Kettering’s Economic Development Director Greg Gorsuch said the leasing agent of the building has been “aggressively” looking at another grocery retailer to fill the void Kroger will leave, though there are no clues as to which retailer.
“The leasing agent we spoke with has told us they are working with every grocer across the country — pretty much— to see if they can find someone to fill that location,” Gorsuch said.
The shopping center is located in a residential area, near several homes and apartment complexes.
Gorsuch said the Kroger isn’t closing because it didn’t attract enough business, but that the new Kroger in Centerville less than 1½ miles away is too close in proximity.
“That location was a good location for Kroger,” Gorsuch said.
The new Kroger in Centerville is scheduled for completion in Spring 2017. Still, that poses a problem for some Kettering residents who may not have the means to shop at a different location.
Some residents worry that Kroger’s departure will continue what they see as a trend.
“It’s going to be another big, open building and we’ve seen that in Kettering more than I’ve ever remembered in my life,” Pamela Strohbar, owner of Gypsy Bliss Nail Salon, said. “You just have this big, open building and instead of a new company coming in and using that building, you have yet another one.”
It’s unclear what will become of the stores that remain in the shopping center, like Strohbar’s nail salon.
“I don’t know how much it will hurt my business yet,” Strohbar said.
The Oak Creek Kroger is expected to close in the next six to eight months.
Staff Writer Lauren Clark contributed to this report.
About the Author