Malls...

Why would it be devestating? I am sure if they closed, Cedar Point would just run a bus to Wal-Mart or Target. The only reason they go to Meijer is because its closer then Wal-Mart.

I was just being more sarcastic than anything... it seemed Meijer was a Mecca for the employees....

I understand.

The only reason its a hotspot for CP emplloyees though, is because: 1) The bus Service, 2) Its closer then Wal-Mart, 3) Some don't even know there is a Wal-Mart, and 4) There is a US Bank for those employees with direct deposit.

5) Meijers is a heck of a lot better than Walmart anyway.

6)Whichever one is cheaper, is better;)

I don’t really like Wal-Mart (or Meijer for that matter), but if something I need is cheaper there then somewhere else, I’ll go there. Its all about the cheapest for me, at least while I am a college kid. I try to stay away from both of those places though, but its hard sometimes.

and besides, Meijer is a sponsor of CP!

And so was Top's, which closed and left Sandusky. Sponsor or not, that does not matter. Cedar Point would not have a hard time finding a new sponsor if need be. I don't think that the fact of Meijer being a Cedar Point sponsor would be a decision in weather or not they stay in Sandusky. Besides, they can still sponsor Cedar Point, Meijer is a nationally known store.

Meijer is not national, but regional.

http://www.meijer.com/

MrScott

Very much agreeed with.

But I never heard of a Meijer closing, ever. And I'm a Meijer employee [at the moment] and I know how much they HATE Walmart, and my store director is always talking about the changes being made to stay close to being their number one competitor.

I believe Meijer of Sandusky will stay right where it is, and remain a top competitor, and if changes are needed to be made (like price cuts), then so be it.

I am not going to tell you it is or is not leaving for sure, but rather the rumor around here is that within the next two years, it could go. Which would not be surprising!

I don’t know if I would say a Meijer store has never closed, around 2003 they were forced to layoff several thousand employees. I am sure somewhere, a Meijer has closed.

But if they do stick around Sandusky, you would think it might be a hard time for them, for reasons that I mentioned on the last page. It use to be a busy store, almost always a full parking lot. But after other stores in the area opened, the amount of customers had to decline. This is one of the reasons Top’s left Sandusky. It had nothing to do with the company itself, just the amount of business lost in Sandusky. The same year, Top’s opened a new store in Norwalk, where there is less competition. With the addition of Sam’s Club and Target, maybe it will be a good thing for the customer at Meijer. Price Cuts? I have always found Meijer to be the pricier store in Sandusky. Might not be that way everywhere, but it is here.

*** Edited 4/19/2006 9:33:50 PM UTC by 99er***

The problem with the Tops store in Sandusky was that it was much smaller than the typical Tops store. There wasn't much they could do with it to stay competitive. It wasn't the only store in the chain to close. I don't think the Sandusky market is oversaturated.

What kind of rumors are these anyway? The kind you hear from area business leaders, or the kind you hear at 1 a.m. at Cabana Jacks? :)

Definitely not at Cabana Jacks, Walt:)

The first time I heard it, I passed it off. But the more I heard it from people in the “business field”, I began to think it could possibly happen. Not to mention the fact that Meijer is just not what it used to be in Sandusky. Wal-Mart at 1am is more busy then Meijer in the evening.

I worked for meijer (not sandusky) until recently and have heard that rumor as well. When the SuperWalmart opens in an area Meijers general merchandise (nonfood) sales have always taken a bad hit. I'd imagine with a target it would take another hit.

I would bet that a factor in closing would be what they could get for the land and because they are in the process of reworking store layouts (larger stores with more grocery areas). Sometimes its cheaper to close a store & build a new one instead of renovate--Circuit City is in the process of doing this.

And Meijer sits on a good sized piece of land, most of which is unused (the parking lot). I know that the Great Wolf wants land for expanding. They are having a hard time trying to acquire the baseball fields behind the resort, which I think they gave up on. The last I heard they were in the process of buying Steak `N Shake. So if Meijer could get a nice chunk of change for the property, it might be a smart idea to sell and build new closer to either the highway or downtown.

99er- I am from Grand Rapids, MI- the birthplace of Meijers first major store in the 1930s. They have never closed a store. They outnumber Walmart in our metro area, about 20 stores to 2 for Wal-Mart.

If they've never closed, why start now?

Also, I'd support Meijer over Wal-Mart anyday.

can someone remind me WHY we're arguing about this again?

Meijer.com counts 12 stores near Grand Rapids. Wal-Mart.com counts 12 stores near Grand Rapids.

I find it hard to believe that in the history of Meijer, that a store has not closed for any reason, ever. Especially when they went through a hard time in the early 1990's and then again in 2003. Maybe I am wrong, but if I am that doesn’t mean a store could not close now. A company like Meijer that could be facing a loss, will not keep a store around just because they have never closed a store before. Like I said though, I don’t really know if they are facing a store closure. I was only stating a rumor, and my opinion that I wouldn’t be surprised of the closing because of what seems to be a lack of business.

And Twisted Sister, who is arguing? Sounds like a civil conversation to me, unlike the “what were getting in 2007” and “500 foot coaster” rumor conversations!

*** Edited 4/20/2006 2:50:39 AM UTC by 99er***

haha, 99er, better check the distance on those walmart 12... ok i was wrong... THREE are in the metro area. (not 12...)

my mistake... meijer has 12 local locations, with a few more opening soon.

meijer has MOVED a store before- Grand Haven, MI... closed old one, moved down the street, but that wouldn't really qualify.

Meijer hasn't had hard times...
Its a private company, they might have made less money privately, or had to lay people off to AID in being competitive, but they haven't had hard times fiscally...

but yeah... a rumor two years from now is like me starting a rumor that cedar point is going to sell 1/2 their land or something... ;)

it makes no sense.

back OT hopefully

99er much agreed--The economy isnt the greatest and a thriving company can turn bad quick. You have to get a Return on Investment to keep a store open and if not then just close it. The BG store was supposed to get a renovation but after the new Super Walmart was announced, it was put it off until the fall. Sounds like they wanted to see what effect the walmart will have.
*** Edited 4/20/2006 3:57:50 AM UTC by IrishEd***

Besides, If you look, they are a few things BESIDES malls around Sandusky. If you're a gearhead Norwalk Dragway is about 20 miles south.

On the other side of Sandusky is Toft's creamery where they have some kick ass ice cream!

At the end corner of CP Drive & Cleveland road, there's place calld the Thirsty pony, where you can bowl (on some nights) for two hours for $10 bucks, and that INCLUDES shoe rental! It's about a 10 minute walk from commons dorms.

And then there's Louie's...