Meijer opens superstore in Sturgis, Mich.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Meijer on Thursday opened a new 192,000-square-foot supercenter in Sturgis, Mich.

"Opening this store has been a long time coming, and we're thrilled the day is finally here," CEO Hank Meijer said. "Sturgis has never had a one-stop shopping destination like Meijer, so we're proud to be the retailer to fill that void."

The new store is the latest of nine new Meijer supercenters to open – and part of an investment of more than $400 million in new and remodeled stores – this year. The Sturgis store will welcome customers from St. Joseph, Cass, and Branch counties and is located at the corner of South Centerville Road and West South Street.

In addition to the retailer's traditional grocery and merchandise, garden center, and 24-hour gas station, the new Sturgis Meijer pharmacy will offer drive-thru pick up and the company's free prescription program. The prescription program includes leading oral generic antibiotics with a special focus on prescriptions most often filled for children, prenatal vitamins, and medications for those with diabetes and high cholesterol. Since its inception in 2006, the Meijer free prescription program has filled nearly 33 million free prescriptions, saving Meijer customers nearly $454 million.

With more than 100 stores located throughout Michigan, the new store is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and will be open 24 hours a day.

Opening celebrations began with a ribbon-cutting event, followed by remarks from Meijer leadership and local officials. The store also demonstrated its commitment to the community by making donations to a local organization. Store director Marsha Keefer presented $25,000 to the Doyle Community Center to help with the construction of a new 2,500 square foot strength training center to its multi-purpose sports, fitness and recreational facility.