ATLANTA — A southwest Atlanta Kroger that had to abruptly close when copper thieves vandalized it and caused extensive damage has reopened.
After being closed for nearly a month, the Kroger on Metropolitan Parkway near Cleveland Avenue reopened Wednesday morning with a ribbon-cutting.
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A spokesperson for the Atlanta-based grocery store chain confirmed that Kroger expedited the reopening so that the store could reopen in time for Christmas.
Atlanta City Councilman-elect Antonio Lewis was on hand for the ribbon-cutting and said he knows how important it was to get the store back open, because he grew up in the area.
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“I grew up less than two miles from here on 5th Avenue. We used to walk here to the Kroger. We know the history of what Kroger means to this community,” Lewis said.
The theft happened just before Thanksgiving.
Atlanta police say that once the thieves were inside, they caused extensive damage to the building after stealing copper from its electrical system. This led to the store being forced to shut down as they underwent repairs.
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The closing of the store left many concerned about where they would get their food and medication.
The PNC Bank branch inside the store was able to make accommodations while the store was closed. They set up a mobile banking center in the parking lot.
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