Grocery Store Could Spur Development Downtown

Proponents of a new grocery store said it could be the missing piece to help spur downtown development on Friday.

Representatives of the Hills Market said they will open a new store in the heart of the Discovery District, 10TV's Kurt Ludlow reported.

The store will target thousands of residents near the heart of Columbus, creating a new grocery shopping option for people who live there.

"Downtown is in a real upward spiral right now, which is a very, very positive thing," said Cleve Ricksecker of the Discovery Special Improvement District.

When it is completed, the new store will be a 12,000-square-foot full-service store that targets what the Hills Market calls a need, Ludlow reported.

"We do think that's an area that's underserved," said Kyle Baker of the Hills Market. "There's a lot of new development down there and we want to be a part of that."

Ricksecker said more than 750 housing units have been added within a half-mile of the Hills Market location, Ludlow reported.

"The fact that Hills Market is interested in downtown will spur more interest in living downtown, which will in turn spur more retail development, which in turn will spur more interest in living downtown," said Ricksecker.

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