Alpine Meijer To Get New Face

[Veloise]

When I dropped in last week, I talked with a red shirt (free pop with Meijer credit card, grocery entrance) about the reno. She said that some fellow comes in on a regular basis and not-too-surreptitiously snaps pics with his phone. All the managers try to catch him but he skitters out before they can deploy.

From the description, it's not Tamias. Someone else, then?

[tamias6]

Every one of my visits to the Alpine Meijer is concluded with a photo shoot of the exterior to illustrate construction updates. As for the mysterious fellow with the cell phone camera, maybe he's a Wal-Mart spy. After all a new Wally-World is getting ready to be built just down the road. Who better to copy store layout ideas than to copy cat Meijer. Sounds Men in Black-ish, I know. But one has to remember that the retail sector is a cut throat world of intense competition and razor thin profit margins. In disparate acts to gain an edge by any means necessary, retailers have been known to deploy spys to their competitor's stores to scope out anything from store layout to pricing.

You want to know why Meijer does temporary price drops on items instead of holding a sale on them? Its a direct response to spys from Wal-Mart, Target, etc. Temporary price drops are done without any warning and last just long enough to garner a response from customers but not long enough for Wal-Mart and other competitors to take action and adjust there own prices accordingly. This reduces the chances of Meijer finding itself in a direct price war its much bigger and more aggressive competitors.

When I dropped in last week, I talked with a red shirt (free pop with Meijer credit card, grocery entrance) about the reno. She said that some fellow comes in on a regular basis and not-too-surreptitiously snaps pics with his phone. All the managers try to catch him but he skitters out before they can deploy.

From the description, it's not Tamias. Someone else, then?

[Veloise]

Every one of my visits to the Alpine Meijer is concluded with a photo shoot of the exterior to illustrate construction updates. As for the mysterious fellow with the cell phone camera, maybe he's a Wal-Mart spy. After all a new Wally-World is getting ready to be built just down the road. Who better to copy store layout ideas than to copy cat Meijer. Sounds Men in Black-ish, I know. But one has to remember that the retail sector is a cut throat world of intense competition and razor thin profit margins. In disparate acts to gain an edge by any means necessary, retailers have been known to deploy spys to their competitor's stores to scope out anything from store layout to pricing.

...

[Rizzo]

Every one of my visits to the Alpine Meijer is concluded with a photo shoot of the exterior to illustrate construction updates. As for the mysterious fellow with the cell phone camera, maybe he's a Wal-Mart spy. After all a new Wally-World is getting ready to be built just down the road. Who better to copy store layout ideas than to copy cat Meijer. Sounds Men in Black-ish, I know. But one has to remember that the retail sector is a cut throat world of intense competition and razor thin profit margins. In disparate acts to gain an edge by any means necessary, retailers have been known to deploy spys to their competitor's stores to scope out anything from store layout to pricing.

You want to know why Meijer does temporary price drops on items instead of holding a sale on them? Its a direct response to spys from Wal-Mart, Target, etc. Temporary price drops are done without any warning and last just long enough to garner a response from customers but not long enough for Wal-Mart and other competitors to take action and adjust there own prices accordingly. This reduces the chances of Meijer finding itself in a direct price war its much bigger and more aggressive competitors.

[tamias6]

Veloise. The only person that comes even remotely close to that description is the bald headed Corporate Head/Store Director I've seen walking the store aisles or speaking with contractors from time to time.

Here's a picture with him in it. He's the bald headed fellow to the left.

[tamias6]

Nope. Just a loyal and very observant customer.

I get the feeling you work for Meijer. You are insatiable for any and all things Meijer!

[Veloise]

Veloise. The only person that comes even remotely close to that description is the bald headed Corporate Head/Store Director I've seen walking the store aisles or speaking with contractors from time to time.

Here's a picture with him in it. He's the bald headed fellow to the left.

[tamias6]

I Believe this youtube video I stumbled upon speaks for itself.

Spending 24 hours in Meijer

[have taken a nap at a Meijer, in the lawn furniture on a broiling hot night]

[tamias6]

Construction Update:

Outside a stucco finish has been applied to the new store sign. A 4 by 8 grid pattern etched into the sign gives it a subtle yet crisp detail. Meanwhile red colored sub-straight has appeared around the edges of the retail entrances eyebrow roof. Eventually this sub-straight will by covered by blue trim to accent the entrance's roof line. This same detail will eventually be applied to the grocery entrance.

Inside. The grocery entrance's cart storage room is now complete and is now online. So from here on customers entering the store via the grocery entrance will find carts located there.

