The first Kroger location in downtown Cincinnati since 1969 opened this morning to long lines of shoppers and appearances by city officials.
The Cincinnati-based grocer partnered with the city to build a 45,000-square-foot, two-story store as part of a mixed-used development. That project also includes an 18-story, 139-unit market-rate apartment tower and a 550-space parking garage. North American Properties, NorthPointe Group and Rookwood Properties are developers on the project, GBBN served as the architect and Turner Construction was the developments general contractor.
Kroger says the store is meant to serve customers living in downtown, Over-the-Rhine, the West End and other nearby neighborhoods. The store has a bar, food court and other novel amenities. Among the perks are a walk-up Starbucks window for pedestrians on the Court Street side of the store. A second-floor food court features Eli's BBQ, Django Western Tacos, Dope Asian Street Fare, Cincy Whip and Kroger's own Kitchen 1883 Cafe and Bar.
Photos by Mitchell Parton and Nick Swartsell