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Columbus Meijer Now Sells High-Proof Spirits
Second Meijer store in Ohio awarded agency contract
November 30, 2018

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Meijer announced today that Columbus-area customers can now purchase high-proof spirits at the Columbus Meijer on Hamilton Road in addition to its full alcohol assortment. 

 

That means customers can choose from more than 950 different items covering 10 spirits categories, including more than 120 flavored vodkas, 40 flavored whiskeys, 110 bourbon varieties, 50 premium tequilas, 20 single malt scotch varieties, and 120 small grab-n-go sizes. 

 

The Columbus Meijer store is only the second Meijer in the State of Ohio that has been awarded a contract for such sales. The first Meijer store named a contract liquor agency was the Lima Meijer in early 2017, said Amanda McVay, Group Vice President of Grocery for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer.

 

“Meijer is very appreciative of the opportunity to work with the State of Ohio to offer this to our Columbus-area customers,” McVay said. “We believe this enhances the level of convenience they were looking for.”

 

The Columbus Meijer on Hamilton Road previously had a liquor license to sell beer, wine and low-proof liquor. Several months ago, the State of Ohio awarded the contract for the store; late last month, it began selling high-proof liquor. Now, the store boasts more than 600 feet of dedicated shelf space for high-proof spirits:

·         120 feet of bourbon

·         160 feet of vodka

·         64 feet of tequila

·         88 feet of world whiskey (Scotch, Irish, Canadian)

 

Additionally, the store offers more than 50 luxury spirits items.

 

There are 477 Contract Liquor Agencies in Ohio that can sell high-proof spirits with 11 more scheduled to open in the coming months, and the city of Columbus currently has only 32 Contract Liquor Agencies.

 

“We are excited to add this location to our line-up of Contract Liquor Agencies as part of our Agency Expansion initiative,” said Gerry O’Neil, Director of Agency Operations for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. “We look forward to building our partnership with Meijer to bring Ohioans the high-proof spirituous liquor products they look forward to responsibly enjoying.”

 

Meijer has 40 supercenters in Ohio.

 

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 240 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

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For further information: Christina Fecher, christina.fecher@meijer.com, 616-735-7968