Fresh Thyme Farmers Market

I decided to check out this store as they supposedly have better deals. There were indeed some sales, and their fruits/​veggies were nicely priced, as well as the coffee. My issues wasn’t so much their stock of items, it was great, my issue was the customer service. The employees were trained to say «hello» and that’s about it. Also, at most stores, an employee usually assists customers in the vitamin/​supplement section, but here they do not. Also, my items were rung up more than once which I had to address, and an item I bought was half empty it turned out. I noticed several customers skimming the aisles obviously looking for an item, but the employees were too busy chatting to assist. That was the other thing, all the employees were engaged in conversation w/​each other, perhaps because it was a dead hour, but man, I would love to get paid to talk too! I guess I thought for a store that JUST opened in Chicago that is trying to beat Trader Joes/​Whole Foods, the customer service would have been outstanding. That’s all. I’ll go back because some of the deals were awesome, but it’s not going to be cause of the employees.

I did not care for this place at all. The prepared foods selection was limited, the produce OK but not great and the bakery items lousy. Prices were not horrible, no bargains but not like Whole Foods either. Worst of all the expensive sausages I bought (the factory sealed kind that typically expire months not days from purchase) were expired and shouldn’t have been out for purchase. Buyer beware.

Love this place! Easy parking, never crowded when I’ve been (mostly mornings) great sales, friendly staff and a clean, well stocked store. They have those large twin shopping carts, which makes shopping with my twins a million times easier.

This is less crowded alternative to whole foods. many vegetarian options. The soups are delicious. You can pick up meals to go here. Great parking. It’s never crowded so very easy whereas whole foods is a madhouse. I like the frozen organic options many beauty products as well. I buy rare yogurts here like whole foods.

This is a great new market, heavy on the fresh produce, dairy, bulk items and proteins. It’s an excellent place to focus on what you should be eating and avoiding the middle of the store (as the packaged items are only about 1 – 2 aisles).
It has a really big parking lot and isn’t stressful like nearby Mariano’s on Elston where the lot seems to bring out the worst in people.
The staff is also really friendly and helps you find exactly what you are looking for.

Really love this place as an alternative to Whole Foods. Prices are much cheaper and there are plenty of organic and vegetarian options. Great baked goods, bulk maple syrup & apple cider vinegar, higher quality yogurt selection instead of those no fat high sugar brands.
If you have young kids and they are picky eaters they have a variety of nutritious organic snacks.
Tons of different teas, nice vitamin and holistic lifestyle items all at competitive online prices.
They have almost everything I need except the wine selection is so-​so. Not many options under $ 10 but enough to get you by in a pinch. Favorite grocery store besides Strack.

Im a nerd and a new grocery store is so exciting to me, especially a natural grocery store. Anyway, i am impressed with this place.
Great prices, fun selection, really fun products, and fantastic healthcare, vitamins and natural products. Totally impressive baby product section too.

The place is very clean with a great selection of everything. Proceeds are reasonable and the staff is very friendly and informed.
Went there just to look and ended up spending $ 100 on delicious fresh groceries.
I will definition come again.

I really love this place. The layout is amazing and they have a wide selection of healthy stuff, more than trader joes. The prices are also great and the staff is very friendly.

I am excited by the opening of this market. The location is super convenient along Elston Ave by Home Depot and Target.
I have been growing so sick of Mariano’s for various reasons I won’t get into here, and I welcome the option for new and different things.
This market has tons of produce and really unique items all focused on health and wellness. Prices for some things were cheaper than typical grocery stores, some things were more expensive so on the whole it’s probably very comparable. I was able to score some ground boar (they also had goat, bison, and other game meats!), some wonderful fresh produce and sunflower seed butter without added sugar (you have no idea how hard that is to come by). They have tons of nuts and other snacks in the middle including cashews and dark chocolate covered raisins.
I will say the selection of organic produce was lacking a bit, and they didn’t have the type of milk I drink (unsweetened coconut milk), but I realize that is being a bit picky. I don’t think this is the type of place you could switch to entirely for all of your grocery needs on a weekly basis, but it’s close. And the best part is that it’s not crazy packed. I have never felt so relaxed walking around a grocery store as I did here.

