First Amazon Fresh Store Opening Just a Short Drive from Rockford

Never before have technology and convenience collided quite like this. This will be the first of likely many, Amazon Fresh grocery stores in Illinois.

On Thursday (12/10), Amazon will be opening a new 35,000-square-foot grocery store at 3116 S. Route 59 in Naperville, just a one hour drive from Rockford. This will be the first of four stores the company has planned for the Chicago suburbs.

Amazon just debuted this grocery store concept this year in California. The Naperville store will be the company's fifth store, with plans for Schaumburg at Golf and Roselle roads, Bloomingdale near Army Trail Road and Gary Avenue, or in Oak Lawn.

I'm exited to make the drive to see how Amazon does a grocery store differently. From what I've read, the technology is pretty slick. Here's a quick look at how Amazon does complete contactless smart cart grocery shopping with, Dash Cart

• Scan a QR code from your Amazon app before arriving
• Smart cart identifies and calculates the cost of your items
• Bypass the checkout line and leave through a special Dash Cart lane
• Your account will be charged for the items in the cart as you walk out

PLUS

• Free pickup and delivery for Amazon Prime members

The grocery store will be filled with the usual items, from national, local and Amazon-exclusive brands. The store also features Chicago-area companies like, Oberweis Dairy, Turano Baking Company and Revolution Brewing.

And, of course this new store comes with many $15-a-hour job opportunities, as well.

Amazon Fresh will be open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

[H/T Daily Herald]

Steve Shannon is host of The Steve Shannon Show on 97ZOK. On the air weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. and a special 'Rewind' show, featuring favorite moments from previous shows, on Saturday mornings from 5 to 7 a.m.. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and like his page on Facebook.