The Kroger grocery store in Peoria’s Sterling Bazaar shopping center closed Wednesday, more than a week ahead of the initially scheduled date.
The location at 3311 N. Sterling Ave. was expected to stay open until early August, but recent heavy sales thinned the stock and the store shut its doors for good at 6 p.m.
Eric Halvorson, manager of corporate affairs for Kroger’s central division, issued a statement saying the company is “deeply grateful” for the support of the store’s loyal customers over the years.
“The overwhelming response to our deep discounts left us with little inventory, so we made the decision to close earlier than originally anticipated,” Halvorson said in the statement. “We’re donating remaining food to Midwest Food Bank, ensuring it reaches local families in need. We will continue to support such hunger relief efforts in central Illinois, and we look forward to serving you at our other store locations nearby.”
Kroger still operates two Peoria locations — on Lake Street and Lindbergh Drive — and stores in neighboring Bartonville and East Peoria. Halvorson said no information is available about plans for the Sterling site.
The company previously said the shuttered Peoria supermarket is one of around 60 stores the chain plans to close over the next 18 months as “part of a larger company-wide decision to run more efficiently and ensure the long-term health of our business.”
