Shoppers at the grand opening of The Fresh Market in Northbrook on Wednesday morning, Feb. 26, were excited to finally get one of their favorite stores closer to home.
“I’m very excited,” said Tobi Oberman of Highland Park. “I’ve been to the store in Wilmette and always liked it. This is a lot closer, and this area needs a store like this. They have nice things, and it seems a little higher end.”
Sari Sackrider of Northbrook, who also previously shopped at the Wilmette store, agreed.
“It’s a wonderful store,” Sackrider said. “I like the openness of the store. I like the graphics and the lights. I like the layout. I’m sure they’ll do good business here. This is a limited availability store. There are not many in the area.”
Both The Fresh Market and Northbrook community leaders said the store, at 163 Skokie Blvd., will be a welcome addition to the area.
The Fresh Market operates stores in 22 states, mostly east of the Mississippi River, and the Northbrook store is its eighth in Illinois, according to its website. In addition to the Wilmette grocery, it has stores in Naperville, Lake Forest, Geneva, Algonquin, Crystal Lake, and the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.
“We’re really excited to be here,” Fresh Market CEO Brian Johnson said. “It’s a great city, a great town, a great area. We’re happy to bring what we do to Northbrook.”
Johnson said the store “fills a void” in the Northbrook area market.
“We only carry the highest quality produce,” he said. “We sell choice beef, Wagyu (beef) and prime grade.”
Unlike many other grocery stores, the packaged fresh foods are prepared every morning by store employees, Johnson said.
“For example, the cut fruit. Our produce team cuts it every morning,” he said. “Most of what you see is prepared in the store. It’s all fresh food and of the highest quality. We’re very excited to offer these things in Northbrook.”
Kathi Quinn, executive director of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce, said that in addition to providing quality food and service, The Fresh Market in Northbrook employs more than 90 people.
“I love when you make that kind of commitment to the community,” Quinn said. “The foods and everything in here are not only really good, but I love that it’s inclusive. Everyone can shop here and find something. I mean, come on, the candy aisle is really cool.”
The first 500 guests on Wednesday received a “Fresh Market Northbrook” reusable gift bag, said Sam Wroblewski, spokesman for Fresh Market. The store also provided samples of dozens of foods.
Johnson said The Fresh Market is also known for its “impeccable hospitality.”
“We pride ourselves on the service we provide our guests,” he said. “We also provide a relaxing atmosphere.”
Hal and Susan Moss drove from Lake Bluff to show their support for a family member who invited them to the opening.
“They wanted us to celebrate this very special store,” Susan Moss said. “It’s overwhelmingly abundant.”
Moss, who frequents the chain’s Lake Forest store, said The Fresh Market is unique and offers an atmosphere and items shoppers can’t find in other stores.
“The displays are beautifully done,” she said. “They carry foods that are really special. For example, where else can you find pieces of chocolate cake sold separately in boxes?”
Moss said Northbrook residents are fortunate to get such a store.
“It’s plentiful and reminds me that if you’re lucky enough, you get to have this kind of thing,” she said.
