Gallery: If These Photos Don't Tempt You To Try Shopping at Mariano's, We Don't Know What Will

Throngs of shoppers attended the long-awaited grand opening of Mariano's Fresh Market in Elmhurst on Tuesday. In fact, they were lining up at the entrance at 5:30 a.m., Bob Mariano said.

"We opened at about 20 minutes to 6 for them," Mariano said. The scheduled opening time was 6 a.m. "We didn't want them to sit out there and wait."

Mariano said the Elmhurst store is unique in its architecture and some of its features.

"We always try, with each community, to make it distinctive," he said. "It's more curved. For such a large building, you don't realize that it is. The rotunda area is really spectacular. It's like being outside."

The rotunda in the 76,500-square-foot building is a dining area, where shoppers can slow down and try ready-to-eat selections. The ceiling is raised throughout much of the building, creating a bright, skylight effect.

The store features a large produce section filled with traditional and organic selections, a juice and smoothie bar, a trail mix bar, salad and soup bar, hot food selections, fresh squeezed juices of all kinds, a coffee and gelato bar, sushi bar, liquor section with walk in beer cooler where you can create your own 12-pack, a floral shop and extensive bakery, cheese and meat selections. 

"You can pick any meat you want and have it gilled here," said Dana Schueller, director, senior marketing leader for Mariano's

The meats include natural and organic, regular and prime choices.

The store also includes a pharmacy. 

Also unique to the Elmhurst store is "In the Kitchen with Mariano's," which is an area for culinary demonstrations.

"It's a fun place to go on a Friday night with your boyfriend," Schueller said. "The class schedule will be posted and you can sign up at the store."

A Mariano's employee also will perform store tours for customers, explaining healthy eating based on what is seasonal.

Store hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 

Have you visited Mariano's yet? Tell us what you think in the comments.