Fresh Thyme Farmers Market's first St. Louis-area store will be celebrating its grand opening in Fairview Heights at 6569 North Illinois Street on Wednesday, January 14. Doors open at 7 a.m. Fresh Thyme grand openings are popular for their family activities, live entertainment and food sampling. In addition, the first 250 shoppers through the doors at 7 a.m. will receive a free reusable shopping bag filled with $50 of healthy and organic groceries.

Fairview Heights Mayor Gail Mitchell, along with the Metro-East Regional Chamber of Commerce, will be on hand at 6:45 a.m. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony and community partners check presentation. As part of their commitment to the communities they serve, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market will donate $2,500 to both the Illinois Center for Autism and the Fairview Heights Food Pantry.

"Fresh Thyme is committed to improving the way our communities eat," said CEO Chris Sherrell. "Providing healthy and organic offerings at a great value and featuring an abundant produce section helps make healthy decisions easier."

Fresh Thyme's grand opening promises to be fun for the whole family. Line up early to reserve your free bag of groceries and stay for the face painting, balloon animals and an exciting day of shopping!

Grand Opening Schedule:

Wednesday, January 14th
6:45 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony/Community Partners Check Presentation
7 a.m. Doors Open/Grocery Giveaway to First 250 Customers through the Door. Line Up Early to Reserve Your Spot!
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Live Music by Steven Woolley
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Boar's Head Hot Dog Cart and Face Painting

Saturday, January 17th
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Live Music by Steven Woolley
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Boar's Head Hot Dog Cart and Face Painting

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a full-service specialty retailer focusing on value-priced fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings. It boasts an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables, a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to go, bakery goods, 400 bulk food bins, dairy and frozen, and health supplement products. Fresh Thyme is scheduled to open 60 stores by 2019. Learn more at freshthyme.com. Keep in touch by liking us at facebook.com/freshthymefarmersmarkets and following us at twitter.com/freshthymefm.