Many social media posts lately are speculating on the upcoming move of Gordon Food Service in the Benton Township retail district. GFS is moving a couple of blocks down the street from a spot near Lowe’s to a bigger and more visible location formerly occupied by Staples at Mall Drive and Cinema Way, right on the corner.
Here’s what we know from informal conversations with GFS-knowledgeable people. Informal because GFS is not commenting specifically on the move until they know precisely what day they’ll open at the new location. They apparently don’t want to confuse customers, or discourage them from continuing to shop at the current location.
Their plan is to be in the new store by early November, if not before. In the meantime, several contractors are still working to complete the store, which will be virtually all new. Store personnel are already working there, too, putting whatever they can in place amid the construction.
Because it’s headquartered in Grand Rapids and has been a major supplier to restaurants and institutions in the region for decades, many shoppers don’t realize GFS is a nationwide operation. It specializes in that non-consumer phase of food distribution across the country. However it’s increasingly popular with families—especially larger families—in recent years. The ‘ready to cook’ specialties offered at GFS—created for restaurants– are attractive to busy, working families who simply don’t have time to ‘make dinner from scratch.’
The employees we’ve talked with are excited about the move and say the selection and variety will be greatly enhanced in the new GFS store. MoodyOnTheMarket.com will let you know about ‘opening day’ as soon as we know!
