DID YOU KNOW?
In 1962, Meijer was the first retailer to launch its modern format, the very first “superstore” or “supermarket” in the USA, with the opening of the first “Thrifty Acres,” with an additional new store in Grand Rapids. At a size of 180,000 square feet, it combined grocery shopping and department store shopping in a single large store. The store was built with six-inch thick floors, so should the concept fail, the nongrocery half could be converted into an indoor car dealership. New stores were built in the same manner until the mid-1970s.
The second such store opened in Norton Shores later that year, followed by two more in 1964, one in Walker, and one in Portage, Michigan. This is the same year that Hendrik died. This was followed by the first Mid-Michigan location in Delta Charter Township in 1966, and the first Metro Detroit store in Ypsilanti in 1972. Meijer expanded into Traverse City in 1977, which is still open to this day.
In 1980, Meijer began a discount pharmacy chain called, “Spaar,” which opened four stores in 1980 in former Meijer supermarket locations. The Spaar stores were sold to Pontiac, Michigan-based Perry Drug Stores by the mid-1980s. In 1981, Meijer began opening “Meijer Square” stores, which were traditional discount department stores lacking a full grocery section.
Now, under Frederick’s leadership, the “Thrifty Acres” stores became a success and were renamed “Meijer” in 1986. Meijer's stand-alone grocery operations
In 1937 he doubled the size of his original store with his innovative concepts. The Greenville store was successful and where Meijer Thrift Market was founded in 1934, and additional Meijer groceries were opened in Cedar Springs in 1942 and managed by daughter Johanna, and the city of Ionia in 1946. The first Grand Rapids store opened in 1949. By the 1960s, the company had over two dozen stores located throughout West Michigan. In 1954 Meijer sped products down the checkout lane with innovative automated conveyer belts; another way Meijer provided faster and better service for their customers.
The very first Meijer store
in Greenville, Michigan
Meijer’s check-out lane