That information comes from local physician Dr. Vipul Patel who along with Ravindra Patel, the president of Groceryland, owns several grocery stores in the Dayton and Columbus areas.
The Patels are behind the new grocery on the southside of Springfield. They also own a grocery store in New Lebanon as well as another called Warsaw Shopwise in Warsaw, Ohio.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
The news of the store’s expected opening date comes as renovations to the building that will house the grocery are underway and Groceryland is beginning its recruiting and hiring process for the store.
Dr. Patel said they plan to invest about $2 million into the new store. So far, a little over a million dollars has been spent for renovations and other associated costs, he added.
That includes a new roof to the building as well as the replacement of floors, ceilings and other fixtures.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Dr. Patel said they also plan to hire 60 employees for the Springfield store.
However, he said not all of those positions will be filled by the time the store opens. The goal is to hire around 25 to 30 people by that time.
The opening of Groceryland will allow the area to shed its designation as a food desert, an area that has limited access to affordable and nutritious food.
The south side of Springfield has fit that classification since the South Limestone Street Kroger closed in March 2020, impacting an estimated 22,000 people.
That closure prompted community discussions of not only finding a replacement but making sure that when a new grocery opened, it would be supported enough to stay.
It was announced in May that Groceryland would take the former Kroger’s place.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Dr. Patel has been practicing medicine in Springfield since 2003. He said that opening a grocery store in the southside is not only a business opportunity, but also fulfilling a crucial community need.
He said that Groceryland became interested in potentially purchasing the property after hearing concerns about the area being a food desert.
“As a physician, the first step to consider is the point of need. Home, hospital or grocery store, I am ready to meet the community of Springfield right where they are,” Dr. Patel previously told the News-Sun.
Groceryland, earlier this year, purchased the property, which had been given to the city, for around $769,000.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
The store will offer fresh meat as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. It will also include a bakery.
Dr. Patel said that he would also be interested in getting area nonprofits involved with the grocery store.
That partnership could help provide services such as transportation to the store.
By the numbers
$2M: The amount of money Groceryland will invest in the former South Limestone Kroger site
$769,000: Amount of money Groceryland paid to purchase the property from the city of Springfield
60: Number of jobs that will be created as a result of the new grocery store
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