Meijer Opens New Supercenters in Tri-State Area

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer opened new 192,000-square-foot supercenters today in Evansville, Ind. and Owensboro, Ky., bringing tri-state area shoppers better access to low prices on high-quality merchandise, fresh produce delivered daily, and a full-service pharmacy that makes family health care a priority.

"Investing in Evansville and Owensboro was an easy decision for us," CEO Hank Meijer said. "We're excited to serve new friends and neighbors. We're looking forward to working with both communities and growing alongside the families of the tri-state area."

The new stores are first of nine new Meijer supercenters to open – and part of an investment of more than $400 million in new and remodeled stores – this year, which will create 3,000 new jobs across the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer's six-state foot print. The Evansville store will welcome customers from Vanderburgh, Gibson, Warrick and Posey counties and is located on North Green River Road, just north of Theater Drive. The Owensboro store will service the residents of Daviess, Hancock, and McLean counties and is located along Heartland Crossing Blvd., south of Leitchfield Road.

With more than 40 stores located throughout Indiana and Kentucky, the new stores are built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and will be open 24 hours a day. The grocery options that Meijer offers include more than 600 varieties of farm-fresh produce and a full-service meat department that features fresh seafood, Certified Angus Beef and custom cuts of meat. The bakery specializes in custom-decorated cakes and fresh bread baked four times daily.

Opening celebrations began with a ribbon-cutting event at each store, followed by remarks from Meijer leadership and local officials. The stores also demonstrated their commitment to the community by making donations to local organizations. Store Director Kelly Agler presented $25,000 to the Goodfellows Club of Owensboro to provide funding for local children in need. Evansville Store Director Gordon Venema presented $25,000 to the Tri-State Food Bank, an organization dedicated to the fight against hunger that helps provide more than 8 million pounds of food each year in 33 counties in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

As part of its ongoing community support, Meijer donates more than 6 percent of its net profit to charitable organizations annually, and each of its stores works with local food pantries and banks to help fight hunger at the local level. Since 2008, the retailer's Simply Give program has generated more than $21 million for its food pantry partners throughout the Midwest.

In addition to the retailer's traditional grocery and merchandise, garden center and 24-hour gas stations, the new Evansville and Owensboro Meijer pharmacies will offer drive-thru pick up and the company's free prescription program. The prescription program includes leading oral generic antibiotics with a special focus on prescriptions most often filled for children, prenatal vitamins and medications for those with diabetes and high cholesterol. Since its inception in 2006, the Meijer free prescription program has filled nearly 33 million free prescriptions, saving Meijer customers nearly $454 million. 

"Our teams have exceeded expectations every step of the way as we prepared for these openings," Meijer President Rick Keyes said. "Our No. 1 priority is to serve customers, so we're ready to provide our neighbors in Owensboro and Evansville the shopping experience they deserve."

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 225 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, garden centers and electronics offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

SOURCE Meijer