Tag Archives: Kepleys Fun Five

Trader Joe’s is Open for Business in Kentwood

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TraderJoesBy: Mike DeWitt

There’s a new grocery store in Kentwood and its California roots and trading market atmosphere are going to make it one of the hottest places in town.

Trader Joe’s opened this past Friday on the south side of 28th street, across from Centerpointe Mall, and is the latest of Mayor Kepley’s ‘Fun Five’ to officially open its doors in Kentwood!

The 12,500 square-foot building possesses a Hawaiian theme with employees wearing Hawaiian shirts. The shelves and product presentation throughout the store give it a feel of your local ‘neighborhood’ grocer. Over 3,000 of the items on the shelf are Trader Joe’s own personal brand and it makes up around 80% of the store’s inventory.

What makes Trader Joe’s stand out, and a destination grocery store, is its original and unique food choices that can’t be found at other grocers. Trader Joe’s also hangs their hat on providing food that is GMO free and excludes other artificial ingredients. While trying Trader Joe’s unique food choices may be a little out of your comfort zone at first, don’t worry, it can be brought back for a full refund if you don’t like what you bought!

West Michigan had been starved for a Trader Joe’s until the recent grand opening. Michigan is now home to seven locations, but six of them are on the East side of the State! Their popularity bodes well for Kentwood.

“Trader Joe’s is a destination spot,” explained an excited Mayor Kepley, “It’s a store that customers will plan a trip around to fill out their grocery lists. It will bring a lot of business to Kentwood.”

Come check out what excitement is all about! Trader Joe’s is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

‘Fun Five’ Whittled Down to Three

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All the way back in October of yesteryear, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley raved of a little something he likes to call his ‘Fun Five.’ The ‘Fun Five’ is a group of five businesses the Mayor is actively approaching to open up shop in Kentwood for everyone to enjoy!

With its opening in May, Dave & Buster’s, a restaurant/arcade, was the first of the five dominoes to fall in Kepley’s plan.

In less than 60 days, a second domino will fall when Trader Joe’s has its grand opening on September 25th!

“Trader Joe’s is a destination spot,” explained Mayor Kepley, “People have mentioned their excitement. It’s a spot customers will plan a trip around to fill out their grocery lists. It will bring a lot of business to Kentwood.”

When Mayor Kepley was campaigning for Mayor, he promised to bring 400 news jobs to the area in 4 years. A promise that he is intent on keeping.

The positivity is overwhelming from the Mayor about his “Fun Five.” He has succeeded in opening up two of the five business he envision. Whole Foods, Chick-Fil-A, and The Cheesecake Factory are still prizes waiting to be caught!