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Walt's Food Centers To Be Sold To Berkot's Super Foods, Company Tells Employees

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 12:58 GMT by Patch
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Walt’s Food Centers to Be Sold, Employees Told of Transition

A long‑standing staple of the Homewood–Floyd community is heading for a new chapter. Walt’s Food Centers, a local grocery chain that has been a neighborhood fixture for decades, announced that it will be sold to Berkot’s Super Foods—a regional grocery brand that has been quietly expanding its footprint across Cook County. The decision, revealed to employees in a company‑wide meeting last week, marks the end of an era and raises questions about the future of the 11‑store chain’s operations, employment stability, and community service.

The Sale and the New Owner

Walt’s Food Centers was founded in 1963 by Walt Berthold, who grew the business from a single grocery store on South Grand to a cluster of eleven stores covering Homewood, Forest Park, and the greater South Side of Chicago. The chain has long been prized for its focus on fresh produce, deli offerings, and a “friendly” atmosphere that locals often cite as a key part of its identity.

According to the announcement released by the company’s spokesperson, the sale will be finalized in the next quarter, pending standard regulatory approvals. The purchase price was not disclosed in the company’s press release; however, a brief statement from a representative of Berkot’s Super Foods indicated that the transaction was “a strategic expansion that will allow us to serve the community more comprehensively.”

Berkot’s Super Foods, which owns and operates several grocery outlets in Chicago’s South Side and the surrounding suburbs, has a reputation for integrating modern retail technology and competitive pricing. Its parent company, The Berkot Group, is headquartered in Oak Park and has been expanding into online grocery services and community‑based initiatives. In a statement posted on the Berkot website, the group emphasized its commitment to “maintaining the high standards of service” that local customers have come to expect.

Employee Impact

During the internal announcement, employees were told that the transition would be handled with “respect and dignity.” Management highlighted that the sale does not come with an immediate layoff plan; instead, current staff will be retained on a “first‑come, first‑served” basis for the same positions. Nonetheless, many employees expressed uncertainty about job security, especially given the historic trend of consolidations in the grocery sector leading to store remodels or closures.

“We’ve heard rumors for months,” said one employee who requested anonymity. “We’re told this is the end of an era, but at least they’re not cutting jobs right now. I’m hoping they’ll keep the same payroll schedules and benefits.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s records, all 11 Walt’s locations employed a combined workforce of roughly 260 people—ranging from cashiers and stock clerks to store managers. The sale will, in theory, preserve the majority of those roles, but the employee union representing the workforce—United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1229—has already requested a formal discussion about the transition’s terms. The union’s spokesperson said, “We want to ensure that the workers are protected during this change and that they are fully informed about any alterations in their employment conditions.”

Community Response

The announcement has sparked a mix of sentiment in the local media and among residents. A segment on WGN’s “Midnight News” highlighted the significance of Walt’s to the Homewood–Floyd community. “Walt’s isn’t just a grocery store,” said a long‑time customer. “It’s where families meet for a quick lunch, where the deli clerk knows your name, and where the store’s corner coffee shop serves the best cappuccino in the area.”

Community leaders have expressed concern that the sale might dilute the “personal touch” that has made Walt’s popular. One local councilwoman, who had served as a board member on the Homewood Planning Commission, voiced a wish that the new ownership “continues to support community outreach programs, like the monthly farmers’ market that has run at Walt’s for 15 years.”

The store’s current partnership with the Homewood Food Bank—where customers can drop off non‑perishable items—was highlighted in a follow‑up article on the Patch site. The Food Bank representative assured that the partnership would remain active, as the new owners are expected to keep the donation program in place, citing the broader corporate responsibility efforts of the Berkot Group.

What’s Next for Customers?

While the sale will be complete in the next few months, customers can anticipate minimal day‑to‑day changes in the interim. The new owners plan to retain the existing store layout and branding in the short term, focusing first on integrating supply chain logistics and inventory management systems.

Berkot’s Super Foods has announced an upcoming “Community Integration Day” at each store. These events, scheduled for late October, will feature local vendors, free health screenings, and an opportunity for shoppers to meet the new management team. “We want to listen to our neighbors and learn how we can better serve them,” said a spokesperson from Berkot’s during a press briefing.

The sale also comes at a time when many grocery chains are experimenting with hybrid models—combining traditional in‑store experiences with e‑commerce delivery. Berkot’s Super Foods has hinted at a modest expansion of its online platform, with the goal of providing same‑day delivery for orders placed before 2 p.m. on weekdays. While the specifics of how Walt’s will be integrated into the broader digital ecosystem remain unclear, early reports suggest that customers will soon have the option to order groceries for pickup or delivery through Berkot’s existing website.

Summary

• Sale Details: Walt’s Food Centers is being sold to Berkot’s Super Foods, with the transaction slated to close in the next quarter.
• Employment: No immediate layoffs are expected; current staff will likely be retained on a “first‑come, first‑served” basis, though a union is seeking clarity on employment terms.
• Community Impact: Residents value Walt’s for its personal service and local engagement; the new ownership is committed to preserving community partnerships.
• Future Plans: Customers can expect a continuity of services, with future integration into Berkot’s digital offerings and potential community events.

As the transition unfolds, the community will be watching closely to see whether the new ownership can honor Walt’s legacy while modernizing the grocery experience. If the new era is anything like the company’s own history, it may blend tradition with progress—keeping the doors open for future generations of Homewood‑Floyd shoppers.