VASA Fitness Coming To Former Oak Forest Food 4 Less Space

OAK FOREST, IL — The vacant site of Oak Forest's former Food 4 Less store will soon get a fresh start.

VASA Fitness is taking over the space at 5556 W. 159th St., the City of Oak Forest announced on Monday. Work is already underway on a 54,843-sq. ft. fitness facility.

"This new fitness center will offer amenities like a half-court basketball court, turf training area, classroom studios, pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub," the City said. "VASA is known for its affordable memberships and wide range of classes and equipment — perfect for anyone looking to stay active and healthy close to home!"

The space in the strip mall has been vacant since the low-price grocer shuttered in fall 2022. Food 4 Less officials at the time cited increasing rent and low sales as catalysts for the closing.

VASA currently has 72 gyms across eight states, according to its website, with more coming soon. There are currently 10 locations in Illinois, with the closest currently being Matteson. That location opened in November 2025, according to Business Wire. The company was founded in Utah, and is currently headquartered in Colorado.

The fitness business has not yet given an estimated opening date, City of Oak Forest Communications Director Chrissy Maher told Patch.

It joins Anytime Fitness in the same strip mall, as well as Munchy Flames Philly Steak, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Great Clips, Taqueria Los Rosales, Chiro One, Dotty's, #1 Chop Suey, and other businesses, Maher said.

The 115,000-sq. ft. strip mall as a whole was sold in mid-May 2026, to Northern California-based ACRE Investment, Maher said.

"The multi-tenant asset, along with the rest of the property, will benefit greatly from the arrival of Vasa in early 2027 bringing an increase in foot traffic and commercial activity to the center," ACRE Investment wrote on its website.