Olathe, Kansas, October 12, 2025
Dillons
Dillons is a prominent grocery chain based in Hutchinson, Kansas, with a history spanning over 100 years. Owned by Kroger, a Cincinnati-based grocery giant, Dillons has been a significant player in the regional grocery market since its early days in the 1980s. After closing its Kansas City area locations in 2008, Dillons is now making a strategic comeback with plans to invest $40 million in establishing a new Dillons Marketplace in Olathe, Kansas. This revival aims to reconnect with the community, offering fresh products, modern amenities, and creating numerous job opportunities. The company’s commitment to enhancing the shopping experience reflects its long-term vision for growth and regional support.
News Summary
Dillons, a grocery chain from Hutchinson, is returning to the Kansas City market with a $40 million investment in a new store in Olathe. The store will be located at College Boulevard and South Valley Road, promising an enhanced shopping experience with fresh products and modern amenities. Local leaders, including Olathe Mayor John Bacon, see this as a beneficial development for the community, which has long awaited the chain’s return. Dillons aims to create job opportunities and positively impact the locality’s grocery shopping landscape.
Olathe Welcomes Dillons Grocery Chain Back With $40 Million Investment
Dillons, a Hutchinson-based grocery chain, has announced its return to the Kansas City market nearly two decades after closing its last local locations. The new store is poised to be a Dillons Marketplace situated at the intersection of College Boulevard and South Valley Road in Olathe, Kansas. The company is investing $40 million in the construction, sitework, infrastructure, and workforce for this new location.
Steve Dreher, President of the Dillons Stores Division, expressed enthusiasm about expanding into the Kansas City area once again. The announcement has been received positively by local leaders, including Olathe Mayor John Bacon, who described the planned store as a “huge win for our community.” City officials are currently working closely with Dillons to finalize the details necessary for this new addition to the area.
The construction plans for the new Dillons Marketplace reflect a strong community interest in the chain’s return. Olathe residents can expect an enhanced shopping experience featuring a variety of fresh products and modern amenities, aligning with customer preferences in the area.
Dillons’ History in the Kansas City Area
Dillons has a storied history in the Kansas City region that dates back to the early 1980s. However, the grocery chain had to close its locations in the area by 2008, marking a significant absence from the local grocery landscape. The planned opening of the new Olathe store is seen as a reconnection with a market that previously supported the chain.
Furthermore, the timing of this announcement comes just after the grand opening of a Dillons store at The Crossings at KU in Lawrence, which is scheduled for October 17. The strategic positioning of the new Olathe store site near several schools is expected to enhance its accessibility and customer base, contributing to a positive economic impact on the community.
Owned by Kroger, a Cincinnati-based grocery chain, Dillons has been in business for over 100 years. The company’s commitment to investing in the Kansas City market demonstrates a long-term vision for growth in a region with a rich history of supporting local grocery chains.
Key Features of the New Dillons Marketplace in Olathe
The new store aims to offer a variety of fresh products, with modern amenities geared toward enhancing the overall shopping experience. The investment in infrastructure and workforce is expected to create numerous job opportunities while fulfilling the demand for quality grocery services in the Olathe community.
Future Developments and Community Impact
The Dillons Marketplace in Olathe represents a significant step toward revitalizing the grocery shopping experience in the Kansas City area. As city officials collaborate with Dillons to bring this project to fruition, the community is looking forward to welcoming the grocery chain back and benefiting from the socio-economic advantages it promises to bring.
FAQ
When is Dillons opening the new store in Olathe?
The specific opening date for the new Dillons Marketplace in Olathe has not been announced yet, but the announcement follows the grand opening of a Dillons store at The Crossings at KU in Lawrence, scheduled for October 17.
How much money is Dillons investing in the new store?
Dillons is announcing a $40 million investment for the building, sitework, infrastructure, and workforce at the Olathe location.
What amenities will the new Dillons Marketplace offer?
The Dillons Marketplace aims to enhance the shopping experience with a variety of fresh products and modern amenities.
Key Features of Dillons Marketplace
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Investment | $40 million for building, sitework, infrastructure, and workforce |
| Location | Intersection of College Boulevard and South Valley Road, Olathe, Kansas |
| Store Type | Dillons Marketplace |
| Amenities | Variety of fresh products and modern shopping amenities |
| Community Impact | Create job opportunities and enhance local grocery shopping |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KCTV5: Kansas grocery chain works with Olathe leaders to plan metro area comeback
- KSHB: Grocer Dillons set to return to Kansas City market with store in Olathe
- Fox4KC: Dillons Marketplace returns to KC metro as part of multi-million dollar expansion
- Kansas City Star: Dillons grocery chain plans big comeback
- Kansas Reflector: Dillons collaborating on COVID-19 vaccination incentive
- Wikipedia: Dillons
- Google Search: Dillons grocery
- Google Scholar: Dillons supermarket
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dillons
- Google News: Dillons grocery Olathe
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
