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SHOREWOOD – Mariano’s is scheduled to open Tuesday and provide local residents with a “one-stop shop” experience.
The food store is replacing the Dominick’s that closed last fall at 950 Brook Forest Ave. The building is a prime location that is vital for the village, Mayor Rick Chapman said.
“I’m happy Mariano’s is opening soon,” Chapman said. “It’s a place where you can go in; it’s padded for convenience. It gives residents a lot more choice so they don’t have to travel very much.”
Store Director Shain Lichty said the store has been under heavy interior construction recently, and he is excited to provide a common place that has something for everyone.
“We’re going to have it all,” Lichty said. “It’s really a foodie experience. We’re going to have the specialty things, huge international aisles. It’s truly a one-stop shop.”
Lichty said customers will be greeted to a smoothie bar when they walk in. A Vero Coffee & Gelato shop also will be in the store, as will a salad bar, hot foods bar, specialty cheese department, luxury wines and organic food.
The Mariano’s chain bought 11 Chicago-area Dominick’s stores from Safeway, Inc. in December for $36 million. Other stores were bought by grocery chains including Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods.
“As we considered which Dominick’s to purchase, Shorewood was always one we considered,” Lichty said. “It’s such a large community, and other communities will also come here.”
Shorewood Community Development Director Karen James said having the Dominick’s vacancy filled within a year was a relief.
“We think it’s a perfect fit,” James said. “Residents are asking for this. It’s filling a niche. They don’t have to go to Naperville, Frankfort or Orland Park.”
James said Mariano’s is projected to perform much better than Dominick’s did, according to how the Mariano’s in Frankfort has fared since it opened in 2013.
Mariano’s will have a couple of ceremonies before opening Tuesday. The store also will have plenty of food samplings from opening through closing every day.
“The majority of people don’t want to come to a grocery store,” Lichty said. “But we’re making the shopping experience easy and fun again.”