Kroger Considers Downtown Royal Oak Location

Kroger is looking at the former Fresard car dealership property on North Main Street as a potential site for a new grocery store.

“They haven’t submitted anything formally yet for review,” Royal Oak City Planner Tim Thwing said. Kroger representatives have been canvassing the area and talking with adjacent neighbors, including Barton Tower senior apartment residents living directly east of the site, Thwing said.

The sie is just north of the Main Art Theatre at 600 Main St. The 42,852-square-foot vacant structure sits on 3.25 acres of land less than one mile away from Hollywood Market at 714 N. Main St.

“I think we’ll just wait and see how things shake out,” Hollywood Market executive Tom Welch said about possible competition, adding he felt it was too premature to begin discussing now. Hollywood Market has been in its Main Street location since 1959. The first Royal Oak Hollywood Market location opened on Campbell Road in 1950.

Thwing said it his understanding Kroger may submit plans in May and that the company has committed resources for the development of that site. If plans are formally submitted, the first step would be for Kroger executives to go before the city's Planning Commission.

"We are looking at another location in Royal Oak, but we're not in a position to discuss further," Kroger spokesman Brandon Barrow said.

If Kroger decides to add another store to the Royal Oak market, it would be in addition to the 13 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue location, Barrow said. There are no plans now to close the Woodward Avenue grocery store, he said. 

Clyde Esbri, a Royal Oak resident and vice-chairman of the Royal Oak Planning Commission, said it is his understanding Kroger representatives are trying to submit the documentation in time to appear on the Planning Commission's June 14 agenda. As of now, members of the commission have seen nothing, he said. 

Esbri said talking points with any project coming to the downtown area include traffic, parking and building design. Esbri said anymore discussion now is premature. "I always try to keep an open mind," Esbri said, adding that he is open to all plans coming before the commission in which applicants have conducted their due dilligence.