Caputo's opens in South Elgin today

South Elgin now has a different shopping and grocery option.

Angelo Caputo's Fresh Market is slated to open its doors at 7 a.m. today at the northwest corner of Silver Glen and Randall roads.

"We didn't want to miss Christmas, obviously. We've had a lot of people e-mailing and calling (saying) 'Please open, please open,'" said store manager Dale Ohman.

The location marks the sixth Caputo's in the Chicago suburbs since the original opened in Elmwood Park in 1958.

Other family-owned and operated locations are in Addison, Blomingdale, Hanover Park and Naperville.

Ohman said the 65,000-square-foot location specializes in ethnic foods, starting with an Italian bakery, a world-class deli and butcher shop along with fresh produce.

"You can get (customers) in with pricing, but you keep them coming back with customer service," he said. "You're going to find items in our store that you won't find anywhere else."

Ohman said today will be a soft opening and a more formal grand opening will be held in January to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original store.

Last July -- without the need for incentives from the village -- Caputo's bought the vacant Dominick's building in the Prairie View Center off Randall.

Steve Super, South Elgin director of community development, said Caputo's coming to town is a plus for the village and surrounding residents who now have access to a close specialty market.

"It could have made things difficult for the entire shopping center if (the Dominick's site) remained vacant," Super said. "(Caputo's) fits in well. It's provides our residents and the market with another option."

Caputo's is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. For details, call (847) 289-0600 or visit www.caputomarkets.com.