Detroit's Meijer Grand Opening Discussion

[Left_For_Texas]

Who in the hell needs to be in a grocery store after 11 pm anyway? ...

There are a lot of people who don't work 9-5. I work nights and weekends and often do my shopping during odd hours.

[Hermod]

There are a lot of people who don't work 9-5. I work nights and weekends and often do my shopping during odd hours.

Supermarkets figured that since the store would be open in the wee hours for the guys restocking the shelves, the cost of keeping open one checkout line for the night owl shoppers was minimal.

[Crumbled_pavement]

There are a lot of people who don't work 9-5. I work nights and weekends and often do my shopping during odd hours.

I used to work those same kind of hours too, so I relate to what you're saying. However, nowadays Meijer doesn't have cashiers at any of their stores after a certain time and you have to go through the self checkout. That's only convenient if you have a few things to purchase. If you have a lot of things to purchase you'd be better off going before 11pm anyway. So, in that regard, the whole store might as well close at 11pm. That way, at least you don't have to climb over all the stock in the aisles.

[Crumbled_pavement]

Who in the hell needs to be in a grocery store after 11 pm anyway? Meijers is smart. Why stay open 24 hours and have the predators waiting for the few people going in and coming out of the store and then have news stories on TV and radio reporting on the crimes going on in the parking lot in the early morning hours? This just scares away people who would normally go to the store during regular business hours. Is Whole Foods open 24 hours? Maybe one day they'll be open 24/7. Remember: Detroit ain't paradise yet.

Kmart operated two stores in the city 24/7 and I don't remember hearing of any this stuff you're talking about. Granted, one of those locations is now a Home Depot and the other I don't think is 24/7 now, I don't remember any news coverage of any crimes being committed in the parking lots of those stores.

[DetroitPlanner]

Kmart operated two stores in the city 24/7 and I don't remember hearing of any this stuff you're talking about. Granted, one of those locations is now a Home Depot and the other I don't think is 24/7 now, I don't remember any news coverage of any crimes being committed in the parking lots of those stores.

According to K-Mart's website it is closed a half hour a day!

Hours:
Mon: 12:15 am - 11:45 pm
Tue: 12:15 am - 11:45 pm
Wed: 12:15 am - 11:45 pm
Thu: 12:15 am - 11:45 pm
Fri: 12:15 am - 11:45 pm
Sat: 12:15 am - 11:45 pm
Sun: 12:15 am - 11:45 pm

Another curiosity is that when you query on K-Mart stores in Detroit, this one is listed #8. It probably has to do with its being way in the NW side and a haul from City Hall. [[The other 7 stores are probably closer, but in the burbs).

[Zacha341]

I beg to differ CP. Sadly, crime was high at that Kmart in Detroit [[7 mile and Meyers) thus it closed. I stopped going about a year before it closed. One incident I recall clearly was a Detroit Public Schools math teacher murdered in that Kmart parking lot towards the end of their time there. There were several car jackings and what not. A friend of mine was robbed at her car. I will try to pull and post the link for slain high school teacher.

The Home Depot has higher security. They check your bag against your receipt, so far so good. I shop there often when I need home improvement or other stuff.

Kmart operated two stores in the city 24/7 and I don't remember hearing of any this stuff you're talking about. Granted, one of those locations is now a Home Depot and the other I don't think is 24/7 now, I don't remember any news coverage of any crimes being committed in the parking lots of those stores.

[Crumbled_pavement]

I beg to differ CP. Sadly, crime was high at that Kmart in Detroit [[7 mile and Meyers) thus it closed. I stopped going about a year before it closed. One incident I recall clearly was a Detroit Public Schools math teacher murdered in that Kmart parking lot towards the end of their time there. There were several car jackings and what not. A friend of mine was robbed at her car. I will try to pull and post the link for slain high school teacher.

The Home Depot has higher security. They check your bag against your receipt, so far so good. I shop there often when I need home improvement or other stuff.

Thanks for the correction. I hadn't heard of any of those events. I used to go there all the time with no problem. Sad that a person can't go shopping without some worthless thug threatening their lives.

[Zacha341]

^^^ Yeah the murder at that location was 1997-98 I believe. The man was one of my kids HS math teacher.

