Meijer Marketplace opens newest location in Berwyn

'Mini' Supercenter will anchor Cermak Plaza

BERWYN, Ill., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly one year after launching its first new format store in the Chicago market, Meijer Marketplace, Meijer delivered another new store to its Chicago-area customers as it opened the doors to Meijer Marketplace Berwyn, located at 7111 W Cermak Road in Cermak Plaza. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on August 14 in partnership with the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC).

"We are very pleased to continue our growth in the Chicago area," said Hank Meijer, Co-Chairman of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. "Our team has worked very hard to get our new Berwyn store ready, and we're proud to bring the Meijer difference to customers in Berwyn and the surrounding communities."

The addition of Meijer Marketplace to Cermak Plaza concludes the multi-phase redevelopment of one of Berwyn's cornerstone commercial properties. The new store will be Berwyn's largest retailer, top sales tax producer and will fall into Berwyn's top 5% of employers based on the 180 new jobs created, delivering a significant positive impact on Berwyn's economy. The revitalization plan started with the implementation of an environmentally-focused exterior facelift to Cermak Plaza that incorporated solar-powered LED lights, wind turbines and hearty landscaping by the property owner and Michael Flight at Concordia Realty Corporation. Concurrently, the BDC developed an aggressive tenant recruitment strategy that led to the formation of a public private partnership to secure the new anchor tenant.

Mayor Robert J. Lovero said, "After assuming my role as Mayor, recruiting a high-quality grocery chain into Cermak Plaza was one of my top priorities. I am so pleased to be here today to welcome Meijer Marketplace and their neighborhood concept into Berwyn."

Jon Fey, BDC Board President, continued, "This development truly was a partnership from its inception to today. Cermak Plaza recently completed a comprehensive revitalization project that included a makeover for everything from pavement and facade to lights to landscaping. After this first phase was complete, the BDC was able to assist on retailer attraction. After meeting with Meijer, it was clear that they were a great fit for Cermak Road and the City of Berwyn."

BDC Executive Director, Anthony Griffin, followed, "Berwyn is able to achieve efficient and effective development as is the case with Meijer Marketplace due in large part to the strong partnerships and spirit of cooperation that are fostered between the BDC, our city administration and our development partners."

The new Berwyn business was Meijer's 18^th unit in the Chicago area with stores ranging in size from full supercenters to the smaller Marketplace concepts. At more than 91,000 square feet, Meijer Marketplace Berwyn will offer competitive prices customers have come to expect, featuring national and Meijer own brand grocery items, along with a full-service pharmacy offering a variety of national and Meijer brand health and beauty products. Meijer team members have worked to ensure the new store has the benefits of larger Meijer stores, in essence offering a "mini" supercenter concept. The store also offers fresh produce, a meat department and bakery. The new store also carries many local brands such as Vienna, Jays and Papa Charlie's as well as Hispanic brands such as Cacique, LaLa and Jarritos providing a new shopping option for the ethnically-diverse community nearby.

About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 199 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As a pioneer of the "onestop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel 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.

About the Berwyn Development Corporation
The Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) is a public-private partnership with the City of Berwyn that provides economic development and Chamber of Commerce services to all segments of the Berwyn community. The BDC is a not-for-profit membership organization that serves over 300 business and individual members. The BDC focuses its efforts on those activities that will improve the overall climate for local businesses and residents, in addition to encouraging the development of new commercial venues and employment opportunities. The BDC continually strives to develop new programs, services and events that promote Berwyn businesses and the community. For more information, visit www.berwyn.net or follow the BDC at facebook.com/BDCorp and twitter.com/bdc_berwyn.

SOURCE Berwyn Development Corporation