SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After months of renovation work, Dillons Marketplace officially celebrated its grand reopening Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, unveiling a refreshed layout, expanded offerings, and a $3 million investment aimed at modernizing the store and enhancing the customer experience.
Located at 3200 Plaza E Drive, the 124,000-square-foot store underwent a $3 million remodel that includes significant layout changes, department expansions, upgraded technology, and a modernized customer experience, all part of Dillons’ broader investment strategy in Kansas. It was the store’s first full-scale renovation since opening in 2013.
Steve Dreher, president of the Dillons Division, welcomed guests gathered near the east entrance for the ceremony.
“It’s a big day for us,” Dreher said. “It’s hard to believe that almost 12 years ago, many of us were right here to open this store. We were excited then, and we’re excited today to be back celebrating again.”
Dreher noted that most stores are remodeled every seven to 10 years to maintain freshness and functionality.
“We were able to stretch this store to 12 years thanks to the exceptional team that’s kept it thriving,” he said. “But customer needs evolve. Retail has changed, especially after the pandemic. This remodel allows us to adapt to those changes and continue serving Hutchinson with excellence.”
The revamped store features a variety of upgrades:
- Murray’s Cheese Shop, with an expanded lineup of domestic and imported cheeses, along with a new olive and antipasto bar.
- Fresh sushi kiosk, offering hand-rolled sushi made daily.
- Enhanced produce department, including a wider selection of organic items and a relocated salad bar.
- Modernized grocery and frozen food sections, emphasizing Kroger’s Our Brands and premium Private Selection lines.
- Redesigned store layout, relocating apparel, kitchen, pet, and seasonal departments to improve navigation and flow.
- Energy-efficient lighting and updated décor, including the company’s first use of Falcon Board — a recyclable, sustainable signage material that supports Dillons’ Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiatives.
“This store is the very first in the Kroger family to use Falcon Board for our interior décor system, even before our headquarters in Cincinnati,” Dreher said. “It’s lightweight, renewable, and recyclable. It not only looks sharp, but it helps us further our sustainability goals.”
According to Dreher, 84% of construction materials were diverted from the landfill during the remodel process through recycling and repurposing. The store also received a refreshed exterior and updates to key infrastructure systems to support the customer and employee experience.
The reopening celebration included remarks from store manager Jason Cline, who expressed appreciation to the store team and the community.
“Our vision is to always be full, fresh and friendly for our guests, every single day,” Cline said. “These upgrades will help us deliver on that promise. I want to thank our incredible associates, our loyal customers, and our community partners for making this all possible. You are the heart of Dillons.”
In a show of continued community engagement, Sheila Regehr, a spokesperson for Dillons, presented three $1,000 donations to local nonprofits: the Hutchinson Salvation Army, the Food Bank of Reno County, and United Way of Reno County.
“Together with our community partners, we’re making a real impact in helping those who need it most,” Regehr said. “That’s what today is all about, celebrating progress while giving back.”
The reopening celebration also featured product samples throughout the store, grand re-opening promotions, free giveaways, and raffles for Dillons gift cards and product baskets. Festivities are expected to continue through the weekend.
Dillons has served Hutchinson since 1921 and operates under The Kroger Co., one of the largest grocery retailers in the country. The Hutchinson Marketplace store is one of the company’s flagship locations in Kansas.
According to Dreher, Dillons has invested more than $35 million in its Kansas stores over the past decade, with more renovations and a new store planned in Lawrence this year.
“We remodel not to inconvenience you, but to make your experience better,” Dreher told the crowd. “And we know change isn’t always easy. That’s why we’re so grateful for your loyalty and patience.”
Before concluding his remarks, Dreher revisited the original mission statement created by the department leadership team when the store first opened in 2013, one he said still guides the store today:
We believe and are committed to providing our customers a world-class shopping experience through low prices, fast, friendly checkouts, from genuinely engaged associates in every aisle, in every department, every day. We believe.
“Those words hold true today, maybe more than ever,” Dreher said. “This store stands as a testament to that mission, and to the people who bring it to life every single day.”
