The closures represent a significant shift for the grocery chain, which had hoped to reinvent its restaurant concept as a new way to attract customers.
The long-standing grocery chain announced the closures in a social media post, stating that both locations will serve their final meals on Thursday.
The company did not provide a specific reason for the shutdowns, but described it as a “difficult decision” in a statement.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support and loyalty throughout the years,” a Kroger spokesperson said.
Kroger will maintain its third Kitchen 1883 location in downtown Cincinnati, near its corporate headquarters.
Kroger’s first full-service restaurant, Kitchen 1883, opened in Union, Kentucky, in 2017.
The concept centered on American comfort food, with a strong emphasis on hospitality and exceptional service.
The idea was to provide customers with a place to eat a sit-down meal that reflected Kroger’s overall efforts to elevate its brand and customer experience.
Following the success of the Union location, Kroger established a second Kitchen 1883 in Anderson Township in 2018.
A third restaurant opened a year later, in 2019, inside a two-story urban-format Kroger store in downtown Cincinnati.
The downtown location, which is still open, is part of On the Rhine Eatery, a food hall with several other dining options.
Despite closing two of the three Kitchen 1883 restaurants, Kroger says it will continue to offer the brand’s food through catering services.
The chain thanked loyal customers, saying their community support over the years had been greatly appreciated.
The closures come as Wegmans, a well-known upscale grocer based in Rochester, New York, makes its own decisions.
Wegmans plans to open a second location of its stylish sushi restaurant, Next Door, in New York City on April 30.
Next Door’s first location, also in Rochester, is well-known for its modern Japanese cuisine.
Wegmans’ foray into the restaurant industry exemplifies a growing trend among grocery chains to diversify into dining experiences.
Kroger is reducing its presence in the upscale grocery and dining market, while Wegmans is increasing its focus.
It remains to be seen whether Kroger will revamp the food hall or introduce new dining concepts in the future.
For the time being, the company is focusing on its core offerings and catering services as it adapts to changing customer preferences and a competitive landscape.
