A new grocery store for Platte City is closer to becoming reality.
An announcement made at last week’s Platte City Board of Aldermen meeting has confirmed speculation about a new grocery store coming to Platte City.
MannRose Development project manager, Andy Homoly, announced last week that a new grocery store will soon be constructed in Platte Valley Plaza.
According to John Rose, developer of the Platte Valley Plaza, the grocery store contract was officially inked last week. Rose said it involves a deal between Paul Bresette, owner of the Platte Woods Sun Fresh, and at least one member of the Glic family, owners of Leo’s Country Mart of Platte City.
“The agreement between the two parties is for them to transfer their franchise right to Paul Bresette,” said Rose, co-developer of Platte Valley Plaza.
Efforts to contact John Glick and his sister, Virginia, for comment this week were unsuccessful. Paul Glick, a brother, politely declined comment when reached by phone Wednesday morning.
Rose said that while there are many details still undecided, the grocery store will be one of a franchise chain.
“I don’t know who it will be yet, except that it will be somebody associated with a wholesale grocery store chain,” said Rose. “My guess is it would be a Price Chopper, Country Mart or Sun Fresh.”
According to Rose, square footage of the new site hasn’t been decided yet but they do have a number in mind.
“The square footage is undecided, but in past discussions they have talked about wanting an estimated 45,000 square foot store,” said Rose.
“It may sound big, but actually it isn’t. Currently, I believe Leo’s Country Mart is 18-20,000 square feet—but they need at least twice that,” he said. The store site is expected to cover 20 acres. Rose continued: “Platte City is under-grocered. My understanding is that they lose 35 percent of the Platte City area to the south. And that’s primarily because there’s not a big enough store to handle the area.” Rose stated that the need for an adequate grocery store in Platte City is pushing Brusette to get the store constructed. Brusette could not be reached for comment. “They would like to start as soon as possible because they know they need to get up there,” said Rose. While no timeline or completion date has been announced, Rose stated that from the first day of construction it will take 15 months to get the store open.