INDIANAPOLIS -- Kroger has finalized its purchase of 11 former Marsh supermarkets and announced Wednesday that it plans to invest $20 million in renovating and reopening seven of them.
Marsh declared bankruptcy May 11, selling 26 of its stores and closing dozens of others before going out of business.
A subsidiary of the Kroger Co., Topvalco, took possession of 11 of those stores, finalizing their deal this week. The other 15 stores were sold to Ohio-based grocery Fresh Encounter Inc.
In a statement released Wednesday, Kroger said the $20 million investment would go toward the renovation of seven of those stores, preparing them for additional features and energy saving technology.
MAP | These Marsh Stores Were Bought
The seven stores being renovated are:
- 843 E. Main St., Brownsburg
- 227 W. Michigan St., downtown Indianapolis
- 10679 N. Michigan Road, Zionsville
- 5 Boone Village, Zionsville
- 1500 W. McGalliard Road, Muncie
- 715 Tillotson Ave., Muncie
- 1825 Kinser Pike, Bloomington
Five of those stores will reopen under the Kroger brand. The two stores in Muncie will operate under The Kroger Co.’s “Pay Less” banner, like the stores in their Anderson, Lafayette and West Lafayette locations.
The renovation timeline has not been released, but the company said because the stores are empty, the process might move a little faster than normal.
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“We understand the excitement that comes with the anticipation of a new neighborhood Kroger store,” Kroger said in a statement released Thursday. “But re-opening is not as simple as taking possession of a building and turning the lights back on. A traditional renovation, in a busy store, may require six to eight months.”
The future of the four remaining stores will be determined at a later time.
The four remaining stores are:
- 12520 E. 116th St., Fishers
- 2904 South Indiana 135, Greenwood
- 1435 W. 86th St., Indianapolis
- 123 S. Kingston Drive, Bloomington
Kroger will also be adding several hundred former Marsh employees. The company said many of those employees are already in training or working at nearby stores until their new locations are reopened.
“We are pleased to see so many people are eager to continue their careers with us,” the company said. “We are as excited as anyone to open these stores and offer Kroger service and value to even more Hoosier shoppers.”
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You can view each of the stores that Kroger plans to renovate and reopen on the map below.
