The store is undergoing a baffling, disappointing, and drawn-out remodeling. Basically, it is hard to find anything in the store now. My first observation, and that of others, is that it is like Meijer is turning into a Walmart supercenter. Actually, it now has decor that reminds me of a Walmart supercenter circa 2004. I'm remembering the first one I went into, in Bozeman , Montana. Meijer doesn't look like a modern Walmart supercenter, because those are kind of beige and tan now.This Grand Rapids-based store chain compete mainly with Walmart supercenters, and is found as far out as Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
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I like your moon photo, dmarks. And I liked the old, original Traverse City Meijer's, too. Remember the cafeteria, open 24 hours, with those comforting, maternal presences handing you fried chicken and coffee? The more recent area has all the charm of an airport terminal, and God knows what the coming incarnation will bring. "You don't know what you got/until you lose it...." Sad when the people behind a store don't know what they've offered people until they stop providing it.
You probably don't remember Grant City Mall. A large Grant chain store on the north, and a tiny mini-mall in the south.
I am in the supermarket industry, peripherally, and they all seem to be running around madly trying to imitate Wal Mart in every day, thus removing, as PJ says, the reasons for customers to go there and not to Wal Mart.
Sports has a similar problem-instead of trying to dream up ways to beat the defending champion, teams tend to want to imitate them.
Remember when individuals, groups and businesses wanted to be originals?
Apparently places like WalMart are the best places to be if zombies attack. No windows, lots of food, etc.
Love the moon photo. Very cool.
I liked Meijer when I was a kid - during the 80's. I would go grocery shopping with my Mom and sit in the cart. She always treated me to a freshly baked doughnut. It was so exciting to pick one out. Of course, this was Meijer's in Royal Oak. One of few big box stores in Royal Oak at the time. We did a lot of our shopping in small shops in downtown Royal in the 1980's and early 1990's before Royal Oak changed to what it is today. There was Kresge's, Romaine's (sp?) and even a vacuum cleaner store. It was great. I wish I could get around it - but once or twice during the year I go to Target or Meijers. I definitely don't support Walmart. I try to support small stores. Both places have their pros and cons, from what I have learned.
It looks like the mooon has just been kicked through goal posts.
Anish: What do you think of the Acme Meijer controversy?
I have heard that the zoning board kept placing roadblocks that had nothing to do with zoning, and actually violated the county-approved Meijer vote.
These included:
1) Requiring Meijer to build a playground for children at the busy freight entrance where the big trucks go. How dangerous can you get?
2) Installing raised sidewalks and sharp curbs to make it difficult for people, especially those in wheelchairs, to enter the store.
3) Limiting store hours so Meijer would have to turn away customers.
I've wanted to ask someone from Acme about this. Have you heared anything on your end?
dmarks -
I haven't really heard anything. But, I think 24 Hours is good especially for this area when there are few 24 Hour grocery stores. Installing curbs is not good - accessibility for all is what Meijer's has always been about. Meijer's never hand playgrounds - but this wouldn't be a bad idea only if it had a good amount of trees and shade for tired out parents.
Playgrounds are a great idea, but not where the semi trucks go.
fyi - Meijer opened the first supercenter - WalMart copied this concept from them. You can't even compare Meijer to Walmart. It's like comparing Saks 5th Ave to Goodwill. You can't get fresh cut Angus Beef, Produce that lasts more than a day, or Skechers at WalMart. Meijer has class!
Penney's did this too.
Was the first Meijer really like a supercenter?
I'd count it if it were rather large, and had both groceries and typical department store goods.
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