1 of 7

New self-checkout kiosks are seen during the Kroger of Vicksburg Grand Re-Opening Wednesday (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

The new flower center is seen during the Kroger of Vicksburg Grand Re-Opening Wednesday (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

Food areas are seen during the Kroger of Vicksburg Grand Re-Opening Wednesday (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

The new Cheese Shop are seen during the Kroger of Vicksburg Grand Re-Opening Wednesday (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

Food areas are seen during the Kroger of Vicksburg Grand Re-Opening Wednesday (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

Food areas are seen during the Kroger of Vicksburg Grand Re-Opening Wednesday (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

Store Leader Kim Rice cuts the ribbon during the Kroger of Vicksburg Grand Re-Opening Wednesday (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

Officials with Kroger Co. and city and county officials gathered at the Vicksburg Kroger on Pemberton Square Boulevard Wednesday for a ribbon cutting ceremony signaling the completion of a $3.9 million remodeling project and reopening of the Vicksburg store.

Kroger district manager Chuck Head said the ceremony also marked the store’s 50th anniversary in Vicksburg.

“This is our fourth location,” he said as he recalled the store’s previous sites.

“This location was a Super K Mart, and we took it over, and with y’all’s help been able to spend $3.9 million to give you what you will see today,” he said.

“We today share in your reinvestment in our community,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said. “This speaks volumes for Kroger; not just Kroger in Vicksburg, but Kroger as a brand. You can tell that they have the best customer service I have ever seen. We are so honored that you invested in our community, and you continue to grow and build in the community.”

Store manger Kim Rice called the renovations “a six-month process, but I think it’s going to be worth it.”

The ceremony also included bonuses for local organizations, with Head presenting $250 gift cards to Haven House and the Warren County Children’s Shelter, and checks for $500 to River City Special Olympics and $1,000 to River City Rescue Mission.

After the ceremony, Rice said the remodeling has provided extra space inside the present store building.

“We have all new decor,” she said. “Most of the work was done in the deli area; our deli area was totally reconstructed. We added a pizza shop, called Pizza Romano. We have an expanded sushi bar, Pan Asian bar (featuring Chinese food). We have the Chicken Company, where we serve chicken (in the deli area).”

The remodeling also included a specialty cheese shop, more self-checkout terminals, a new floral area and more meat cases and new milk cases. Outside, the store’s parking lot was resurfaced.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

More by John

More Business

Local RV park to match $1 million USDA grant aimed at solar energy

‘We are going to shut this down’: Flaggs says ‘enough is enough’ while unveiling new plan for downtown security

International Paper invests $57K in Vicksburg-Warren community

All about balance: New chef at Cedar Grove adds flavor to guest experience