McKINNEY, Texas — Residents in McKinney will soon see another change to their neighborhood grocery options as the Kroger store located near El Dorado Parkway and Lake Forest Drive prepares to close its doors on March 7.

The date was confirmed by a longtime store employee, marking the second Kroger closure in the city within a year. In June 2025, the company shut down its University Drive location, citing broader operational efficiency efforts at the time.As of publication, Kroger has not released a public statement specifically addressing the El Dorado and Lake Forest store closure.

Employees to Be Offered Transfers

A veteran employee who has worked at the store for 23 years said staff members were informed they would be given opportunities to transfer to other Kroger locations in the area. “All employees will be offered the opportunity to move to other stores,” the employee said. While the transition may reduce his commute time, he described the change as emotionally difficult after spending more than two decades in the same store environment. “I’m sad because I won’t know many people I will be working with,” he said. “I will have to get to know my customers again.” He added that workers were not provided with a specific reason for the closure.

Community Reaction Spreads Online

News of the closure began circulating after a local resident shared the information in community social media groups, prompting widespread reactions from McKinney residents. Many described the store as convenient, dependable and familiar, even as newer grocery competitors such as H-E-B and Market Street have entered the area in recent years. Comments from residents reflected both surprise and disappointment, with several noting their long-standing relationships with store employees. Some residents also pointed out that another Kroger remains nearby at the intersection of El Dorado Parkway and Custer Road.

Pharmacy Services to Be Relocated

For many customers, the store’s pharmacy is a critical service. According to the employee, prescription accounts will be automatically transferred to the Kroger at El Dorado and Custer. Details regarding the timeline of the transfer and whether customers will receive direct notifications have not yet been confirmed.

Second Closure in Less Than a Year

This closure follows Kroger’s June 2025 shutdown of its University Drive store in McKinney. At that time, the company described the decision as part of an effort to streamline operations and operate more efficiently, with affected employees offered transfers. It remains unclear whether the upcoming closure is directly tied to the same initiative.

Broader Company Strategy

While Kroger has not provided store-specific reasoning, company leadership has recently discussed plans to refine operations across its network. Executives have emphasized a focus on strengthening high-performing stores, reviewing assets and adjusting their footprint where necessary. The company has also noted shifts in its online grocery and delivery strategy, increasingly relying on store-based fulfillment models. Whether those broader strategies apply directly to this McKinney location has not been confirmed.

A Familiar Place Coming to an End

For employees and customers alike, the closure represents more than a retail change. Long-standing routines, relationships and everyday familiarity built over decades will soon come to an end at this location. As March 7 approaches, residents will need to adjust where they shop for groceries and manage pharmacy needs, while employees prepare for a transition to new stores and new teams.

The closing underscores how retail and grocery landscapes continue to evolve in fast-growing North Texas communities.