Nation's Largest Supermarket Chain Acquires Hiller's Stores

Hiller’s in West Bloomfield will remain open, as will five other area stores that are part of the family-owned chain that announced its sale to Kroger of Michigan Friday. (Photo via Creative Commons)

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The seven Hiller’s Markets in the Detroit metro have a new owner – the Kroger Company of Michigan, which said Friday the stores will close in early July for a quick conversion and then, for the most part, reopen.

Slated to be closed is the store at 3010 Union Lake Road in Commerce Township. Kroger recently a store and fuel center across the street from that location, Ken McClure, consumer communication manager for the grocer, said

The other six Hiller’s stores are located in Northville, Plymouth, West Bloomfield, South Lyon, Ann Arbor and a second store in Commerce Township.

Current employees are encouraged to apply for jobs within the Kroger system, though it’s unclear how many will get jobs under Kroger ownership.

“We’re not measuring it in terms of percentage as much as looking for all enthusiastic and friendly people who want to come into the Kroger family,” McClure told The Deroit News. “Our intention is to take as many associates as possible who are a good fit and who are willing.”

The family-held store has been a community institution since Sid Hiller opened the first one 75 years ago. Jim Hiller and his son, Justin, are president and vice president of the chain.

’Sad Day’

Justin Hiller said the sale was a financial decision.

“It’s a sad day for me but at the same time offers an opportunity to care for the employees and that was important to me,” he said.

Justin Hiller said he will not remain with the store in any role.

Mary Spencer, a culinary instructor at downtown Northville’s Taste: A Cook’s Place, said she hopes Kroger’s won’t eliminate Hiller’s “beautiful fish and meat departments.”

“You can get meat and fish at other stores,” Spencer said, “but not like Hiller’s.”

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Spencer said she relies on Hiller’s specialty products and produce for her monthly cooking classes.

McClure told The Detroit News that Hiller’s reputation for carrying local and ethnic foods was one of the things that drew Kroger Company of Michigan – part of the nation’s largest supermarket chain – to the smaller family-owned chain.

“We’re always growing and learning in those spaces, and we’re looking forward to continuing those traditions,” said McClure, who had worked for Hiller’s for 20 years, including eight as chief operating officer, before his January 2014 departure. “We’ve been on an aggressive plan of local and ethnic foods for the last several years so this is really a good fit for us.”

Hiller’s banner will continue until July, when the stores are converted, McClure said.