GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Before Walmart and Target, there was Thrifty Acres. On Monday morning a Michigan Historical Market was unveiled under the arches of Meijer's first super center on 28th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue in Grand Rapids.
Opening in 1962, Meijer's Thrifty Acres became America's first super-center, combining groceries with merchandise. The Meijer's did not know what to call it at first, so it was named "The self-service department store with a hometown touch."
Since then the name has been shortened to Meijers, which has more than 200 locations across the Midwest.
The landmarks are selected by the Michigan Historical Commission and are paid for by the applicants. This is the first one for the Meijer Family.
“It’s exciting to have recognition that this concept that my father and grandfather pioneered 53 years ago this month, on this site also has historical significance," explains Hank Meijer, co-chair of Meijer Incorporated, "It reaches beyond the shoppers we try to serve our best everyday to really have meaning for the way shopping has changed across America.”
