Kroger stores in northeast Indiana took about the same degree of impact from Friday's windstorm as the broad swath of utility customers did. Seven of 19 Kroger stores in northeast Indiana lost power, Kroger spokesman John Elliott said Tuesday.
To keep the lights on and minimize their losses, Kroger employed several strategies. Where possible, they used generators. The company also brought in in refrigerated trucks to help preserve food.
Elliott said Kroger used "temporary generators at six of seven stores to minimize product loss. Only the separate pharmacy building on North Anthony was not covered by a generator power due to technical challenges."
That pharmacy, adjacent to but separate from the Scott's at 3105 N. Anthony Blvd., has been in limbo since the neighboring Scott's was closed May 17 after inspection revealed what the company has called a structural problem. The company has said everyone who worked at the closed Scott's has been offered work at other Kroger or Scott's locations, but the future of the store is uncertain.
Elliott said in four stores in South Bend and New Castle also had power knocked out by the effect of the storm that blew across a wide front in northern Indiana. He said the amount of food lost varied from store to store; the total lost is not known yet.
As of Tuesday, only two stores remained on generators -- in New Haven and on West State Boulevard, he said.
