As appeared in Dayton Business Journal

Kroger to turn local store into prototype market

By T. Demeropolis

The Kroger grocery store on Stroop Road is going to become the Dayton area's first "Fresh Fare" location.

A company spokesperson said the grocery store, located at 530 Stroop Rd., is scheduled to close February 1, 2009 for renovations to become the region's second Fresh Fare location. The other recently opened near Kenwood Towne Centre in Cincinnati.

The remodeled store will feature a larger perishables section, more chef-prepared meals, a wine cellar and wine tasting area and a coffee shop.

The Kroger Co. spokesperson Rachel Betzler said the store would be closed until summer. No completion date has been set yet.

While this marks the second new concept store in southwest Ohio, Betzler said there are no immediate plans to remodel additional stores.

"We want to get a little feedback," she said. "See how it goes."

The 130 employees at the Stroop Road location will be placed at other nearby locations until the renovations are complete. Betzler said the store will hire additional employees once  it re-opens because of the new concept.

"We think this concept will do very well here," she said.

Cincinnati-based Kroger operates more than 2,400 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states.