Controversy in S. Haven over Meijer

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - Many people in West Michigan are used to having a Meijer nearby, but in one community they are doing everything they can to avoid that.

A group in South Haven against the new Meijer tried to get support before voters head to the polls next week.

"Inviting a big box store to town is like inviting a cannibal to dinner," said Al Norman. "It eats through your local economy, and leaves you with a serious problem economically because you're eroding the base that supports your local community."    

Most of the two dozen people who came to the meeting at Ramada Inn are a gainst the planned development. But not everyone in town agrees that a new Meijer is a bad thing.

"I don't think Meijer is gonna hurt us," said Maribeth Jordan. "Downtown is very unique and individualized in what they offer and the services they offer, it's not gonna pull away from the quaint small town that we have here in South Haven."

People in South Haven will have to make a decision about whether or not to re-zone the property on their ballots Tuesday.

If the property is re-zoned, Meijer will be built at the corner of the Blue Star Highway and Phoenix.