In the News

New Meijer stores in Avon, Mentor and Stow are set to bring more than 900 jobs to Northeast Ohio communities. The stores are expected to open in late spring, according to the company.

A West Michigan retailer is in the holiday spirit. For the fifth year in a row, Meijer executives and store directors played Santa as part of the retailer’s “Very Merry Meijer,” a one-day event to surprise an unsuspecting customer at each Meijer store by paying for his or her entire shopping cart. The Meijer cashier who handled the surprise also is gifted with a $100 Meijer gift card.

In the world of Dr. Seuss, it was the Grinch who stole Christmas. But at Amita Health Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates, the tables were turned. Sure enough, it was the Grinch who brought Christmas to young patients and their families earlier this month in the hospital's pediatric unit.

Is your Christmas shopping not quite complete? Fear not. FOX6's Kasey Chronis spent the morning of Christmas Eve -- Monday, Dec. 24 -- at the Meijer in Waukesha -- where shelves are stocked with last-minute gifts for everyone on your list.

Two companies were recognized for giving families a happier holiday at the State Capitol Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley joined representatives from Meijer and Hormel to celebrate the 6,000 hams the companies donated to Michigan food banks. All of the hams will go to families in need this holiday season.

On Saturday, Lexington police went to Meijer on Reynolds Road to assist kids with holiday shopping. "It's all through donations that we can have this wonderful interaction and this great experience with these kids and be able to give back," said Sgt. Jeremiah Davis.

The Lafayette Fire Department held its annual “Shop with a Firefighter” at the east side Meijer in Lafayette. More than 75 kids partnered with Lafayette firemen as they filled their carts with items. “Shop with a Firefighter” serves the purpose of making sure kids in the community have what they need for the colder season.

It was like visiting Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. Shelves were stocked with Barbies, Lego sets, model cars, Nerf footballs, L.O.L. Surprise dolls and more as excited children selected their favorite toys for Christmas. On the evening of Dec. 5, members of the Warren Fire Department played Santa Claus by taking 30 Van Dyke Public Schools elementary school students shopping at the Meijer store at 12 Mile and Mound roads.

It didn’t take long for their carts to fill up with Nerf guns, Legos, and games, but there were more practical items, too, such as disposable diapers and baby food. Nine-year-old Emma bought some canned goods for the food drive at her school, Nicholas selected art supplies, and 17-month-old Zieyeal opted for a “Tickle Me Elmo,” while other kids shopped for hats and candles – Christmas gifts for their dad and mom. This was the fourth year that Meijer hosted “Heroes Helping Heroes” – its annual gift giving event, in which it partners with the sheriff’s department, the Northwest Homer Fire Protection District and the Lockport VFW Post 5788.

It was hard to tell who was having more fun or was more excited Saturday — the 70 members of the Kenosha Police Department or the elementary school kids they were helping during the annual Shop with a Cop program held at Meijer.