Sponsored By

Meijer unveils latest retail concepts

Bridge Street Market, new convenience store open this week

Russell Redman

August 28, 2018

3 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Supercenter operator Meijer Inc. is inaugurating a pair of new retail concepts.

Today, Meijer plans to open a newly designed convenience store and gas station adjacent to its Grand Rapids, Mich., headquarters. The company said the 5,500-square-foot store will be the first Meijer gas station with a separate, full-service Starbucks. In addition, the location will house an expanded assortment of fresh produce and protein-based snacks, wraps, fruit and organic items, along with grab-and-go meals prepared locally by Superior Foods.

Set to open tomorrow is Bridge Street Market, a 37,000-square-foot neighborhood grocery store on the west side of Grand Rapids. Announced last year, the fresh market features an open-air, pedestrian-friendly design and anchors a mixed-use development that spans a city block and includes residential, office and retail space.

Meijer_new_convenience_store_gas_station_design.pngThe convenience store (above), located at 2988 Walker NW, serves up a wide range of fresh-made food, including sushi prepared daily, hot items such as handcrafted pizzas and chicken tenders, and locally made donuts delivered daily. There’s also a self-serve coffee station; a large fountain bar with cold-brew coffee, frozen coffee and F'real Shakes selections; a “beer cave” with craft and national brews; an assortment of cold and on-shelf wine; and a large seating area with free Wi-Fi and phone-charging stations.

In the coming months, Starbucks is slated to open a full-service location that includes drive-through service, Meijer said.

The gas station includes 18 fuel pumps — a 50% increase over Meijer’s previous gas station format — and the pumps feature an expanded pumping capacity, with several including diesel and an E85 selection to accommodate flex-fuel vehicles. All pumps are equipped with “Fast Tap” technology to expedite payment. The location will also offer Tesla and other electric car-charging stations later this year.

Meijer noted that the new location incorporates design elements from the convenience store and gas station format that opened at the company’s Cascade store in 2016.

“We believe our customers will appreciate the ease and accessibility that the new design offers and the expanded assortment of freshly made options that reflects their desire for healthier snacks,” Adam Whitney, vice president of gas stations and convenience stores at Meijer, said in a statement.

Overall, Meijer operates more than 200 gas stations and convenience stores and 240-plus supercenters and grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Described by Meijer as a “first of its kind” for the region, Bridge Street Market has 22-foot-high ceilings, exposed architecture and three garage-style doors that open onto the sidewalk along Grand Rapids’ Bridge Street. Shoppers can park at a connected parking deck.

The store contains a Mayan Buzz Café coffee shop and about 2,000 local, artisan products, including Field & Fire breads and Michigan-made cheese. Fresh and prepared foods include bakery items, fresh meat and deli offerings. Customers also can shop an expansive beer, wine and liquor section, which features a rolling ladder, as well as purchase household cleaning items and health-and-beauty aids.

Meijer broke ground for the store, situated at the corner of Bridge Street and Seward Avenue, in late June and initially gave an early fall timetable for the opening.

“Meijer is thrilled to open Bridge Street Market as part of this exciting development on the city’s West Side,” Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes said earlier this month in announcing the Aug. 29 opening date. “We believe there’s no better place to launch this new neighborhood market than in our hometown, and in the heart of such an inspiring part of our city.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like