A developer will break ground next month on the much-anticipating Jewl-Osco project that is reviving the long-vacant Kmart in St. John.

Indianapolis-based DeMao Retail, which also developed the new BMV branch in Merrillville, will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. Sept. 4 at the planned Jewel-Osco grocery store at 9548 Wicker Ave.

Jewel-Osco, which also has locations in Dyer, Munster, Crown Point and Chesterton, plans to convert the 70,000-square-foot big-box storefront into a supermarket with a full-service pharmacy with a drive-thru and a Starbucks.

“This project is a direct result of collaboration between Jewel-Osco, local leaders and the development team,” DeMao Retail owner Jennifer Hallgarth said. “It’s exciting to see this vision for enhancing retail in Saint John come to

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