ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich.—Community members are invited to weigh in on Menards' plans to expand.

The retailer wants to build a 40,000 square foot warehouse and lumber yard at 4235 Alpine Ave., near its current store.  The expansion would be within the same complex as the future Tim Horton’s restaurant and drive through and Sleep Doctor mattress store.  Developers hope to begin construction on both of those businesses in spring 2015.

A public hearing on Menards' proposed expansion will take place Thursday, Jan. 15 during the planning commission’s meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

WALKER, Mich.—Christmas came early to 213 Meijer shoppers, who received a checkout surprise.

On Dec. 13, the Walker-based retailer paid for all of the gifts and groceries filling each shopper’s cart, ranging from $350 to $1,200 each.  The company posted video of the event on YouTube, which you can find here.

“The holidays are a time for kindness and joy, and the Very Merry Meijer event was a perfect opportunity for us to share the spirit of the season with those we hold dear: our customers,” Co-Chairman Hank Meijer said. “Our family has always believed that our customers don’t need us, but that we need them. That philosophy still guides us today. We are very thankful for our customers, and wanted to find a special way to wish them a very Merry Christmas.”

WALKER, Mich.—  A Walker-based retail store is hiring thousands more workers ahead of the holiday season.

Meijer recently announced it plans to hire more than 10,000 additional employees for stores in five states. Nearly half of the new hires, approximately 4,800 people, will happen in Michigan. The additional employees are needed to cover duties newly opened stores, as well as the upcoming busy holiday shopping season.  Meijer opened or is opening nine new stores in 2014; the retailer plans to open additional locations in 2015.

The openings will be for a variety of positions, from cashiers to meat cutting.  The majority of positions will be part time and seasonal.  Interested candidates can apply online on Meijer’s website. 

Meijer currently operates 213 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.