By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
A Wednesday groundbreaking for a new Kroger Marketplace store in Union is seen by supporters as a catalyst for additional development in one of Kentucky’s fastest-growing cities.
Union Mayor Larry Solomon said the $20 million Marketplace store has been a long time coming.
“I know that Kroger has a strong commitment to the city of Union, by the investment they are making in this new store, not only in capital, but in jobs to the area,” Solomon said. “They are creating, 100 new jobs, to this area. This is a great step for the city of Union.”
The development will also include seven outlots envisioned for offices and family-style restaurants, and a strip mall expected to house retailers and smaller restaurants.
Kroger owns the building that houses its existing 60,000-square-foot grocery store in Union, which will be replaced by the Marketplace, and is actively pursuing tenants for that space.
The Marketplace store represents Kroger’s largest footprint model. The 136,000-square-foot Union store will be about 16,000 square feet larger than the Florence store that opened on Mall Road in 2014.
The opening of the Mall Road location on the site of an abandoned movie theater, helped rejuvenate the aging Florence Square. New tenants, including Burlington in the old Kroger space and First Watch restaurant in a newly built outlot have opened on the site.
State Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, whose first job was at the Kroger location in Loveland, said the store in Union is more than just a grocery.
“It’s truly the center of our community,” Schickel said. “That’s where we see each other, is in our Union Kroger store.”
Not everyone supported the decision to open the new Marketplace, which is located just southwest of the existing Kroger store on US 42.
City leaders approved rezoning that would allow the store to be built despite opposition from some in the community.
A group of citizens then waged a legal battle that was ultimately decided in the City’s favor, but cost it an estimated $40,000 in attorney’s fees.
Jerry Lux is the store manager at the existing location and will fill the same role at the Marketplace. The longtime Union resident said the new store is needed to accommodate growth in the region.
The City of Union housed just 1,000 residents in 1990, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The current population is estimated at 6,700 and that growth is expected to continue.
“There were a lot of people who were against the project because they want the rolling hills of Union to stay,” Lux said. “Our building was built in 1997 and it is grossly outdated. There are 150,000 people that use this area daily and we needed something to accommodate them and to accommodate future growth.
Solomon praised the Union City Commission for putting the needs of the city first in voting to approve the zoning change that allowed the store to move forward.
City Commissioner Bryan Miller said sometimes elected officials have to make tough decisions if a city is to move forward.
“It was a difficult decision, but I thought it was the right thing to do for the people of Union,” Miller said. “It took us 18 months to get to this point, but hopefully when we get it built the people will appreciate it. Kroger has been a great partner and contributed a lot to this community and hopefully with their help we will see a lot more growth as a result of this.”
The Union store will be the sixth Kroger Marketplace store built in Northern Kentucky in the last eight years.
Features of the Marketplace store include:
*Expanded produce, meat & seafood and deli & bakery departments
*Apparel
*Pharmacy/Drive-Thru
*The Little Clinic
*Fifth Third Bank/Drive Thru
*Clicklist-online shopping
*Starbucks
*Bulk Section
*Bistro with Sushi, Pan-Asian, Chicken, Pizza and Sandwiches
*Salad Bar
*Murray’s Cheese
*Separate Liquor Store with Wine and Beer Tasting Area
*A New Fuel Center
The existing Kroger Fuel Center on US 42 will also remain in operation after the Marketplace location opens.
Site preparation is expected to begin immediately, with a target opening date of May, 2017.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
Union Kroger is absolutely horrible. Shelves are constantly empty. Typical answer from store representative is “We get a truck in tomorrow”. Newsflash buddy, I don’t need it tomorrow, I need it today. All I’m asking for is some damn mushroom gravy, not some exotic fruit! Glad to see Jerry gone. He did nothing but walk around the store like he was lost. How about checking the shelves? Meijers has their act together. Won’t be visiting the new Kroger or any other Kroger.