NORFOLK, Va. — A big box retailer could soon open at the former Kroger at Wards Corner that closed in 2018.
The City of Norfolk isn't saying much about what could possibly be going where the vacant building stands. However, a proposed conditional use permit was on the city council's agenda for Tuesday night's meeting.
City council members voted to continue the agenda item until their meeting on Sept. 26 at the request by the client behind the store.
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The city's planning commission gave its approval for the permit earlier this summer. It includes demolishing the old Kroger in addition to the Virginia Ham building and the former Work Force Development Center.
A statement from the city's Department of Economic Development calls it a big box retailer with a grocery component.
"The market analysis shows that it’s a great place to have such a facility there," Norfolk Mayor Dr. Kenny Alexander said.
News 3's Zak Dahlheimer talked with Alexander about the concept.
"I think what’s being proposed is something that’s different. It’s not more of the same," Alexander said. "It’s different where residents and businesses and also our nonprofit organizations will have a place to shop and to make groceries, but more importantly, to have other amenities and other five and ten-cent opportunities in that region."
News 3's Jay Greene showed the plans to Gary Cooper who's lived in the area for at least 20 years. He remembers when the Kroger closed.
"It was easy to get to and we all know the quality that Kroger had," he said.
He shared what he'd like to see go in Kroger's place.
"I would like to see another grocery store, maybe Whole Foods, something that brings a little more class, if you will, to the area," he said.
Alton Robinson comes to Wards Corner at least once a week, and learned of the proposal Tuesday night.
"I think Wards Corner is booming," Robinson told News 3's Zak Dahlheimer at Tuesday night's Norfolk City Council meeting.
Robinson also shared what he'd like to see at the location.
"They bring a Whole Foods, that would be great because, my wife, she knows Whole Foods sells healthy and nutritious foods," he said.
There have been rumors about which business could move in, but nothing definitive has been announced.
The application for the conditional use permit calls the facility a "large high-quality general merchandise retail store that will include a grocery." It goes on to say "...the retailer has a national footprint with stores in all 50 states and over $1 billion in sales for 2022."
One business rumored to be coming to the location is Target.
Tuesday, News 3 reached out to Target. A company spokesperson sent a statement saying, "We are continually evaluating potential store locations to serve new guests, but I don’t have any new-store news to share at this time."
News 3 asked Alexander if the city has had any conversations with Target about bringing to a store to Wards Corner.
"The city’s having conversations with all of the big box retailers, including Target," Alexander responded. "We continue to have conversations with all of the retailers from Target, to Walmart, you name it."
Kotarides, a Hampton Roads development company, is named on the application. They said "no comment at this time" about the plans.
According to the proposal, the facility would employ around 150 people.
