Shopper Kim Young of Vernon Hills enjoys the grand opening of The Fresh Market in Lincolnshire on Wednesday. The supermarket is the first in Lincolnshire's 56-year history.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
After years of waiting, Lincolnshire-area residents finally got the chance Wednesday morning to shop in a hometown grocery store.
Fresh Market, the first grocery store in Lincolnshire's 56-year history, opened its doors to the public Wednesday with special promotions and giveaways for its first customers.
The store, at 475 Milwaukee Avenue, is the realization of a long-term effort by Lincolnshire officials to bring a grocer to the community. Prior to Wednesday, village residents would have to travel to supermarkets in nearby Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove or Lake Forest to do their grocery shopping.
The store is on a 7-acre site once partially owned by the village on the northeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Half Day Road.
Village officials now are weighing an Elmhurst-based developer's offer to purchase adjoining land for a separate development. DK Mallon has offered to buy more than 7 acres of commercially zoned land on the north and south sides of the store. Company representatives are expected to appear before village officials next week to discuss their plans for the site.
Lori Abrams and her daughter Talia, 16, of Buffalo Grove, prepare to taste food samples from chefs Mike Monahan and Desiree Price at the grand opening of The Fresh Market in Lincolnshire on Wednesday.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Brother and sister Za Cung and Ngun Hliang of Northbrook prepare fresh Sushi for the shoppers at The Fresh Market in Lincolnshire during the stores grand opening on Wednesday.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Shoppers arrive early for the grand opening of The Fresh Market in Lincolnshire on Wednesday. The supermarket is the first in Lincolnshires 56-year history.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Joe Dellicolli of North Carolina hands out the first slice of 30-month-old Parmesan Reggiano cheese to Jocelyn Wu, 9, of Lincolnshire, at the grand opening of The Fresh Market in Lincolnshire on Wednesday.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Lincolnshire Mayor Brett Blomberg speaks Wednesday at the grand opening of The Fresh Market store just before the cracking the Parmesan event symbolizing the official opening.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com