The newcomer (Photo: Deadline Detroit)
There's already relatively stiff competition for the grocery business on or near East Jefferson Avenue between I-75 and Belle Isle. There's Lafayette Foods, Harbortown Market and Gordon Food Service Store.
In late September, there will be more with the opening of Meijer's Rivertown Market, a small-format grocery at 1475 E. Jefferson Ave. Meijer opened a similar market at 13 Mile and Woodward in Royal Oak last year.
Steve Jacobs, manager of Lafayette Foods at 1565 E Lafayette, tells Crain's Detroit Business he hopes personal service and neighborhood loyalty will win out over the new Meijer grocery store. He's also not so happy the city gave Meijer tax credits and incentives the independent stores didn't get.
"It is what it is. The thing is, the city wasn't there to help us," Jacobs tells Crain's. "We had to jump through hoops just to get this business open with permits and different procedures. We've been blessed by this community, though. Our customer base is very loyal. We're here to provide great service and we'll continue to do so."
Some potential customers on Facebook have given Meijer reason to be optimistic.
"Plan on seeing my smiling face at least twice a week. I work just up Jefferson!," writes Dawn Johnson on the Rivertown Market's Facebook page.
Sonya Everhart writes: "I've driven past this market every week excited about the progress. I can't wait to do all my shopping here."
