Fresh market 
comes to Johnsburg

JOHNSBURG – Angelo Ingrao is ready to formally introduce his new grocery story to the community.

Angelo’s Fresh Market, a grocery that specializes in fresh meat, produce and Italian specialty items, will begin a two- or three-week grand opening May 9 for Ingrao’s second local grocery location.

The store originally opened on Dec. 16, but Ingrao said he wanted to have a chance to work out some of the kinks and give the employees time to familiarize themselves with the store before executing the grand opening.

“I think the reaction was really great,” Ingrao said. “I think everybody’s really happy that we’re there and we offer the same things as our store in McHenry.”

Ingrao purchased and spearheaded a complete renovation of the 25,000-square-foot building at 4000 N. Johnsburg Road, the former home of Val’s Finer Foods.

Renovations include all new shelving, meat cases, registers, deli cases, freezers and bakery cases, as well as a compete changing of the store’s decor.

But Ingrao said the leading draw of the Johnsburg Angelo’s will be the same as that of the McHenry location, which is at 4400 W. Elm St.

“Our advantage has always been one and the same – it’s family operated, family owned,” he said. “If a customer comes in and is looking for something we don’t have, we’ll bring it in for that customer.”

“We offer service next to none,” he added.

Like the McHenry location, the Johnsburg Angelo’s will offer catering within a roughly 10-mile radius for events ranging from 10 to 1,000 people.

Ingrao worked at Val’s in the early 1990s, when it was getting started, but left the supermarket in the mid-1990s.

He said the Johnsburg community is one that’s set up well for a local market, and so far he’s pleased with the positive reaction. He said the store’s sales are right where he expected them at this point.

Ingrao’s son, David, will operate the Johnsburg Angelo’s.

David said he’s excited to get the grand opening under way. The store will raffle off Great America tickets and a R2D2 cooler to customers who stop by during the first week of the event.

“We’re trying to boost sales and kick off the summer with some good deals,” he said.