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There is a montage somewhere in meijer that shows a picture of the first meijer store that opened in Greenville (that later burned down)

Probably can't take a picture of it - sure it's on the internets somewhere...

I went to Meijer @ Cascade today. I was very impressed with the layout, didn't find it hard to find anything at all.

And I am now a proud owner of bacon salt - I splurged and bought like 6 of them to stock up LOL

It's on this page on Meijer's website. Open that page then click on the "Lunch Interactive History Time Line" button.

Edited by tamias6
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Sounds like Petoskey may be getting a Meijer store. Article

Here is an update on the potential Meijer store in Aurora, IL.

Here is an update on the future Meijer store in Plainfield, IN.

I hope the rumors of a Petoskey Meijer store turn out to be true. Several folks up there I have talked to revile the Wal-Mart supercenter just off the south side of town and have been on their hands and knees begging for a Meijer store to be built in the area.

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Yeah I know but the one in Greenville is a little bit bigger if you know what I mean :lol:

You wouldn't be talking about the store the was built to replace the original that was destroyed by fire? The original Greenville store began life as a barbershop owned and operated by Hindrik Meijer. It became a grocery store when Meijer purchased adjacent space. When it was destroyed a new store was constructed elsewhere in town. If I remember right, that new store consisted of a store front facade attached to a large arch shaped metal prefab building. It will take me a little while to dig for it but I have a book that might have a picture of that store.

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Ok so I decided to email Meijer with a suggestion and asked them a question - whether I receive a response or not is unknown.

I suggested to them that they should take a bold and "greener" approach as a retail leader by removing all light bulbs from shelves that are not LED's or Energy-Efficient light bulbs. Adding to that, maybe every Earth Day or a random day out of the month they could lower the prices of the bulbs to make them more affordable, and providing a mini-billboard to let customers know why they are only selling energy efficient bulbs and educate them on saving energy.

I also questioned them on if they use energy efficient light bulbs in their stores and if not, why. I also made a mention about their favorite competition (Wallyworld!) that in the store here in Greenville they will shut a few lights off in the stores throughout the day because they have a numerous amount of skylights that filter in light. They also shut some lights off at night when there are not that many people there.

And then my picky suggestion - add more greenery/landscaping on the outside of the store. The parking lots are so cold looking, it needs a more inviting approach. I think they need to re-design their parking lots altogether...maybe throw in a couple roundabouts to give it some appeal and to keep stupid ppl from flying across the aisles. Some pedestrian-friendly sidewalks to walk up to the store all the way from the back would be a nice touch as well (and of course making them handicap accessible)

I didn't mention this but I am thinking of putting it in another email - what is up with Meijer store designs not having windows besides a tiny strip in the entrance. Natural light could easily be added at the tops of the buildings to filter in more natural light and they can cut off lights where needed - only keeping them on in the centralized locations of the store.

I think Meijer should make their next store greener and should try going for a LEED status. Would they be the first retail store to do so?

I'm sure all this would take more money in building - but you know it would have a big payoff in the long run and not to mention further enhancing our status in Michigan for being a leader in LEED.

Edited by blueradon
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I believe I stated this a while back on this thread or one of the other Meijer threads. Meijer's interior lighting is fairly efficient. One they are all florescent bulbs expect for the few spot lighting fixtures. At night a special mechanism dims the lights slightly which greatly reduces power consumption. This dimming is unnoticeable because at night the human eye perceives interior light as being brighter than in the day.

As for exterior look of new stores, Meijer most certainly could have done a better job. But Meijer is in direct competition with Wal-Mart which is known for its relentless corporate efficiency. Meijer had to trim allot of fat including the aesthetic appearance of new stores to get their own prices with in striking distance of Wally World. However if the new Birch Run Meijer and the one destined for Northfield TWP. are any indication, Meijer store's should get better looking as time goes along.

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One green idea I hope to see take flight around here is the use of reusable grocery bags. Hemp and other materials are popular in a number of countries/states and some regions are even going as far as banning plastic bags. Think about the pile of plastic bags you have, how often you see them blowing around outside, and how long it takes them to decompose. Some stores give away reusable bags or sell them for a few cents and you can just throw 'em in your car for when you need them.

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One green idea I hope to see take flight around here is the use of reusable grocery bags. Hemp and other materials are popular in a number of countries/states and some regions are even going as far as banning plastic bags. Think about the pile of plastic bags you have, how often you see them blowing around outside, and how long it takes them to decompose. Some stores give away reusable bags or sell them for a few cents and you can just throw 'em in your car for when you need them.

