New Full-Service Grocery Store Coming to Downtown Fort Wayne

Developer Chuck Surack shares details on the 30,000-square-foot store set to open in 2027.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Downtown Fort Wayne will soon get a new full-service grocery store, Mayor Sharon Tucker announced during her State of the City address. Developer Chuck Surack of Surack Enterprises said the store will occupy the former Perfection Bakery building on Pearl Street and span at least 30,000 square feet, including a meat market, deli, and bakery. The new grocery store is expected to open in the spring of 2027.

Why it matters

Downtown Fort Wayne residents and workers have long requested a full-service grocery option in the city center. The new store will provide much-needed access to fresh food and everyday essentials for the growing downtown population, improving walkability and quality of life in the area.

The details

Demolition is already underway inside the former Perfection Bakery building that will house the new grocery store. Surack said the store will be "somewhat along the lines of Fresh Market or Aldi" and will offer a full range of grocery items, including a meat market, deli, and bakery. Construction on the project is set to officially begin next month.

  • Mayor Tucker announced the new grocery store during her State of the City address on February 12, 2026.
  • Demolition on the former Perfection Bakery building has already begun.
  • Construction on the new 30,000-square-foot grocery store will officially start next month.
  • The grocery store is expected to open in the spring of 2027.

The players

Chuck Surack

The developer of Surack Enterprises, who is overseeing the new downtown Fort Wayne grocery store project.

Mayor Sharon Tucker

The mayor of Fort Wayne, who announced the new downtown grocery store during her State of the City address.

Carly Buchanan

A downtown Fort Wayne resident and worker who says the new grocery store will be "really beneficial" for families.

Paul Marinko

The owner of Kilwins downtown, who says residents have discussed the need for a downtown grocery store for years.

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What they’re saying

“It will be a full-fledged grocery store. Somewhat along the lines of Fresh Market or Aldi or those kind of things.”

— Chuck Surack, Developer (21alivenews.com)

“I have kids, so, you know, you're always trying to get things done, either to work or from work. Having that option downtown will be really beneficial.”

— Carly Buchanan, Downtown Resident and Worker (21alivenews.com)

“Yeah they've talked about it but nobody has pulled the trigger, like to have a nice downtown grocer that people can walk to, so walkability in this area is super important.”

— Paul Marinko, Owner, Kilwins Downtown (21alivenews.com)

What’s next

Construction on the new downtown Fort Wayne grocery store is set to officially begin next month, with the store expected to open in the spring of 2027.

The takeaway

The new full-service grocery store in downtown Fort Wayne will provide much-needed access to fresh food and everyday essentials for the growing downtown population, addressing a long-standing request from residents and workers for a walkable grocery option in the city center.