One of Stow’s Giant Eagle locations could be converting to the grocery chain’s upscale Market District format, but few details have been publicly shared about when ‒ and if ‒ the transformation could happen.
Stow Mayor John Pribonic shared in the “Stow Neighbors” Facebook group Aug. 20 that the conversion is “still happening” and said the city has obtained Giant Eagle’s plans to convert its location at 1700 Norton Road in the city to a Market District.
“We just received the new plans,” Pribonic stated in the post.
However, city and company officials haven’t confirmed those plans with the Beacon Journal.
“While we are actively considering opportunities to invest in our Stow Giant Eagle, including the potential to transition the store to a Market District, we have no formal plans to confirm at this time,” Giant Eagle said in a statement provided to the Beacon Journal on Aug. 21.
Pribonic previously notified residents of a store conversion at least as early as October 2024, according to minutes from a city Commission on Inclusion meeting.
Also in October 2024, the Stow Sunshine Project news site quoted Pribonic as saying that Giant Eagle had “been wanting to turn that store into a Market District for some time.”
Zack Cowan, former city planning and development director, shared with the city planning committee in August 2025 that Giant Eagle had no timeline for the conversion, according to committee meeting minutes.
Pribonic and Pete Wearstler, Stow’s current planning and development director, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Private companies are legally protected from sharing a wide range of information with the public. However, as of earlier this year and until Sept. 23, local governments also have no legal obligation to discuss a wide variety of private companies’ plans with the public, given changes this year in state public records law.
Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano wrote in a Columbus Dispatch opinion editorial, “The language is so broad that local officials and public employees may not know what can be shared, when it can be shared or what consequences they could face for getting it wrong.”
What is Market District?
Market District is a Giant Eagle brand that carries specialty foods. The branded stores employ professional chefs, butchers, fish- and cheese-mongers, bakers and cake decorators and wine and beer consultants, according to the Market District website.
There are currently two Market Districts in Summit County: one at 2687 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls and another at 1700 Corporate Woods Parkway in Green. Farther north, Market District operates in Solon, Strongsville and Westlake.
Market District also engages in local partnerships – including one with a Jackson High School graduate who launched a plant-based condiment company called Sauce Revival with a college friend. That brand will be available in 25 Market District stores, including the Green and Cuyahoga Falls locations, starting Sept. 3.
Additionally, Local Market Districts carry products from Akron Honey and Akron-based Vigeo Gardens, according to Market District’s website.
For now, Giant Eagle operating independently of Kroger, including in Stow
The acquisition of the Giant Eagle grocery chain by Cincinnati-based grocer Kroger is still in early stages, with the companies currently remaining separate, Kroger spokeswoman Erin Rolfes said via email. She referred questions about the Stow store to Giant Eagle.
Giant Eagle, which is based in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, will retain its name following the Kroger acquisition. Rolfes previously said the companies expect the $1.65 billion deal – encompassing 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies – to close in 2027.
Owner of Stow property has Pittsburgh-area ties
The owner of the 1700 Norton Road property is listed in Summit County Fiscal Office records as Simmerwood Associates LP. Ohio Secretary of State’s Office records show Simmerwood shares at least partial ownership with ECHO Realty, a Pittsburgh-area based developer that the Pittsburgh Business Times reported is “a major Giant Eagle landlord.”
Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at pwilliams@usatodayco.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @pwilliamsOH. Sign up for the Beacon Journal’s business and consumer newsletter, “What’s The Deal?”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Is Stow getting a Giant Eagle Market District?
Reporting by Patrick Williams, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Patrick Williams, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