Guess what Fred now sells! They are 99 cents, made of beige fabric (resembling a paper bag), deep handles (fits over shoulder), two interior panels that would help a tall bottle stay in a corner. Logoed both sides.

Got mine at 54th St/Clyde Park.

fredbag.jpg

Edited by Veloise
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Since we're sending this thread in a green direction, I throw a couple of green Meijer ideas in to the mix.

1.) How about collecting some of that storm water into a cistern, filter it, and use that water to meet the store's water needs.

2.) A Meijer store ranges from 150,000 to over 200,000 square feet in size. Their is that much space on the roof. Let's cover the roof with solar panels. Imagine 200,000 sq. ft. of solar power. Sounds very expensive now. But new solar technologies that will be coming out in the next few years will bring the cost of Solar panels way down.

3. Construct parking lots out of porous asphalt.

4. Offer discounts for people driving hybrids.

5. At stores accessible via public transit such as the Alpine Store and Standale Store, offer coupons and exclusive discounts to folks using public transit. Coupons and discount fliers could be picked up inside the Rapid buses. Knock off about 15 bucks from one's grocery bill could be a very enticing incentive to take the bus.

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Veloise, thanks for the update! I ride my bicycle past a D&W on my way home from classes, so I haven't done any shopping at Meijer in a while...had no idea those were for sale! Good to see.

Great ideas Tamias. Even if they didn't want to give discounts to hybrids, they could at least put a few hybrid vehicle parking spaces close to the front doors.

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28th & Kalamazoo Meijer could use a few more benches at the bus stop. There is a banch that seats 3 people, and there's usually 6 people at the least there. I've seen a few occasions where carts were turned on their side to be used as makeshift benches. Buuut, I suppose that's an issue to raise with ITP, rather than Meijer.

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Since we're sending this thread in a green direction, I throw a couple of green Meijer ideas in to the mix.

1.) How about collecting some of that storm water into a cistern, filter it, and use that water to meet the store's water needs.

2.) A Meijer store ranges from 150,000 to over 200,000 square feet in size. Their is that much space on the roof. Let's cover the roof with solar panels. Imagine 200,000 sq. ft. of solar power. Sounds very expensive now. But new solar technologies that will be coming out in the next few years will bring the cost of Solar panels way down.

3. Construct parking lots out of porous asphalt.

4. Offer discounts for people driving hybrids.

5. At stores accessible via public transit such as the Alpine Store and Standale Store, offer coupons and exclusive discounts to folks using public transit. Coupons and discount fliers could be picked up inside the Rapid buses. Knock off about 15 bucks from one's grocery bill could be a very enticing incentive to take the bus.

Awesome point...

And if it would get Fred's attention back here in Greenville (which he was here last Monday touring the new phase of our city trail (he donated a few million for it)) he would talk to the new United Solar plant here in town and see if they can cut Meijer a deal on some solar panels for their stores. Expensive as they are - he's got the money to do it for sure. I don't think they need an entire 200,000 sq ft solar panels.

At the same time - they should also think about getting a green roof or some skylights to bring in more natural light to the store and they could dim their lights down during the day when needed.

I am also very excited about those bags - I'm going to see if the Greenville store has any yet. May go today.

Would also be nice for urban areas with public transit and ruralish towns with Dial-A-Ride's to have a station off the store for pickup and drop off. Integrated into the side of the building or in between the two entrances.

Edited by blueradon
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Another idea that always made me wonder -- Meijer pretty much is split up into some good areas that could serve their purpose for urban markets.

Examples

- Meijer Toy Store

- Meijer Hardware Store

- Meijer Furniture Store

- Meijer Pet Store

- Meijer Grocery Store

- Meijer Electronics Store

- Meijer Garden Store

- Meijer Craft Store

- Meijer Bakery/Deli Store

It always makes me wonder why they don't go into other states and get into the big towns and put up some competition. Especially with the idea of a downtown grocery/market (minus the toys and hardware and what not).

I know Walmart has those Neighborhood Market stores that do the similar thing.

I think honestly that'd be the key to Meijer if they wanted to really expand in a good way. Then once people find out what Meijer is really all about - maybe they'll want them to build a bigger store.

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Another idea that always made me wonder -- Meijer pretty much is split up into some good areas that could serve their purpose for urban markets.

Examples

- Meijer Toy Store

- Meijer Hardware Store

- Meijer Furniture Store

- Meijer Pet Store

- Meijer Grocery Store

- Meijer Electronics Store

- Meijer Garden Store

- Meijer Craft Store

- Meijer Bakery/Deli Store

It always makes me wonder why they don't go into other states and get into the big towns and put up some competition. Especially with the idea of a downtown grocery/market (minus the toys and hardware and what not).

