Meijer sets opening date for 11th supercenter

Midwestern food retailer Meijer has revealed that it will open a new 159,000-square-foot supercenter in Elkhart, Ind., on May 11, making it the 11th Meijer store in Northern Indiana.

The supercenter will feature grocery staples, fresh produce, bakery, meat, and deli, as well as a floral area. Other departments will include a garden center, pharmacy, pets, electronics, toys, sports and apparel. Additionally, a Meijer Express gas station will open on April 13, adjacent to the new supercenter.

[Read more: Meijer Grocery store concept makes its debut]

"We know that value and convenience are key for our customers, and the new store will provide both for Elkhart residents," said Maureen Mitchell, VP of the Indiana-Kentucky Region for Meijer. "Meijer is committed to investing in Northern Indiana, and we look forward to providing a more convenient option close to home for grocery and other everyday needs here in Elkhart."

Meijer opened its first store in Indiana in 1994 on Grape Road in Mishawaka and has invested heavily in the state ever since. The new Elkhart store will be the retailer's 42nd store in the state, in addition to its manufacturing facility in Middlebury. Additionally, the retailer employs more than 10,000 team members statewide.   

More details regarding the new store will be confirmed prior to opening day.

There are still select job openings for the new Elkhart Meijer. The hourly positions are part- and full-time across a wide array of skill sets. Interested candidates can begin the hiring process online at https://jobs.meijer.com/stores, and searching "Elkhart" as the location.

[Read more: Meijer first retailer nationwide to support SNAP benefits on Flashfood]

Meanwhile, in an ongoing effort to make fresh food more accessible, Meijer recently expanded its Flashfood program, making it the first retailer nationwide to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the app that allows customers to purchase surplus close-dated food at a deep discount. Meijer is now accepting the payment capability at all its Midwest supercenters and Meijer Grocery stores.

Privately owned Meijer operates 501 supercenters, Meijer Grocery, neighborhood markets and Express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. 

This story originally appeared on Progressive Grocer.