Chicagoland: We have a NEW Mariano’s Store

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I’ve talked a lot about how much I love shopping at Mariano’s, so you can imagine how excited I was to find out that there was a new store being built closer to my home than any of the other locations.

I know. I know. It might sound a little crazy to want to smile wide and high-five the person closest to you when you hear that there’s a new grocery storing being built near your home, but Mariano’s is unlike any other grocery store. Just ask the people that shop there. They. love. it.

Why do we gush about a grocery store?
Because when you visit Mariano’s, it’s so much more than just your average, mundane trip to the grocery store. It’s an experience. You can literally stop in to get a few items on your grocery list, whip out your rewards card, check out, and leave…or you can bring your entire family, enjoy a delicious hot meal, grab a latte while the kids enjoy gelato, and then while the kids make a craft, you can finish your shopping.

Some customers spend 3 or more hours at Mariano’s.

Yeah…it’s that awesome.

The New Location
The latest Mariano’s is located in Wheaton, Illinois. And while I could write all about what’s featured in the store, I think it’s best to show you. I was there on opening day and had the opportunity to snap lots of pictures of the different areas that make this store special.

To begin, there’s a smoothie bar that serves up nutritious and delicious smoothies.

Then there’s a Trail Mix Bar that offers a large variety of options to create a trail mix that’s just right for you and your family.

I have to say that the trail mix bar is one of my favorite areas of the new Wheaton Mariano’s.

Along with the gelato…

And the lattes…I just tried their pumpkin spice latte. So good!

The sitting area is like nothing I’ve ever seen inside of a grocery store. I love it. It’s green and beautiful.

There’s a beloved Todd’s BBQ that serves up hot, tummy tempting barbecue. If you don’t live in Illinois but come here to visit someday — definitely try to make it to a Mariano’s store that serves up Todd’s BBQ.

Oh, and one of my absolute favorite things about this store (besides the other favorite things I mentioned) is their labeling system. With the labeling system at Mariano’s, you know when a food item is gluten-free, organic, vegan, etc…

I really love the labels. It makes shopping for certain categories of food even easier. It’s also a huge help to families with food allergies.

More about the Wheaton Mariano’s
This location also has a huge assortment of organic produce, a sushi bar, an amazing assortment of hot and cold at-the-ready foods, a bakery you must see to believe, caramel apples made while you watch, and so much more. I feel blessed to have a Mariano’s “in my backyard.”

And I can’t wait to go back. 🙂

Have you ever been to a Mariano’s store? What’s your favorite area in the grocery store?

Did you know? You can find great recipes and ideas from the Mariano’s Community. And you can follow Mariano’s on Facebook and Twitter for their latest updates.