Meijer

In 1934, a modest local barber in Greenville, Michigan had a need and saw an opportunity. It was the centre of the Great Depression and groceries were scarce. In an effort to take attention of the clients who visited his barbershop, Hendrik Meijer purchased $328. 76 worth of merchandise on credit. Together with his 14-year-old son, Fred, they opened North Side Grocery. Meijer continued to look for ways to innovate and supply higher standards of service to his clients. He renamed his store Meijer's Grocery and started broadening his business through the use of newspaper ads and fancy metal shopping carts.