Mariano’s Is Coming To Crystal Lake

For years, many residents in McHenry County have been pining for a Mariano’s, and it looks like their wishes may soon come true.

On Tuesday, city officials in Crystal Lake announced Mariano’s plans to open a new store at 105 Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake in 2018. The 74,800-square-foot store will open at the current location of the Sears store, which plans to close in mid-March, city officials said.

Demolition of the existing Sears store and groundbreaking for the new Mariano’s is planned for spring of 2017, with construction lasting throughout the year leading to an estimated opening in 2018.

“We are excited to welcome Mariano’s to the Crystal Lake business community,” Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley said. “Mariano’s is a premier grocer that offers quality products, variety, exceptional service and convenience and this is a perfect location for them.”

Continental Properties Company and Sears Holdings Corp., which are joint venture partners in the development, worked with the mayor and city staff to locate Mariano’s at this “high-profile location” in Crystal Lake.

Continental Properties Company said that the construction of the store should take about a year and will include a “new specially-designed prime commercial building.”

“The city of Crystal Lake has been very responsive and helpful in assisting us,” said Steve Wagner, senior vice president for Continental Properties Company Inc. “We look forward to the grand opening.”

The 74,800-square-foot building will feature Mariano’s signature glass rotunda which houses the café area for customers. The store’s interior is unique to Crystal Lake, “offering an unparalleled shopping experience with a vast assortment of freshly prepared meal options and an extensive award-winning produce department,” according to the city’s news release.

The Mariano’s store will be the first in McHenry County. The closest Mariano’s grocery stores are currently located in Lake Zurich, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills and Gurnee.