I know Walmart has those Neighborhood Market stores that do the similar thing.

I think honestly that'd be the key to Meijer if they wanted to really expand in a good way. Then once people find out what Meijer is really all about - maybe they'll want them to build a bigger store.

Some years ago, Meijer operated a clothing store called Sagbrush, a Sam's Club like membership warehouse known as Source Club, Meijer Square (standard Meijer store minus groceries), and a pharmacy called Spaar. All of these ventures ceased operation because Meijer chose to devote all of its energies into its supercenter format as a response to rising competition. As evident in stores built or renovated after 2003 this move to was a very wise choice. Its a choice that Meijer is not likely to deviate from.

If anything, Meijer will eventually create a sub 100,000 sq ft super center prototype or create a multi-story variant of its current prototype for urban markets. Already Meijer has reduced the size of its store prototype from 207,000 sq ft to 154,000 sq. ft. to get into communities where space is at a premium, small market areas, or places where the locals are resistant to big box development.

Edited by tamias6
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Today I was over at the Rivertown Crossings mall area and I decided to venture over to the meijer store next to the mall on Rivertown Parkway. I will say this, I like the prototype better over at Alpine and Wilson. I have mixed reviews of the current prototype that is being used in that particular store. On the walls, it wasn't too awful looking, but the hanging signs look old and outdated even though the store was built not long ago. It of course is one of the last stores to be built under the old meijer format which was once used at Alpine. I will say though that video games have been moved up to the front of the store. They used to be in the toy department. I didn't see any video game kiosks though. There is no e4 department so the different departments are scattered around the store. The ceiling is of the color it used to be at Alpine before it was painted snow white. Maybe not as bad though. There are only 14 grocery aisles, and the checkout lanes are the dual lanes which can get confusing. Also, I'm not sure how many sq ft that store is, but seems a lot smaller than Alpine. If a Wal-mart supercenter were to be built around the area, that meijer store could be in trouble.

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... Also, I'm not sure how many sq ft that store is, but seems a lot smaller than Alpine. If a Wal-mart supercenter were to be built around the area, that meijer store could be in trouble.

My calculations place the size of the Rivertown Crossings Meijer at roughly 197,000 sq. ft. The Alpine store including the mezzanine had a pre-renovation size of around 207,778 sq. ft. and a current size of 220,308 sq ft.

To be honest, the Rivertown Crossings store is quite large when compared to the latest stores being built now. With only a few exceptions, Meijer has downsized its prototype from its standard 207,000 sq. ft. down to a slim and trim 156,000 sq. ft. That's only a few thousand sq. ft. larger than the tiny 28th st./K'zoo Meijer. The downsized prototype will allow Meijer to build in small markets areas, communities where space is tight, and areas where the locals are resistant to incoming big box stores.

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So I've been extremely bored the last couple days and thought I'd like to make a sketchup of what I'd like to see a Meijer store look like. Feel free to comment or criticize - I just do it for fun :)

It's not entirely finished I wanted to make a point about improving the parking lot but haven't figured out exactly how to do that yet. My main goal was to not have a meijer store look like a big blank wall with two stacks of glass. Oh, and more greenery :thumbsup:

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Oh and for anyone that's asking - the fred's bistro thing was my idea of bring the deli to the front of the store in conjunction with the purple cow and have an outdoor cafe

Edited by blueradon
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So I've been extremely bored the last couple days and thought I'd like to make a sketchup of what I'd like to see a Meijer store look like. Feel free to comment or criticize - I just do it for fun :)

It's not entirely finished I wanted to make a point about improving the parking lot but haven't figured out exactly how to do that yet. My main goal was to not have a meijer store look like a big blank wall with two stacks of glass. Oh, and more greenery :thumbsup:

2054400616_9008e0a088_o.jpg

...

Oh and for anyone that's asking - the fred's bistro thing was my idea of bring the deli to the front of the store in conjunction with the purple cow and have an outdoor cafe

Fred's Bistro!! That's cool! (Though I doubt corp would go for an outdoor cafe. Not unlike a casino, they want people inside, where the action is.)

Several stores have parking lot islands with trees. M@C has a planting strip between the "ring road" and the parking lot, and smaller grassy knolls throughout the lot. The trees are tiny, but on a hot day they are carefully utilized as shade.

Seems like they could put in a few oases/detention basins without spending too much, nor distracting from the primary goal (get in here and fill your cart). I'll look for some examples to share...

Oh, nice work!

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