According to today’s Daily Atheneaum, Morgantown, WV is now home to the largest grocery store on the planet!
While they modestly say that that it is only the largest Kroger in the state, the quoted size of the store is, by far, larger than any store, anywhere.
(Thanks to Steve for showing me this gem!)
Here is a jpg of the story from the paper:
Here’s what they say:
New Morgantown Kroger bigger, greener
Kendal Montgomery, Photo Editor
Link to original story at www.da.wvu.edu
Covering 86,000 square miles, the largest Kroger in the state promises more specialties and “greener” business.
Located in the Suncrest Towne Center, the new store is, as Kroger spokesperson Carl York said, “geared toward the total food experience.” It has expanded in virtually every aspect compared to the other two Morgantown locations.
The concept is that the bigger the store, the more specialties customers are now looking for. There is a larger supply of organic foods, including beef, chicken and pork. The store has a full-time wine consultant to aid customers in choosing the right wine for a certain meal. It also has a larger natural foods section, a walk-in beer cooler, a drive-through pharmacy, a fuel center – the list goes on.
Aside from all of the new perks, Kroger is also striving to be environmentally friendly. The roof has 50 skylights that can cut electrical use by one-third on sunny days. They have high-tech heating and lighting control and bathrooms focused on conserving water.
“Customers will note the ‘green’ impact in the store. We believe our customers will appreciate the extra expense that Kroger has invested in this store,” said store manager Allan Sustakoski.
Though major investment was put into this location, York maintains that there are no plans to close the other two locations, and both are doing fine despite the new store.
“We look at growth and take a logical stance as to where the people will be. Morgantown is the right place to build. Our Patteson location is so busy that it needed relief, and we felt that the town could hold another store,” York said.
The store has provided around 150 new jobs for the area.
“There is nowhere to go but up. We’re very proud of what we’ve done,” York said.
York anticipates the city to reach out and provide transportation for students and members of the community without vehicles. He assures that the area’s needs are understood and that it is as much meant for the students as it is the community.
3 Responses
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Haha, I am WVU student, and came across your blog when I put “new Morgantown Kroger” into Google. This article in the DA cracked me up as well. I sent this to the staff:
“I think you need a new proofreader.
I am often amused by the funny typographical errors in the DA, but today’s took the cake.
http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=33439&archive_date=2008-03-05
I sincerely doubt that Morgantown’s new Kroger store is bigger than Idaho.
Incidentally, I do a lot of copy editing in my own job, so I realize it’s impossible to catch everything; however, I think this one was a biggie!”
Only 150 new jobs for that much area in the store? wow
its gonna be sparse in there for help.
I know! You’d think they’d get a few thousand more people. Maybe it is SO hi-tech that they don’t need that much staff?
To be fair the DA posted a correction today admitting that they meant 86,000 square feet.