Carmel’s Kroger celebrates with grand reopening

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Kroger Central Division leaders, joined by Mayor Brainard and other local officials, celebrated the grand reopening of the company’s 1217 S. Rangeline Road store in Carmel, Indiana at an invitation only event tonight. The store will reopen to the at 8 a.m., June 18.

The total economic investment in this store is $10.8 million. Kroger’s project was led by Project Manager Sheri Billeter. This investment strengthens Kroger’s economic and workforce commitment to the local Carmel community and will create 150 additional jobs.

Kroger Central Division is involved in a significant growth strategy. This Carmel project is part of a previously announced $465 million central Indiana investment that also brings at least 3,500 new jobs.

According to President of Kroger Central Division Jeff Burt, “The grocery, pharmacy and fuel markets are very competitive in Indiana, but also very important for The Kroger Co. Our solid success in the marketplace allows us to make significant economic and work force investments in our Indiana stores. Our $11 million investment in Carmel is a strong vote of confidence and allows us to continue providing quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer service, while being a supportive community partner. This expanded and remodeled Carmel store is a unique, upscale design and the first in Indiana. We also are very proud of store manager Karen Hansen and her team.”

“Karen, who has 39 years of experience in the grocery business, did an exceptional job in keeping her store team focused on serving our customers during construction – and she did it from a small, temporary store in a former Walgreens,” he continued. “All of us are very proud of her dedicated community service and leadership. I also am very honored to recognize the longest-serving associate in this Carmel store, Velta Houk, who has worked for Kroger since August of 1969 (almost 46 Years).  All of us are very proud of her dedicated service and leadership in mentoring newer associates.”

This store remodel offers Kroger customers:

  • Gross retail space of 86,419 square feet
  • New Carmel Café Bistro featuring Bowls and Burritos, Sushi Train, Gourmet Pizza, Signature and Artisan sandwiches, build-a-burger, All things Cheese, BBQ, Chicken combo meals; seating on 1st and 2nd floors
  • Carmel Culinary Kitchen located on the 2nd floor – a demonstration space with seating to share with community groups
  • Murray’s Cheese Shop
  • Starbucks with seating
  • Upscale customer service with focus on “grab and go” meals
  • Relocated produce department to center store
  • Relocated natural foods, including new refrigerated and frozen cases, as well as bulk foods section; 1,200 new items is a 60 percent increase
  • Relocated floral area, with an upgraded workstation, upright cases and display fixtures
  • Relocated meat area to include full service meat and seafood cases, a grille station and meat island
  • Expanded wine & spirits department with local and artisan beer; added 100 new beer and 335 new wine selections
  • Chocolate fountain
  • The Little Clinic; screenings, immunizations, DOT and sports physicals and minor medical treatment
  • Pharmacy expansion will reutilize existing drive thru
  • Kitchen Place
  • Turkey Hill fuel center
  • Upgraded self checkouts, checklanes and customer service area

The store’s management team includes:

  • Co-managers: Ashley Checa, Tyler Elliott, Andy Golden, Sean Gore and Alesia Mgboh
  • Meat: Robert Hutton
  • Seafood: Nick Jones
  • Grocery: Dave Gamble
  • Frozen: Tony Mercer
  • Dairy: Alfriedo Gilbrieth
  • Food Service Manager: Mary Peterson
  • Deli: Josh Pearson
  • Bakery: Edgar Taylor
  • Bistro Manager: Brandon Michael Young
  • Executive Chef: Nathan Dellinger
  • Wine steward: Peter Ryan
  • Murray’s Cheese Master: Kelly Hoffman
  • Starbuck’s Manager: John Davis
  • Produce: Tim Culp
  • Floral: Belinda Plemmons
  • Front End: Melissa Pawlak
  • Drug & General Merchandise: Joel Aiken
  • Pharmacy: Kristen Chambers
  • The Little Clinic Regional Clinical Director: Beth Pretti
  • Community Ambassador: Johnna Harpold
  • Administrative Manager: Jennifer Brown
  • Cultural Council Leader: Peter Ryan

During the grand reopening event, Kroger made the following donations: $1,000 to Carmel Clay Parks, $500 to the Carmel Fire Department, $500 to Noble of Indiana in honor of store associate Justin Graves, $25,000 to Riley Hospital Foundation for the Riley Champions program and $2,500 to the Good Samaritan Network’s July 4th food drive.

The Kroger Co. has been serving local communities for 132 years. The Kroger Central Division has 136 food stores, 114 pharmacies and 89 fuel centers operating under four banners; Kroger, Scott’s, Owen’s and Pay Less, with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in addition to three stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio. Kroger Central Division is dedicated to supporting every local community it serves, contributing more than $13.5 million in 2014 to local organizations, primarily focusing on hunger relief, K-12 education, health causes and diversity. The Kroger Co. was once again named the most generous company in America in a Chronicle of Philanthropy listing detailed in Forbes Magazine. Kroger also was chosen as a Top Place to Work in 2015 by Star Media. At Kroger we value:  honesty, respect, inclusion, diversity, safety and integrity.

To see photos of the new store, read Current in Carmel next week.


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