Kroger closes in on building Marketplace store in West Chester Twp.
WEST CHESTER TWP. – Kroger is one step closer to building a Marketplace store to replace its nearby Tylersville store with the purchase of West Chester Township’s former activity center.
On Monday, the township and Kroger closed on the 16,389-square foot building and 3.6 acres it sits on at the corner of Tylersville and Cox roads. Kroger Limited Partnership I purchased the property for $1.9 million.
“We look forward to bringing a fresh and friendly customer experience to the West Chester Township area,” said Jenifer Moore, Kroger’s corporate affairs manager.
Trustees said they the sale will be beneficial to both the township and residents.
“It took a long time to get here. We’re really glad we stuck with it,’’ said Trustee Ann Becker. “This will be a great addition to east side of town. It really was the best use of the property.”
This is the fourth offer the township received – and the second from Kroger.
“Many residents are thankful Kroger can be expanded in that area and that’s going to be a very nice upgrade – improvement – to that old shopping center,” said Trustee Lee Wong.
The closing comes more than three years after it was put on the market in 2019 when the non-profit Community First decided not to renew its lease to manage the center and provide senior citizen programming and community activities there.
In September 2019 Regency Centers Acquisition LLC, on behalf of Kroger, entered into a purchase agreement with the township so that it could build a Kroger Marketplace to replace the smaller, nearby store.
That deal fell through after two years and had been contingent on acquiring nearby properties.
“This is a win-win-win. The township wins with a development there that has a higher tax base with property taxes,” said Trustee Mark Welch said.
“The residents win because they have a beautiful place to shop and Kroger wins because they’ve finally got … that new Marketplace.”
Quattro Development backed out of a deal to purchase the site for $2.25 million just five weeks before Kroger made its second offer to the township. At that time trustees tabled an offer from Dr. Muhamed Aziz to purchase the site.
It was his second offer as well. An earlier agreement fell through at the end of May 2022. He would have used the building for medical offices.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kroger one step closer to building Markeplace store in West Chester.
