Meijer to Bring Latest Store to Chicago Suburb

Michigan-based superstore chain Meijer got a unanimous green light from aldermen in Berwyn, Ill., to bring its latest location to the Chicago suburb.

“We feel this is a strong, diverse market, and with the support of the city of Berwyn, we feel we can fill a market need in this community,” said Meijer spokesman Michael Flickinger. “Meijer has been family-owned for over 75 years and was founded on the philosophy of taking care of our customers, team members and community. We are very happy to expand our family into Berwyn.”

The new store, Meijer’s closest location to downtown Chicago, will anchor Cermak Plaza, at Harlem Avenue and Cermak Road. Under the terms of Meijer’s agreement with the city, Cermak Plaza will demolish the existing building and begin construction of a new building pad in the second quarter of 2011. Construction on the new space is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2011 and be completed by the third quarter of 2012.

Cermak Plaza is perhaps best known as the former site of the Spindle, a sculpture consisting of eight automobiles impaled on a 50-foot-tall spike. Installed in 1989, the sculpture – which was featured in the film “Wayne’s World” – was removed in 2008 to make room for new development.

“Upon opening, Meijer will be the largest retailer in Berwyn ,”said Ald. Rafael Avila. “Cermak Plaza has come full circle in the past few years and has restored itself to an attractive shopping destination and an economic asset to the city of Berwyn. We are ecstatic about this progress."

Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer pioneered the big-box supercenter concept in 1962. The company recently announced a new development concept, ChicagoLand, featuring urban infill stores that will focus largely on grocery and pharmacy but will still offer general merchandise for a one-stop-shopping experience.