Kroger: N. Anthony Scott's will not reopen

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) The Scott's grocery store located on North Anthony in Fort Wayne will be closed for good.  The announcement was made at a news conference at 10 a.m. at the Scott's store located on North Clinton.

John Elliott, Kroger spokesperson, said the N. Anthony store's building is beyond repair and will therefore remain closed.

The pharmacy at the N. Anthony location, which is an adjacent building and has remained opened, will close in three weeks. Kroger will be offering reduced pricing at the pharmacy starting Monday.

All employees from the N. Anthony location will be offered employment at other locations in the Fort Wayne area. Kroger also plans on adding more than 100 new jobs as part of the expansion and remodeling of stores.

The store was initially closed in May when a structural problem was found that required extensive repairs.

Kroger also announced it will be opening the second Marketplace store in Fort Wayne in October. The Marketplace at the Village of Coventry is a $16.5 million investment for Kroger.

In December, Kroger will have a grand reopening of its store at 7008 Bluffton Road after investing $2.1 million to remodel the store.

A major remodel is also scheduled for the store at 4120 North Clinton Street to take place over the next year. Kroger hopes to add a fuel center to this location as part of the remodel.

City Councilman Russ Jehl (R-2nd District) released a statement expressing his regret for Kroger's decision to close the N. Anthony location:

"While Kroger’s announcement to expand throughout the Fort Wayne area is an overall plus, the news of the permanent closing of the Scotts on North Anthony is unfortunate.  The fact that the building will be torn down brings even greater sadness for many folks, particularly those residents living in the north side area neighborhood associations. These people are a tightly knit community who enjoy the walkability of the nearby shops, the Scotts grocery having been an integral part of these 4,000 households that make up this vibrant area."

Alan Billings went to the Scott's on north Anthony three to four times a week, but said the days or riding his bike to the grocery store are over.

"[I] come here quite a bit.  It's a block and a half away.  I bring my bicycle and bring my granddaughter down.  We probably come three or four times a week," Billings said.  "The one on Clinton is a little too far to ride the bike.  I have to drive there."

Many people who live near the N. Anthony Scott's are upset with the decision.

"Now, if I need something we have to get in the car, we've got to drive over to North Clinton, and we've got to find it.  Sure it's a big store, but if I wanted a big store I would go to Walmart," said nearby neighbor Debbie Johnson.  "We need a neighborhood store.  We don't need a big money store, not in this neighborhood.  We need our store back."

Bill Rogers with the Rogers Company manages the property on N. Anthony.  He said the roof collapsed, it's a total loss, and it will be torn down.  At this point, Rogers is unsure what will replace that Scott's.

The detached Scott's Pharmacy on N. Anthony has remained open since May.  It will also close in three weeks.  Beginning the week of August 20, most of its merchandise will be sold at reduced prices.