Price Cutter occupying first former Dillons store this week

Last edited 2:20 p.m., Feb. 9, 2015

Price Cutter Supermarkets plans to open Wednesday in the former Dillons grocery store on West Kearney Street.

After buying four closed Dillons stores last month, the Springfield-based regional chain had identified two to reopen as Price Cutter Supermarkets. 

At 1831 W. Kearney St., Price Cutter is outfitting the 54,000-square-foot building with more general merchandise than typical, according to a company news release, as well as a Starbucks, Lilly’s Floral, hot foods, Bistro to Go sandwiches and salads, and a specialty bakery. With the addition, Price Cutter officials closed the 20,000-square-foot store at 717 W. Commercial St. on Feb. 8.

“We’ve been very pleased with the positive response from the neighbors surrounding our new location,” Price Cutter President and CEO Erick Taylor said in the release. “We are looking forward to reopening this full-service supermarket.”

Officials have said the former Dillons at 1260 St. Louis Street, at National Avenue, would open in mid-March under the Price Cutter banner. The company already operates a Price Cutter Express fuel center in the store’s parking lot. The 56,000-square-foot St. Louis Street store would replace the 40,000-square-foot Price Cutter at 1730 S. Campbell Ave.

Late last week, Price Cutter officials tore out the hot food and salad bar at the downtown Bistro Market, with plans to make way for a seating lounge and larger liquor selection.

The company has not announced plans for the former Dillons stores at 1707 W. Battlefield Road and 2843 E. Sunshine St.