Chicago area grocery chain Fresh Thyme Farmers Market -- specializing in organic/natural items -- says it will open its first store in Northeast Ohio at 7 a.m. Feb. 8 in the Golden Gate shopping center in Mayfield Heights, outside Cleveland.
Fresh Thyme said the first 250 shoppers, aged eighteen and older, in line on the morning of Feb. 8 will receive a free bag of groceries. The store will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with city officials at 3:45 p.m. that day.
Fresh Thyme has been described as a cross between Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, with prices often lower than Whole Foods, and more fresh foods than Trader Joe's. They're designed to draw customers from a fairly larger area.
The store, south of Mayfield Road and west of Interstate 271, is in a former Office Max and totals about 30,000 square feet in size.
It's the 11th Ohio Fresh Thyme for the Downers Grove, Ill., grocer. There is one in Toledo and others in the Columbus and Cincinnati-Dayton area.
The growing retailer said in a news release that the Mayfield store is its 52nd and it plans to open 70 stores by the end of this year.
News reports from 2014 say the company's expansion is being partially financed with money from Meijer, the Grand Rapids-based discount retailer-grocer.
Here is the "Media Alert" with information about opening-day and opening-week activities:
*** MEDIA ALERT ***
FRESH THYME FARMERS MARKET OPENS MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO STORE
Midwest Retailer Continues Expansion Efforts with 52nd Store
WHAT: Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a rapidly growing Midwest specialty retailer focused on healthy and organic products and groceries, will open its first Cleveland-area store in Mayfield Heights (1545 Golden Gate Plaza) on Wednesday, February 8 at 7 a.m. The first 250 shoppers, aged eighteen and older, in line on Wednesday morning will receive a free bag of healthy groceries. The store will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with prominent city officials at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7.
Fresh Thyme is passionate about their connections to the local community, from stocking local products and produce to hiring local residents and partnering with non-profit efforts that benefit the residents. To further express its commitment to the Mayfield Heights community, Fresh Thyme will be donating 100 percent of proceeds generated from their Boar’s Head hot dog cart on Wednesday, February 8 between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. to the City of Mayfield Heights Parks & Recreation Department. The City of Mayfield Heights Parks and Recreation Department operates a variety of parks programming and facilities for the city.
As part of the planned grand opening celebration, Fresh Thyme will have family-friendly activities, samplings and live music throughout the week.
WHEN: Ribbon Cutting with Local City Officials
Tuesday, February 7 at 3:45 p.m.
Anthony DiCicco, Mayfield Heights Mayor- Mayfield Heights Chamber of Commerce
Brian Collins, Store Manager, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market – Mayfield Heights
Grand Opening Day
Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00 a.m.
Special Offers, including:
Free Bag of Healthy Groceries to the first 250 people, aged eighteen and older, in line on grand opening morning
Activities include:
Muffin Man from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Food and Drink Demonstrations throughout the day
Boar’s Head Hot Dog Cart benefitting the City of Mayfield Heights Parks & Recreation Department
Live Music
Grand Opening Week Festivities
Thursday, February 9
Activities include:
Kids Activity (Face Painting) with the City of Mayfield Heights Parks & Recreation Department
Demonstrations throughout the day
Live Music with Eric Elmi
Friday, February 10
Activities include:
Kids Activity with the City of Mayfield Heights Parks & Recreation Department
Face Painting
Demonstrations throughout the day
Live Music with Scott Roger
Saturday, February 11
Activities include:
Live Music with Mike Fisher “The Orchestra”
Kids Coloring Table
Chance to win Fresh Thyme gift cards and prizes
Demonstrations throughout the day