EXCLUSIVE | Meijer — a one-stop shop years in the making
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been changed to correct the time of Meijer's opening on Thursday. Doors open at 6 a.m.]
BOARDMAN — The long-awaited latest addition to the Mahoning Valley's grocery landscape opens Thursday.
Meijer's new Boardman location promises to offer local shoppers a one-stop shop for all their needs.
In addition to groceries, beer and wine, Meijer also includes a pharmacy, a veterinary clinic, clothing, home goods and electronics.
"There are apples over here," said store manager Dessie Szklany, pointing to the produce section. "And Apples over there," she added, gesturing to the electronics department.
But getting to the precipice of opening hasn't been simple.
Water damage
When the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer purchased 39 acres at the intersection of Lockwood Boulevard and U.S. Route 224 in June 2019, the Boardman community was reeling after a late-May rain event that flooded entire streets and destroyed basements and backyards.
Some affected community members pointed fingers at new commercial tenants, including incoming Meijer.
They called on township leaders to put a moratorium on development. At the time, Krista Beniston, township director of Zoning and Development, assured residents the new store wouldn't add to their flooding woes.
Meijer will be required to "hold back water so that it comes off at the same rate as it would if it was not developed," Beniston said. "So it has a neutral impact."
The 39-acre property, which sold for $4 million, includes a 22-acre conservation easement that cannot be developed.
Adding to residents' ire, the Boardman Township Zoning Commission originally rejected the company's request to increase the portion zoned commercial by 3 acres; township trustees later approved the change in exchange for increasing the conservation easement from 17 to 22 acres.
Two years later, concerned residents will be pleased to see a massive stormwater retention pond flanking the grocery store parking lot on the right, filled after last week's rain.
Gas perks
Before opening, Meijer was also accused of encouraging commercial creep into Boardman neighborhoods by attempting to erect a gas station on Lockwood Boulevard across the street from its upcoming store.
Meijer Stores Ltd. twice requested a zoning change for 2 parcels — zoned residential and commercial — at the corner of Lockwood Boulevard and Tippecanoe Road.
The township zoning commission sided with residents concerned about commercialization and traffic and rejected Meijer's request in January 2020 and again in July 2020 when the company put forth an altered proposal.
But it appears the company will have its gas station after all — at the cost of about a mile.
Meijer set it sights slightly east of the Mill Creek Golf Course and purchased about 1 acre on Boardman-Canfield Road for a gas station. It cost the company $415,000 and is already zoned for a gas station.
Community-minded
Store manager Dessie Szklany has been working at Meijer for 23 years, starting as an entry-level team member in the photo department.
In fact, 40 percent of the company's employees have been with Meijer for more than 10 years. The Boardman location has already created more than 300 full- and part-time jobs.
Jobs and stormwater infrastructure aren't the store's only investment in the community; 6 percent of the company's net profits go to local organizations and charities, Szklany said.
"These are people who come into the store, and taking care of our community has always been important. It's always been important to me, and our team members love getting involved in that," Szklany said.
Meijer has already initiated partnerships with the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Inspiring Minds and Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.
Evidence of community roots are already visible in the not-yet-open store.
On the wall near the registers, a big photo mural depicts the Southern Park Stables and one of the township's first police cruisers. A rack by the pharmacy display shirts for sale containing the Boardman School District logo.
Grand opening
Doors open at Meijer's new Boardman location at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Szklany expects to see people lined up at the brand-new store before it opens its doors.
New Meijer shoppers should download the "mPerks" app, which allows customers to access coupons and get rewards for shopping at Meijer.
Meijer also offers shopping experiences to fit customers' schedules. In addition to in-store browsing, Meijer also offers pickup and grocery delivery.
"We're all about making sure we carry what the community wants," Szklany said. "I'm going to be here. We've got our team ready to make sure if there's anything out there that we haven't gotten, we'll absolutely work on getting that in."
This story was originally published May 12, 2021 at 4:01 AM with the headline "EXCLUSIVE | Meijer — a one-stop shop years in the making."