Groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings rank high on every public official’s list of favorite things to do – public testament to their job-creation efforts.So consider it an act of political courage for Gov.Saving a beloved neighborhood grocery store has spawned a surprising partnership between state Rep. Win Moses, a Democrat, and Fort Wayne City Councilman Russ Jehl, a Republican.
The persuasive letter the two politicians authored to Kroger Co. leaders regarding the fate of the Scott’s grocery store on the corner of North Anthony Boulevard and Crescent Avenue may not save the store.
But it did highlight the importance of the store to the welfare of several established neighborhoods and prompted company leaders to give residents an update about the situation.
The store closed several weeks ago after an inspection of the property uncovered structural problems with the roof.
The uncertainty brought back another name from the annals of local groceries that hadn’t been heard in years: Rogers. Kroger rents the building from the Rogers Co., which once operated its own grocery store there along with numerous others. Rogers sold the business to Scott’s, later purchased by Kroger, but kept some of the properties.
Kroger officials say whether the store reopens depends on the willingness of Rogers to invest in a building that will meet Kroger’s needs. But Rogers says that investment will require Kroger to make a longer lease commitment.
