Fresh Thyme to open in 2018

GENEVA – When Chris Sherrell, the founder and CEO of the Fresh Thyme Farmers Market grocery chain, was looking over the best locations for the next 18 to 22 stores, Geneva "was easily in the top 10."

The organic grocery chain will eventually occupy a portion of the former Dominick’s at 2000 S. Randall Road, with a planned opening 12 to 14 months from now, Sherrell said.

“It’s an awesome city,” Sherrell said of Geneva. “We are constantly looking at the big picture. … Ultimately we want to bring this natural organic specialty option to the western suburbs.”

While Geneva stands out as the right community in which to locate Fresh Thyme, Sherrell said the company might also locate a store in St. Charles or Batavia, but that decision would not be made until after the Geneva store is open.

As to whether it would be St. Charles or Batavia, Sherrell said, “I don’t know if I would be up to answering that right now.”

Sherrell opened the first Fresh Thyme three years ago on April 21, 2014, in Mount Prospect, and now there are 62 stores throughout the Midwest, he said.

Geneva’s will be the company’s 63rd location, he said.

“It’s a full-service grocery store with fresh vegetables, meats, bakery and deli, with 350 to 400 bulk items, a complete dairy section, beer, wine, vitamins and body care,” Sherrell said. “It’s very focused on healthy lifestyles and getting people to transition ... to a lifestyle that promotes health.”

Meijer’s relationship with Fresh Thyme is that of investor, Sherrell said.

“We are a standalone business,” Sherrell said. “They are an investor. They are a great partner and significant financial partner, but we run two 100 percent separate companies.”