'Murder Kroger' Shuts Doors for Final Time, Customers Hold Candlelight Vigil

After several attempts to rebrand the store's image and shrug off its unfortunate nickname, the infamous "Murder Kroger" grocery store closed its doors for the final time Thursday night.

Loyal customers who said they will miss the store gathered outside for a candlelight vigil to say a final goodbye.

The grocery store first received the nickname "Murder Kroger" in 1991 when a woman was murdered in the parking lot. Two other murders happened between 2002 and 2014, when the company completely remodeled the store and tried to rebrand its image with the nickname "Beltline Kroger."

Unfortunately, the store was never fully able to shake its reputation as being the "Murder Kroger," and so the store finally called it quits on Thursday night, as people gathered for a final hurrah, reports outlets like CBS 46 and Curbed Atlanta.

However, all hope is not lost for the Kroger site. As Atlanta Business Chronicle reports, plans are already underway to demolish the old store and rebuild, as a mixed-use office tower and brand-new, 60,000-square-foot Kroger store. The new development, to be built by New City LLC and The Kroger Co., will be named simply "725 Ponce."

Demolition of the old Kroger store could begin as soon as mid-November, and the new Kroger store at 725 Ponce could be open by 2019.

Artist's rendering of new 725 Ponce development courtesy of New City LLC and The Kroger Co.