Kroger will re-open its Birmingham store on Friday, following a $5.5 million renovation that introduces a new layout, new products, and includes an area with tables and chairs to have sushi, soup, or a sandwich — all prepared daily on site.
“Customers will find a very personal level of service at the Birmingham store,” says Matthew Dakho, the store manager. “Our department managers will step from behind the counter to greet shoppers, and our associates want to get to know them by name and understand their tastes.”
The 56,357-square-foot store, at 685 E. Maple Rd., will also offer a macaroni-and-cheese bar, with add-ons such as lobster and bacon. A bistro area also provides extensive selection of prepared foods for a quick lunch or gourmet dinner. Also new is a Greenwich Village-based Murray’s Cheese Shop that offers an array of fine cheeses plus breads, cured meats, olives & other deli items.
Also on-site is a large wine section, where a beverage steward will offer wine tastings during everyday for the next six weeks. The store will conduct mixology seminars, hold tastings for scotch, agave, and whiskey, and educate customers about wine and food pairings.
“Our outlook has switched to providing customers with a world-class experience locally,” says Ken McClure, spokesman for the Novi-based grocer. “Kroger’s goal is to give stores a more individualized touch, based on the needs of the community they are in.”
Other store updates include new checkout lanes near the front and rear entrances, updated equipment and shelving, energy efficient food cases and refrigeration units, and increased aisle width for the more popular aisles.
The store rehired more than 50 percent of the associates who served customers prior to the store’s closing on Aug. 2, and increased its part-time associates by more than 30 percent.
“Kroger has grown to be a huge part of many Michigan communities. We want to continue with that incredible investment in the state, and our stores here,” McClure says.
The store will officially open its doors at 6 a.m. Friday. The first 400 customers will receive a free reusable shopping bag and $10 gift card.
