New Kroger Marketplace in the works for booming side of Perry. Here’s what we know
A new 118,337-square-foot Kroger Marketplace with a huge commercial shopping center has been proposed on just over 24 acres near a key intersection in Perry in the thick of development.
Applications for building permits and planning documents for the proposed Kroger and its shopping center have been submitted to the city of Perry for review, according to online city records.
The proposed development rests on four parcels of mostly heavily wooded, undeveloped land stretching out from the corner of Perry Parkway and Houston Lake Road, according planning documents.
One of the parcels that make up the proposed site includes property that now houses a Papa John’s Pizza and Tobacco & Vape.
The proposed Kroger Marketplace includes an attached 10,800-square-foot shopping strip, a Kroger Fuel Center, a 1-acre retention pond, parking lots, driveways, unloading areas and five to-be-developed outparcels, according to planning documents.
The outparcels are just over or under 1 acre. The building that now houses Papa John’s and Tobacco & Vape is shown on a sixth outparcel, according to the site plan.
The address listed by the city for the proposed Kroger development is 316 Perry Parkway, across from Zaxby’s and Robins Financial Credit Union.
Property boundaries near roadways for the proposed Kroger development run along Perry Parkway, Houston Lake Road and Lake Joy Road.
The site plan shows two entrance/exits off Perry Parkway and one off Lake Joy Road.
What is Kroger Marketplace?
Larger than a regular Kroger store, a Kroger Marketplace expands on its standard offerings of produce, grocery and general merchandise.
The proposed Kroger Marketplace in Perry includes a drive-thru pharmacy, a Murray’s Cheese Shop, sushi bar, Starbucks and more, planning documents show.
The site plan is currently under review and the proposed Kroger development is listed as active, according to online city records.
Joe Duffy, community development director for the city of Perry, could not be reached for comment.
The area is booming
In proximity to the proposed Kroger shopping center is the Perry Parkway Project by the Dhan Group that includes two shopping plazas on 4.1 acres at 1818 Houston Lake Road.
A new Dunkin’ with a drive-thru is coming to the first plaza closest to Perry Parkway and Houston Lake roads, along with a new breakfast spot, convenience store and gas station.
The second plaza behind it will include a new Surcheros Fresh Mex, a Holy Pie! Pizzeria, a Flo & Glo IV Wellness Lounge, a pharmacy with a drive-thru, and a nail salon.
Also near the proposed shopping center site, another major development with new single-family homes, townhomes and shopping centers is in the works across from the nearby intersection of Houston Lake and Lake Joy roads.
The first shopping center is at the entrance of The Encore, a new 280-unit live-and-play community under construction.
The new shopping center includes a KidStrong, Perrydise Salon & Spa, Inspire Pilates Studio, and a realty company. Next to it, a Mr. Ceiling Fan & More is under construction.
A second shopping center to be built near the Encore entrance already has El Metate Mexican Restaurant signed. The same husband and wife team recently opened an El Metate Mexican Restaurant in Warner Robins. Other spaces in the shopping center are still available.
Kroger’s prescence in Perry, nationwide
A promotional flyer for the new shopping centers near the Encore includes the proposed Kroger on a map of nearby developments.
The 12-acre site that’s home to the Papa John’s and a Tobacco & Vape is owned by Norahs Properties, according to Houston County property records.
A red sign posted along Perry Parkway on the undeveloped portion of the Norahs Properties site says, “Coming soon. Commercial space available. Build to suit.”
Brian Gillis, the registered agent for Norahs Properties, could not be reached for comment.
Catty-corner to the proposed Kroger shopping center is the Publix Super Market at Paradise Shoppes of Perry at 275 Perry Parkway.
Kroger already has a presence in Perry with a Kroger Perry Market shopping center with a Kroger Fuel Center at 1367 Sam Nunn Blvd. across town about three miles away from the proposed Kroger Marketplace site.
Nationwide, Kroger is expected to close about approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months, according to its first quarter 2025 report. A list of those stores has not been made public.
Kroger is also expected to invest at least $3.6 billion in capital outlays this year that include building new stores and renovating and expanding existing ones, according to a USA Today article.
As of Aug. 15, Kroger has 2,893 stores in the U.S., including 167 in Georgia, according to ScrapeHero, a data company.
A corporate media spokeswoman for Kroger could not be reached for comment. A regional spokeswoman for Kroger emailed that she did not have any additional information on the proposed Kroger in Perry.
