As most of you have read or heard by now, the Peachtree Crossing Kroger at Peachtree Parkway and Ga. Highway 54 will be replaced by a Goodwill store this fall. The City Council, staff, and Planning Commission have received numerous calls and emails from the public opposing this change. I’m writing to assure every resident that we share in the community’s concern and opposition to Kroger’s actions in this transaction and to update you on our actions to address and hopefully reverse this decision.

Just to summarize, Kroger has sublet their space at the center to Goodwill, and our understanding is the Kroger Store will close in October. I would like to stress that the shopping center owners were not aware of Kroger’s negotiations and plans. Further, the owners of the center informed me they have repeatedly offered to release Kroger from their long-term lease of the space without penalty, with Kroger Corporate repeatedly refusing this offer. Kroger has also not dealt squarely with Peachtree City, having an independent agent approach us about the zoning required for a Goodwill but refusing to disclose the location. Unfortunately, the General Commercial zoning at the Peachtree Crossing Shopping Center allows this type of use.

I think all of us agree that Goodwill Industries International is a worthy non-profit organization that provides important education, training, and career services for the disadvantaged... They use their stores to raise funds to finance job training and other services to prepare people for job success. These are certainly aims and activities that our community can support.

With that said, I think many of us also agree that, while there certainly may be a place for a Goodwill store in Peachtree City, the Peachtree Crossing Shopping Center is NOT that place. Goodwill is not my idea of a good sole anchor tenant in a center of small, locally-owned shops in the heart of Peachtree City. There are many commercial businesses that would be perfect for that center – unfortunately, the Kroger Company seems to fear any stores that might compete with the other two Krogers in the City.

Please note that this is a decision that has been made at the corporate level of Kroger, not by the managers of the local stores. While I do not personally know the manager of the Kedron Kroger, I have known and respected the manager of the Braelinn Kroger for some time – he has lived in the community and managed that store since its opening 1988.

I have talked at length with representatives from Kroger’s corporate and real estate offices and with officials at Goodwill Industries this week. None seem to understand our concerns about this type of store at this location. I am meeting with representatives from both companies today to discuss the factors Goodwill has evaluated in wanting to locate here, what type of store they plan to operate, and to further discuss the concerns of the entire community about their decision to locate at Peachtree Crossing.

At this point, I must also turn to the citizens of Peachtree City to help me express our grave misgivings about this issue. While I would never encourage citizens to boycott the other Kroger stores in Peachtree City, I think it is vitally important for all of you who oppose the decision to contact the managers of the two remaining Krogers to convey your concerns. They may be the ultimate voice to which Kroger Corporate will listen. Additionally, any comments you can forward to the heads of Goodwill Industries of North Georgia and Kroger’s corporate offices may also help to enlighten them about our concerns and the nature of our community. Their contact information is are:

David B. Dillon

Chairman and CEO

The Kroger Co.

1014 Vine Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1100

1-866-221-4141

www.kroger.com

Raymond Bishop

President

Goodwill Industries of North Georgia

404-420-9920

Should we be unable to convince Kroger and Goodwill that they should reconsider their contract for the Goodwill Store at Peachtree Crossing, please be assured that the city of Peachtree City will monitor the store’s operation to ensure that none of our strict requirements relating to signage, outside storage of items, illegal dumping, or illegal activity in general proliferate at the site.

Also, please continue to support the local businesses that have made Peachtree Crossing their home for many years.

Sincerely,

Harold K. Logsdon

Mayor