Kroger considers expansion, relocation in Newark

• Kroger may expand from its existing 85,551-square foot store to a 124,000 square foot Marketplace.
• Kroger said its options include remaining at 245 Deo Drive or relocating to another Newark location.

NEWARK –

Kroger confirmed Wednesday it is considering an expansion and relocation of its Deo Drive store, but the company added no decisions have been made.

The Cincinnati-based grocery chain has talked about expanding from its existing 85,551-square-foot Newark supermarket to a 124,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace, which includes home fashion, decor, bed and bath, kitchen, small appliances, home office, and toys.

Kroger spokeswoman Jennifer Jarrell said the options include remaining at 245 Deo Drive or relocating to another Newark location, but she said it's premature to say the company plans to expand in Newark.

"We are exploring our options," Jarrell said. "Everything is being considered at this time. We're looking to expand our offerings. It's in the very early stages.

"Newark is a very strong market for Kroger. It's a very important market. We definitely want to stay in Newark."

Park Shai, who manages real estate for Kroger building owner James Van Winkle, said there are probably only two locations in Newark for an expanded Kroger: the current Deo Drive location or the former Meijer site on North 21st Street.

"It's the obvious (alternate) site," Shai said of the closed Meijer store. "No other areas are big enough to accommodate their size."

There is room for a Kroger expansion at Indian Valley Plaza, Shai said.

"We've got the land for it, forward and to the east," Shai said. "We certainly want to keep them where they are and keep them happy, but you never know.

"We have a very good relationship with Kroger, but they have shared their desire to enlarge their offering into a marketplace. This store does well."

Kroger has a few years left on its lease, Shai said, so the grocery chain would be responsible to make payments even if it left for another location.

"They like to own, and we'd probably be willing to sell it to them," Shai said.

Kroger owns about half of its stores, Jarrell said.

Indian Valley Plaza could survive the loss of Kroger, Shai said, but he doesn't understand why it would leave eight years after an expansion.

"We'd look at it as an opportunity to get a new tenant in there," Shai said. "It's kind of a head-scratcher because it would bring competition in the area."

Kroger's Columbus Division, which extends from Athens to Toledo, has 123 stores, including eight marketplaces.

"The marketplace concept has been discussed, but nothing been finalized," Jarrell said.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8545

Twitter: @kmallett1958