GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer on Thursday opened new supercenters in Escanaba and Sault Ste. Marie today, marking the retailer’s first stores in Michigan’s upper peninsula. The 192,000-sq.-ft. stores bring shoppers a “one-stop shopping experience” that features “high-quality” merchandise, grocery delivered daily and a full-service pharmacy that makes family health care a priority.
With 113 stores throughout Michigan, the new upper peninsula locations are built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards and are the latest in a $375 million investment this year that includes the construction of seven new Meijer supercenters and remodel projects for 22 additional stores in Indianapolis, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based family-owned retailer, which opened its first store in 1934, now has more than 230 stores throughout the Midwest.
“It is truly a proud day for us to cross the bridge into the upper peninsula and bring the Meijer experience to shoppers in Escanaba and Sault Ste. Marie,” co-chairman Hank Meijer said. “Since opening our first store in Greenville, Mich., 83 years ago, we’ve always strived to bring stores to communities looking for a one-stop shopping experience. We’re looking forward to providing our new neighbors the service, quality, selection and low prices that Meijer customers have come to expect.”
In addition to the retailer’s traditional grocery and merchandise, garden center, and 24-hour gas station at each store, the Escanaba and Sault Ste. Marie pharmacies will feature a drive-thru pick up and the company’s free prescription program. The prescription program includes leading oral generic antibiotics with a special focus on prescriptions most often filled for children, prenatal vitamins, and medications for those with diabetes and high cholesterol. Since its inception in 2006, the program has filled more than 38 million free prescriptions, saving Meijer customers more than $516 million.
The stores also demonstrated their commitment to the community by making donations to local organizations. Store director Sandy Molosky presented $25,000 to the Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools to help support its Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Program. Escanaba Store Director Jeff Rietzman presented $25,000 to the Escanaba Area Public Schools to help upgrade playgrounds and athletic facilities.
As part of its grand opening celebration, the new Meijer locations will feature a variety of events beginning Sunday, May 21. The first 200 customers to enter the store after 6 a.m. on May 21 will receive a Meijer mystery gift card with a value of $5, $10 or $20.
“Our teams have exceeded expectations every step of the way as we prepared for these openings,” Meijer president and CEO Rick Keyes said. “Our top priority is to serve customers, and we’re ready to provide our upper peninsula neighbors the shopping experience they deserve.”
BY BRIAN BERK
