The economy may be slow, but that does not stop people from eating or buying groceries. With that in mind, Kroger in Towne Center Shopping Center in Fayetteville is looking to increase shopping space by 25 percent.

An Aug. 12 proposal to the city’s Planning Commission would add 13,920 square feet to the existing 55,000-square-foot grocery store.

The work session proposal called for demolishing the two stores immediately to the south of the grocery store. Once the demolition is complete, the expansion would add another 80 feet of frontage to the grocery store.

The expansion would provide all the latest bells and whistles, project engineer Fred Taylor told commissioners. The expansion would provide more space for the current product line and accommodations for an upscale deli, company representatives said.

City Planning Director Eldridge Gunn said Kroger is planning to match the current architectural design elements already in place. Also included the revised development plans are two new vestibules planned for entry and exit to the store, said Taylor. One would be situated further to the north along the front elevation. The other vestibule would be adjacent to the checkout lanes inside the store. The exterior glass on the outside of the vestibules would match all other glass on the store.

Shopping center owner Retail Planning Corp.’s co-owner Jim Ezell said Monday that the Hallmark store and the former florist positioned to the south of the grocery store would be available for the Kroger expansion. He said Kroger will be signing a 20-year lease on the property, a move that will solidify the center.

Towne Center Florist has moved to its new location several doors to the south in Towne Center Shopping Center.

Kroger representatives will be back at the commission’s Aug. 26 regular session.