MERRIAM, Kan. (KCTV) – Shoppers began lining up before sunrise Wednesday for the opening of Merriam’s new Trader Joe’s, the city’s first grocery store in eight years.
One shopper, Theresa, said she arrived at 6 a.m., three hours before the doors opened.
“I got here at 6 a.m.,” Theresa said. When asked what she planned to buy, she said, “Everything. So Trader Joe’s is my grocery store of choice. And the closest location to my home is 25 miles. And this is 11 miles. So I’m very excited about that.”
Another shopper, Darlene, dropped her grandson off at school at 7:40 a.m. and joined the line six minutes later.
“Oh, my God. I am so excited about the store opening. I’ve passed here a million times and been waiting for it to open. And today is the day,” Darlene said.
Trader Joe’s in Merriam, Kan.(KCTV)
Darlene said the new location is closer to her than the store she previously shopped at on Ward Parkway.
“I love that they have came this way to make another store available to us,” she said.
City without a grocery store since 2018
Hen House closed at the site in 2018, leaving Merriam without a grocery store for eight years. Merriam Mayor Bob Pape said the turnout Wednesday reflected the community’s desire for a grocery store.
“Well, I think it’s very exciting for one thing. It’s one of the things since 2018 when we lost our grocery store here in Merriam, our residents wanted a grocery store back. And to see all these people show up is just proof that they do want a grocery store,” Pape said.
Trader Joe’s in Merriam, Kan.(KCTV)
The city partnered with Drake Development, which built Merriam Grand Station across the street, to bring Trader Joe’s to Merriam. Pape said an Aldi is also planned for the area.
“Aldi should be open by the end of the year. They’re going to be at Merriam Town Center… we’ve been working since 2018 to get a grocery store. We are fortunate in Merriam to now say we’re going to bring you two grocery stores,” Pape said.
Developer calls project ‘a dream come true’
Drake Development CEO Matt Pennington said the Merriam project holds personal significance for his company.
“We’re fortunate enough to do developments all over the country, but this one means a lot. Not only to Drake Development, but to the City of Merriam. And getting to see the public-private partnership come to reality is honestly a dream come true for me and our group,” Pennington said.
Pennington said he expects the store to draw visitors from outside Merriam.
“I hope this fills a void for not only them as a resident, but I think this is going to bring a lot of people outside of the city to just put Merriam on the map and understand that Merriam is a great community,” he said.
Trader Joe’s in Merriam, Kan.(KCTV)
Pape said he hopes the store becomes a gathering place for residents.
“Well, you know, I want our residents, we want our visitors to believe that this is their store. This is where they can come and shop. They can meet their neighbors. Actually, we anticipate that this building will… be a part of our identity here in the city of Merriam. So please come here and do the shopping and meet your neighbors and we look forward to seeing you here,” Pape said.
About 25 employees worked the store Wednesday. Some arrived as early as 4:45 a.m. to prepare for opening.
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