Keller's IGA set to reopen

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Keller’s IGA store located in Clifton will reopen under new ownership.

Friday, the sale of the store was announced by John Vierling and Charlie Dugger.

Steve Goessling who owns three other IGA grocery stores including one in Reading signed a sale agreement.  A closing date is planned for the end of the month.

"It is great news," said Titus Nzioki owner of Kilimanjaro African Heritage store.

He told 9News that foot traffic has diminished since Keller's closed.

"We would come out here every day hoping to see if anything changed with the store," explained Nzioki.

The State of Ohio Department of Taxation revoked Keller's Vendor’s License and closed the store.

The deal is reported to be worth between $1 and 1.5 million.

"Now that it has been or is about to be replaced by another grocery store it is good for the neighborhood," said Dan Ames a Clifton resident.

A spokeswoman for the current owners told 9News that Keller’s explored many options for restructuring their debt, but in the end, they came up short.

She said the two turned down other offers in a move that would secure a grocery store in the neighborhood.