[rex]

Proximity to bus stop sketches it out some. The neighborhood to the SE isnt much of a neighborhood anymore. Empty lots & abandos but still, not an area I would select to live. Corner at State Fair and Woodward is another kind of market. Store stands a chance though. It is probably the cheapest option for quality food and other items in the city. People in Hazel Park and Ferndale who like Meijer probably go there instead of the 14 mile store.

[Cliffy]

Proximity to bus stop sketches it out some. The neighborhood to the SE isnt much of a neighborhood anymore. Empty lots & abandos but still, not an area I would select to live. Corner at State Fair and Woodward is another kind of market. Store stands a chance though. It is probably the cheapest option for quality food and other items in the city. People in Hazel Park and Ferndale who like Meijer probably go there instead of the 14 mile store.

I just don't see too many people from Ferndale going there. Its still Detroit and once you cross that line, the crime rate jumps exponentially and the police don't show up.

[firstandten]

I just don't see too many people from Ferndale going there. Its still Detroit and once you cross that line, the crime rate jumps exponentially and the police don't show up.

I think there will be a strong effort by Detroit to deal with the crime issue, case in point there will be a police mini-station in the plaza

[mwilbert]

I just don't see too many people from Ferndale going there. Its still Detroit and once you cross that line, the crime rate jumps exponentially and the police don't show up.

Maybe there are a lot of Ferndale people who never cross 8 Mile, but I don't know them.

[ferndalien]

Maybe there are a lot of Ferndale people who never cross 8 Mile, but I don't know them.

I take it you don't know a lot of Ferndaliens. We're not all cowering in fear of 8mile. Some of us even live near it. And cross it, sometimes even on bikes!

I think a lot of South Oakland residents that are tired of the trip to 15 and Coolidge just might take a chance on crossing 100 yards into the city to shop here. I know a lot won't, but most people I associate with here in Ferndale will.

[mwilbert]

I take it you don't know a lot of Ferndaliens. We're not all cowering in fear of 8mile. Some of us even live near it. And cross it, sometimes even on bikes!

I think a lot of South Oakland residents that are tired of the trip to 15 and Coolidge just might take a chance on crossing 100 yards into the city to shop here. I know a lot won't, but most people I associate with here in Ferndale will.

Did you misread my quote? That is pretty much what I said!

[Baselinepunk]

Maybe there are a lot of Ferndale people who never cross 8 Mile, but I don't know them.

Bunch of us are crossing and enjoying the new store. Feel very safe. No worries and I like that can walk their or ride my bike [[done it twice). Great job, Meijer! Thanks!!

[Zug]

I am curious about the long-term stability of the store. The history of big box retailers in the city hasn't really been that successful lately [[duh). The location helps a lot. Woodward & 8 Mile is centralized and close to middle-class/wealthy neighborhoods in the city...and could therefore theoretically survive if only Detroiters in the area went there with little suburban patronage [[because, let's face it...a lot of suburbanites along Woodward will still opt for Royal Oak.

I find the less-than-24-hours schedule and single entrance slightly demeaning...though it's better than nothing at all. And truthfully, I know that shoplifting is a concern. Late-night shoplifting is a concern in any 24-hour store...no matter location...so I could imagine reduced hours was done a lot for that reason. At least those that live in the neighborhoods to the north and west won't be complaining about increased noise and traffic at night.

[jackie5275]

Late-night shoplifting is a concern in any 24-hour store...no matter location...so I could imagine reduced hours was done a lot for that reason.

I heard an interview with one of the mgt from Meijer who said it wasn't going to be 24 hrs because they wanted consistency with the other stores in that strip mall that close earlier. Plus, they figured most of their customers rely on public transportation, & they wanted to be open during hours of more frequent bus service.

Incidentally, Meijer stores in Ohio ARE NOT 24/7.

[MrNittany]

I heard an interview with one of the mgt from Meijer who said it wasn't going to be 24 hrs because they wanted consistency with the other stores in that strip mall that close earlier. Plus, they figured most of their customers rely on public transportation, & they wanted to be open during hours of more frequent bus service.

Incidentally, Meijer stores in Ohio ARE NOT 24/7.

That's definitely not true. I live less than a mile away from one in Cincinnati [[actually IN the city, it has a Cincinnati address), it's open 24/7.

It's a good store, I shop there all the time. It's popular with the locals, it competes well against the hometown grocery chain [[Kroger's is HQd in Cincinnati).

