WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
A Michigan historical marker now stands at the original site of the store from Midwest retailer Meijer that pioneered the idea of a shopping supercenter.
The marker was unveiled Monday at the site of the store in Grand Rapids. Hank Meijer, co-chairman of Meijer Inc., says it’s “just exciting to have the historical significance of this corner recognized.”
Frederik Meijer and his father, Hendrik, were credited with pioneering the supercenter store format.
The store opened as a 17,000-square-foot grocery in 1958 and became the chain’s first superstore in 1962 with the addition of 75,000 square feet of space for non-grocery items. It was renamed Meijer Thrifty Acres and allowed customers to do one-stop shopping. (AP)
