Downers Grove, IL—Fresh Thyme Market, which launched as a neighborhood-focused grocer in 2012 and has since grown to 71 locations in 10 states throughout the Midwest, is the recipient of WholeFoods Magazine's 2022 Retailer of the Year award.

The grocer has continued to evolve in 2022. In June, Liz Zolcak was named the new President of Fresh Thyme Market, succeeding Gerald Melville, who retired after a 43-year retail career. “I am thrilled and humbled to take on this exciting new challenge and to be trusted to lead such an incredible team,” Zolcak said. “Gerald and I have been able to accomplish significant wins with the team during our time working together, and I’m looking forward to even more successes ahead.”

The focus at Fresh Thyme Market: to be a trusted resource in the communities the company serves, bringing people access to real food at affordable prices. The grocer maintains a local focus on the community, offering shoppers a selection of fresh, local, natural, and organic products that are carefully curated to meet them wherever they are on their personal health and wellness journey.

Take the newly remodeled Grand Rapids location, which celebrated its grand reopening in August. The location offers 4,000 new items store-wide, including over 600 local, artisan items, such as Hummus Goodness, Good Life Naturals, and Sugar Sweet Bath + Body Treats. Shoppers can also select from hundreds of new beer, wine, and liquor products featuring local Michigan and Grand Rapid breweries and distilleries.

“We are committed to providing our customers with a better shopping experience with more choices, more local and national brands, and more convenience at low prices,” said Store Director Rod Kennedy, announcing the reopening.

Fresh Thyme also works to serve the greater good. This year, the grocer announce a donation of more than $800,000 to Feeding America. The money will go to local food banks throughout the Midwest, including the St. Louis Food Bank, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Forgotten Harvest, Mid-Ohio Food Bank and others.

Innovation is also core to Fresh Thyme Market's success. In the November issue of WholeFoods Magazine, learn more about how Fresh Thyme is making a positive difference for shoppers (including its successful use of Smart Shelf Tags to help educate and enhance the shopper experience), team members, and the overall community. Join us in honoring their efforts!