Kroger store size doubles with Marketplace model

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The new Kroger Marketplace is about two months away from opening on Dupont Road. Wednesday, Kroger gave members of the media an early look inside.

The new store, which is a complete remodel of a previously existing Kroger store, is now twice as big. Most Kroger stores are around 60,000 square feet and the Marketplace store is 126,000 square feet.

With twice the square footage also comes twice the store. The Kroger Marketplace carries baby items, school supplies, expanded housewares, bathroom accessories, home accessories by Bombay , Ashley furniture , and a Fred Meyer jewelry store. There's also a 24/7 pharmacy with a drive-thru.

Bob Moeder, the central division president for Kroger, said the Marketplace model started to come about after Kroger bought Fred Meyer in 1999. 

"If I had to describe  Fred Meyer to people in the midwest, I'd say it's like a Super Walmart but with Target merchandising," Moeder said. "Fred Meyer is partly responsible for the things we sell on this side. It's really what we think is a one-stop shopping for our customers."

The Kroger Marketplace won't sell clothes or shoes.

The grocery side of the new Kroger Marketplace is also larger. There are more options and variety in every section. There's also a bistro and soup bar where people can buy food at eat it in the sitting area. In the meat area, there's a new grilling station where there will be different meats and fish prepared for people to try and learn about new ways to prepare their food.

Kroger tried to make the Dupont Road Marketplace store more environmentally friendly too. There are skylights to cut back on how much overhead lighting is needed and the motors in all the coolers and freezers are 30 percent more efficient.

This Kroger Marketplace will be the largest Kroger store in the state when it opens and it's the first Marketplace model in Indiana. It's expected to open in early October.

"We want Fort Wayne to be a point of destination for a lot of employers and the fact that Kroger chose us as their number one choice in Indiana for this type of store not only makes Fort Wayne proud, but I think speaks volumes for the economic climate in Fort Wayne," Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said.

When the new store does open, the Scott's store across the street will close. Employees from that store, along with the people who worked in the Kroger store before it expanded, will work in the new store. Kroger also hired 130 more people for a total employee count of around 350 people.

Once closed, it will be up to the property owner to do something with the empty Scott's store. Kroger doesn't own that property.

The current Scott's store in the Village of Coventry off U.S. 24 will get the Marketplace makeover next year. When that store opens, the Kroger across the street will close. Again, current employees and an additional 130 people will work in that Kroger Marketplace store.

When the Kroger on U.S. 24 closes, it will be up to Kroger to sell the building and property.