HOMER GLEN – A new Meijer store came to Homer Glen bigger than expected, which village officials take as a good sign of the company’s faith in the local business climate.
Meijer is opening stores July 29 in both Homer Glen and Mokena.
The Mokena store is at U.S. 30 and Wolf Road, while the Homer Glen store is at 14169 Bell Road.
On July 29, Home Glen officials and some members of the Meijer family will be at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at that store, Homer Glen Economic Development Director Janie Patch said.
Meijer coming to the village is important for Homer Glen because of the sales tax revenue the store will produce, Mayor Jim Daley said. Homer Glen is one of the few communities in the state that does not receive municipal property taxes, he said.
“To have a big sales tax generator come into this town – it’s a real accomplishment,” Daley said.
Meijer is a Michigan-based company that runs more than 200 supercenters and grocery stores in five states. The company also operates convenience stores with gas stations. One such store opened June 26 at the Meijer site.
The Meijer store in Homer Glen was originally envisioned to be 158,000 square feet but is now about 192,000 square feet, Patch said.
“I think that sends a great message out there about the strength of the Homer Glen market and what Meijer is feeling is possible in Homer Glen,” she said. “We’re very excited about the store opening.”
A store like Meijer will strengthen the village’s appeal for other retailers and businesses, Patch said. In March, Meijer announced it intends to hire 540 employees for the stores in Homer Glen and Mokena.
“That’s more people coming into town or ones living in town that want local jobs,” Patch said. “It’s giving them that opportunity.”