KROGER AND MEGEN/MESSER II LLC TO BEGIN $1.7 MILLION RENOVATION OF OVER-THE-RHINE STORE APRIL 13
Local Minority-Controlled Construction Firm To Manage Huge Remodel at 14th and Vine

CINCINNATI, OH, March 26, 2003 - The Kroger Co. and Megen/Messer II LLC today announced that a $1.7 million renovation of the Kroger store at 1420 Vine St. in Cincinnati's historic Over-The-Rhine community will begin April 13.

"This renovation will change the entire look and feel of our Vine St. store and enable Kroger to do a better job of serving our customers," said Robert Hodge, president of Kroger's Cincinnati division. "We're excited about the renovation and ready to get started."

Megen/Messer, a minority-controlled joint venture between Megen Construction Company and Messer Construction Co., is the construction manager on the project.

"We are delighted to have an opportunity to manage this significant store renovation for Kroger," said Evans Nwankwo, Megen Construction president and executive leader of the joint venture. "As a minority-owned firm, we recognize the importance of Kroger's investment in Over-The-Rhine, particularly since this store plays such a key role in serving the neighborhood. Our stretch goal is to have at least 50% of the renovation work performed by minority-owned subcontractors."

Pete Strange, President of Messer Construction said, "Messer and our partners at Community Focus are proud to support Megen and Kroger in assuring success of the project and engagement of the minority business community. We are especially excited that as part of its investment in construction, Kroger has made a significant commitment to support 'Careers Under Construction,' the job development initiative creating employment opportunities for minorities within the construction industry."

Plans call for significant improvements to both the interior and exterior of the 12,000-square-foot store. All existing equipment, shelves and cases will be removed and replaced as part of a redesigned floor plan. Among the changes will be the addition of "hot meals to go" and more space for frozen food, dairy, and cold beverages. Exterior changes will include new lighting, signage and canopy.

The renovation work is expected to last seven weeks. To accommodate construction crews during the remodeling, the store will close at 6 p.m. April 13. The store is scheduled to re-open on June 2. Employees at the Vine St. store will be re-assigned to other local Kroger stores during the renovation work.

Mr. Hodge said Kroger will continue to work with city officials to identify a site in downtown Cincinnati to build a larger store that would offer a wide variety of services such as a pharmacy, floral shop, photo developing, and a broader assortment of groceries and general merchandise. The Company believes that a new downtown Kroger store would create 100 jobs.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger (NYSE: KR) is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of fiscal 2002, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,488 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under approximately two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 784 convenience stores, 441 fine jewelry stores, 376 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

« Go back