Fresh Thyme Farmers Market was founded in 2012 by current CEO Chris Sherrell. Sherrell had more than 30 years in the grocery business when he saw an opportunity to put a more natural foods type of market in the mid-West, he went for it.
The company is a combination of Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. The focus is on natural health foods in bulk quantities, eliminating most packaging and pre-packaged foods.
Since the first opening of their store in Illinois in 2014, the company has had an eye on expansion. Currently, there are 66 locations in 10 states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. At this rate of growth, the company is scheduled to have 150 locations by 2020. There are currently plans to open 10 more locations in 2018; this after opening 20 locations in 2017.
Company headquarters are located in Downers Grove, Illinois.