Meijer plans smaller-format Chicagoland store

CHICAGO A Friday report by Crain’s said that grocery chain Meijer is opening a new store in 2011 in west suburban Melrose Park that will be the retailer's third smaller, grocery-focused outlet in the Chicago area.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based grocer has leased a vacant grocery store in the Winston Plaza, according to the report. The space, formerly a Cub Foods, will be expanded for Meijer as part of an $8.5 million renovation planned for the 375,000-sq.-ft. shopping center.

The Meijer store will be 90,000 sq. ft., less than half the size of the retailer's traditional superstores, and will feature full-service grocery and pharmacy offerings, as well as a pared-back assortment of general merchandise. Meijer said it hopes to open by June 2011, with construction launching this fall.

Real-estate sources said Meijer is looking at several other sites for its smaller stores.