By Press Release Submitted to OnMilwaukee.com Published May 26, 2016 at 2:50 PM Photography: Bobby Tanzilo

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a rapidly growing Midwest specialty retailer focused on healthy and organic products and groceries, will open its first Wisconsin store in Milwaukee’s North End – 470 E. Pleasant St. – on Wednesday, June 8 at 7 a.m. 

(A ribbon-cutting and "Friends & Family"-only shopping opportunity is slated for Tuesday, June 7.)

On Wednesday morning, the first 250 shoppers in line will receive a free tote bag filled with unique Fresh Thyme offerings. On Tuesday, June 7 at 3:45 p.m., the store will hold a ribbon cutting and firkin tapping ceremony with prominent city officials including Mayor Tom Barrett and Ald. Nik Kovak as well as Lakefront Brewery owner Russ Klisch.

"We’re thrilled to be opening our first store in Wisconsin and to fill a much needed gap in Downtown Milwaukee. We love the city and look forward to serving the community," Fresh Thyme CEO Chris Sherrell said. "The Fresh Thyme mission is to service our customers like family and to offer healthy good food at really good prices."

As part of the planned grand opening celebration, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market has scheduled a variety of family-friendly events on-site with local partners. To kick off the week, Fresh Thyme will host a Family Festival and Neighborhood Block Party on Saturday, June 4 in front of the store. There will be a cookout, live music, face painting and more.

Fresh Thyme is passionate about their connections to the local community, from stocking local products and produce to hiring local residents and partnering with non-profit efforts that benefit the residents. To further express its commitment to the Milwaukee community and as part of its ongoing Cultivate Community initiative, Fresh Thyme will be donating five percent of store profits generated on Tuesday, June 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Fresh Thyme has filled 100 full-time and part-time positions for the Milwaukee store. Local residents seeking employment opportunities are encouraged to view existing openings by visiting freshthyme.com/careers.

OnMilwaukee offered a peek inside the space earlier this month.