By 1808Delaware
On a patch of former farmland at Sunbury Road and Glenn Road, the ground shifted in a very literal way in late September. Kroger’s Columbus Division officially broke ground on a new $33-million Kroger Marketplace, a project that signaled just how quickly Delaware and its surrounding neighborhoods have been growing.
At 123,000 square feet, the store is set to be one of the largest in the region. The ceremony took place on September 24 at 8:00 PM, and construction is now underway. The store is slated to open in 2026.
A Different Kind of Grocery Trip
The Marketplace format is not a basic grocery store. It’s designed as a “one-stop” experience. The Delaware location will include full departments for produce, bakery, deli, meat, and seafood, plus some extras that aren’t typical in standard grocery layouts: a sushi counter, a dedicated cheese shop, and an expanded apparel section. A fuel center is also planned on the site.
Kroger’s Columbus Division president said at the groundbreaking that the store reflects the company’s belief that residents want variety without a long drive. Whether shoppers agree will play out once the doors open, but the investment shows Kroger clearly sees Delaware’s growth as long-term, not temporary.
Jobs and Economic Impact
The project is expected to bring roughly 225 to 300 jobs to the area, with a projected annual payroll of about $6 million. Those numbers represent not just hiring, but ongoing economic activity that stays in the community.
Kroger’s Columbus Division already employs nearly 18,000 people across the region, many in union-represented roles. The company often highlights internal advancement and career paths, though experiences can vary depending on store leadership.
Delaware County’s Growth Curve
For more than two decades, Delaware County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio. Schools have expanded, new subdivisions have sprung up, and commercial development has followed rapidly.
This store became the fourth Kroger location in the county. It also continued a recent pattern: Kroger opened a Marketplace in Jerome Township near Plain City in late 2024, and a Home Road Marketplace in Powell opened this November.
In short, this wasn’t a one-time build. It was part of Kroger’s larger push into central Ohio.
The Roads Will Change Too
The Sunbury and Glenn intersection was not designed for hundreds of grocery trips a day. Before construction began, Kroger and the city worked through infrastructure requirements. The development includes plans for:
- Road improvements
- 501 parking spaces
- Ten bike racks
- Ten fuel pumps
City planning documents show that the area is transitioning from agricultural use to commercial development, and this project appears to accelerate that shift.
Why It Matters
You don’t invest $33 million in a new store unless you believe the community’s growth is real and lasting. For nearby residents, the immediate benefit is simple: more grocery options, easier access to fresh food, and increased competition.
Long term, the Kroger project raises broader questions about the future of the area. Some residents welcome the convenience. Others worry about traffic, pressure on smaller businesses, or farmland turning into parking lots.
Growth rarely happens quietly. It forces a community to define what it wants to become.
For now, Kroger has already cast its vote: Delaware is worth investing in.
