Spartan Stores leadership heard that Dearborn has a lot of Krogers—but that didn't stop the company from finding its niche in the city's big-name grocery shopping market with its ValuLand brand, which opened its doors in Dearborn on Sunday.
"(Customers are) very positive, very happy, and pleased that we're opening in the community," said Ryan Wingett, store manager of the Dearborn ValuLand, at the store's ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday. "They're glad for a different option—another avenue to buy groceries."
The store, located at 22541 Newman Street in the former Michaels location, sells a full selection of groceries—including produce, meats, beer and wine, as well as magazines and greeting cards. According to Spartan Stores, the store carries both national brands and Spartan branded products.
Spartan Stores is based out of Grand Rapids and operates close to 100 supermarkets. They also distribute products to thousands of stores across the country. Dearborn is one of several ValuLand locations—with others in Warren, Leslie, Roseville, Marion, Lansing and Clare.
Dearborn's 22,000-square-foot ValuLand was months in the planning. But to residents, it may have seemed to just pop up overnight.
"We converted it in 13 days," Wingett said, joking that his staff of close to 40 have been living off of nearby sub shop Bellacino's for the past two weeks.
Spartan Stores brought Wingett onto their team last October, and presented the Shelby Township resident with the opportunity to run the Dearborn ValuLand.
"I wasn't that familiar with Dearborn," he admitted. "I thought this would be a chance to do something new and different."
He added that everyone has been wonderful to work with, "not only the city, but the people."
The store is open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit the store's website, or call 313-563-3158.
