Gallery: The Fresh approach

The Fresh Market has brought its cozy, European-style flair to the Chicago suburbs. The North Carolina-based company opened a new store on Feb. 26 in Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Customer service will set The Fresh Market apart from its competitors, said Joe Duncan, the store’s coordinator. When customers ask associates for a product, they will be escorted to the location. And if that customer would like to taste that product before buying, associates will open the package for a sample, he said.

Among other highlights of the store are the cheese department with 200 cheeses from around the world, three grind-your-own nut butter machines and a wine section with 500 selections.

The Fresh Market will be the anchor for a new retail center that was developed for a reported $12 million.