Mariano's is shutting down three suburban Chicago stores this summer as part of its parent company's nationwide closures.

The big picture: Kroger announced Friday that it will close 60 stores across the U.S. in a move expected to save $100 million, based on an earnings report.

Zoom in: These are the local stores on the chopping block:

• Mariano's Buffalo Grove, 450 W. Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove (Aug. 8)
• Mariano's Bloomingdale, 144 S. Gary Ave., Bloomingdale (Aug. 15)
• Mariano's Glenview West, 2323 Capital Drive, Northbrook (Aug. 22)

By the numbers: Total company sales were $45.1 billion in the first quarter this fiscal year compared to $45.3 billion for the same period last year, according to the earnings report.

State of play: Albertsons terminated a $25 billion merger agreement with Kroger last December, after federal and state courts blocked the deal.

Flashback: Bob Mariano opened the first Mariano's in suburban Arlington Heights in 2010 in the wake of Dominick's closing.

• Kroger bought Mariano's parent company Roundy's for $800 million in 2015.

The intrigue: While it's closing the suburban stores, Mariano's is enhancing other stores, spokesperson Amanda Puck tells Axios.

• Mariano's will continue to feature local vendors and brands, expand floral shops and add more international wines.

Zoom out: As the three suburban Mariano's prepare to close, Whole Foods opened a new location in St. Charles on Wednesday, and Aldi is planning to take over the former Whole Foods on Huron in River North.

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Potential cuts to Medicaid in the Republicans' federal spending bill could threaten vital services for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Why it matters: Advocates working today to preserve federal funds for health care, housing and prevention research for people living with AIDS and HIV say the fight for funds is eerily reminiscent of the early days of the virus in the 1980s and '90s, when government inaction made AIDS a crisis.

Driving the news: President Trump and Republicans want the Senate to pass the spending bill that proposes $793 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next 10 years before lawmakers break next week.

The big picture: Medicaid is the largest source of health care coverage for adults with HIV in the U.S. An estimated 40% of people living with the disease rely on the federal program, according to KFF.

Flashback: Larry Kramer led the formation of the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power, or ACT UP, in 1987 in New York, but Chicago's role in the fight came a few years later.

State of play: In the early days of the epidemic in the 1980s, then-President Reagan wouldn't even say the word AIDS, which "showed deep disregard for the community's pain," AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) president John Peller says.

• Trump and Republicans' plan to cut Medicaid is "the same kind of willful and deliberate disregard for the lives and health of people with HIV that we saw from the government in the '80s," Peller tells Axios.

Go deeper

⛔️ Major League Baseball has banned a fan from attending all parks after he heckled Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte about his late mother during Tuesday night's White Sox game at Rate Field. Marte broke down in tears and needed to be consoled by teammates. (MLB)

🏀 The Bulls selected France's Noa Essengue with the No. 12 pick in last night's NBA Draft. Essengue (18) is the second-youngest prospect in this year's class. (CHGO)

🍕 After a dozen years away, Andersonville's iconoclastic Great Lake Pizza has quietly returned two blocks from its original spot. (Tribune)

If you love the taste of classic cocktails, but could do without the booze, there's a new dessert to satisfy your craving.

The big picture: Chicago company Royce+Reign makes espresso martini, old fashioned and margarita-flavored cookies with real alcohol that retains the flavor but burns off in the baking process, making it a zero-proof treat.

• A flight of all three is $16, and two cookies of one flavor are $13.

Flashback: Jessica Lang started Royce+Reign (named after her godchildren) late last year.

State of play: After many tests with food scientists, Lang landed on a pâté du fruit filling for the old-fashioned and margarita cookies.

• The jelly-like texture of the old fashioned is where the bitters of the cocktail are meant to hit after tasting the orange-essenced, smoky bourbon-tinged cookies.

What's next: Royce+Reign will be at Joy District for a collaboration with Don Julio tequila and mHUB Maker's Fair in West Town on Friday.

Keep reading

Our tournament featuring the city's best skyline views is down to the final matchup, and it's not going to be an easy choice.

The intrigue: Readers favored skyline views from the lake, but it's undecided if they like the North or South Side option.

• Do you prefer your view from the Adler Planetarium or take in the sights from the north side beach?

Vote here. The polls will close at 4pm.

👋 Hi, it's Justin. Boy, I need coffee today.

The spot: The Wormhole Coffee (1462 N. Milwaukee Ave.)

The vibe: Retro pop culture meets indie Wicker Park. Reminded me of Earwax, Filter or even Urbis Orbis days.

The coffee: The Cool But Rude Latte ($6.50) features espresso, fresh ginger and curry sauce. Yep, curry sauce (which is more like a syrup).

• The verdict: It totally worked. Sweet and spicy.

The service: Friday afternoons are jam-packed, but the baristas let me unstack a few extra chairs so I could sit down.

• Pro-tip: You can fit three on a couch, so tell the couple to slide down.

☕️ 10-word review: Decor and curry-flavored coffee harken back to Wicker Park heyday.

More coffee shop mini-reviews