SPRINGFIELD — Springfield City Commissioners will vote on a proposal that would put a new grocery store in the former Kroger location on South Limestone Street.
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: South Limestone Kroger in Springfield closes
City officials agreed to a deal with Groceryland to sell the former Kroger location, with the deal now pending approval from commissioners. The deal will be up for vote during a regular meeting for the commissioners Tuesday night, a Springfield city spokesperson said in a media release Tuesday morning.
>>South Limestone Kroger to be transferred to Clark County Land Bank
The plan calls for Groceryland to invest $2 million in improvements to the building, including a new roof, ceiling, flooring, parking lot, and others. If approved, work is expected to begin in June and the new grocery store will open by the end of the year, the spokesperson said.
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The new grocery store will create 60 new jobs and $1.2 million in payroll, the spokesperson said.
>>Kroger, Springfield residents left without by store closing, negotiate to bitter end
“We are thrilled to have Groceryland joining our community and serving the South Limestone area,” Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland said in the release. “Earlier this year, we had an opportunity to visit the Groceryland location in New Lebanon and we were pleased and impressed with their operation. I’m confident that they will serve our community well.”
Kroger closed the location in March 2020. City officials and residents said the closure created a food desert for parts of south Springfield, especially for people who lacked transportation and other means to shop at other grocery stores in the city.
Springfield physician Dr. Vipul Patel and Groceryland president Ravindra Patel are partners in the project and investment. The pair already own other grocery stores in the Dayton and Columbus areas, the city spokesperson said.
“I have been eager to serve that area of our community for quite some time, and I felt this was the opportunity to do just that,” Dr. Patel said. “As a physician, the first step to consider is the point of need. Home, hospital or grocery store, I am ready to meet the community of Springfield right where they are. Groceryland is just a look inside of the greater vision I have.”
We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.
Cox Media Group
