Mariano's Fresh Market is Coming to Touhy and McCormick

The local grocery store market is heating up. While Trader Joe's is coming to Evanston sometime this year, Skokie is now getting a Mariano's Fresh Market.

The popular grocery chain will replace the now vacant Klein Tools, at 7200 N. McCormick Blvd., which closed its doors in December 2011.

Located a few blocks from Howard-Hartrey shopping plaza in Evanston, the new store will be approximately 75,000 square feet and feature produce, meats, a bakery, a deli and other amenities, including an Italian coffee shop, serving authentic gelato, a wood-fired pizza oven, sit down sushi bar, cook-to-order food service and even a pharmacy.  

The nine-acre redevelopment site also will include a restaurant on the corner, likely from a national chain, a bank and additional retail.

Skokie Plan Commission hearings are expected in late spring 2013; Mariano's projected opening is late 2014 or early 2015.  There is no village incentive or subsidy for the project, but the village of Skokie said it is working closely with IDOT and other involved parties on issues involved in securing the development. 

The village said it was in discussions with Mariano's to develop a market in downtown Skokie, but could never pinpoint a location large enough. Ultimately, the village worked with Mariano's and Centrum Partners, LLC to find the location at 7200 N. McCormick Boulevard.