Fresh Thyme Debuts 3 New Chicagoland Stores

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is set to make a big splash on Oct. 14 with the grand opening of three new Chicagoland stores in Bucktown/Lincoln Park (2500 N. Elston Ave.); Crystal Lake (5340 Northwest Highway); and Naperville (790 Royal Saint George Dr.).

The three new stores are part of the 60 stores the rapidly growing Midwest grocer has scheduled to open by 2019.

“We love our fellow Chicagoland residents, and we’re excited to continue to share value-priced, fresh, healthy and organic offerings to more of our neighbors,” said Fresh Thyme CEO Chris Sherrell. After recently opening a central support hub in Downers Grove, Sherrell said the company "is fully committed to supporting residents throughout the region in their goals to eat healthier and smarter.”

A full slate of grand-opening activities are underway, including grocery giveaways for the first 250 shoppers, free samples, vendor demos, live music and other entertainment throughout the weekend. Fresh Thyme will publicize each store’s activities via individual Facebook pages.

With these openings, Fresh Thyme will have seven Chicagoland locations, each employing approximately 100 associates.

As part of its local community efforts, all Chicago area stores during the month of October are selling limited-edition pink reusable shopping bags, with $0.65 cents from each sale benefiting The Pink Agenda to support breast cancer research and television host Giuliana Rancic’s FAB-U-WISH initiative.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a full-service specialty retailer focusing on value-priced fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings. It boasts an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables, a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to-go, bakery goods, 300 bulk food bins, dairy and frozen, and health supplement products.