A groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday morning at the intersection of Hayden Road and Fairview Drive in Gateway Commons for a 100,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace expected to be completed in the fall or winter of next year.
The $35 million project is expected to create more than 200 jobs.
“You see the smaller formats that are in the standard grocery stores, so our Marketplace just expands on that,” said Jessica Sharp, Kroger’s Head of Communications and Public Affairs for the Louisville division. “It’s an expanded variety in the fresh departments that you know about, but that also includes our home goods side. That will include an increase in the amount of home goods, pet supplies — you see clothing at those as well.”
Sharp said local economic development led to the decision to add a fourth Kroger in Daviess County.
“We continue to evaluate the economic development and growth of communities as we think about investments like this,” she said. “As we continue to see population growth, that’s usually the determining factor.
“You’re going to see a lot of development in this area, a lot of economic growth. I think you’re going to see more companies move in. It’s a growth phase for Kroger right now.”
The new Kroger Marketplace will offer a variety of fresh food and household items and will include a fuel center, drive-thru pharmacy, wine and spirits shop, Murray’s Cheese, sushi bar, home goods, and all of Kroger’s signature fresh departments.
Larry Warren, Kroger’s District 3 Manager, said the facility will also include a Starbucks.
“It will also have the staples that our customers have come to grow and love and purchase from us,” Warren said, noting the company’s long history in Owensboro. “This community has been great to Kroger for decades.”
Anthea Jones, Kroger’s Vice President of Merchandising, said the company’s goal is to make life easier for Owensboro families.
“This Marketplace truly represents the best of Kroger — a one-stop shopping experience,” Jones said. “Customers will find fresh local food alongside home essentials, all with the quality products and the value that you expect.”
Sharp said the project marks an exciting time for the company.
“We’re always very excited when we get to open up stores,” she said. “It hasn’t been for quite a while now, so being able to open up new stores, have that new expanded variety for a community — it’s just really exciting for us.
“We’re in the grocery business because we love people.”
Owensboro Mayor Pro Tem Bob Glenn called the groundbreaking “an exciting day” for the city, county, and region.
“We have another leg in our retail stool, another great opportunity to serve not just Owensboro but a number of counties around here,” Glenn said. “Kroger is such a great corporate partner. They are an amazing statewide and regionwide corporate supporter; they’re a good corporate citizen. They supply their employees with good jobs. I am a big supporter of unions, and I’m thrilled that they have a union presence at all of their stores. Kroger gives good value for the money.
“We are thrilled that this beautiful new facility will grace what is already a greatly expanding area. We’ll continue to grow Owensboro and move it forward to be the shining city on the river that it is and always will be. We want to thank Kroger for its investment in our community.”
Written by Scott Hagerman, Messenger-Inquirer. Republished with credit.