The new Kroger Marketplace in Rincon is set to open today at 7 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. The new store is 123,000 square-feet and with it comes 250-300 new jobs for Effingham County.

“We look forward to hosting the grand opening event and providing our customers with many new amenities that will enhance their shopping experience,” said Glynn Jenkins, public relations director for Kroger’s Atlanta division.

The new Kroger Marketplace will have many new features the current Kroger did not have, including a Starbucks and a bistro with chef-prepared hot and cold meals.

Included in the Rincon Kroger Marketplace are rejuvenated deli, bakery, floral, and beer and wine departments. The Kroger fuel center, also a part of the new Marketplace, has been open since December.

“It’s great for our city,” said Rincon Mayor Ken Lee, who retired as manager of the Rincon Kroger in 2014. “To be honest, for them to build a store, their most up-to-date model, in Rincon is quite an accomplishment. I think they realized the potential for our area, and not just Rincon. That store is going to pull from miles around.”

Lee also believes the new Kroger Marketplace could lure shoppers from west Chatham County into Rincon and Effingham, rather than Effingham residents going into Pooler.

“I think we’ll see that reversed a little bit,” he said.

The new Marketplace also could attract other retail outlets, Lee added.

“That will be the kind of facility that will encourage other retailers and operators,” he said. “It will prompt some people to come in. It will be a big plus for us in tax revenue.”

The new store also will offer a new service called ClickList. Clicklist is a service that will provide customers with the ease of placing orders online and picking up their groceries at a time and location convenient for them. Customers will be able to shop for more than 40,000 items across the entire store on ClickList, including fresh produce, meat and seafood, dairy and frozen products. The ClickList service will launch in late June.

As part of the grand opening, Kroger will donate $500 to South Effingham High School, Effingham County High School and Rincon Elementary School. Kroger also will present a $500 gift card to a non-profit organization that helps feed people in need in the Rincon community.

A mural by Letha Carrico-Wood will be unveiled at the grand opening that displays the history of Rincon and Effingham County.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of bringing a Marketplace to the Rincon community,” said Tom Coburn, store manager. “The store will provide the products, amenities and lower prices our customers appreciate, and we look forward to serving this community for many years to come.”

Other Kroger Marketplace locations in Georgia include Athens, Carrollton, Gainesville, Savannah and Warner Robins.

The new Kroger Marketplace takes the place of a 44,000 square foot store on Highway 21 and Silverwood Drive. The company purchased 19.11 acres to build its new store.