Amelia Main Street Kroger Marketplace Manager Bob Boland, along with store employees and government officials, cuts the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony for the new marketplace Aug. 15.

Amelia Main Street Kroger Marketplace Manager Bob Boland, along with store employees and government officials, cuts the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony for the new marketplace Aug. 15.
By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

The Main Street Kroger Marketplace, one of the largest Kroger stores in the area, boasting 133,000 square feet of products, opened in Amelia Aug. 15.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the marketplace, and thousands of residents came to check out the new store on opening day.

“This is the first time at Kroger that we have ever closed two stores and opened one,” Kathy Andrews, district manager for Kroger said during the ceremony. “I am so extremely proud of our employees.”

The Kroger locations located at 1260 Ohio Pike and 1783 Ohio Pike closed at midnight and the new marketplace opened at 7 a.m. Aug. 15.

Andrews thanked store manager Bob Boland, who has worked at Kroger for 38 years, for his work on the project.

“We are so glad to be open,” Boland said. “It has been a long trip.”

The new store has a large selection of produce, a deli, a bakery, and other groceries, as well as home décor, office supplies, furniture, toys, clothing, a Starbucks cafe, a Little Clinic, a fuel center, and more.

“I think it is way above our expectations,” Jeane Humphreys, a Bethel resident said about the new store. “It’s wonderful.”

Humphreys and her husband, John, explored the marketplace on opening day, and said they weren’t expecting it to be so nice with such a big selection of products.

John Humphreys said the things that stand out in the marketplace compared to the older stores is the seafood section, the deli, and the bakery.

“It’s awesome,” Humphreys said.

Jeane Humphreys said she is amazed they built such a big store in Amelia.

“I am very happy with it,” she said.

Nancy Bush, a Mariemont resident, said she was also impressed with the new store.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Bush said. “It is going to take a while to get used to, but I think it’s really nice.”

Kroger officials took time during the grand opening ceremony to thank all of the local government officials who were involved in the project. They also introduced staff members and made check presentations to local charities that work to fight hunger.

Several local government officials who spoke during the ceremony included Amelia Mayor Todd Hart and Pierce Township Board of Trustees Chairman Rich Riebel. Both jurisdictions were involved in the project.

“We are so excited to finally see this final product,” Hart said about the marketplace.

He said the project has been years in the making, and he is excited for the future of Amelia now that Kroger and other retailers have come to the area.

Riebel said he is also excited for the future of the area now that Kroger is open.

“It’s pretty exciting to go inside and know that this is one of two of the largest stores,” Riebel said.

He said the new marketplace is creating jobs and also serves as a catalyst for further development along state Route 125.

Jordan Poff, assistant manager of the new Kroger, said bringing the two stores together and finally being able to open has been a great experience.

“The team we have is top of the line,” Poff said. “This store is going to be great.”

Main Street Kroger Marketplace is located at 262 West Main Street. It is open 24-hours, seven days a week.

For more information about the Main Street Marketplace, visit www.kroger.com or call the store at (513) 718-2220.