Meijer is planning to remove the Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn for its new store. Courtesy | Facebook
Meijer will remove the historic farm on its property before spring 2024, as it plans to break ground on the new store this spring.
The property, just southeast of Bullhead Lake near the intersection of W. Carleton Road and Beck Road, features a white farmhouse and a historic Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn.
The plan submitted to the city’s planning commission shows the farm being demolished to make way for construction, according to Hillsdale Planning and Zoning Administrator Alan Beeker.
“I spoke to our construction team and they confirmed that the barn will eventually be removed,” said Meijer Director of Corporate Communications Frank Guglielmi.
The barn features a painted advertisement on its side from the 19th Century Bloch Brother Tobacco Company of West Virginia.
“Chew mail pouch tobacco – treat yourself to the best,” the side of the barn reads.
Beginning in 1891, the tobacco company paid farm owners $1 to $2 a day to feature its advertisements on their barns, according to the Hagen History Center. More than 22,000 barns advertised for the tobacco company, and advertisements appeared across America until 1992.
“Today, the Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn is becoming just a memory of America’s past,” the Hagen History Center’s website said. “Once a common roadside sight, they are almost all gone.”
Guglielmi said the community has expressed interest in saving parts of the barn, and Meijer is considering various options.
“We have been approached by several groups who are interested in salvaging and reclaiming the materials from the barn for future use, although no final decisions have been made on that yet,” Guglielmi said.
When Meijer bought the land from owners of the Laurel D. Null estate in 2017, it began the process of bringing the store to Hillsdale. The pre-construction phase is almost over.
One of workers’ main jobs before construction was relocating electric transmission lines that ran through the center of the property, Beeker said. The Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities contracted with Hydaker-Wheatlake Company to move the transmission line, and Meijer agreed to fully reimburse BPU for the work, according to Sam Fry, the City of Hillsdale’s marketing and development coordinator. The work is nearing completion.
“Our understanding is that Meijer wishes to break ground as soon as the ground thaws,” Fry said. “We anticipate that they will begin moving dirt this spring.”
Beeker said Meijer is installing a 12-inch water line at the site because its current water line is not big enough to handle the store’s water demand.
“I am always happy to see new commercial development in our community and hopefully this will keep those who already shop at Meijer in neighboring communities closer to home,” County Commissioner Brad Benzing said.
Beeker said Meijer is a good investment in capital and will create more jobs.
“It’s good for our tax base, it’s good for our local economy, and it’s good for Hillsdale residents,” Fry said.
Hillsdale City Manager David Mackie said the Hillsdale City Council has been very supportive of new commercial development.
“Meijer is an iconic and well respected Michigan brand, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to Hillsdale,” Mackie said.
