Kroger will conduct ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the 23,000-square-foot expansion of its Rome grocery store Wednesday at 10 a.m.

The expansion gives Kroger more than 89,000 square feet of space in the Riverbend shopping center off Turner McCall Boulevard.

Kroger’s Rome store now features an expanded floral department, a greatly expanded natural foods section, a bistro with chef-prepared meals, gourmet pastries, a fresh sushi bar with cold beverages, an expanded beer and wine department, a much larger meat and seafood section and an enhanced beauty care department.

“Kroger has a long history with the residents in the Rome community,” said Glynn Jenkins, director of the communications and public relations department for the Kroger Atlanta division. “The Rome community is extremely important to us, and expanding the location along with other store improvements will offer even more choices and convenience for our customers.

“Kroger has and continues to remodel stores to suit the unique needs of our customers,” Jenkins said. “The $8 million project provides 23,000 additional square feet.”

The multimillion-dollar investment also includes new décor, upscale elements in service department, and adds more to improve the shopping experience for Kroger customers.

As part of the grand re-opening ceremonies Wednesday morning, Kroger will donate more than $2,000 to help support technology-based programs in both the Rome and Floyd County schools along with Darlington and St. Mary’s Catholic School.

Rome Mayor Evie Mc­Niece, will represent the city during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The renovation was facilitated by the closure of the Hallmark Cards & Gifts store and prompted Led­better Properties, developers of the Riverbend center, to relocate their corporate offices to 106 E. Eight Ave.