City Council in 2008 approved this major modification and construction originally was scheduled to begin in summer 2009. This week, the eastern half of the strip mall’s parking lot was chained off and demolition began at what once was an Arby’s and a Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.
Stores in the shopping center east of Kroger, including a Dollar General, Hallmark and L.A. Tan, have been vacated, and the store will expand into that space.
“It’ll be like our typical Kroger Marketplace,” said Rachael Betzler, a Kroger spokeswoman. “Similar to our Kroger Marketplace in Englewood.”
She said Kroger will offer chef-prepared entrees.
“We’ll actually have a bistro which will have chefs and pastry chefs,” Betzler said. “Your standard deli and then some.”
The upgrades won’t be available until construction is finished, which is slated for the end of the year. Meanwhile, Kroger will remain open during construction. Stores on the western end of the center will be unaffected by the expansion.
In addition to expanded food offerings, shoppers will find a wide variety of home goods including rugs, lamps, love seats, couches, bed sheets, comforters and bathroom accessories.
“We’ve always carried the light bulbs,” Betzler said, “now we’ll have the lamps to go with it.”
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