Goodbye Blight, Hello Jobs: Oak Park Kroger Store Now Open
Oak Park, MI – The new Kroger store at 26200 Greenfield Road is already a popular shopping spot after having a small ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning.
The Ohio-based grocery chain moved into what was a long-vacant big box shell that used to be a Kmart store.
Kroger invested $21 million dollars in the store, which boasts 91,000 square feet where shoppers can find the basics as well as organic produce, a sushi kiosk, a hot food section, and gluten-free products.
Oak Park Mayor Marian McClellan joined Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Burns and City Manager Erik Tungate to welcome the Kroger team to the city. The Mayor was the first customer.
“It’s a beautifully designed state of the art facility that was lovingly set up,” McClellan said. “Even the grapes were lined up!
“We are so delighted to have this market in the city – it’s a wonderful addition to Oak Park’s business family. As I was shopping this morning I came across my next door neighbors Gretha and Rodney Blakely who were pleased with the design of the store.”
Oak Park officials announced Kroger’s interest just over two years ago. The City used the 2000 Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act to offer a tax incentive to attract a market to that location, which had been vacant and run down for about ten years. While the store has a property tax freeze, the accompanying gas station does not, so that will be bringing tax revenue into the city.
Economic Development Director Kimberly Marrone said the store brings many benefits to the community, including “Redeveloping the center which will attract more business to that area of Oak Park, get rid of the blighted building, bring jobs to Oak Park, and providing our residents with a first class shopping option.”
The store is expected to add 432 new jobs according to Kroger’s application with the city.
For more information, including how to apply for jobs at Kroger, hours and more, visit www.kroger.com.