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Kildeer seeks public input as Bronson's explores building a grocery store; city says it may offer a loan platform
Summary
Kildeer city staff said Bronson's (Logan Kessler) has expressed interest in building a grocery store; the city has issued a letter of intent, will host a public input meeting and the JDA meets to discuss potential support. No county financial commitment has been requested.
City of Kildeer community development staff briefed the commission on preliminary discussions about a grocery store project that would bring a grocery to the local market.
Crystal Ressler, Kildeer’s community development director (appointed Oct. 1), said Bronson’s, led by Logan Kessler, approached the city about purchasing a retiring store owner’s property and building a new grocery. The city said it has provided a letter of intent to support the project and the local Joint Development Authority (JDA) planned to meet that evening to discuss next steps. "A grocery store is an essential business in a community," Ressler said, emphasizing local benefits.
Ressler described the city’s current thinking as a loan-platform approach: the city would provide infrastructure and possibly access to lending (a loan rather than full capital construction), while the developer brings private backing, grant applications and other financing. No formal county funding request was presented to the commission; Ressler said the city will hold a public input meeting before making any financial commitment.
Commissioners and residents raised questions about long-term firm commitment by the operator and whether the operator might leave after a few years. Ressler said Bronson’s already owns and operates a store in a nearby town and that logistics and proximity (about an hour) make support more feasible.
Next steps: the JDA will discuss the proposal at its scheduled meeting, the city will hold public input and circulate a fact sheet for residents. If the city seeks county participation later, it will come back to the commission for consideration.
