Lena Meijer rarely spoke in public, instead letting her more outgoing husband accept the couples honors. He belongs to a family that is the founder and owner of the Meijer supermarket chain. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). In the past decade, the Meijer foundation has donated millions of dollars. Over the phone, sight unseen, pick of the post, her husband interjected. The senior Hendrik Meijer was the founder of the super center retailing chain bearing his name. A private family ceremony is planned to honor her legacy. We had our mother save all the packages and empty cartons and we would set up a little grocery store in the corn crib, she said. According to Forbes, Meijer and his brother Hank have a joint net worth of US$16.6 billion, as of January 2022. But Hank Meijer sees the opening of the first Meijer supercenter at 28th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue SE in Grand Rapids in 1962 -- called Thrifty Acres at the time -- as the defining innovation of the company's first 75 years. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Kentwood Police investigating shooting at Delta Hotel, 'Unique' Donut and Beer Festival coming to Grand Rapids expected to sell out. He ultimately studied at the Military Academy for one year at West Point before transferring to Columbia University. Do you think that the lives of Hank and Doug Meijer would have been negatively impacted at all if they paid these workers $20 an hour as a starting wage? 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The Big Take is the very best of Bloomberg's in-depth, original reporting from around the globe every day. James Rink is well known for his video documentary entitled "Change is on the Horizon - Dawn of the Golden Age " which you can watch the full . The only information linking the LLC to the Meijer family was its address 80 Ottawa Ave. NW, suite 101. Since most of the growth of the Meijer super center retailing chain occurred during the period following Hendrik, Sr.'s death, the credit for the Meijer growth to . Peter was enlisted in the Army Reserve. spoke with Fred as well as sons Doug and Hank Meijer, who co-chair the company, with Hank serving as CEO. Lena Meijer was by her husbands side as the Meijer company grew from a single store into a retail giant. So, how much is Hank Meijer worth at the age of 70 years old? "Once it became clear, by the mid-1990s, that Meijer would not be selling to them, Wal-Mart began competing in earnest, as did Target; both companies used the supercenter concept they had taken from Meijer.". Meijer, too, has been a leader in technology. Then, one day, she got an unexpected phone call from Hendrik Meijer, who said some of the workers at his store knew Lena and had suggested he hire her. 32 years ago, the US committed a major war crime in Iraq, which led anti-war activist to take action in GrandRapids, The Combating Human Rights Abuses Act introduced by Senator Peters has no teeth and it doesnt scrutinize or hold accountable US business abuses in the US orabroad, Acton Institute writer claims that the Reagan Administration was the embodiment of the Sermon on the Mount phrase, Blessed are the Peacemakers, in new bookreview, The combined wealth of the nations 657 billionaires increased more than $1.3 trillion, or 44.6%, since the pandemic lockdowns began. 4. About half the chain's stores are in Michigan, with the rest scattered between Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. Hank Meijer was the oldest son of Frederik G. H. Meijer [1919-2011] and the grandson of Hendrik Meijer [1883-1964], the original founder of the Meijer super center retailing chain. Doug is co-chairman, and Hank is chief executive and co-chairman. His youngest son, Mark Meijer, founder of Life EMS Inc. in Grand Rapids, is not involved in day-to-day operations but sits on Meijer's board of directors. According to Forbes, his family is one of the wealthiest families in Michigan due to their ongoing Meijer Supermarket chain, which has been operating for two generations. And the decisions they make have huge consequences, not just for the bottom line, but for communities, cities, even entire countries. She will be greatly missed.. According to the data from the Institute for Policy Studies, Hank & Doug Meijers wealth went from $10.2 Billion at the beginning of the pandemic to $12.6 Billion today. He also pursued his bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology in 2012 at the very University as well as, he served as an advocate on campus for reinstating the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. All three . Douglas Meijer (born 1955) is an American billionaire businessman, co-chairman of the US supermarket chain Meijer. By The Grand Rapids Press Fred Meijer reminisces with his sons, Doug, center, and Hank. One of Lena Meijers biggest legacies may be Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Meijer's first supercenter "Thrifty Acres" opens at 28th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue, 1962 Lena Meijer never sought the limelight and rarely spoke in public though she did appear at the 2018 grand opening of Meijers Bridge Street Market on Grand Rapids West Side but she was a true partner to her husband, Frederik Meijer, and left a lasting mark on the community. In a statement, her son Hank Meijer, executive chairman of Meijer, said, The blessings of a long and fruitful life outweigh the sorrow with the