NEW GROCERY STORE PLANS TO OPEN IN CAPE

One of the nation's largest grocery operations plans to open a store in Cape Girardeau within a year.

Albertson's Grocery, with more than 2,400 stores in 38 states, has entered a contract to purchase land on the northeast corner of Kingshighway and Independence to build a 61,020-square-foot Albertson's Food Center.

Plans for the store have been presented to the Cape Girardeau inspection offices.

Tom Kelsey, broker for Lorimont Place, who is handling the transaction, confirmed Tuesday that the company had contracted for two sections of land -- the 4.68-acre former Wolohan Lumber Co. property at 120 N. Kingshighway and a 2.7-acre site that most recently housed a salvage operation.

Kelsey said he has presented a preliminary site plan for the store to the city in behalf of Albertson's, which is ready to move forward on the multimillion-dollar project.

The company also is looking at the possibility of a store in Sikeston at Main and Malone streets.

With more than $16 billion in annual sales, Albertson's is second to Kroger as the largest grocery chain in the United States.

Kelsey said a number of agencies have been working with him on the site approval process, including Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association; the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; Scott Meyer, district engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation; and the city.

Albertson's plans to open in late 2000, said Kelsey. The store will employ about 150 workers, he said.

Albertson's was founded by the late Joseph A. Albertson, who opened a small grocery store in Boise, Idaho, in 1939. The company remains headquartered at Boise.

Albertson's is noted for its full line of specialty breads and quick-meal ideas. Each store features perimeter service departments, including pharmacies and full-service banks.