BUCKTOWN — Vegan fans of Mariano's Fresh Market might be pleased to learn the grocery chain's 23rd spot, set to open Tuesday along Ashland Avenue, will be the first location to include a special selection of animal product-free items.
Doors will open to the 80,000-square-foot grocery store about 6 a.m. Tuesday at 2112 N. Ashland Ave., near the borders of Bucktown and Lincoln Park.
This location will debut "VEG'D," a section of vegan and raw vegan choices, according to a statement from from Roundy's, the Milwaukee-based parent company of Mariano's.
“With more than 500 varieties of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, handmade sweets and a variety of vegan options for health-conscious shoppers — Mariano’s Bucktown is a grocery store experience unlike any other," Bob Mariano, chairman and CEO of Roundy’s, said in a statement.
Mariano's Bucktown will also have a piano player, a pharmacy, a gelato shop, fresh squeezed juices and a wine bar. There's also a "Sweet Shoppe" with caramel apples, fudge, flavored popcorn and chocolate-dipped treats.
Sometime mid-summer, the grocery store will also offer a tea bar with loose leaf, packaged and brewed teas, according to Roundy's.
The new store was expected to create about 600 jobs, according to the statement, even more than the 550 positions Mariano's said it was filling for the location back in April.
After opening day, the market's hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: