By AP
GRAND RAPIDS, MI –
People have formed a long line in the near-freezing cold to pay their respects to retail pioneer Fred Meijer.
The billionaire businessman and philanthropist died Friday at Spectrum Health System in Grand Rapids after having a stroke in his home. He was 91.
The eight-hour visitation began Tuesday afternoon at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.
A private memorial service is set for Wednesday.
Fourteen-year employee Martha Dalton tells The Grand Rapids Press that Meijer took an interest in his employees, making sure to greet them by name.
Meijer built the regional retail powerhouse Meijer Inc. and was credited with starting the supercenter store format in the 1960s that made him a successful Midwest retailer.