In the News

Today's grand opening of the Marquette Meijer store was quite the draw... "Well we've been really getting and amazing response, and it started really a year and a half ago, two years ago, when we started opening stores in the U.P.? And probably the biggest question we were getting in the Soo and Escanaba was 'When are we coming to Marquette?" Rick Keyes said, president and CEO of Meijer. "And so, we knew this was going to be a homerun when we came to the Marquette area."

Back for its fifth year, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give remains one of the premier events on the Tour. It will be held June 12-17, at Blythefield Country Club. The 2018 Meijer LPGA Classic will host a full field of 144 of the best women golfers for 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. Proceeds from the tournament – and each of the week’s festivities – will once again benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest.

Like many food pantries, the shelves at North Kent Connect are stocked with cans and boxes of non-perishable items like green beans and pasta. But there’s also a choice selection of fresh fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini and carrots, as well as dairy products and proteins like eggs and meat. Though fresh food may be standard fare in many household kitchens, it’s not taken for granted by families who supplement their grocery shopping with monthly visits to North Kent Connect.

One of the highlights of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give is the top tier golf on display over the weekend, but a close second may be the incredible spread put on at the Grand Taste food tent. This year, more than 50 local breweries, restaurants and Meijer offerings will be serving great food at Grand Taste. The Grand Taste Garden will feature food, outdoor games, chef demonstrations throughout the weekend, barbeque, and live music from local bands.

It just got easier to purchase tickets for the fifth annual Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. Tickets can be purchased at each Meijer store in Michigan for the tournament, which will be played June 12-17 at Blythefield Country Club.

Jennifer Saathoff takes her shopping seriously — at least when a new store opens. The Bradley resident was first in line for the opening of Meijer Supercenter this morning. She showed up with her fiance, Kevin Pawlowski, and his mother, Peggy, at 4:30 a.m. They brought out chairs, sitting next to a “Line starts here” sign. “I love this store. I’ve been to Meijer before,” Saathhoff said.

Almost exactly two years to the day that the Bradley Kmart closed its doors, the Meijer Supercenter, 990 N. Kinzie Ave., will open Thursday to the public. The doors are expected to be open at 7 a.m., with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m.

Customers at the Richmond Meijer can help the Community Food Pantry by purchasing $10 Meijer Simply Give donation cards between now and June 17.

The most important numbers during next month's 5th Annual Meijer LPGA Classic won't just be found on the scorecards. Meijer officials threw out a big number during Monday morning's press conference at North Kent Connect in Rockford that is one to keep an eye on, too: $1 million.That's how much they to raise $1 million for its Simply Give program, which provides food for the retailer's food pantry partners across the Midwest.

Soon enough the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give will be back on and today, 13 ON YOUR SIDE learned more about the mission of the big event. The Meijer LPGA Classic is happening from June 12 to June 17 at the Blythfield Country Club. This year's goal is to raise a million dollars for food pantries in West Michigan.