Centerville Kroger opens today: 5 things to know

1. OPENING CELEBRATION 

At 8 a.m., store officials will celebrate the opening of the 115,000 square foot store with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Bellbrook High School Marching Band will have a special performance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Bellbrook High School Junior ROTC will also present the colors followed by the singing of the National Anthem by store employee Aaron Grant.

» RELATED:Cornerstone development generating growth, jobs

2. INVESTMENT

Kroger invested about $21.2 million into the new store, which sits on Feedwire Road between Costco and Cabela's. The Cincinnati-based grocery retailer said the new store will employ about 300 workers. Kroger is also opening a new 124,000-square-foot store in Fairborn in late August, according to a company spokeswoman.

3. NEW FEATURES

The Cornerstone store features include a Pharmacy drive-thru, The Little Clinic, a growler bar, a bistro with plenty of seating, sushi and a Starbucks. Feedwire will also offer ClickList – Kroger’s online shopping program. ClickList is scheduled to open at the end of June.

» RELATED: Kroger to create 600 jobs with new Dayton-area stores

4. ECONOMIC IMPACT

The popular grocer already employs more than 8,100 associates in the Dayton region. Nationwide, the company grew its workforce by more than 12,000 associates last year, and announced earlier this year that it would look to hire an estimated 10,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions.

5. GIVING BACK 

Kroger will present checks to the USO of Central and Southern Ohio for $20,000; Centerville Elementary South Village PTO for $10,500; Greater Dayton Humane Society for $9,500; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Miami Valley for $9,175; and Boys and Girls Club of Dayton for $7,720. Kroger will also make a donation to the Bellbrook High School Marching Band and Junior ROTC.