Delicious to Go is open and in operation while the final layer of plaster has been applied to the drywall work in Meat Dept. and over the Breads.

The last row of coolers in the Frozen food section have been activated and awaiting to be filled with stock.

Also more new tile work has appeared throughout the grocery section though we still have a ways to go before the entire grocery section is tiled.

Lastly, plastic has been draped over the inner doors of the retail entrance. This is to allow workers to do plaster work, sanding, and paint without stirring too much dust into the store.

Of Note:

1. One will notice parts of the Grocery entrance that are unpainted, namely the metal columns inset into the wall above the inner doors. This wall is likely to be covered by a very large tapestry of a darker shade of green and featuring a subtle leave pattern design. Examples of this tapestry can be seen hanging in the grocery entrances of any new Meijer store built within the last three years.

2. Expect the interior of the retail entrance to be painted a sky blue color as the Retail entrances of any new Meijer store built within the last three years are painted this color. As with the Grocery Entry, expect to see a large tapestry likely appearing above the inner doors.

3. Even though I had a small amount of purchases today, the self checkout lanes seemed to be functioning properly as I encountered no errors today.

Now for some Pictures:

The store front as of today. Even though the roof trim on the retail entrance(left) is still incomplete, notice how this detailing solidifies the appearances of the entrance.

A detail shot of the retail entrances roof trim

A close up shot of the store sign. Notice the grid pattern etched into the finished stucco surface and how it gives the sign a subtle yet crisp finishing touch.

Another view of the store front. This one is from the south end of the front drive.

Overall with both of the new entrances in place along the new store sign, things are shaping up quite nicely. When completed the Alpine Meijer's new face will give the store a much more commanding prominence and drastically better curb appeal than before.

[tamias6]

Construction Update:

The biggest and most noticeable change today is the completion of the store sign. Since yesterday workers have completed the stucco finish of the sign board and hung a new gargantuan "Meijer" logo consisting of fonts measuring 10 to 15 ft tall. Needless to say one has to be totally blind not to tell that this store is a Meijer. Today workers have moved to the south end of the store front and are preparing the facade above the pharmacy drive up window for the application of finish stucco. Like the store sign, expect to see a subtle 4 x 8 foot grid pattern etched into the finish surface.

Meanwhile stud work is taking shape along the perimeter of the Grocery entrance's eye brow roof. This stud work is forming the substructure of the finish detail that has already appeared on the roof of the retail entrance.

Wrapping things up outside, the dumpsters located along the north end of the property have been cleared away.

Heading inside not too much has changed today. However work on the store's HVAC system has made progress as new inflatable balloon style ductwork has appeared over the produce area. Going by that, it appears that the Alpine Meijer is going green. These balloon style ducts are a part of a highly efficient and very innovative HVAC system like the one put to use in the Rivertown Crossings Meijer. When the system is activated the ductwork will inflate into long sausage shape tubes. The fabric that makes up the ducts are permeable allowing for a very even distribution of air resulting in uniformed temperatures from one area of the store to another.

Lastly, in the retail section of the store, the Retail entrance's cart room has been painted a sky blue. It is likely that the entrance's interior vestibule will be painted this same color as well.

Now for some Pictures:

The completed store sign emblazoned with a super sized "Meijer Logo". The letters are 10-15 ft tall so if you can't read the sign you are totally blind or illiterate.

Stud work shaping up around the eyebrow roof of the grocery entrance. This will eventually become the finish trim like that found on the retail entrance (background)

A close up shot of the completed store sign. Notice the tight fit and finish of each of the letters and how tightly applied against the sign board they are. This is an example of outstanding workmanship.

Workers in the mist of preparing the facade over the Pharmacy Drive-up window for finish stucco. Already the white sub-straight is up.

View of the store front from the south end of the front drive

[tamias6]

Construction Update:

Outside a scratch coat of stucco has been applied to the facade over the Pharmacy Drive-Up window while work continues on the trim detail on the Grocery Entrance's eyebrow roof. Also the underside of the store font canopy around the entrances are receiving sub straight in preps for a finished surface. It is likely the finish surface will be a restoration of the existing stucco finish found on the rest of the canopy's underside.

Given that demolition to make way for building modifications have ravaged the canopy throughout the renovation process, it is quite surprising to see how what is left of it is being incorporated into the redesign of the store front. The same can said about the facade. Though much of it had to be striped away to make way for new construction, there are still many portions of the old facade slowly being incorporated into the new design. This is yet another example of Meijer's thriftiness in action.