Came here opening day and again the other night. I was holding out on a review, I wanted to see if after all the hub bub of their grand opening died down they were going to be the same amazing store with really great prices they were during the first week.
Did not disappoint. I dragged a friend along with me this time around and I quote, I have «opened up a whole new world» for him.
Then he started singing the theme song to Aladdin. I kid you not.
Seriously though, I cannot wait to shop here again, and sooooo glad it’s within walking distance of my place!

This is a welcome addition to my neighborhood. It’s a little like the poor woman’s Whole Foods that sells diet coke.
Fresh Thyme is relatively small, and has a relatively small selection. Despite this, their selection is top notch. They have many staple items and normal brand names. However, they also have a nice selection of small, high quality labels. Their bakery is really small, but the baked goods they do have are amazing. Especially their danishes.
Fresh Thyme also has a very small selection of prepared foods and this is where I think they could use some improvement, by having a larger selection.
overall a great place with friendly and helpful staff.

New favorite grocery store! It’s so clean and organized, it’s very affordable, and the staff is always helpful and friendly. I love that they carry fewer but better quality brands, it makes decision making super quick and easy. In addition to all the wonderful food products they also carry an amazing selection of health/​beauty products

Love this grocery!
+Staff is very friendly
+Store is very clean!
+Samples are always a good thing! But makes me buy more
+Sale items are well priced!
+Love the in store made sausages & meats
–The meat department isn’t very big

While I will say their dry good and wellness sections are great, their produce really didn’t look like anything special. But that’s probably just because I’m a firm believer that no produce selection can beat Stanley’s. I like the bulk items and there are some great specials, but it’s EXPENSIVE and to be honest I probably will shop elsewhere because of that.

Had to check out Fresh Thyme that just opened on Elston. Super friendly staff, great organic choices and fabulous prices in the seafood and meat department. Produce and fruit department were nicely organized and well displayed near the meat and seafood department. Good variety of Aura Cacia oils and knowledgeable employee who was able to answer all of my questions on the different oils and there uses. Of corse plenty of samples were being passed around from slices of pizza to muffins and ice cream! Fresh Thyme is now on my weekly shopping stops! Great prices, friendly staff and large parking lot. Definitely nice to have some variety in grocery stores in the area.

As expected with most new places, this Fresh Thyme was impeccably clean and tidy. There was also a bunch of friendly staff walking around, greeting customers, and offering great samples of food. Prices seemed reasonable (compared to similar places, such as Trader Joe’s and Mariano’s) and there were also great deals on a variety items. Their beer/​wine/​spirits section was robust and respectable. And they’ve got love music in the store, which was a very pleasant touch.
If you’re looking for fresh, healthy, and organic foodstuff, this should be your place.

Good selection of organic and local products.
I’ve been going to another local grocery store and their produce has declined over the last few months. Here I felt that the produce was fresh.
The deli and meat counters are a bit smaller but have a good selection of meats. I was surprised they didn’t have much wild caught fish but I’m sure they’re still trying to figure out what items will sell best them.
The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I hope this doesn’t change.

I love this place so much that I haven’t even left the parking lot to write this review!
Everything is so neat, clean and the employees are so friendly. I love that they have a wide variety of items and clearly marked whether it is gluten free. Additionally, their dried fruit, nuts, granola, coffee bar area is INSANE. I thought I was impressed with Pete’s Fresh market on Western but this place takes the cake. I mean where else can you find key lime yogurt covered pretzels?!
I was walking around for over an hour. The first employee I met was stocking ice cream. An hour later, I sheepishly walked past him to get more yogurt and he recognized me. Yep, I’m still here!
Aside from free samples throughout the store, they begged for me to take more free granola bars when I was done checking out. UH, you want me to take more free samples?! Don’t need to ask me twice!
All in all, I love this place. It’s like Whole Foods but cleaner, brighter, less crowded and nicer. I wish I hadn’t moved away from this area.

Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market opening day. Grocery stores to me are like amusement parks to children. They have a huge produce section with a focus on organics. It was pretty crowded but from my time there I thought they carry great products like Organic Girl. This may become my regular grocery place. Time will tell.
Also the staff was really nice.