Mariano's Is the Bomb: Guests Get Private Preview, Store Opens Tuesday

Caption: Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury and Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano cut the ribbon at Monday’s preview party of the new Mariano’s store at 111th Street and Cicero Avenue. | Glen Kato

When Bob Mariano throws a 1970s party he doesn’t fool around. Monday’s private reception on the eve of the historic opening of Mariano’s Fresh Market at Stony Creek Promenade was like a flashback to an old Friday night “Midnight Special” from 1977.

The Cover Girls, five glamorous, female violinists who played a variety of covers from Charlie Daniels to Led Zeppelin on their signature purple electric violins, evoked memories of Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra.

Mariano, aka “Chairman Bob,” who still carries traces of a Chicago Northwest Side accent, told guests that he doesn’t golf or go yachting, he just likes to open grocery stories -- and the Oak Lawn Mariano’s is the 27th store under the Milwaukee-based Roundy’s banner.

Mayor Sandra Bury delivered a gracious speech, welcoming Mariano’s 450 team members to Oak Lawn (Mariano claims there will 1,000 employees at the store in four years), and remarking that superstar supermarket is opening five months ahead of time.

As a gesture of the store’s commitment (or gamble) on Oak Lawn, Mariano awarded three $2,500 checks to Park Lawn and the Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ food pantry in Oak Lawn, and Chicago Agricultural High School in Beverly.

To spare area residents chomping at the bit to shop at the store, the ribbon cutting was held last night.

Store features announced Monday include an open air Farmers Market for a limited time, carrying locally sourced fruits and vegetables.

Area residents will also soon become acquainted with other Mariano’s “signature brands,” including (from a store press release):

• Bella cupcakes, fresh squeeze fruit and vegetable juices, house-made sausage and pub burgers;
• Vero authentic Italian coffee and gelato shop features premium coffees fresh-roasted locally and homemade gelato;
• Todds BBQ offers daily smoked brisket, ribs, sausage and more – with a variety of sauces to fit your taste;
• Seafood features the freshest premium items, many brought from shore to store within 24 hours;
• Floral department showcases more than 30 varieties of cut flower bunches and unique, recipe-specific bouquets plus floral arrangements from in-house designers;
• Full-service pharmacy with friendly and accessible pharmacists, immunization services, the Mariano’s Prescription Savings Club and the unique PharmaSmart Blood Pressure machine.

Despite the other Mariano’s stores popping up around the Chicago area, we have saved ourselves for Oak Lawn’s Mariano’s, which opens Tuesday at 6 a.m. at 111th Street and Cicero Avenue.

Let us know what you think of the new store. If you haven’t commented on the new Patch site yet >> Learn how here