Capping things off outside is an excavator doing some infill to the ground next to the Hill Street parking lot entry. It also looks like a small section of side walk was poured there recently along with the installation of a fire hydrant.

Heading inside, the big story of the day is the closure of the mezzanine restrooms due to construction. Missing ceiling tiles around the restrooms along with a few over the checkout lanes indicate that more infrastructure is being installed and parts of it needs to be routed in spaces above the restrooms. My personal guess is that workers are running electrical wiring to hook up the new store sign's internal nighttime illumination system.

Heading to the produce dept. the wall overhang above the breads has been painted the same orange color as found over the bakery and deli.

Surprisingly a third of the wall behind the meat counters along with a small portion of wall behind the packaged meat coolers have been demolished. Sheets of plastic have been draped over the resultant holes. This unexpected development has got me baffled as this area started to look fairly buttoned up. In spite of that, the meat and seafood counters are still open.

In contrast of the demolition, new floor tiles have now reached aisle 10 which is the first of the frozen food aisles. Aisles 11 and 12 have been striped of old tile and await the installation of new tile. So we are well over half way done with the tiling of the grocery section.

Wrapping things up is the retail entrance. The wall around the interior doors and around the cart room's interior portal are currently receiving a coat of primer. I say before the weekend that section of wall will be painted a sky blue matching much of the front promenade.

Now for some Pictures:

The Store Front. Notice the appearance of more stud work for the Grocery Entrance's roof trim detail

Yellow Sub-straight as shown here has appeared on sections of the front canopy's underside damaged or destroyed by the ongoing renovation.

The scratch coat of the stuccoing process is up over the Pharmacy Drive up window

An Excavator buttoning things up next to the Hill Street parking lot entry

[tamias6]

Construction Update:

Outside the stucco work above the Pharmacy Drive-Up window is nearing completion. Also one will also see a hint of the dark chocolate brown color that will compliment the light earth tone color of the store sign, the area over the Pharmacy Drive up window, and an area of the grocery end of the building that will be stuccoed latter. Currently workers are taking down the scaffolding in preps to move on to other parts of the building.

Meanwhile, the trim detail on the Grocery entrances eyebrow roof is is fully framed up and covered with a red colored sub-straight. As stated in a previous update, the trim details will be finished off with a dark blue colored metal cladding.

Heading inside via the grocery entrance, one will now be welcomed by the large new green leave pattern tapestry now hanging above the interior entry doors.

Next, the demolished sections of wall behind the meat counters and around some of the adjacent coolers have been re-drywalled. Also the section of wall behind the meat counters is receiving new white colored paneling to help keep the work areas sterile. In addition, new tile work in the grocery section is now complete. Aisles 13 and 14 have now been strip of old tile.

In the mean time more of the new inflatable duct work is being installed over the frozen food aisles. They are being connected to the large metal ducts protruding from the wall overhang just west of the sea food counters.

While installation of the new ductwork is taking place overhead, the cooler between the milk/egg coolers and the packaged seafood cooler has been emptied of stock. Yellow signs have been taped to the front of the shelving announcing that a new expanded cheese section will be coming soon.

Heading back up front, the produce area is being rearranged so that all displays and fixers are positioned at a 45 degree angle for better visibility to customers entering the store via the grocery entrance. Also the metal racks holding up the produce display boxes are being replaced with newer units one by one as the rearrangement progresses.

In the cafe, a new Coke products fountain drink dispenser is being installed along with a microwave oven and a few of the condiment racks.

Wrapping things up for the day, the interior walls of the grocery entrance and retail entrance have received a couple of coats of primer. So hopefully before the end of the week we'll see a nice sky blue color make an appearance.

Of note: The mezzanine restrooms are still closed due to construction. So use the ones located in the grocery entrance.

Now for some pictures:

The Store Front. Now the grocery and retail entrances match each other in level of completion.

Zoom shot of the Grocery entrance.

The stucco work over the Pharmacy Drive-Up window in its completed state with workers dismantling their scaffolding in preps to move to another part of the building.

[pcdoctor]

That cooler that you are talking about that was emptied of stock. Was that the one new jet black cooler that was installed a few weeks ago that holds the lunchmeats? I can't even remember what was in it. The stock that was in there, where is that gonna go? Also, did they get all the new coolers up and running that are by the meat department and the old deli? Did they ever get the coolers up and running in Aisle 1? Also, have they started stocking the other frozen foods cooler yet? If not, what is taking them so long to do it if they are powered up? Also, I thought the interior walls of the grocery entrance were painted green.

