It’s a Chicago tradition. An outstanding restaurant opens in a formerly run down industrial area. Then another draws on the successes of the first and before you know it, the area has become widely known for trendy dining. Gentrification begins, lofts are converted into luxury condos and town houses seem to spring up overnight to fill vacant lots.
At that point, progress branches out in several directions. One thing that is always a necessity is a great food store. Peter Panagiotaros is filling this need with the opening of Cyd & D’Pano at 1325 W. Randolph St. Pete’s been in the greengrocer business all his life. His father, one of Chicago’s favorite greengrocers, is Stanley Panagiotaros, whose store at Elston and North avenues is a Chicago landmark.
Pete is branching out in another direction to fill more contemporary tastes with his entry into the fine food business. The store, which he describes as a cross between Whole Foods and Stanley’s, will feature the finest in fresh produce and the best in cheeses, meats and deli products. It was named after his niece, Cyd, and his son, Pano.
“We’ll have premium quality, displayed as fantastically as Stanley does, but we’re going to be more affordable. Our deli will feature Boar’s Head meats because we like the quality. We’ll use some cheeses from Country Connections as well as Boar’s Head cheeses. We’ll also have a line of patés, dips and salsas. We’ll make our own guacamole and salsas, “ Pete told Inside.
“We have beautiful desserts from Work of Art, one of the city’s great Vietnamese/French bakeries. These bakery goods are designed just for us and they are outstanding. Our baked goods will have a three day shelf life—it’s made without preservatives.”
The grand opening was Jan. 29. There’s a 30 car parking lot adjacent to the building as well as street parking. For the convenience of the customers, the store will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There’s time for everybody to shop.
“We want to be a premium quality market from every aspect. We want to give the best quality to the customer at a good price. Our produce will be more competitive with Stanley’s than with anyone else in the business and it’ll offer better quality and pricing than in the chain stores,” he continued.
“I grew up in the grocery business and I’ve been going to the South Water Market since I was three years old. Today, people might be willing to spend as much as a dime a pound more for premium quality. We’ll have an upscale look and quality because we want to serve Chicago people. There’s a nice warm feeling in the store but it’s not overpriced. The ambiance will be free. We want to give ambiance, service and value to our customers and don’t want to overcharge for it. We want it to be affordable.”
Pete has two children. He went to Boston University and studied law but he decided that the grocery business was more to his interest. “I like to fulfill a customer’s needs—it’s in my blood. My son is named for my father, Stelio, the Greek saint who watches over children. I made the store about kids and we’re giving kids free taffy apples during the grand opening weeks and free ice cream in summertime. Kids are more than welcome.”
Pete Panagiotaros is certainly eager to welcome customers—and they should look forward to visiting Cyd and D’Pano just as much. For more information, call (312) 942-9655.
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