BUCKTOWN — A new Fresh Thyme Farmers Market on Elston Avenue is hosting a grand opening celebration Oct. 14 with a grocery giveaway to the first 250 shoppers, the company announced Thursday.
The store, at 2500 N. Elston Ave., will open at 7 a.m.
In a news release, the store said, "Lines typically form several hours in advance, so interested shoppers are advised to arrive early." The store has a tradition of giving away reusable grocery bags with $50 worth of food at its grand openings.
The grand opening will also include free samples, vendor demos, live music, face paintings and other entertainment throughout the opening weekend, the company said.
Shoppers can visit the store’s Facebook page for a full list of events.
Located in a former TigerDirect computer supply store, the 28,630-square-foot future Fresh Thyme is across the street from the new Fox Ford car dealership, directly across the way at 2501 N. Elston Ave.
Fresh Thyme CEO Chris Sherrell said the location was selected due to the area's high density.
“One main thing we looked at is just the rooftops, and population-wise this is probably our highest density [location] of all the stores we've signed to date," Sherrell told Crain's.
According to its website, Fresh Thyme sells mostly fruits and vegetables, "much of it organic," along with barrels of natural and organic bulk foods, breads and locally roasted organic coffee beans.
The company has said the new Fresh Thyme will bring around 100 jobs to the area.
