Chicago retailer Mariano’s launches virtual events for customers

For Chicago residents who are sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic, local grocery stalwart Mariano’s, a division of Kroger’s Roundy’s brand, has launched Mariano’s Meet Ups, an online platform for cooking classes, wine tastings, mixology sessions, live Chicago style music and more. 

Featuring interactive classes and demonstrations from local chefs and sommeliers, as well as Mariano’s Tastemakers like Belinda Chang, Tony Priolo (pictured at left), Lamar Moore and Todd Stein, customers can learn tips and tricks for preparing meals and cocktails during this time of shelter in place and social distancing. Mariano’s will post the grocery list in advance of the cooking classes so customers can engage and learn how to prepare the dishes and drinks with the experts. Groceries can be ordered online for pickup or delivery.

Mariano’s Meet Ups will also bring the popular “Live at Mariano’s”musical performances into customers’ homes  every Friday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., with local artists. Entertainer Miss Jamie From the Farm will have kids dancing in their pajamas with live performances on Saturday mornings from 10-10:30 a.m. The full schedule of virtual events can be found at www.marianosmarket.eventbrite.com. 

Registration is free and signs up are available at www.marianosmarket.eventbrite.com. Classes will be hosted on the Zoom video platform.

Related:Mariano’s serves up more in-store restaurants

Mariano’s operates 44 food and grocery stores in the Chicagoland area, and is renowned for its foodservice offerings.

Since the pandemic began spreading, Mariano’s has taken steps to better serve its customers while enhancing the safety of employees and shoppers. The grocer has set aside two hours daily — 6 to 8 a.m. — for seniors and those with underlying health conditions. In addition,  the company is looking to hire 300 employees to keep up with demand in its stores.

On March 30, an employee at a Mariano's in suburban Skokie tested positive for coronavirus.

“We are supporting them as they receive medical care, and wish them all the best in their recovery,” a spokeswoman for the grocery store chain said in a statement.

The spokeswoman said that upon learning of the case, Mariano's followed all sanitation and cleaning procedures per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines at the site, and communicated the diagnosis to the store's team.

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