CALEDONIA, Mich. -- A Michigan-based supermarket chain is looking to expand its flirtations with gasoline retailing in a big way, according to a report in the Grand Rapids Press.
It is our desire to expand fuel to as many of our corporately owned stores as possible, Tom Montgomery, Spartan Stores director of fuel operations, told the newspaper. Today, it's an expectation; it's not simply a convenience.The Grand Rapids-based chain will go before the Caledonia, Mich., Planning Commission on Sept. 28 to discuss a proposal to build a D&[image-nocss] amp;W Quick Stop gas station where a closed drive-up restaurant now sits, near the D&W Fresh Market that Spartan owns. Company representatives need approval to change the Glen Valley Shopping Center's planned-unit development zoning because it doesn't allow gas stations. They also need an OK to construct the station with less than the required 25% open space and 50-foot setbacks.
Spartan Stores Inc. is the nation's tenth-largest grocery distributor with warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich., according to the company's Web site. At the end of 2005, the company had three c-stores offering gasoline.
The company distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. It also owns and operates 68 retail supermarkets and 19 deep-discount food and drug stores in Michigan and Ohio.
Regarding the Caledonia request, city Planning Commission member Victoria Peabody-Duren, who also serves on the Village Council, said the D&W station would be the fourth gas station in a seven-tenths-of-a-mile stretch of M-37. I don't see a compelling reason to go against our (planned-unit development) ordinance," she told the newspaper.
Thompson said the store could prove unsuccessful without the gas station. He said that when Spartan purchased the D&W stores, company leaders knew the Caledonia store needed the station and pharmacy.
"If we don't do those things, we'll be closing some stores," Montgomery said, adding that four gas stations probably aren't enough for the growing area. He added that if Spartan receives the approvals in October, the gas station could open in December.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.