Meijer Building 2 New Stores, Remodeling 12 Supercenters In Metro Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Meijer is making a major investment in the Detroit area.

The Grand Rapids-based retailer announced Wednesday that it will spend $80 million to remodel 12 Supercenters across the metro area. Store executives say the remodels will improve the layout of the stores and feature enhancements that demonstrate long-term commitment to southeast Michigan.

The company is also building two new stores in Michigan, one in Flat Rock and another in Sturgis.

Remodel work on the Roseville store started in February and is expected to take six months to complete. Work on additional stores, including Royal Oak and Shelby Township locations, is expected to last throughout the year.

Interior and exterior improvements will include wider aisles, redesigned floor plans and new signage throughout the stores. Once completed, the stores will feature expanded apparel, electronics and liquor departments and provide greater selection of skin care products, vitamins and natural pet foods. The remodel projects will also include expanded food departments that will feature a wider selection of fresh produce, meat and dairy delivered seven days a week.

Other improvements at various stores could also include redesigned pharmacies that would be relocated near the front of stores and feature drive-thru windows for customers needing quicker prescription pickup.

The remodels are part of a bigger $400 million investment Meijer is making at stores in six states. The total project includes the construction of nine new Meijer supercenters and 32 remodeling projects throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

The new Meijer supercenters opening in 2016 include:

• Flat Rock, Mich.
• Sturgis, Mich.
• Owensboro, Ky.
• Evansville, Ind.
• Indianapolis, Ind.
• Round Lake Beach, Ill.
• Flossmoor, Ill.
• Sussex, Wis.
• Waukesha, Wis.

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"We are pleased to continue to grow and invest in the Midwest communities that have supported us for so long," CEO Hank Meijer said in a statement.

Since 2010, Meijer has built 12 new stores and completed remodel projects for 30 stores in Southeast Michigan. The company says each new store creates as many as 300 jobs.