Kroger, one of America’s biggest grocery chains, is making big changes by shutting down two of its Kitchen 1883 restaurants. The company, which had once hoped these restaurants would add a new flavor to its customer experience, has now taken a step back from that plan.
The closures were announced on social media, where Kroger thanked customers for their support over the years and shared that both locations will serve their last meals on Thursday.
What is Kitchen 1883?
Kitchen 1883 is Kroger’s attempt to step into the full-service restaurant world. It was first launched in 2017 in Union, Kentucky, offering American-style comfort food in a warm and inviting setting. The goal was to give customers more than just groceries — a place to relax, eat, and enjoy high-quality food and service.
Seeing some early success, Kroger opened more locations. A second one came to Anderson Township in 2018, and a third arrived in 2019 inside its downtown Cincinnati grocery store.
Why Are the Restaurants Closing?
While Kroger hasn’t given a clear reason for shutting down the Union and Anderson Township locations, it did call the decision “difficult.” The company expressed deep gratitude for the community’s loyalty and support.
It seems like changing customer habits and tough competition in the restaurant industry may have played a role in the decision. These days, many grocery chains are rethinking how to offer better services and food experiences.
One Kitchen 1883 Still Open
Not all is closing though. The third Kitchen 1883, which is part of On the Rhine Eatery in downtown Cincinnati, will stay open. This location is inside a modern, two-story Kroger and serves as a unique mix of grocery shopping and casual dining.
This food hall includes other restaurant concepts too, making it more than just a place to grab groceries.
What’s Next for Kroger?
Even though it’s closing two sit-down restaurants, Kroger isn’t giving up on Kitchen 1883 entirely. The brand will live on through catering services, and the company might look at new ways to connect with food-loving customers.
Kroger is also expected to focus more on its core grocery business and explore other ways to improve customer experience without running full-service restaurants.
Wegmans Is Taking a Different Route
While Kroger is stepping back, another grocery giant, Wegmans, is moving forward in the restaurant space. Wegmans is opening a second location of its sushi restaurant Next Door in New York City on April 30.
This restaurant, originally started in Rochester, New York, is known for its fresh and modern take on Japanese dishes. Wegmans’ move shows a rising trend of grocery chains getting into the restaurant business—but not all are choosing the same path.
Kroger’s decision to shut down two of its Kitchen 1883 restaurants shows how challenging it is for grocery chains to break into the sit-down restaurant market. While it may be disappointing for fans of the brand, Kroger is adjusting its focus based on customer needs and market trends.
The good news is that the downtown Cincinnati location remains open, and Kitchen 1883 will still be available through catering. Meanwhile, as Wegmans continues to expand its restaurant brand, the battle between grocers for a spot in the dining scene is far from over.