The grocery store is new construction and replaced a dilapidated shuttered K-Mart located at Bannister Rd and Hillcrest in South Kansas City. The developer LR- Kansas City 1, LLC based in California had originally purchased the entire 100,000 sqft building for climate controlled storage; however, the City of Kansas City, Missouri required 50,000 sqft be utilized for additional retail to bolster economic development near the new Cerner Campus.

In addition to acting as the incentive consultant, Sunflower Development Group also acted as the owner’s representative throughout construction. The 49,000 sqft full service Price Chopper replaced a 40 year old 30,000 sqft Price Chopper that is located miles from the site, but faced imminent closure due to deferred maintenance. This project is a win-win-win for the community by all measures since it eliminated a food desert, created both construction jobs and created permanent jobs, maintained existing jobs and created additional revenue for the City and Hickman Mills School District that otherwise wouldn’t exist.

In addition, the development team worked directly with the Hickman Mills School District to create jobs for Hickman Mills students and parents. They also work with students to mentor them in leadership and to teach them  about careers in the grocery industry.