So Many Grocery Stores! Detroit Suburbs in Quandary Over New Retailers

In Livonia, a suburb of Metro Detroit, locals and city council members have voiced concerns about the rapid expansion of grocery stores. The recent approval for a new Meijer grocery store and 102 rental apartments on a former Kmart site has reignited debates about the increasing number of chain grocers in the area. While the development was eventually approved, city council members openly expressed their reservations.

Popular chains like Meijer, Kroger, Walmart, and Target already have a strong presence in Livonia, a city home to nearly 92,200 folks. Even a Whole Foods is in discussion to be established as part of the renovation of a former business park. This surge of supermarkets has left many wondering whether the city really needs another grocery store.

The Meijer chain, based in Grand Rapids, has faced similar resistance in several other Metro Detroit communities too. In places like Plymouth Township, the retailer even had to resort to legal action to secure permission for the construction of a new store. Proposals from Meijer in places such as Farmington Hills have also met with opposition, sparking lengthy disputes over potential issues such as increased crime and traffic problems.

Livonia City council last week gave a green signal to a proposed $60 million investment for constructing a 75,000-square-foot Meijer and 102 apartments at the corner of Seven Mile and Farmington. Approving this development was seen as a significant move to remove a dead commercial space. It even led to debates on whether personal preferences should matter while making crucial city development decisions. During this, it was decided that personal preferences should be put aside in the best interest of the town’s development.

Council members admired the efforts of Meijer and developer Schostak for considering city concerns about traffic, noise, light pollution, and reducing the initially planned number of apartments by almost half. Yet, some residents still worry about traffic issues that could potentially worsen with the construction of a new Meijer store.

In Farmington Hills, the plan was to bulldoze a strip mall and build a new Meijer store. The announcement, however, faced backlash as it would displace a greatly cherished arcade. After months of protests and adaptations to the original plan, the development was finally approved. Currently, the owners of the arcade, Marvelous Marvin’s, are searching for a new location to ensure the continuation of their business.

Plymouth Township‘s experience with Meijer also didn’t go smoothly. Due to the clashes over the proposed 159,000-square-foot store at Five Mile and Beck, legal action was the only way forward. This issue even played a crucial role in a recent Republican primary for township supervisor.

Despite these conflicts, Meijer is confident that its new stores will eventually be accepted. They believe that often, the initial objectors turn out to be among their most loyal customers once the store opens.