The new store is scheduled to be completed in early 2017, said Patty Leesemann, public affairs manager for the Cincinnati/Dayton Kroger division. The Cornerstone store will more than double in size – 111,000 square feet – compared to the Whipp Road store, which is 50,000 square feet.
The new location is just minutes down the road, Leesemann said. However, some local residents are not welcoming the change of location.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Abed Bajjeh of Kettering. “I live right down the street, so this is really convenient for me.”
Avalene Braden of Kettering came to the Whipp Kroger to pick out a few flowers and food items for her lunch. She said the smaller grocery location is like a community to her. She knows the butchers and the cashiers, and said she loves the bakery selection.
“I’m older so the bigger stores aren’t great for me,” she said. “It takes me longer to walk down the aisles, so I’ll probably skip some aisles at the new store. I’ll still come here until it closes.”
The relocated store will be on about 15 acres between Costco and Cabela’s, facing south toward Feedwire Road. The proposed store is slightly smaller than the Centerville location at 1095 S. Main St. that opened in 2011.
Dayton’s grocery-store market includes a multitude of options in the south suburbs, and the Cornerstone Kroger store adds to the list. Grocers include Whole Foods, Costco, Meijer, three Dorothy Lane Market stores, Fresh Thyme, Sam’s Club, Dot’s Market, Earth Fare and Trader Joe’s.
Kroger built a new store in the Austin Landing development in Miami Twp. in January 2013, but decided to keep open a nearby store at 725 W. Central Ave. in Springboro.
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