passing of our mom, Lena Meijer. There was a problem loading your book clubs. In lieu of flowers, the website says memorial contributions in Lenas name can be made to the Lena Meijer Childrens Garden at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. Meijer was among the first to adopt these changes: The gardens were always special to her and she took pride in the way the project grew. Stores open Sundays, 1969 Such a strong commitment to a location is a byproduct of careful growth and an emphasis on the long-term outlook, Hank Meijer said. It has been his charisma that has gained Meijer generations of loyal shoppers. It has a sense of responsibility that comes with it. Discover Hank Meijer's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. [2] In 2016, he discussed his ongoing struggle with depression that started in 2011, when his father died, he was diagnosed with cancer and divorced, all in the same week.[3]. While Meijer generally is accepted as the inventor of one-stop shopping, the retailer has massaged its claims to say it pioneered the supercenter format. Years ago, he put Meijer Inc. -- which ranks as the 18th largest private company in the United States -- into trust for his three sons and future generations. He is one of the 10 Republican members who can do the impeachment vote for Donald Trump. Her gracious, giving spirit and dedication to her family, our company and our community were beyond measure and appreciated by many. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. When pressure to reduce costs to remain competitive with Wal-Mart and Target forced the company to lay off 2,000 from its management ranks, Fred Meijer came to headquarters to talk to his workers as they were leaving. They were flying below the radar, and that meant making money more easily than they would have if, for example, Wal-Mart had moved into Michigan in a big way. She was 7 years old and she had her plans made, her husband joked. There is no other information about them. Doug Meijer said he began to struggle with depression several years ago. They also contributed to Grand Rapids medical industry. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. E-mail Nancy Crawley: ncrawley@grpress.com. After two games, Kevin Durant looks to be extremely comfortable in the Phoenix Suns' offense. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Last week, the Institute for Policy Studies published a new report entitled, A Year of Billionaire Pandemic Gains. We helped with the haying.. Gilbert is the owner of Quicken Loans, which capitalized on cloistered citizens tapping online financing, plus Gilbert is a major player in the massive gentrification of Detroit. There was a group from the store that was going to Edmore and she was working in the office part time and some of the girls said to her, You ask Fred,' he said. Again, I doubt that Meijer employees that many store workers, but you get the point. Meijer's newest area store is in Cedar Springs. Although born in a small town, Meijer has always been on the cutting edge of what is new in the grocery business. Peter's mother was a medical student in the Biology Department. 3 Who Is Hank Meijer's Wife? He rejoined Meijer in 1979 as assistant advertising director. Meijer is a board member of the privately held firm while his brother Hank is executive chairman. That early instruction became a lifelong business tenet for Fred Meijer. With many family owned businesses failing to last past a second generation, the second and third generation of Meijers work well together. As a child, she said, she would climb that windmill and eat her lunch up there. Doug Meijer owns Michigan-based grocery chain Meijer along with his brothers Hank and Mark. After serving as a reporter for a Detroit-area newspaper group, he became editor and later publisher of a weekly newspaper in Plymouth, Michigan. I turned them down at first and then I changed my mind. This would mean that a Meijer store clerk, which we have been calling an essential worker for the past 12 months, would make $90,000 a year. Hank's college-age daughter, Hanna, has worked at several stores and is spending the summer interning at corporate headquarters. The company includes 240 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.. "We think it is a little better for our team members from a culture standpoint. Fred Meijer told News 8 in 2003 that he was initially nervous about dating someone from the store, so it was Lena who made the first move. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, To The Point: Reps. Johnsen, Skaggs on gun bills, MSP: Suspects stole catalytic converter from ambulance, Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Numerical coincidence prompted $754M Powerball winner, Bill Steffen T-shirts launched by The Mitten State. The GRPD, Community Policing and the Suppression ofDissent, Grand Rapids Think Tank promotes more WhiteSupremacy , We should all be pissed off: The Wealth of Hank & Doug Meijer increased by $900 Million in the past 4 months | Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy, During 18 months of a Pandemic, the wealth of Doug & Hank Meijer has grown by $6.7 Billion | Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy, Meijer family members spread out their wealth to get a lower ranking on the Forbes 400 list | Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy, Grand Rapids Non-Profit Industrial Complex, What the end of COVID Food Assistance benefits means for millions in America and in WestMichigan. He was also a volunteer for Columbia University's emergency medical services for emergency medical technicians. