Vicksburg’s new Kroger store will open Nov. 15, a week from today, said a news release from the company Friday.

A Nov. 15 opening date had been mentioned locally to shoppers, and company spokesman Joe Bell had said the new location, being built on Pemberton Square Boulevard across from the current store, would be ready at least before Christmas. Also on Nov. 15, the release said, a new store will open in Clinton.

“Our shoppers have been loyal to Kroger throughout the years, and these new stores are our way of thanking them for their patronage to Kroger,” said Mark Prestidge, president of Kroger’s Delta Marketing Area, of which the Vicksburg and Clinton stores are a part. “Our shoppers deserve these new Kroger facilities.”

Fuel pumps at the new Vicksburg site have been on since late July, which gave Vicksburg its first one-stop shop for gas and groceries in nearly three years.

Kroger purchased the 7.5 acres on Pemberton Square Boulevard once occupied by Kmart in December 2006, with demolition of the old structure and construction of the new one ongoing since January.

Once open, the store will have an extra 16,000 square feet of space over its current location. According to plans announced at the project’s outset, shoppers can expect to see expanded frozen and meat sections, as well as a drive-through pharmacy, nature’s market and health and beauty sections.

In October, fuel savings were expanded for shoppers who hold Kroger Plus Shoppers cards to boost holiday sales.

Kroger’s Delta Marketing Area, based in Memphis, operates 111 stores and 52 fuel centers in five states.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com.