Meijer officially opened Thursday and is welcoming customers this weekend with several grand opening events.

Meijer Co-chairman Hank Meijer said Bowling Green has what Meijer looks for when planning stores – a diverse economy and a substantial community that’s still small enough that Meijer can gain popularity.

“Bowling Green feels right,” Meijer said.

The Meijer company operates 208 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. The family-owned store is based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Meijer’s co-chairman said Bowling Green “feels like home in terms of size.”

Though the store is open, grand opening events will begin Sunday. The first 500 customers entering the store after 6 a.m. will receive a Mystery Meijer Gift Card with a value of $5, $10 or $20. The store will host an in-store community picnic and pass out gift cards every 15 minutes.

Other giveaways, family activities and a chance to win a $1,000 Meijer shopping spree continue through July 19.

Radio Disney will be at the store June 21 and NFL player and former Western Kentucky University running back Bobby Rainey will be there from noon to 2 p.m. July 5.

Store director Bill Thompson began Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony by saying, “Who rocks the Hilltop?” Meijer employees responded, “Meijer rocks the Hilltop!”

Thompson introduced co-chairman Meijer, who told the crowd packed near the store’s renowned produce section that a lot of work and preparation had gone into getting the store to Bowling Green, but that it was all worth it.

“It’s been a long time coming. We are thrilled to be here,” Meijer said.

Mayor Bruce Wilkerson said Bowling Green is proud to be Meijer’s southernmost store. Wilkerson met with Thompson and other Meijer personnel several months ago about the project, and their diligence and commitment to making the store the best it could be assured Wilkerson it would be a hit with the community, he said.

“What impressed me the most was they weren’t in a hurry to get it open until they got it right,” Wilkerson said.

Rob Clayton, superintendent of Warren County Public Schools, thanked Meijer for the company’s donation of $25,000 and nonperishable items to the Synergy Center, the hub of the district’s Family Resource and Youth Service Centers on Cypress Wood Way. Mass donations can be made to the Synergy Center, or items that are not needed at one school’s FRC can be distributed to another school’s FRC from the Synergy Center.

“They’ve reached out to help those students who need us most,” Clayton said. “We know that this partnership is going to make our community a better community.”

After a ribbon cutting, customers in attendance resumed shopping.

Tim Penn of Bowling Green shopped in the men’s clothing section Thursday and planned to look around further before he left. His son got a job at Meijer, and Penn, originally from Michigan, had been in Meijer stores before and was excited that Bowling Green has one.

“As soon as it opened, I knew I wanted to come here,” Penn said.

Susan Tabor of Bowling Green is the FRC coordinator at William Natcher Elementary School. Because her FRC is part of the group that received goods and money from the company, Tabor said she thinks Meijer’s donation solidifies its investment in the community and awareness of the community’s needs.

“They’re just so community-oriented,” Tabor said. “That’s what I think of when I think of them.”

Her son’s family lives in Florence, where there is a Meijer, and she always tries to go when she visits. Tabor said she’s happy that Bowling Green has a Meijer and thinks its prices and variety are competitive with other retailers.

“I find it more than satisfactory in their children’s department and overall,” Tabor said while picking out an outfit for a grandchild.

Thompson said Wednesday that Meijer has expanded its clothing section to have more of a “department-store feel.”

Mary Puckett of Sweeden is a merchandiser with Convergence Marketing and Revlon who helped put together Meijer’s cosmetics section. She shopped Thursday for a birthday card for her 1-year-old great-nephew. She said she looks forward to perusing the produce and garden sections.

“I’ve been to the one in Louisville, and I’m just so excited we have one here,” Puckett said.

Puckett said “competition is the name of the game,” and other retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kroger will likely “feel the effects” of Meijer’s opening.

“I just hope it’s a big success, and I really feel that Bowling Green can support it,” Puckett said.

The Bowling Green store is the 10th Meijer in Kentucky and one of nine Meijer stores opening this year.

— Follow business beat reporter Monica Spees on Twitter at twitter.com/BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.