South Limestone Kroger in Springfield to close today

SPRINGFIELD — The South Limestone Street Kroger store will close its doors Tuesday.

The closure has been faced with opposition from the city.  The city met last month to work out a deal with Kroger officials regarding the property.

• Kroger officials agreed to donate to the city the building and the land on which it sits
• Kroger officials agreed to give more than $31,000 to support shuttle services to other grocery stores
• Kroger officials agreed to contribute at least $19,000 to the food bank.

Hollywood star and Springfield native John Legend announced Monday he will be partnering with the city and a non-profit organization to work on solutions for the vacancy that will be left on the city’s south side.

Legend said he too has family that lives in southern Springfield.

Until a long term solution is reached, Legend said he is also working with The Abilities Connection to provide shuttle services from the South Limestone Kroger building to the existing Kroger on East Main Street.

“The shuttles are free and will depart at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekends,” Legend said in a YouTube video posted Monday morning.

The shuttle service will allow for residents to shop for an hour before the shuttle returns back to the South Limestone locations.