Thrifty Years: The LIfe of Hendrik Meijer

"Thrifty Years" is a book written by Hank Meijer, grandson of Hendrick Meijer, the patriarch and founder of the Meijer Grocery/ Department store chain. The elder Meijer came over from his home country of the Netherlands in 1907, ready to start a new life in the United States of America. In this book, grandson Hank tells the story of how his grandfather came to America, dabbled in several different businesses, and ultimately decided that selling groceries and general merchandise was his calling in life. Hank Meijer writes this book very well, covering not just the business itself and the significant highs and lows that come with entepreneurship, but also Hendrick Meijer's personal life and beliefs. He includes the actual script from several of his grandfather's letters to his soon to be wife, Zien, back when she was still in the Netherlands and he was in America. The letters are full of love and hope, and they show just how close the couple was in heart, despite the long distance between them. Hank spends considerable time talking about the various businesses that his grandfather experimented with, leading up to his opening of the first Meijer "Superstore". Hendrick tried out farming, milk delivery, and barbershop grooming. But he enjoyed the food business the best and he decided to open up a small grocery store. Over time, he decided that it would be a good idea to combine the grocery store concept with a discount store, and the superstore was born. It was Meijer, not Wal- Mart, that created the superstore concept. Hendrick Meijer's story is inspirational. He shows that, in the United States of America, dreams really can come true. "Thrifty Years" is a tribute to this man and the legacy he left behind. Hank Meijer deserves credit for writing such an excellent family biography. His grandfather would be very, very proud!