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. We helped with the haying.. If we act on that responsibly, that's an incredible legacy.". Hank Meijer is executive chairman of Meijer, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Early life [ edit] Hank Meijer is the son of Lena Rader and Frederik Meijer, and grandson of Hendrik Meijer, who founded the US supermarket chain Meijer in 1934. Visitors can also see the Lena Meijer Childrens Garden and a replica of her family farm in Amble, complete with a barn and the original windmill from the farm. She invited me to a first dance. He has a net worth of US$16.6 billion (jointly with his brother), as of January 2022. . We had our mother save all the packages and empty cartons and we would set up a little grocery store in the corn crib, she said. He also serves on the executive committee of the Food Marketing Institute and is a trustee of the Kettering Foundation, and The Henry Ford. Will His AI Plans Be Any Different? Profits are not always the primary consideration when making decisions, added Doug Meijer, 55, co-chairman of the company's board of directors with Hank. WALKER -- If Sam Walton had his way, Meijer Inc. would not be celebrating its 75th anniversary. They made their decisions on the family obviously together but they also made business decisions together, former Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell said. Now, His relationship is very good. Meijer has 230 stores in the Midwest and estimated revenues of $20.5 billion. Could new DNA tech crack the JonBenet Ramsey case? If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Freds father hired me as a cashier in his store, Lena Meijer remembered. Mr. Meijer is vice chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. Four years after the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center opened, the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion opened at Spectrum, named for two former Meijer employees and funded in part by the Meijers. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote. We worked in the fields during the day planting corn by hand we didnt have a corn planter planting potatoes by hand, she recalled during an interview in May 2003. Hank Meijer is CEO and co-chairman with his brother, Doug, of supermarket chain Meijer. As a Sergeant, he led the mission and soldiers, which resulted in the detention for killing American soldiers. This Supreme Court Case Could Redefine Crime, YellowstoneBackers Wanted to Cash OutThen the Streaming Bubble Burst, How Countries Leading on Early Years of Child Care Get It Right, Female Execs Are Exhausted, Frustrated and Heading for the Exits, More Iranian Schoolgirls Sickened in Suspected Poisoning Wave, No Major Offer Expected on Childcare in UK Budget, Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Handout as Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels, Climate Change Is Launching a MutantSeed Space Race, This Former Factory Is Now New Taipeis Edgiest Project, What Do You Want to See in a Covid Memorial? [2] He was educated at Creston High School. Former UFC Mens Bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt celebrated a triumphant return to the Octagon on Saturday night. 60s icon Ronnie Spector, who sang Be My Baby, dies at 78, Marilyn Bergman, Oscar-winning composer, dies at age 93, Groundbreaking actor Sidney Poitier dies at 94. Adding shareholders to the mix would have changed the focus in many ways, Meijer family members say. We are part of a family business. She instead chose to enter the workforce at a local bank. Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy, Operation Safe Neighborhoods? By the way, if this speech gets too long, half of it belongs to Lena because she wont talk, he said in 2004 at the dedication ceremony for the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center at Spectrum Health in downtown Grand Rapids. They have been in a relationship for a long time, but still, there is no information about the baby. Peter Meijer and Gabriella Zacarias got married in 2016 at Rio De Jeneiro and it's been six years since they got married, Columbia University (20082012), United States Military Academy, Columbia University, Who Is Gabriella Zacarias? Who Is Hank Meijer's Wife? That resource can now be downloaded to an iPhone. He joined the family retail business at the age of 11 as a grocery clerk. It's too soon to say if their children -- the fourth generation -- will go into the business. His father is an American billionaire businessman, co-chairman, and CEO of the Meijer Supermarket chain in the US who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1973 with a degree in literature. 2023 National Constitution Center. Automated conveyor system at checkouts, 1954 All Rights Reserved. She was born in . You can listen to Casbolt reveal his relation with Hank in his presentation at the Bases at the Barge. "Doug Meijer: A billionaire's battle with depression", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doug_Meijer&oldid=1081283631, Businesspeople from Grand Rapids, Michigan, American business biography, 1950s birth stubs, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 April 2022, at 13:58.
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