Marianos Weekly Ads & Flyers

The "Bar Mariano" Social Strategy

• Mariano’s is one of the few places in Chicago where you can have a "happy hour" while grocery shopping.
• The Strategy:
• Head to Bar Mariano or the Oyster Bar before you start your shopping.
• The Hack:
• Ask for the "Wine & Shop" special. Many locations offer a glass of house wine or a craft draft for a flat $5–$7.
• The Pro-Tip:
• They have cup holders on the carts for a reason! It turns a chore into a date night or a wind-down after a long day at the Merchandise Mart.

The "City Parking" Validation Hack

• In downtown Chicago (Lakeshore East, West Loop, South Loop), parking is a nightmare and usually costs $20+.
• The Strategy:
• Never pay for parking when shopping.
• The Hack:
• Every city-center Mariano’s offers validated parking (usually 90 minutes to 2 hours) with a minimum purchase (often as low as $10).
• The Value:
• If you’re meeting someone for coffee downtown, stop at Mariano’s afterward to buy a gallon of milk or a "Weekly Digital Deal" item. You’ve just gotten "free" downtown parking for the price of a jug of milk.

The "KroGO" Smart Cart (Time-Saver)

• Mariano’s is rolling out the KroGO (Kroger’s smart cart) technology across Chicagoland.
• The Strategy:
• Skip the checkout line entirely.
• The Hack:
• Use a KroGO cart to scan your items as you place them in your bag. The cart has a built-in scale and screen.
• The Payoff:
• When you're done, you pay directly on the cart and walk out through a special lane. During the 5:00 PM rush at the Ravenswood location, this can save you 20 minutes of standing in line.

The "Guacamole Station" Customization

• Don't settle for the pre-packaged guacamole in the produce section.
• The Strategy:
• Look for the "Fresh Guacamole" station.
• The Hack:
• You can ask the chef to customize your batch. Want extra jalapeños? No onions? Heavy cilantro? They will whip it up right in front of you.
• The Value:
• It’s often the same price as the pre-packed version but lasts 24 hours longer because it was made specifically for you.
• Unadvertised Mariano’s "Hidden" Gems
• The Murray’s "Scraps" Bag: Visit the Murray’s Cheese counter. Look for small, clear bags labeled "Cheese Ends." These are the remnants of $30/lb artisan cheeses (Gruyère, Manchego, Roquefort) sold for $3–$5. It’s the ultimate "charcuterie on a budget" move.
• The 4: 00 PM "Piano Man" Shift:
• If you want the full experience, the live piano players typically start their shift between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM on weekdays. It transforms the "vibe" of the store for your commute-home shop.
• Custom Floral Arrangements:
• The floral department at Mariano’s is significantly higher quality than Jewel or Aldi. If you bring them a vase from home, they will often arrange a "Weekly Ad" bouquet into it for you for a very small service fee, making a $15 bunch look like a $60 professional delivery.
• The "Vero" Gelato Flight:
• Can't decide on a flavor? You can ask for a "Gelato Flight" (three small scoops). If you have kids with you, this is a "tantrum-preventer" that is remarkably affordable.

The "Buy 5, Save $5" Mega Event

• This is the single most important event in the Mariano’s Weekly Ad.
• The Strategy:
• Look for items with the "Buy 5, Save $5" tag (or sometimes "Buy 5, Save $1 Each").
• The Hack:
• You can mix and match any participating items.
• The Pro-Tip:
• You must buy exactly 5 (or multiples of 5) to trigger the discount. If you buy 4, you pay full price. If you buy 6, the 6th item is full price. Always count your items at the end of your trip!

The "Mariano’s vs. Jewel" Price Match

• Mariano’s and Jewel-Osco are fierce rivals in Chicago.
• The Strategy:
• Check the front page of the Mariano's flyer on Wednesday morning.
• The Hack:
• If Jewel has a "Loss Leader" (like $0.99 strawberries), Mariano’s will often match or beat it with a "Weekly Digital Deal." You must "clip" the coupon in the Mariano’s app to get these deep-discount prices.

The "Vero Coffee" Happy Hour

• The Strategy: Visit the Vero Coffee bar between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM (times may vary by store).
• The Hack:
• Many locations offer half-price pastries or "Happy Hour" drink specials. It’s the cheapest way to enjoy a high-end latte while you shop.

Clearance "Yellow Tag" Cycles

• The Timing: Monday and Tuesday evenings.
• The Hack:
• Before the new ad starts on Wednesday, managers mark down "short-dated" items (meats, deli salads, and bakery goods) with bright yellow clearance stickers. You can often find 50–75% off premium Private Selection meats.

Live Entertainment:

Many locations still feature a live piano player during peak hours, creating a "luxury hotel lobby" atmosphere while you buy milk.

Vero Coffee & Gelato:

A specialized Italian-style cafe inside the store.

The Reward:

Using your rewards card, you get a "Buy 10, Get the 11th Free" deal on all Vero drinks and gelato.

The "Kosher Market" (Skokie):

The Skokie location features one of the most extensive certified kosher sections in the country, including a separate sushi station, grill, and deli.

Kroger Integration:

Since the Kroger acquisition, you now have access to high-quality private labels like Simple Truth (organic) and Private Selection, alongside Chicago local brands.

The "Sushi Happy Hour" Hack

• The Oki Sushi inside Mariano's is often better than standalone restaurants.
• The Hack:
• On certain days (often Wednesdays or during "Game Days"), Mariano's runs a $5 or $6 Sushi Roll special. It is the best value lunch in downtown Chicago.

The Murray’s Cheese Pairing

• Mariano’s partners with Murray’s Cheese (of NYC fame).
• The Pro-Tip:
• Don't buy the pre-cut blocks in the dairy aisle. Go to the Murray’s counter and ask for a "Cheese Scrap" bag. These are small ends of world-class cheeses sold at a massive discount. It's the cheapest way to build a $100 charcuterie board for $15.

The "Vero" Birthday Perk

• The Strategy: Ensure your birth date is in your digital profile.
• The Hack:
• Mariano’s often sends a coupon for a completely free Vero drink or Gelato scoop during your birthday month.