All together, there are 12 Meijers in Metro Cincinnati [[10 in Ohio, 2 in Northern Kentucky), they are all 364/24/7 [[Christmas Day being the day they are closed).

[Scottathew]

Incidentally, Meijer stores in Ohio ARE NOT 24/7.

Another item for the list of reasons why I hate Ohio.

[Hermod]

I find the less-than-24-hours schedule and single entrance slightly demeaning...though it's better than nothing at all. And truthfully, I know that shoplifting is a concern. Late-night shoplifting is a concern in any 24-hour store...no matter location...so I could imagine reduced hours was done a lot for that reason.

That they opened in Detroit and don't just have a walkup window with bullet proof glass should make you thankful and not worry about "demeaning". It is the price you pay for the very high density of thugs and criminals in the population.

[Zug]

That they opened in Detroit and don't just have a walkup window with bullet proof glass should make you thankful and not worry about "demeaning". It is the price you pay for the very high density of thugs and criminals in the population.

That's why I said "slightly." Because first impression was..."Really...one entrance." But I get why.

Anyway, the main reason I was writing was because I actually got to go there first hand after work today. I talked about the single entrance, but to give it a break, it is a VERY large entrance. Probably the size of 2-4 entrances that go into other Meijer stores. So it is nice to see that they were conscious of crowd control. The store is very nice inside, and seemed to have everything I would expect. Inside, everything feels "normal" [[though, the electronics section is sectioned off at the front of the store...which is understandable for security reasons)...and I like the look and arrangement of items better than the Royal Oak and Rochester Hills locations. It was super easy getting in & out of the lot [[for me, at least) with so many entrance/exit points.

[Zacha341]

I have preferred the two-entrance stores as I can decide if I am just doing groceries to go in the 'grocery' side door to avoid the extra walking... oh well. At least now I can do less driving to get to a Meijer.

That's why I said "slightly." Because first impression was..."Really...one entrance." But I get why.

Anyway, the main reason I was writing was because I actually got to go there first hand after work today. I talked about the single entrance, but to give it a break, it is a VERY large entrance. Probably the size of 2-4 entrances that go into other Meijer stores.

[Zacha341]

I heard that. I hear there's a Tim Horton coming up on Davison off Dexter. For sure they will need bullet proof glass sadly.

That they opened in Detroit and don't just have a walkup window with bullet proof glass should make you thankful and not worry about "demeaning". It is the price you pay for the very high density of thugs and criminals in the population.

[TKshreve]

I believe the Meijers near Harper and 13ish is not/was not 24 hours either. Unless that was holidays, because I was in search of some last minute gifts. I remember calling.

[Detroitdave]

For those who aren't aware, The Meijer at 8 Mile and Woodward had its grand opening today.

Needless to say, I was impressed. It seemed like your typical Meijer store. It was on jam too, as I'd swear everybody and their momma from all over the city and inner ring suburbs paid a visit to the store today [[granted, the Kroger at 7 Mile and Gratiot was the same way when it first opened)

There were some minor design differences though, such as the interior color being mostly black/brown/white versus the typical red/blue in most other stores. Also, this location only has door in and out [[I'm guessing a subtle way to limit the amount of shrinkage, as security will only have to monitor one door).

Although majority of the shoppers were black, there seemed to be a fair amount Caucasian shoppers mixed in there as well, granted I would say it was less diverse than the Whole Foods in Midtown. Same goes for the employees.

I also like how easy it is to get in and out of the store from 8 Mile, thanks to the Michigan U-Turn and the traffic signal they put at the entrance.

Quite frankly, given this location is just about as close to my neighborhood in NE Detroit as the Roseville and Warren stores, I may start coming here to do any of my food or other shopping.

Well you beat me to it ! :-) I agree with pretty much everything you said you hit it right on the head !
I was really impressed also they really pulled all the stop , they really went all out ! it's a beautiful store , its set up is different than typical store and the color scheme is different also the layout is a little different .

You description was dead on . I also notice the make up of the people shopping , I notice all types and yes even Caucasian , so they aren't too afraid to venture across 8 mile :-)

If they keep it clean and safe people will keep coming , it's really close to my house so I will be shopping there . All and all a good thing

Go check it out you will be impressed !

Detroit a food desert no more !?