Two new grocery store, Ruler Foods, by Kroger, and Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, are expected to arrive in Cape Girardeau soon. According to Scott Meyer, Cape Girardeau city manager, both are expected to be lower-cost grocery stores with more of a small neighborhood feel that will meet the local needs.
“Ruler is a discount or lower cost food store,” Meyer said. “They tend to have just like one brand of each vegetable and things. There’s not as much choice as far as different brands. The other store, I think it’s called the Market. It’s designed to be more of a local type grocery store.”
The cost for both of these stores will be significantly low for the town. They only major costs will go toward improvements to the surrounding area of the Ruler store that would need to be done regardless of the store addition because of high traffic.
“There’s no cost or anything with the Neighborhood Market as far as public cost,” Meyer said. “They are doing all the costs and the Ruler store, there are some public improvements that are happening around the store because of the additional traffic and the additional storm water. Which they are paying for part of that.”
Ruler Foods is estimated about 19,000 square feet will be located in the former Du Shell’s Furniture store on Williams St. According to Meyer, a new traffic light will go in at the intersection of Williams Street and Sheridan Drive to aid traffic flow. Ruler Food plans to open their doors as early as fall of this year.
The Market will be located at the former Plaza Galleria off Independence St. and will have just under 42,000 square feet of space. The project is still in early development and an opening date has yet to be set.
Meyer anticipates that the new stores will be beneficial to customers more than anything.
“Good competition is good for customers,” Meyer said.