If you think MRI tests are expensive, try buying a magnetic resonance imaging machine. Some health care providers invest millions in technology to help diagnose patients.Kroger today will celebrate a $4.4 million investment to renovate a former Scott’s store – part of a $100 million project.
The Cincinnati-based chain is hosting a grand opening at the store, 1125 W. State Blvd. Despite the name change, a spokesman said the company isn’t arbitrarily erasing the Scott’s brand from the city.
“It really is on a store-by-store basis,” said John Elliott, who will be among those on hand to celebrate the store. “We aren’t making any assumptions and are relying on our market research in each neighborhood.”
Kroger Co. began a $100 million expansion and renovation effort in 2009 with the conversion of the Georgetown Scott’s, 6310 E. State Blvd., into a Kroger.
The retailer also closed a Scott’s on East Dupont Road in September when it opened a Kroger Marketplace across the same street where shoppers can now find a mix of grocery and general merchandise. That $16 million, 125,000-square-foot store is the first of two marketplace stores Fort Wayne can expect.
Work is under way on a second marketplace at the Village of Coventry in southwest Fort Wayne – the only city in the state to have concept stores.
Today, though, Kroger is touting a more modest grocery. At about 61,000 square feet, it includes a coffee shop, beverage center, soup bar, deli café and larger frozen food, dairy and meat sections.
“The first thing people say is, ‘I can’t believe how big you made it,’ but actually it’s just the way the store was reconfigured,” store manager Mark Reader said. “People like how bright it is now and just the overall layout is better.”
Luke Messman is a former Portland, Ore., resident now living in Fort Wayne. The 30-year-old residential and commercial painter said the new Kroger store reminds him of ones in Portland.
“Kroger has Fred Meyer stores there and this one is like that,” he said Wednesday. “I heard about the store on the news, and I wanted to stop by and see it. I like it.”
Elliott is glad Messman wasn’t disappointed. As for the naming of future Kroger stores, Elliott said “customer feedback and research” will continue.
The company still operates four Scott’s stores in Allen County.
