This grocer is thinking big as competitors go small

JUNE 29, 2015 | BY MIKE TROY

With many retailers such as Walmart, Target focused on opening smaller stores, Midwest supermarket operator Roundy’s is thinking big in Chicago with its newest Mariano’s location.

The Mariano’s division of Roundy’s is scheduled to open its 32nd store at 2323 Capital Drive in the Chicago suburb of Glenview on June 30. The 90,000-sq.-ft. store with 500 employees is huge in comparison to those operated by other Chicago area competitors and contrasts with a general industry trend that has seen retailers of all types focused on reducing the size of their stores.

“We have designed a store unlike any other, offering something for everyone,” said Bob Mariano, chairman, president, and CEO of Roundy’s.“If you’re hosting a party and looking for something unique to serve, meeting friends for a cup of Vero coffee or a homemade gelato, or need to shop for your family dinner, you’re going to find what you need here.”

The store will feature several first for Mariano’s including the brand’s first Vero coffee with on-site roasted coffee beans and Mariano’s Signature Curation Center, a space devoted to showcasing artisanal products from around the world. Within the Center, each item is hand selected to educate shoppers and share the unique story of each purveyor, according to the company.

The Curation Center’s products include items such as specialty olive oil, granola and whiskey along with a demonstration station that allows purveyors to engage with shoppers, prepare special recipes, seminars and tastings. The store will also have a specialty cheese and charcuterie shop and VEG’D – a freshly-prepared food station dedicated to fresh vegetarian and vegan items.

Other features include Todds BBQ, daily smoked brisket and ribs, the Oyster Bar, featuring fresh shucked oysters and specialty seafood dishes, a bakery and the SQUEEZ’D branded smoothie bar showcasing a variety of made-to-order fruit and vegetable smoothies and Mariano’s signature fresh-squeezed orange and other fruit juices.

The store will also have a pharmacy. Mariano’s parent company Roundy’s operates a total of 151 stores in the Illinois and Wisconsin markets under the Pick ’n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano’s banners generating roughly $4 billion in annual sales.