[tamias6]

That cooler that you are talking about that was emptied of stock. Was that the one new jet black cooler that was installed a few weeks ago that holds the lunchmeats? I can't even remember what was in it. The stock that was in there, where is that gonna go? Also, did they get all the new coolers up and running that are by the meat department and the old deli? Did they ever get the coolers up and running in Aisle 1? Also, have they started stocking the other frozen foods cooler yet? If not, what is taking them so long to do it if they are powered up? Also, I thought the interior walls of the grocery entrance were painted green.

[tamias6]

Construction Update:

Beginning outside on the north side of the building, workers are starting the installation of the blue metal trim cladding that will cover the middle band of the front facade, the perimeter of the front canopy, and the trim details on the retail and grocery entrances' eyebrow roofs. Also a white sub-straight has appeared on the upper half of the walls. Meanwhile, stucco workers have reassembled their scaffolding on top of the front canopy and have begun prepping the front facade on both sides of the retail entrance for stuccoing. The areas to be stuccoed this time will be a dark chocolate brown.

Next a "Pharmacy Drive Up" sign has been installed above the pharmacy drive up window. Lastly the temporary chain link fence that is been blocking the retail entrance is down. In its place, are some construction cones with rope tied to them to block the entrance from the public.

Along the entire length of the front canopy, bollards have been installed. They look normal enough except for the fact they are five feet tall instead of the normal three foot height. Why these bollards are so tall is a mystery. That is unless bollards are installed first then cut to proper height. In any case, they have been installed to protect the supporting columns holding up the store front canopy from the occasional knuckle head driver.

Heading inside, the rearrangement of the produce department's fixtures into their final positions are complete. Also the installation of the fountain drink dispenser in the cafe along with accompanying condiment racks appears to be complete and everything in working order.

Next, the HVAC systems featuring the inflatable ductwork is up and running. Boy does that cool conditioned air feel good. So you'll know where to find me on a hot muggy summer day.

Moving on to the meat dept. All of the coolers there are up and running and fully stocked. However the drywall still needs to be primed and painted.

Heading to the grocery section proper one will find that new tile work has reached aisle 16 with 17 and 18 striped of old tile. So by early next week the entire sales floor will have all new tile.

PCdoc rejoice. The Last row of frozen food coolers are done, and fully stocked! The only cooler left to be stocked is the new home for the expanded cheese section. It will be stocked anytime now.

Also sky blue paint has been applied to sales floor side of the walls containing the inner doors of the grocery and retail entrance. Also the wall above the Walk-in Medical center has been painted sky blue. Added to that more of the walls along the front promenade have picked up the sky blue color as well.

Lastly, other than some minor loose ends to be taken care off, the retail entrance's vestibule appears to be done and paint has gone up. Inside the vestibule, Meijer employees were busy cleaning the glass work on and around the automatic doors. So I betting that the retail entrance will be opening up very soon. Just remember as with most Meijer stores, the Grocery entrance will remain open 24 hours a day while the retail entrance closes during the night. This is done for security reasons.

So now it looks like the Alpine store has turned a corner and entered the final leg of its sows ear to silk purse transformation. Watching this renovation thus far has been very fascinating. It still amazes me that a whole store renovation of this magnitude can happen so quickly and so efficiently while this store remains open and operational 24 hours a day without skipping a beat. There has only been one instance where this store had to be shut down for a few hours. That was during the placement of an HVAC unit on the roof via helicopter that occurred last month. If progress continues at this rate, the store will easily make the Fall 2007 due date. Hopefully Meijer will hold a grand reopening at that time as I would like to be there to see it.

Now for some pictures:

White Sub-straight on NE corner of the building and Workers starting on the blue metal trim cladding

Curbside signs

Store front and the mysteriously tall bollards

Scaffold set up on both sides of the retail entrance.

Finish Stucco Work and the new "Pharmacy Drive Up" sign

[pcdoctor]

I wasn't at the store today, but my brother was there and he tells me the biggest news of the visit there today. The retail entrance is now open and running. However, the outer exit door is being a little problematic just to let you know. It dosen't close all the way and then it keeps opening. Otherwise, the other doors appear to be ok.

Also, does anyone know if the old awning is still planned to come down yet?

[tamias6]

Confirmed:

Couple entering the store through the exit door as the outside "enter" door was down. I believe the two inner doors were in proper working order.

