Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

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Groceteria
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Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

Post by Groceteria »

http://www.groceteria.com/journal/2008/09.html#090208

I'm assuming this former Kroger on South Broadway Street in Wichita (which is apparently still open) became a Dillon's in 1983 at the time of the merger, but I don;t know for sure. Any history?
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Re: Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

Post by krogerclerk »

I believe Kroger sold the Wichita stores in the mid-60's, if not earlier, to Dillon. I want to say it was around the same time Kroger retreated from the DC region, which would be around 64-65. The remainder of the Kansas City division seems to survived until about 1980, as some superstores exists in Kansas City but no examples of greenhouse stores. Kroger and Dillon merged in 1982. I believe A&P survived a few years longer in Kansas City, exiting in the 82-84 timeframe and of course Safeway lasted until the divesting of the operations in 86-87 as Food Barn.

The stores appears to be an nicely intact example of the late 50's Kroger prototype. I'm sure the interior has been remodeled beyond recognition. As with Kessel's in Michigan, Ralphs'(via former Market Baskets), and PayLess in Indiana, this merger returned former Kroger locations back to Kroger ownership. Kroger itself would have likely long closed the store had it remained in Wichita.
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Re: Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

Post by tesg »

http://www.geocities.com/sandyshamburgers/index.html

Click on the latest update for some 1970's pics of the E 13th St Sandy's in Wichita, and in the background of one of the photos you'll see another Dillon's tower.

Based on the "Street View" photos today at Google Maps, I'm guessing the building in the pic was replaced by the current building, which would sit behind the footprint of the one in the picture.

Hard to tell for sure since the Sandy's building clearly no longer exists...
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Re: Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

Post by tesg »

Just an update...The Dillon's that started this thread is indeed still open. I was in there Saturday.

The interior is modern, of course. Same package as in a couple of other Dillon's around town, and even the Syracuse, UT Smith's.

Also, the Dillon's I noted in the Sandy's commercial (which later remodeled or moved behind the existing store) is now closed. It's just an empty building with label scars now.
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Re: Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

Post by storewanderer »

What interior decor package is this that you are referring to?
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Re: Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

Post by tesg »

The same one that's in your shots of Fry's at, 554 W Baseline, Mesa.
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Re: Dillon's/Kroger in Wichita KS

Post by storewanderer »

Oh... that decor.
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