Meijer Opens 200th Store

Meijer Inc. will open its 200th store in Swartz Creek, Mich., on May 16, continuing its commitment to support the communities it serves by creating more than 200 jobs and buying fresh, local produce.

“We’re excited to continue to see our company grow in Michigan,” said Meijer co-chairman Hank Meijer. “We started local, and we feel it’s important to continue to focus on the communities where we’re located. Whether it’s through donations to local food banks like the Swartz Creek Food Bank, or in supporting farmers across the Midwest, we’re focused on growing together with our customers and our surrounding communities.”

The family-owned retailer, which opened its first store in 1934, will mark the milestone opening with a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting celebration at the store, located at 4141 Morrish Road in Swartz Creek, a suburb of Flint, northwest of Detroit. The ceremony will include remarks by Meijer officials, along with presentations to the Swartz Creek Food Bank and the Swartz Creek Civic Center enhancement project.

The Swartz Creek store is the first of six new stores the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer will open this year in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. It also represents a portion of the more than $160 million planned investment in new and remodeled stores Meijer is making this year throughout the Midwest.

At 190,000 square feet, the Swartz Creek Meijer was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. It includes a drive-through and full-service pharmacy offering the retailer’s free prescription program for oral generic antibiotics, prenatal vitamins, and medications for those with diabetes and high cholesterol. The store will also feature a gas station, a wide selection of general merchandise, including apparel, electronics and pet items, and a robust grocery department with national and Meijer brand items.

Meijer is also one of the largest purchasers of many fruits and vegetables in the Midwest with an economic benefit of more than $80 million annually.

“Meijer has a longstanding commitment to buying locally grown produce when available as long as the quality meets our high standards,” said Jerry Suter, Meijer VP of fresh. “It’s just one way Meijer supports the communities it serves, and it’s an initiative that has expanded during the past 5 years as the focus on local became more important to our customers.”

Earlier this year, Meijer expanded its program that supports Michigan small businesses to feature 55 new Michigan-made grocery items in all its stores statewide. The goal of the Made in Michigan initiative, launched in partnership with the Michigan State University Product Center, is to help strengthen the state’s economy by supporting small businesses.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer Inc. operates 200 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.