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"Opening later this year on East Jefferson Avenue at Rivertown Market, I learned the forthcoming Meijer will be a 42,000-square-foot grocery run by Detroit native Marcus Reliford, who lives three blocks away. Unlike the department store–style Meijer, this location will offer a limited selection of produce and groceries and focus on local products, including Pietrzyk Pierogi, Ma Cohens, and Cyntsational Popcorn; Reliford has received more than 1,000 product submissions and aims to stock at least 2,000 local products. In addition to groceries and household staples, the East Jefferson Meijer will include a flower shop, fresh and prepared foods, baked goods, an extensive alcohol section, and in-store locations of Mudgie’s Deli and Great Lakes Coffee. Reliford says he grew up on the west side of Detroit, returned to give back to his community, and called this the chain’s first store in downtown Detroit: “There’s no one who wanted this job more than me. It feels good to be home.”" - Beth McKibben