Meijer partners with Starbucks on the gas station of the future

Grocer Meijer is opening the door on the future of its gas stations and convenience stores — and is partnering with Starbucks to do it.

Meijer opened a newly-designed convenience store and gas station on Tuesday near its Grand Rapids, Mich. headquarters.

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The company said the new 5,500-square-foot convenience store will be its gas station to include a separate full-service Starbucks. The store will also include fresh produce and protein-based snacks, wraps, fruit, and organic items, as well as grab-and-go meals prepared locally by Superior Foods.

“We are proud to continue to roll out what we see as the future of convenience for our gas station patrons,” Adam Whitney, Meijer’s vice president of gas stations and convenience stores, said in an announcement from the company. “We believe our customers will appreciate the ease and accessibility that the new design offers and the expanded assortment of freshly-made options that reflects their desire for healthier snacks.”

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The new convenience store features a large seating area with free Wi-Fi and phone-charging stations. Its foods will include sushi made daily, “hand-crafted” pizzas and chicken tenders and locally-prepared donuts delivered daily.

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The location also offers a self-serve coffee station and large fountain bar with cold-brew coffee, frozen coffee and “F’real” Shakes selections.

And the retailer said a “beer cave” will be on site.

In the coming months, Starbucks will open a full-service location, which includes drive-thru service, a first for a Meijer stand-alone convenience store.

The new gas station includes 18 fuel pumps, a 50-percent increase over the retailer’s previous gas station format.

Meijer currently operates more than 200 gas stations and convenience stores across its six-state footprint.

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