Meijer plans smaller-format Chicagoland store

Chicago A Friday report by Crain’s said that grocery chain Meijer is opening a new store in 2011 in west suburban Melrose Park that will be the retailer's third smaller, grocery-focused outlet in the Chicago area.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based grocer has leased a vacant grocery store in the Winston Plaza, according to the report. The space, formerly a Cub Foods, will be expanded for Meijer as part of an $8.5 million renovation planned for the 375,000-sq.-ft. shopping center.

The Meijer store will be 90,000 sq. ft., less than half the size of its traditional superstores, and will feature full-service grocery and pharmacy offerings and a pared-back assortment of general merchandise.

Meijer said it hopes to open by June 2011, with construction launching this fall.

Real estate sources say Meijer is looking at several other sites for its smaller stores.