Kroger reportedly plans to close a store in South Bend and another in Elkhart

United Food & Commercial Workers Local 700 said June 23 that a Kroger store in South Bend and another in Elkhart have been targeted for closure.

The Kroger store in South Bend is at 4526 W. Western Ave.; the Elkhart store is at 901 Johnson St.

The grocery company announced it would be closing 60 stores nationwide last week. "On Monday, Kroger informed UFCW Local 799 that Store 901 in South Bend, Ind., and Store 915 in Elkhart, Ind., are among those impacted and are scheduled to close early August 2025," according to the union.

The union said it already has reached out to Kroger to discuss the effects of the closures on its members. Kroger has previously said that employees would be offered positions at other locations.

There also is concern about the communities where the grocery stores are located.

"We are very disappointed that changes in our national economy and local market conditions led to the closure of Kroger on Western, a vital resource on South Bend's West Side," city spokesperson Allison Zeithammer said via email.

"We are grateful to our local grocers that will help to fill the void," she added. "We will continue our work to attract more amenities to every neighborhood."

On her Facebook page, State Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend, said she feared the store on Western might be on the chopping block when Kroger announced the closures.

"This is a devastating loss," she said. "For many families on the west side, this Kroger is one of the only nearby options for fresh, affordable groceries. Its closure deepens an already growing food desert, making it even harder for our neighbors to access the food they need to thrive."

She said residents need to support businesses providing family-owned grocers in the area. "Now more than ever, they need our support. If we want to keep local food access alive, we must show up with our dollars, our advocacy, and our love for this neighborhood," she wrote.

Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson had similar thoughts about the Kroger closing.

"We understand the economic uncertainty of this marketplace is causing many decisions that adversely impact Elkhart residents," he said via email. "This Kroger has been a neighborhood asset for many years. It's tough to see it closing."

Email Tribune staff writer Ed Semmler at esemmler@gannett.com.