Meijer opens small concept store in Chicago

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer announced that it is opening a new concept store in the Chicago suburb of Melrose Park that will provide a tailored grocery offering and a broad variety of general merchandise.

Called Meijer Marketplace, the new store will be 96,000 sq. ft., about half the size of Meijer's largest supercenters.

"Meijer Marketplace is a dramatic step for us as we work toward bringing everything that's great about Meijer to a more diverse group of customers," said Hank Meijer, co-chairman and CEO of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. "The Chicago market continues to be a very important growth area for us, and our new Meijer Marketplace concept will bring yet another unique offering to our Chicago-area customers."

Meijer said its grocery offering will include a focus on Hispanic and Italian foods to better serve the ethnically diverse community nearby.

In addition to grocery, Meijer Marketplace will offer a full-service pharmacy offering a variety of national and Meijer-brand health and beauty products, the company reported.

General merchandise departments will include electronics, seasonal items, toys, sporting goods and a pet department, with numerous national brand products throughout the aisles, Meijer reported. The store will maintain a flexible layout that allows Meijer planners to bring in new items based on customer feedback.