UPDATE: What's causing delay in Trader Joe's, Whole Foods coming to Grand Rapids?

Why Trader Joe's and Whole Foods won't talk about plans to come to Grand Rapids

• Why H&M is opening first Grand Rapids store in Woodland Mall instead of newer, bigger rival

• What Gov. Snyder and others are saying about Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and H&M coming to Grand Rapids area

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Foodies, hipsters and clothes horses will have their dreams come true in West Michigan, according to real estate developers.

Food retailers Trader Joe's and Whole Foods along with clothing retailer H&M are coming to the Grand Rapids market, confirmed Mike Murray, a principal at Colliers International, a Grand Rapids real estate broker.

Murray shared the news during the 11th annual International Council of Shopping Centers West Michigan Alliance conference on Tuesday, March 5, held at DeVos Place.

The retailers are among the most requested for the Grand Rapids market.

Murray said that both the specialty food retailers have been looking at the market for a long time but haven't found the right location. They are interested in Ada, East Beltline or possibly 28th Street SE near Cascade.

Both retailers have stores on the east side of the state and are looking for locations near highly educated and affluent populations, Murray said.

"They are working so hard to secure the right location," said Murray. "They are determined to get here."

The retailers are known for their organic and health-oriented line of foods, although the California-based Trader Joe's is considered more affordable than the Texas-based Whole Foods.

Mike Murray

Murray said he couldn't confirm which mall will get an H&M store. The Swedish multinational retail-clothing company is known for its trendy, affordable clothing for women and men, and is a competitor of Forever 21.

The retailers may not open in 2013, but Murray said he expected all three to announce Grand Rapids area locations this year.

The opening of a long-awaited Cabela's this month is helping to attract more A-list retailers.

"The more national retailers we get, the more reasons for companies to look at coming here," said Murray, adding that 2013 will be a watershed year for the Grand Rapids area retail market.

"We are working with other retailers and restaurants that are coming to Grand Rapids that we can't announce yet," Murray said.

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