Also the cold beer cooler in aisle 1 is running and stocked full of cold brews. Just in time for Memorial Day for all you beer drinkers. Anyway that just leaves the expanded cheese section and the sea food counter's lobster tanks to go. before all the coolers and fixtures are considered fully stocked.

I wasn't at the store today, but my brother was there and he tells me the biggest news of the visit there today. The retail entrance is now open and running. However, the outer exit door is being a little problematic just to let you know. It dosen't close all the way and then it keeps opening. Otherwise, the other doors appear to be ok.

Also, does anyone know if the old awning is still planned to come down yet?

[pcdoctor]

Was the cart storage room up and running on the retail side yet?

Odd: when my brother was there, he said he was able to go in through the in doors of the retail entrance.

[tamias6]

Yes. I saw the one of the store greeters assisted by another employee moving some stray carts into the cart room. I assume it along with the retail entrance must have been opened since this morning.

Was the cart storage room up and running on the retail side yet?

[tamias6]

Construction Update:

Guess what ladies and germs. Say goodbye to the center entrance. Half of it has been bricked over while a new single door is being installed. When all is said and done with this entrance will be just another service door. My only guess is that Meijer must have gotten a variance from Walker's insistence for three customer entrances instead of the standard two. This move makes since from a security stand point as this store has seen its fair share of shoplifters just as the 28th St/ K'zoo store has. It is much easier to keep watch over two entrances than three or more.

Anyway, the front facade on both sides of the retail entrance is now being stuccoed.

Heading to the north side of the building. blue metal trim cladding is going up on the middle band separating the upper and lower facade. Meanwhile the north end of the front canopy has received a red colored sub-straight in preps to be finished off with blue metal trim cladding.

Inside, primer has been applied to section of the drywall work over the meat dept. coolers. Also, sheets of plastic now veil the closed center entrance.

Lastly, the mezzanine restrooms still remain closed. Perhaps they getting more substantial maker over than anticipated to match them with the looks of the grocery entrance restrooms.

Now for some pictures:

NE corner of the building. Workers taking a breather. Plastic draped over lower facade.

The Store Front between the two entrances was messy today. Workers have just laid concrete around the new bollards.

Center Entrance demoted to a mere service door. Workers finishing the brickwork reducing the size of the opening.

Stucco work underway on both sides of retail entrance.

[pcdoctor]

Wow. That decision must have been made rather quickly or something. In the pictures that used to be in the store, it showed that the center entrance would still be in there. That is real shocking news that there will not be a center entrance anymore. It's true though that it really wasn't monitored at all except by the alarms that were at the door. I must say, a whole lot of unexpected twists and turns have occured throughout this whole meijer remodeling project. So now what will happen to the space where the center entrance was at? It had looked like the walls in the entrance were also painted not too long ago as well. The space is small for another in store tenant to take place though. The only other thing that I can think of is either the chase bank may expand, the customer service desk may expand, or they may build more offices in it's space. But that sure was totally unexpected.

[tamias6]

Agreed. This must have been a last minute change. My thinking is that Meijer wanted to do away with the center entry right from the get go so they make the Alpine Store look something like this....

However Walker must have put up a good fight and by the time Meijer got this change it was too late to turn back. Anyway I much prefer how the Alpine store will actually look than the above rendering.

Wow. That decision must have been made rather quickly or something. In the pictures that used to be in the store, it showed that the center entrance would still be in there. That is real shocking news that there will not be a center entrance anymore. It's true though that it really wasn't monitored at all except by the alarms that were at the door. I must say, a whole lot of unexpected twists and turns have occured throughout this whole meijer remodeling project. So now what will happen to the space where the center entrance was at? It had looked like the walls in the entrance were also painted not too long ago as well. The space is small for another in store tenant to take place though. The only other thing that I can think of is either the chase bank may expand, the customer service desk may expand, or they may build more offices in it's space. But that sure was totally unexpected.

[Veloise]

Reducing the center entrance is not all bad...keeps the cigarette droppers away from my personal parking pole (painted purple for clarity).

[Zomby-Woof]

Yesturday I need to pick up some food for dinner and when waiting to make a turn into the parking lot I noticed that someone took out the bus stop bench. Who ever did it went over the crub throuth the grass and into the glass. I did not have my camera but I was wondering if anyone else did get a picture.

[tamias6]

Yesturday I need to pick up some food for dinner and when waiting to make a turn into the parking lot I noticed that someone took out the bus stop bench. Who ever did it went over the crub throuth the grass and into the glass. I did not have my camera but I was wondering if anyone else did get a picture.