In the News

Shoppers streamed into Meijer's Bridge Street Market Wednesday morning, marking the grand opening of the Walker-based retailer's new, small-format neighborhood grocery store on Grand Rapids' West Side. Inside, they found many of the staples that line the grocery-aisle shelves at Meijer's popular supercenters - milk, eggs, bread, cereal fresh fruits and vegetables, and meat and deli products.

Wednesday marked the grand opening for the Bridge Street Market on Grand Rapids’ west side. The Meijer store, located at 613 Bridge Street NW, is a new kind of store for Meijer and for the area near downtown Grand Rapids, serving a different clientele and a different purpose.

With an average store size of around 200,000 square feet, Meijer has made its name in retail by thinking big. But in order to keep growing, it’s going to try shrinking down — way down. Today marks the opening of the first Bridge Street Market, Meijer’s 37,000-square-foot grocery store located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, mere miles from the company’s headquarters. The store features a variety of fresh foods, a bakery, full-service meat and seafood counters, a coffee shop and 2,000 grocery items ranging from Meijer store brands to locally sourced options.

Jessie Sullivan, Jack Sullivan and Jay Hanson make their own pixie sticks while attending the Meijer welcome back to school event, Meijer Mania, on Friday. Other activities included a planking challenge, photo booth, cookie challenge, raffle and more. At right, Northern Michigan University sophomore Devin Steinhaus, left, and junior Matt Swiec attempt to get a cookie in their mouth without using their hands during Meijer Mania. Event goers could participate in games such as these to win tickets to be entered into a raffle. (Journal photos by Trinity Carey)

Simply Give donation cards purchased at the Meijer store in Grand Haven Township will help local families. Love in Action has partnered with Meijer for the program. Customers can purchase $10 donation cards that will be converted into Meijer food gift cards given to a local food pantry. Simply Give cards purchased between now and Sept. 15 will benefit Love in Action food pantries.