For decades, grocery stores have been people’s go-to place to obtain all food and beverage necessities, but as consumers’ needs have evolved, these marketplaces have begun to expand their assortment and services to better fill gaps in the market.
Popular retail giants like Walmart (WMT) , Whole Foods (AMZN) , and Kroger have pioneered the expansion of all-in-one grocery stores by adding pharmacies, gas stations, and restaurants.
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These expansions make consumers’ lives easier by saving them time and conveniently providing the necessities of everyday life in a single location.
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This might be why these companies have managed to stay in business for so long when others have closed, as they have found more ways to generate profits and keep customers happy.
Kroger to close multiple restaurant locations.
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Kroger enters new business ventures outside of grocery stores
Kroger (KR) is one of the largest retailers in the U.S., with around 2,750 grocery and retail stores under various banner names.
Although Kroger is known for its wide selection of food, beverages, apparel, medicine, and home goods, it is more than just a grocery store chain with pharmacies. It has expanded its horizons for years to enter new markets and reach a broader audience.
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Unknown to some, Kroger owns 170 fine jewelry stores, including Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers, which are pretty successful. However, nearly eight years ago, the company launched a new venture that unfortunately didn’t pan out like its other lucrative businesses.
Kroger entered the hospitality industry in 2017 by opening the first Kitchen 1883, a sit-down restaurant concept featuring classic American dishes inside a Kroger Marketplace in Union, Kentucky.
Since then, the company has opened a total of three restaurants across Ohio and Kentucky, including a stand-alone location in Anderson, Ohio in 2018 and another inside an On-The-Rhine Kroger in Athens, Ohio a year later.
Kroger to close all its Kitchen 1883 locations except one
Kroger is closing two of three Kitchen 1883 restaurant locations in only a few days, offering its final meal service on April 24. The affected locations include the stand-alone Anderson restaurant and the Union in-store restaurant.
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However, this is not the end of an era, because the Kitchen 1883 location inside the On-The-Rhine Kroger on Court Street will remain open and continue to serve customers in-store and via catering.
“This decision was not easy, as Kitchen 1883 has been more than just a place to eat —
it has been a place of laughter, memories, and shared meals with friends and family since 2017. We are incredibly grateful for your support, love, and loyalty over the years. You have made this journey unforgettable, and we hope to see you at this location one last time before we say goodbye,” Kitchen 1883 wrote on a Facebook post to announce the news.
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