8
michigansthumb.com
RESORTER
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020
The exterior of the Bad Axe Meijer is seen just prior to its grand opening on July 9. (Aurora Abraham/Huron Daily Tribune)
Meijer opens long-anticipated Bad Axe location SCOTT NUNN scott.nunn@hearstnp.com
BAD AXE — For more than four years the anticipation of Meijer coming to Bad Axe has been growing, and today that dream for some finally became a reality as the store opened its doors to the public for the first time. Bringing approximately 250-300 jobs to the area, with an anticipated 60% of them being full-time, Meijer’s contribution to the community is expected to run much deeper. “Right now we have about 225 team members,” Store Director Scott Neff said. “We plan on maintaining 250300, because our business can be seasonal. We are still hiring right now. We feel pretty good about sitting at 225, that is a little ahead of our goal right now.” Neff said his administrative assistant is currently conducting phone interviews. “Meijer is a family compa-
Communications Manager Joe Hirshmugl said Meijer’s superstore concept is essentially specialty stores within a store. (Scott Nunn/Huron Daily Tribune) ny and one of the things we talk about all the time is we enrich the communities in which we serve,” Neff said. “We have been out partnering with folks in the community. We want to add value
Huron County Residents Do You Need A Ride??? • Need to see a Doctor? • Dentist? • Go to Work? • Go Shopping? “Our Friendly, Personable, and Courteous Drivers will get you to your destination in a safe and timely manner!”
and enrich the communities we serve.” Neff said Meijer encourages management to join local clubs and organizations for some of those outlets in serving the community. “We want to be a vibrant part of the community,” he said. Unlike some leadership, who might be transferred to the position from outside the community, Neff is an Upper Thumb native. “I am from Kingston,” he said. “It’s not like they brought some guy in from Grand Rapids. I know what it is like to live in a small community. I grew up in May-
ville and raised my six kids in Kingston.” As part of its efforts to ingrain itself into the community, Meijer recently donated $30,000 to local organizations throughout the community, including the Bad Axe Athletic Boosters, Bad Axe Fire Department and St. Hubert Parish Pantry to name a few. Neff is excited to be able to serve a small community. Previously he ran one of the Meijer stores in Saginaw. However, despite serving a smaller community, Meijer is bringing large-town conveniences, such as pickup service, home delivery
MORE POWER TO YOU! ELECTRIC CONTRACTOR Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 5am-10pm • Sat. 8am-6:30pm • Sun. Closed
Huron Transit Corporation THUMB AREA TRANSIT
1513 Bad Axe Rd. • Bad Axe, MI 48413 800-322-1125 • 989-269-2121
www.tatbus.com
Your Electrical Connection Since 1975
FREE ESTIMATES
Licensed & Insured Specializing in Agricultural Wiring
28 Westland Drive, Bad Axe • 989-269-8171 Emergency 989-553-1004 • Fax 989-269-6670 www.maurerelectrimi.com
service and Meijer’s Shop & Scan service, which allows shoppers with smartphones to scan their items as they shop and enjoy the benefits of an expedited checkout procedure. “People shop many different ways and we just want to offer as many options as we can,” Neff said. “Whether they want it delivered to their house, whether they want to scan it and bag it as they go, or they want to go online and have it delivered to their home.” “We do have a multiple ways to shop,” Communications Manager Joe Hirshmugl added. “Especially with the pandemic and people trying to be socially distant, this gives people a great opportunity.” Currently Neff said the delivery service will be limited to approximately 25 miles from the store, but he said that could be changed to accommodate as many customers as possible. Neff said team members who shop for home delivery orders are appointed to the position and receive special training. “We are very selective on who works in those areas,” “Not everyone knows what a good head of lettuce looks like. We teach and train to that, on how to pick produce.” “There is a whole training that goes along with it,” Hirschmugl said. “We were one of the first retailers to offer home delivery in Michigan. It is monstrously successful.” Meijer’s delivery service is provided through a partnership with Shipt, which sends a representative into the store to shop for individuals. Shipt shoppers communicate with the customer if a selected item is out of stock, offering a line of communications on substitution options that are available. Neff said Meijer is known for its selection of fresh produce, meats and baked goods. “One of the biggest things See MEIJER, Page 9
