“This seemed more like home” is how Jeff Malcolm, store manager of the Atlee Kroger, described his arrival in Hanover County.

On Dec. 9, less than 24 hours before the anchor store at Rutland Commons was to officially open its doors, the 29-year veteran of Kroger’s said “I love it so far.”

He comes to the area after eight years in Virginia Beach. His tenure with the company also has included stints in West Virginia and Ohio.

Carl York, advertising and public relations manager for Kroger Mid-Atlantic Marketing Area, said, “This area is just wonderful for us and what we want to do.”

Looking around the store as associates were putting last-minute touches on displays and checking inventories, he said the building is “beautiful.”

He also called the decor “upscale” Kroger and then pointed out the addition of chefs and a bistro, which “is relatively new to us.”

The Atlee Kroger provides “seating so people can come in and eat.”

The store has a “big Nature’s Market,” for those wishing to purchase organic foods.

To truly be a part of the community, Kroger has photographs of landmarks, such as Hanover Courthouse, that, as York said, “are very meaningful to the area.”

With about 225 employees, the Atlee Kroger hired locally. Malcolm did bring some managers, but the majority of the new hires live in this area.

“We’re very proud of this store,” York added.” Jeff has done a great job and put a good team together.”

Some of the highlights include a Fuel Center, which is tentatively scheduled to open on Dec. 19, a drive-thru pharmacy and a Wine Shoppe. These, York said, make for one-stop shopping.

The pharmacist-in-charge is Ted Garrett, who transferred from the Mechanicsville store.

The Atlee Kroger is open from 6 a.m. until midnight Monday through Sunday. It is closed on Christmas.

Located at 9351 Atlee Road at Chamberlayne Road (U.S. 301), the store covers 75,000 square feet.

Kroger came into the Richmond area in 2000 with the purchase of 10 Hannaford stores.

The Atlee Kroger makes the 16th in this market.

For more information, visit www.kroger.com.

Ken Odor
Atlee Kroger store manager Jeff Malcolm