If you've lived in the area for any length of time, there's a good chance you've helped your kids climb into Sandy's saddle and take her for a joyous ride at your local Meijer store. Maybe you even had an opportunity to ride Sandy when you were a kid and your parents picked up groceries. (Provided you behaved yourself during the shopping excursion.)

SEE ALSO:  Former President Makes Fun of Peter Meijer's Name at Michigan Rally

How Did Sandy Become a Part of Meijer History?

In the video below, Hendrik 'Hank' Meijer explains how Sandy has become part of the fabric of Meijer stores as something that multiple generations of shoppers have come to love.

meijer via YouTube
meijer via YouTube
loading...

The first Sandy appeared in a Meijer store in 1962.

"Supermarkets had become exciting places, filled with all kinds of remarkable innovations and real destinations for American families," Meijer says. "And so it seemed only natural to investigate some of the opportunities to entertain children."

Hank says that Sandy first appeared at the first 'big' Meijer store which was built in Grand Rapids.

meijer via YouTube
meijer via YouTube
loading...

Sandy Has Always Been the One Cent Pony

Hank gives credit to his father Frederik Meijer for making a ride on Sandy so affordable. He says the first Sandy came with a '10 cents' sign painted right on the horse.

meijer via YouTube
meijer via YouTube
loading...

"My dad looked at that and said 'No way,' and this is in 1962, more than 50 years ago and that seemed like too much money," he explains. "So we immediately too that 10 cents and changed it to one cent, and that made Sandy the pony available to everyone."

He goes on to say that there's a value in children being able to put a penny into the machine in order to make it come to life.

Meijer Customers Pay it Forward

Meijer notes that over the last few years, they've seen more people leaving pennies on the horse in order to pay for other kids to take a ride on Sandy.

meijer via YouTube
meijer via YouTube
loading...

"Perhaps there's a lesson there about generosity that our children begin to learn," Meijer says. "That someone helps them ride Sandy, then they're going to help someone else ride Sandy."

Hank says that over time, Sandy has become part of the heritage of Meijer and for families throughout the Midwest, saying "Sandy is a part of the lives of our customers."

 

This House of Mirrors is Super Shiny Inside (and a wee bit Hideous)

This house of mirrors, located in Oakbrook, Illinois, is something to see.

The owners put mirrors everywhere they could think of, including the edges of the pool table.


Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

Get Planting: 10 Deer Resistant Flowers & Plants

We plant, and the deer eat. Not that we mind seeing the adorable four-legged friends making their way around our yards, but when they turn our hard work into their private banquet, that's a different thing. Planting these flowers & plants may keep Bambi and the gang away from your flower beds and gardens.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/ Lowes

Michigan Grocers, 1900-1960s

Check Out Aretha Franklin's Former Bloomfield Hills Home

After a few years on the market, the Queen of Soul's Bloomfield Hills home has been sold for $1.3 million.

The home, located at 4585 Kiftsgate Bend, was owned by Aretha Franklin up until her death in 2018. It features a pool, tennis court, sauna, finished basement and original appliances used by Aretha herself.  

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

More From Banana 101.5