News release from Kroger:
Kroger Marketplace at Village of Coventry Grand Opening
Kroger Central Division celebrated the grand opening of the company’s second Fort Wayne Marketplace store at 5725 Coventry Lane in Fort Wayne at a special invitation-only event tonight, Wednesday, October 3rd at 6:00 PM. The store will open for customers following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:00 AM tomorrow, Thursday, October 4th.
The total economic investment in this store is $13,685,340 million. Kroger’s project was led by Project Manager Sandy Essert. This investment also strengthens Kroger’s workforce commitment in Fort Wayne, providing continued employment for associates from the former Scott’s at the same location, Kroger associates from the store on the other side of the street, relocated associates from the closed North Anthony store, as well as dozens of new jobs.
Kroger Quote:
According to President of Kroger Central Division Bob Moeder, “The grocery, pharmacy and fuel markets are very competitive in Indiana, but also very important for The Kroger Co. Our solid success in the marketplace allows us to make a significant number of economic and work force investments in our stores this year. This $13.7 million investment allow us to continue providing quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer service in Fort Wayne, while working hard to be a supportive partner in the local neighborhoods we serve. This new store focuses on giving our customers exactly what they want to see in their store. We are very proud of Store Manager Dick VanHorn and his team. Dick, who has 48 years of experience in the grocery business, did an exceptional job in keeping his store team focused on serving our customers during the transition and construction. All of us are very proud of his dedicated service and leadership. I also want to take a moment to thank Jane Avery and the team at Community Harvest Food Bank. They have a tremendous impact on one the greatest challenges facing this region, hunger, and we are very pleased to provide additional resources to help hungry Hoosier families in northeast Indiana.”
This store offers our customers:
[list type=”black”]
[li]Retail space of more than 127,244 square feet[/li]
[li]The largest variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the largest selection of organic fruits and vegetables in the Fort Wayne region[/li]
[li]An amazing variety of floral offerings by the largest florist in the world, including new premium bunch flowers from all over the world[/li]
[li]The largest selection of gluten free and all natural foods in the Fort Wayne region, including a large variety of bulk items[/li]
[li]The highest quality of meat and seafood selections in the region, including a chef’s grilling station and chef prepared ready-to-cook meat and seafood items[/li]
[li]A service bistro with a team of Kroger chefs[/li]
[li]A sandwich station[/li]
[li]A full service sushi bar[/li]
[li]Beverage central and large café for in-store dining[/li]
[li]Artisan breads, gourmet decadent desserts, upscale cakes and a build-your-own cupcake station[/li]
[li]The finest wine department in any Fort Wayne food store and an increased selection of beer and spirits, staffed by a fully-trained wine steward[/li]
[li]A pharmacy with drive through convenience and clinical services including vaccines and screenings.[/li]
[li]A unique mix of general merchandise departments, including: a toy store, office and school supply store, a huge kitchenware section, household appliance, household décor, furniture, bed and bath, baby world and a very complete book and magazine section[/li]
[li]Fred Meyer Jewelers[/li]
[/list]The store’s management team includes:
[list type=”black”]
[li]Co-managers: Dawn Putt, Nakia Coburn, Laura James and Barry Glassburn[/li]
[li]Home Store: Wally Gregg[/li]
[li]Executive Chef: Deb Storch[/li]
[li]Meat & Seafood: Tim Ware[/li]
[li]Food Service (Deli, Bakery & Bistro): Mechell Butler[/li]
[li]Grocery: Jeremy Rapalski[/li]
[li]Frozen: Terrance Shephard[/li]
[li]Dairy: Mikhel Burgland[/li]
[li]Produce: John Carl[/li]
[li]Floral: Jean DeHaven[/li]
[li]Front End Supervisor: Karen Fager[/li]
[li]Drug & General Merchandise: Angela Day[/li]
[li]Pharmacy: Dan Smith[/li]
[li]Home Lead: Kelly Coughlin[/li]
[li]Toy: Dara Aldrich[/li]
[li]Kitchen: Andrea Beaulieu[/li]
[li]Home Side Receiving: James Honiotes[/li]
[li]Domestics: Erika Martin[/li]
[li]Baby World: Alyssa Scoles[/li]
[li]Fred Meyer Jewelers: Frelon Justice[/li]
[li]Technology Manager: Tracey Garrison[/li]
[li]Community Ambassador: Traci Salinas[/li]
[/list]During the grand opening event, Kroger made $104,000 in contributions to the local community, including:
[list type=”black”]
[li]Lori Keys with Fort Wayne Trails accepted a donation of $2,000.[/li]
[li]Sherry Simmons with Francine’s Friends accepted a donation of $2,000 in support of mobile mammography screening and follow-up services to every woman who might otherwise not have access[/li]
[li]Jane Avery with Community Harvest Food Bank accepted a two-year commitment of $100,000 in support of Community Harvest Food Bank’s capital campaign.[/li]
[/list]The Kroger Co. has been serving local communities for 129 years. The Kroger Central Division has 138 food stores, 115 pharmacies and 71 fuel centers operating under four banners; Kroger, Scott’s, Owen’s and Pay Less, with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio. Kroger Central Division is dedicated to supporting every local community it serves, contributing more than $14.7 million in 2011 to local organizations, primarily focusing on hunger relief, K-12 education, health causes and diversity. The Kroger Co. was recently named the most generous company in America in a Chronicle of Philanthropy listing detailed in Forbes Magazine. At Kroger we value: honesty, respect, inclusion, diversity, safety and integrity.
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