Farmers Open Deli and Grocer at Former City Provisions Location

Lincoln Square residents missing City Provisions are in luck—a Wisconsin-based farm has a plan for the former sustainable deli's location. 

River Valley Kitchens and Market will be a combination cafe and retail store with products from their farm. 

"We envision serving a glass of beer or wine with a quick nutritious meal," owner Eric Rose said. 

Offering both take-out and dine-in, River Valley also plans to serve Sunday brunch.

Rose hopes to be open by early November at 1818 W. Wilson Ave., pending city permitting and a packaged goods license.

River Valley Kitchens' concept will be very similar to City Provisions, which closed in January. The Wisconsin-based farm collaborated with Provisions' owner Cleetus Friedman for dinners and supplies. 

But where City Provisions failed, River Valley hopes to stay in the neighborhood by offering more affordably-priced food. At Lollapalooza this summer, most of their offerings were in the $5 to $6 range. 

"We're growing things and processing them, making ready-to-eat food from the things we grow," Rose said. "We're looking to make more of a year-round business out of what we're doing in the city."

A staple at the Lincoln Square and Andersonville farmers markets for almost 20 years, Rose said he's got several longtime customers in the neighborhood. 

"We like the community and think it's a good fit for us," he said. "One of the constant questions we hear is, 'where's your store?'"

Heading the kitchen at the market will be Rose's son, Jordan. With a decade working in the Chicago restaurant industry, he'll develop an array of vegetarian foods and burgers, soups, artisan sauces and dips. 

Read more:

• What Cleetus is Cooking as Fountainhead's New Chef
• Brew Camp Pours into Former City Provisions Location