocery delivery services and expanding its Whole Foods division.

 

The Oak Lawn location, which opened several years ago, and the Tinley Park store, which began operations in August 2024 after a prolonged delay, are among the 57 Amazon Fresh and 15 Amazon Go stores nationwide slated for closure.

 

Amazon has indicated plans to convert some Amazon Fresh locations into Whole Foods stores, with over 100 new Whole Foods outlets planned. However, it remains uncertain whether the Oak Lawn and Tinley Park stores will undergo such a transformation.

 

In response to the closures, Oak Lawn Mayor Terry Vorderer expressed surprise, stating, "We’re in the dark as much as everybody else." The sudden announcement has left local officials and residents seeking clarity on the future of these retail spaces.

 

Meanwhile, in nearby Orland Park, Amazon's retail ambitions continue. The company recently received approval to construct a nearly 230,000-square-foot superstore at 159th Street and LaGrange Road. This new facility aims to offer groceries, general merchandise, and prepared foods, providing both in-person and online shopping options.

 

As Amazon recalibrates its retail strategy, the impact on local communities like Oak Lawn and Tinley Park underscores the evolving landscape of grocery shopping and the growing emphasis on online delivery services.