Mariano's Fresh Market

I generally try to keep my money as local as possible, but I was near Mariano's at Halsted and Madison last Thursday evening around 9 and needed a few things, and would have not been able to get to any local stores in time.

I had already been impressed with the amount of bike parking they had installed, but otherwise didn't know anything about the place beyond a vague perception that they were probably on the pricey side. My initial perception after passing the sushi and expresso bars, and the deli/bakery/produce areas on the way in was that the store was very upscale, but when I got to the aisles I found the prices were pretty low, especially the house brand stuff (Roundy's) and there was kind of a suprising assortment of foreign food of various kinds. I ended up almost enjoying shopping, which I've almost come to dread in recent years....

Anyone else shop here? What do you think? Is it a local company? Is it just a subsidiary of Wal-Mart and I'm easily fooled?

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Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on October 11, 2013 at 5:24am

This seems related. Not sure if it has been mentioned in the thread before:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/Dominicks-Owner-Safeway-Le...

Ill probably keep shopping mostly at Cermak Fresh Market. It doesnt have the same depth of selection as the other big guys but its cheap, fresh, and close by. I wish there were more TJs.

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Permalink Reply by leftoverbacon on October 11, 2013 at 7:35am

It's hard to compete with companies that are getting TIF handouts in the Millions of dollars. EVERY SINGLE WalMart in this town was built w/ TIF funds. Most Target Stores were built w/ TIF Funds. I know the Marianos on Halsted (across the street from Dominick's) was built w/ TIF funds.... What ever happened to the "Free Market".

T.K. 8.4 mi said:

This seems related. Not sure if it has been mentioned in the thread before:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/Dominicks-Owner-Safeway-Le...

Ill probably keep shopping mostly at Cermak Fresh Market. It doesnt have the same depth of selection as the other big guys but its cheap, fresh, and close by. I wish there were more TJs.

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Permalink Reply by leftoverbacon on October 11, 2013 at 7:37am

I want to add that I recently visited the Marianos in the South Loop. They put in a bike rack, but it's mounted so close to the building that most people were just locking their front wheels. If you want to lock your frame, you'll have to either be a contortionist, or take up 1/2 the rack.

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on October 11, 2013 at 7:48am

Anyone been to Plum Market on Wells? Michigan-based, wine bar, sushi from Takashi Yagahashi, some stuff from Zingerman's, and I know they carry bread from local baker Anne Kostrowski of Crumb Chicago and Sauce & Bread Kitchen.

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Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 11, 2013 at 8:09am

The parking area for both bikes and cars at South Loop seems like an afterthought.

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Permalink Reply by leftoverbacon on October 29, 2013 at 6:08am

UPDATE: The new Mariano's in the South Loop has moved their bike racks! They've now been moved about a foot further from the wall & it's now possible to easily lock up multiple bikes. I'm really glad this oversight has been corrected.

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on November 5, 2013 at 4:32am

With complete disregard for the guy standing next to me at the urinal in Mariano's restroom, I let out a loud fart as I pushed my bladder to its limits. The dude says "HEY, take it easy!"

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on November 5, 2013 at 6:40am

Did you go out to complain to Taco, Ruxin, Andre and Pete afterward?

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

With complete disregard for the guy standing next to me at the urinal in Mariano's restroom, I let out a loud fart as I pushed my bladder to its limits. The dude says "HEY, take it easy!"

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on November 5, 2013 at 7:54am

Nah, we just laughed at the whole situation for a bit. Still sobering up from Saturday night and another drink from the bar at Mariano's will do that.

JeffB (7+ miles) said:

Did you go out to complain to Taco, Ruxin, Andre and Pete afterward?

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

With complete disregard for the guy standing next to me at the urinal in Mariano's restroom, I let out a loud fart as I pushed my bladder to its limits. The dude says "HEY, take it easy!"