[Meijer]

That's what I'm thinking beergeek. With Orchard Park going in across the highway, Walker Ave may very well turn into something like the Novi exit off of I-96, and Meijer just wants to control the destiny of that land across the street from their HQ. Much like they've been able to control the development near their new Rockford store by given exclusive water rights.

I don't think that land is big enough for a Meijer store, and according to Regis, there are no more holdouts.

Regus is wrong. 2930 is owned by Esther Ruth trust. She is the holdout smack dab in da middle.. Check access kent.

[Meijer]

Quite interesting. I wonder how far back the lots go back from Walker Ave? I know there's a pretty big industrial park back there.

When I looked at the aerials they go back all the wasy to that industrial park. So they may be thinking of future distribution, but I think the master plan in Walker calls for commercial in that district. I heard they bullied the old lady that lives in the holdout house pretty bad. Not Meijer, but the realtor.

[Meijer]

The fact that Meijer is a privately owned company does have its advantages. It means that they don't have to keep weary investors content. That affords Meijer the ability to make huge gambles. The latest format change from what they had before to the store format Rockwell Group designed and is executing for the company is a bold risk. Their current plan to expand despite the stiffling presence of the juggernaut that is Wal-Mart is a brave and very daring step. The fact that Meijer pioneered one stop shopping back in the 60's with the opening of the 28th and K'zoo store was the biggest leap of faith any company of their size at the time could have ever taken. If Meijer were a publicly owned company I don't think it would be half the business that it is today. To be honest many grocery and retail chains should take a good look at Meijer for inspiration and to model themselves after. Doing so would allow them to better compete against monsters like Wal-Mart.

Hi all, thought I would jump in the Meijer fray a bit. Meijer has quietly bought up all of the houses along Walker avenue accross from their HQ except for one holdout in the middle. They own property now from Holton drive to 3 mile. Do you think they would build a new store across from the HQ ebven though it is close to Alpine? Or do you think they would buy it up for future development of offices? It was interesting that they bought all of them secretly through an LLC owned by a Kalamazoo realtor and not direct. Interesting eh?