Coborn's Acquires Illinois-Based Sullivan's Foods

Coborn’s is expanding into Illinois with the acquisition of Sullivan’s Foods grocery stores. The stores are run by the Sullivan family and operate under the Sulivan’s Foods banner.

“The Sullivan family has run their family of stores with great care and is a highly respected retailer,” said Chris Coborn, chairman and CEO of Coborn’s, Inc. “We look forward to extending the same operating philosophies in these locations that have made us successful for 102 years – investing and training for our people, supporting our communities and investing in our stores to improve the experience for our guests.” 

Sullivan’s is family owned and was founded in 1967 by John & June Sullivan. Six years after opening their first store, the Sullivans expanded with a second location in John Sullivan’s hometown of Stockton, Ill. Four additional stores were acquired, two each in 1978 and 1980. Today, Sullivan’s Foods operates 11 locations in northern and central Illinois.

“This sale makes perfect sense for our family and for our employees,” said Susie Dauphin, secretary and property manager of Sullivan’s Foods. “Coborn’s has long been a highly-respected company and our family felt perfectly aligned with their values, operational standards, support of the communities they operate in and most importantly the company culture and commitment to their employees.” 

The Sullivan’s locations included in the acquisition include: 

• Sullivan’s Foods Freeport: 2002 W Galena Avenue, Freeport, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Kewanee, 605 Tenney St, Kewanee, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Lena, 201 Dodds Drive, Lena, Ill.

• Sullivan’s Foods Marengo, 202 Lindow Lane, Marengo, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Mendota, 1102 Meriden St, Mendota, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Morrison: 300 N Madison St, Morrison, Ill.

• Sullivan’s Foods Princeton: 125 E Backbone Rd, Princeton, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Mt Morris: 101 E Hwy 64, Mt Morris, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Savanna: 217 Chicago Ave, Savanna, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Stockton: 103 W North Ave, Stockton, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Winnebago: 703 N Elida St, Winnebago, Ill. 

• JB Sullivan, Inc (corporate office facility), 425 First St, Savanna, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Foods Warehouse: 8 Murray St, Savanna, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Ace Hardware: 1116 Meriden St, Mendota, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Home and Hardware: 108 Main St, Savanna, Ill. 

• Sullivan’s Ace Hardware Winnebago: 707 N Elida St, Winnebago, Ill. 

• Savanna Station (c-store): 1230 Chicago Ave, Savanna, Ill. 

“This is our first entry into the state of Illinois, so we have some things to learn, some added distance to figure out and to onboard their team into our organization,” Coborn added. The stores will  continue to operate under the Sullivan’s Foods name.”

Approximately 800 people work in the organization, which comprises 11 grocery stores, a convenience store/fuel center, three Ace Hardware stores, a central office and limited-assortment warehouse. All employees will be hired by Coborn’s, Inc.