Bob Mariano, the man behind Mariano’s grocery stores, plans to open a new chain of grocery stores in Chicago with the first one slated to open next March in Lincoln Park.
Dom’s Market and Kitchen will be a small-footprint grocer that caters to “busy consumers who want the option to cook at home, take out quality prepared foods, or eat on-site. Consumers can expect pickup, delivery and a differentiated shopping experience,” according to a statement released by the startup.
Mariano will serve as CEO of the new company, which is being funded by a $10 million investment from Valor Siren Ventures, Cleveland Avenue and Molto Capital.
“Times change, goals change, people change. I observe those changes everyday. It’s what I’ve done all my life. Meeting customer demand and making customers feel special is what drives me,” Mariano said in an email.
While CEO and chairman of Milwaukee-based Roundy’s, Mariano opened his namesake grocery stores in the Chicago area. He stepped away from Roundy’s after Cincinnati-based Kroger acquired it in 2015.
Mariano came up in the industry under the mentorship of Dominick DiMatteo, the founder of the now-defunct Dominick’s grocery chain.
DiMatteo’s grandson, Jay Owen, will serve as chairman of Dom’s Market and Kitchen.
And Don Fitzgerald, who previously worked with Mariano at Roundy’s, will serve as president and run day-to-day operations.
The group plans to open other Dom’s Market and Kitchen stores in Chicago, focusing on urban neighborhoods, once its Lincoln Park location is fully operational. The company hasn’t announced its Lincoln Park address.
“Dom’s will be a neighborhood destination where consumers can drop in several times per week, explore new foods, watch the cooking process in open preparation areas, participate in a wine tasting class, dine in, or take home prepared foods or cooking ingredients,” Owen said in a news release.
