LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kroger is making a big investment in its store on West Broadway, but will it bring changes the community is asking for?
The location has been the center of controversy for repeatedly closing early, and high theft.
On Friday, the Louisville district manager said he's committed to reversing the trend with a more than $1.2 million investment to remodel.
"We're going to run the best store y'all have seen over there in a long time," Shane Smith said to a round of applause. "I've heard from the community at times it's a concern that Kroger may be leaving Broadway -- I just wanted to start by saying, we ain't going nowhere."
At the Bishop's Table, a roundtable hosted by well-known Bishop Dennis Lyons, Smith said Kroger has lost millions of dollars at the west Broadway store, in part due to theft.
"By no means am I saying that theft is the only issue that we're facing being profitable down here, however it is a factor," Smith said.
West Louisville only has two Kroger locations, and much of the area is considered a food desert where people lack nearby options for healthy foods and fresh produce.
And the location off West Broadway has been criticized by customers for being dingy and not up to the standard of other Kroger stores in eastern Jefferson County. It's also faced controversy for repeatedly closing early, leaving customers confused and frustrated.
"We are supposed to stay open until 9 p.m., so we were in the wrong," Smith told WHAS11. "So we addressed that with our team, and we are much better for it."
Smith said the investment will also go to raise wages and establish devices to reduce theft.
WHAS11 talked to Kroger customers like Kenny, who didn't want his last name published. He bikes over from 21st and Jefferson Streets.
"In this area, you can look around, there ain't a whole lot of choices when it comes to healthy shopping," Kenny said.
Even with the major investment, he remains skeptical for now.
"It depends on where the money is going," he said. "I would like for it to go into the community where the money comes from, back into the pockets of the people -- in some kind of way."
Renovations are expected to start later this year and be complete sometime in 2025.
On Friday, Kroger confirmed the West Broadway location will stay open throughout the remodel process.
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