Wikstrom's Gourmet Foods & Catering

I was shocked to walk past Wikstrom's this afternoon and see the place completely empty. Not just closed but CLEARED OUT. What the what! No more Wikstrom's? Fortunately, a little research revealed this post on the Reader blog, The Food Chain:

"With some dread I opened the email announcing the retirement of Ingvar and Alfhild Wikstrom, proprietors of Andersonville's Wikstrom's Gourmet Foods. Was this another sad passing of an anchor of the city's storied Swedish neighborhood? Or worse, would it be taken over by some outsider and reduced to a shadow of its former glory?

"I don't think we need to worry. For 47 years the Wikstroms have been in the business of meatballs and herring, limpa and lingonberries, marzipan and Vasterbotten, and their daughter Marie isn't about to let that go. She's moving the store one block south, next door to the Swedish American Museum Center at 5217 N. Clark, and promises to expand inventory, add more cafe tables, a garden cafe out back, 'hopefully' a couple parking spaces, and more prepared foods--which she's keeping a secret until the grand opening."

Apparently that opening is a few weeks off, but I'll Yelp more after the new store opens.

A fun place. Great Stop on an Andersonville tour.

This is a place to browse, snack and just enjoy.

I like to visit this place before going to the Hop-Leaf a bar i like but have not reviewed cause well it doesn't need it. One note about the hop-leaf it is a great place if you can get past the patrons.

Back to  the Deli. Great selection and you must try the Meat Balls.

The Chocolate bars are great here. Again just a fun stop on an AndersonVille tour.