ELKHART -- The new state-of-the-art Kroger store at Pierre Moran Mall -- a mall soon to be called Woodland Crossing -- will be the first one like it in the state, Kroger spokesperson Jeff Golc said at a press conference Wednesday morning.
The old 21-year-old Kroger building, a 35,000 square-foot building at 131 W. Hively Ave., will be torn down for Kroger's new prototype, which is estimated at about 75,000 square feet.
"We have history with Elkhart," said Golc. "Based on sales and projections, our estimates show that this is a good place to try our reinvention."
The new Kroger will include a drive-through pharmacy, expanded general merchandise other than grocery -- with products such as videos and candy, a kitchen department featuring utensils and dishes, a home office department, a nature market section specializing in health products and a deli-sandwich station where customers can order sandwiches to go.
It also will include expansions to current grocery departments such as produce, nutrition and deli. The prototype will introduce the future of Kroger's stores that will offer customers more variety.
"It's a major reinvestment and redevelopment in a tired portion of the city," said Mayor Dave Miller. "They're going to bring new life, new enthusiasm and new shopping opportunities to this corner. It's thrilling to see it."
The old Target building at Pierre Moran will be demolished, and the new Kroger will stand north of the existing store and almost parallel to the existing Sears store, zone manager Deb Green said, adding that mall demolition should start in the next 30 days.
Kroger will begin construction of its new building in late fall. Green said the facility -- a project which is estimated to cost close to $10 million when completed -- should be open for business next summer.
"Kroger is the 21st-largest corporation in the United States," Miller said. "We're glad that you're investing in Elkhart."
The old Kroger store will remain open until the doors of the new facility are open, said Green.
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