As a small local news blogger, I am not always notified of some events by large companies.  Such was the case on March 18 when Kroger broke ground for its new grocery on Allisonville Road, north of 116th Street.  Perhaps it was just as well, since the Twitter (excuse me, X) post describes a cold ground-breaking ceremony.

The only reason I would have wanted to be there is the long and winding road this project has traveled.  It was either 2017 or 2018 when Kroger originally announced plans to take the existing grocery north of 116th Street, just west on Allisonville Road, and move it across the street to another strip mall development east of Allisonville.  The City of Fishers had preliminary plans for public space where the current store at that time existed.

It was in 2018 that Kroger said several developments in the grocery market, particularly Amazon’s stated intention to enter the grocery business, resulted in the company halting new projects.  The Fishers move plan was scuttled at that time.

Last year, Kroger said it was ready to move on the previously dormant plan.  The vacant lot in the strip mall north of 116th Street just east of Allisonville Road was still there, so the land was available to go ahead with the new Kroger grocery store.

This is part of a development plan for a large section of Allisonville Road, once the commercial hub of Fishers when I first moved here in 1991.  The Kroger move comes as the city is planning to replace the automatic traffic signals at 116th Street and Allisonville Road with a roundabout.

As a former resident of the Sunblest neighborhood, I am so happy for the residents in that section of Fishers.  The new Kroger grocery will be a boon to the area.  Things are looking up for that part of Fishers.