Kroger to close 15th Street store (Atlanta, Washington: sales, neighborhood, university)

[Airforceguy]

This is certainly a move I didn't expect. This definitely have some impact on the plans for the gateway project that Augusta University has planned for the area. I know the MCG Foundation wanted an upscale grocer for this project, but with Kroger citing declining sales will their decision to close impact the MCG Foundation's search for an upscale grocer?

The store at 501 15th Street - the only full-service grocery in the central city - has operated in the Central Square shopping center for 35 years. Its official last day is close of business on Feb. 28.

“The store has experienced declining sales and negative profit over an extended period of time, and its closure is necessary to make Kroger more competitive in the market,” said Glynn Jenkins, spokesman for Kroger’s Atlanta division, which oversees its Augusta-area stores.

Kroger’s next nearest locations are at:

• 2801 Washington Road, Augusta

• 3435 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta

• 1284 Knox Avenue, North Augusta

Jenkins said all 110 associates, represented by the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, will be considered for reassignment to other Kroger locations “as outlined in the company’s collective bargaining agreement.” He said Kroger representatives will meet with associates to discuss reassignments and additional options in the coming weeks.

Kroger to close 15th Street store | The Augusta Chronicle

[nortonguy]

I think if you visited that Kroger once your comments would be much different lol. This had to happen sooner or later. They made it clear either a new grocery store was coming or Kroger would be redeveloped into the new property. The store had declining sales for years and won't impact the project. It was old and mostly attracted lower income shoppers.

[Airforceguy]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

I think if you visited that Kroger once your comments would be much different lol. This had to happen sooner or later. They made it clear either a new grocery store was coming or Kroger would be redeveloped into the new property. The store had declining sales for years and won't impact the project. It was old and mostly attracted lower income shoppers.

Oh ok, well if that's the case this is a good thing. Perhaps someone like Fresh Market or Trader Joe's could be attracted to the site.

[amlovingit]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

Oh ok, well if that's the case this is a good thing. Perhaps someone like Fresh Market or Trader Joe's could be attracted to the site.

Yes this is a very good good thing. I couldn't wait for this day. Its time for AU to start on their master plans

[Worren]

Is this really that good? What about the nearly 100 people who will be losing their jobs? Will they think it's a good thing?

[amlovingit]

Originally Posted by Worren

Is this really that good? What about the nearly 100 people who will be losing their jobs? Will they think it's a good thing?

It always bad to see people lose their job but Kroger wasnt doing anything to insure the people safety or their job by letting it run down to the ground. I feel sorry for the workers but im still glad they close down. The peoples live around Kroger need something better than that piece of junk.

[Carolina Knight]

I am surprised to hear Kroger #307 (also known as store 1100307 or store GA-307) is closing. It is the only supermarket in proximity of Augusta's downtown. Kroger #307's closing will create a grocery desert in the trade area.

How could Kroger #307 have declining sales? Kroger's Atlanta Division could have waited too late to address the store and retain customers. Remodeling the store, expanding it, or replacing it with a Kroger Marketplace hypermarket store could have been options considered.

Could another supermarket come to the trade area? I would not mind seeing Publix open a 29m (29,000 square feeet) or a 38m (38,000 square feet )store.

[cst8670]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

Oh ok, well if that's the case this is a good thing. Perhaps someone like Fresh Market or Trader Joe's could be attracted to the site.

Not a chance in hell.
A neighborhood Walmart? May but Fresh Market won't as they cater to a select upperscale clientele and Trader Joe's isn't in the area but if they did come in now they wouldn't go into that area right at the start.

[cst8670]

Originally Posted by Carolina Knight

I am surprised to hear Kroger #307 (also known as store 1100307 or store GA-307) is closing. It is the only supermarket in proximity of Augusta's downtown. Kroger #307's closing will create a grocery desert in the trade area.

How could Kroger #307 have declining sales? Kroger's Atlanta Division could have waited too late to address the store and retain customers. Remodeling the store, expanding it, or replacing it with a Kroger Marketplace hypermarket store could have been options considered.

Could another supermarket come to the trade area? I would not mind seeing Publix open a 29m (29,000 square feeet) or a 38m (38,000 square feet )store.

Because most of the people in the area were clearly willing to travel to other areas to shop which left the Kroger's to rely only on those unable to travel or unwilling.

[PJA]

They never updated the store like they did their other locations. But at the same time hey probably never updated or remodeled due to AU's gateway project that's supposed to demolish the shopping center. It would have been a waste for them to remodel and then all of a sudden the university is ready to begin the gateway project.