LORAIN, OH - Meijer is expanding its presence in Northeast Ohio with five new superstores. Over the next two to three years, the chain plans to add new Ohio locations in Lorain County, Avon, Bainbridge, Mentor, and Stow.

"Lorain looks like a perfect location as part of our push into Northeast Ohio and the Cleveland area," said Meijer Senior Director of Communications Frank Guglielmi, according to source Cleveland.com. "Now, the closest Meijer stores to Cleveland are in Sandusky and Mansfield. We would like to change that with the sites we have either purchased or put under contract.”

The Avon, Mentor, and Stow locations are slated to open first, in 2019, with the Lorain and Bainbridge stores following in 2020. The company currently has the strongest presence in Michigan, with 100 stores on the map. These new locations would give Ohio the second strongest presence, bringing the state’s store count up to 42.

"Lorain is very pleased to have a new Meijer store come to our city," said Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer, according to the the source. "Meijer is a great company and they are expected to employ hundreds of people in higher paying jobs to our city."

Meijer stores are typically divided in half between food and merchandise, and run approximately 190,000-square-feet. The new stores in Northeast Ohio are expected to offer a bakery, a butcher, a seafood counter, and a pharmacy.

This news comes on the heels of the appointment of new CEO Rick Keyes in early December.

As the retail chain expansion continues, AndNowUKnow will be on the trail.

Meijer