FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person * ODONOVAN TIMOTHY J   2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol SPARTAN STORES INC [SPTN] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) __X__ Director _____ 10% Owner _____ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) (Last) (First) (Middle) C/O 850 - 76TH STEET SW 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year) 05/15/2009 (Street) GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49518 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed(Month/Day/Year) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing(Check Applicable Line) _X_ Form filed by One Reporting Person ___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip) Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned

1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock (1) 05/15/2009   A   2,406 A $ 0 12,959.06 D   Common Stock               5,000 I By spouse's trust

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Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)

1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)

2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security

3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)

3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)

4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)

5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5)

6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)

7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4)

8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)

9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)

10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)

11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)

Code

V

(A)

(D)

Date Exercisable

Expiration Date

Title

Amount or Number of Shares

Stock Option (Right to Buy) (2)

$ 13.87

05/15/2009

A

1,558

05/01/2010

05/15/2019

Common Stock

1,558

$ 0

1,558

D

Stock Option (Right to Buy) (2)

$ 13.87

05/15/2009

A

1,559

05/01/2011

05/15/2019

Common Stock

1,559

$ 0

1,559

D

Stock Option (Right to Buy) (2)

$ 13.87

05/15/2009

A

1,559

05/01/2012

05/15/2019

Common Stock

1,559

$ 0

1,559

D

Reporting Owners

Reporting Owner Name / Address	Relationships
	Director	10% Owner	Officer	Other
ODONOVAN TIMOTHY J C/O 850 - 76TH STEET SW GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49518	X

Signatures

/s/ Daniel C. Persinger, By Power of Attorney		05/19/2009
**Signature of Reporting Person		Date

Explanation of Responses:

*	If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
**	Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
(1)	Reports the grant of 2,406 shares of restricted stock under the Spartan Stores, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2005 ("Plan"). The shares will vest at the rate of one-third per year beginning on May 1, 2010 and will be fully vested on May 1, 2012. Prior to vesting, the shares remain subject to restrictions in accordance with the Plan and the terms of the grant.
(2)	Reports the grant of options to purchase 4,676 shares of common stock under the Plan. The options vest at the rate of one-third per year beginning on May 1, 2010 and will be fully vested and exercisable on May 1, 2012. Prior to vesting, the options remain subject to restrictions in accordance with the Plan and the terms of the grant.

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