Meijer: A Long Lost Love

Remember last year before I moved to Illinois I started writing tribute posts to people, places and things I loved in Michigan?  One of them was about Meijer, the grocery store.  Well today, I got to reunite with my long lost love.

I had to go to a store in Aurora to return something, and on the way back I was planning on hitting up a grocery store to buy supplies for dinner, which I was planning to make later that day (chicken pot pie, another post, another day).  Anyway, there I was, driving down IL-59, looking out for Aurora Ave to make a left turn, when there it was.  On the horizon like a beautiful tree with red apples.  Only the apples were letters, and it spelled out…

I pulled into the parking lot so fast I didn’t even turn my indicator on! I was so happy, it was a little pathetic and weird.

I went into the store and to my surprise its layout was almost identical to the one on 8 Mile and Haggerty.  This made the moment even more exciting!  I already knew where everything was.  It was almost as if I was back at home, cruising down the lanes, picking up what I needed and calling ammi to double check if I had everything.  In fact, I did call home… to ummy and asked her if she wanted baby carrots.  There was a good deal going on for a 1-lb bag.  Also, Doritos were on sale, BOGO!  I picked up two Nacho Cheese bags, and imagined taking them home to Fati.  But then I remembered I was in Illinois, so I put one back and picked up a Cool Ranch bag for Waasiq instead.

My trip wasn’t very long, but it was extremely satisfying.  I’m already thinking up excuses to go back.  It’s “only” a fifteen minute drive away.  I wonder when I’ll go there again?