The former Kmart building in St. John will become a Jewel-Osco, according to Bill Manousopoulos, town manager.

In a Facebook post, he said that, since the Kmart's closure in 2012, the town has been looking for a replacement. After a year of discussions with DeMao Retail, the site is expected to become a a Jewel-Osco. DeMao is a commercial real estate and leasing company.

“After 12 years of standing vacant, the former Kmart building in St. John will finally find new life as a Jewel-Osco thanks to the dedicated and collaborative efforts of the current Town Council, clerk-treasurer and DeMao Retail,” Manousopoulos said. “Since its closure in 2012, the empty building became an enduring challenge for the town even as St. John experienced exponential growth.”

He also said the new grocery store will bring jobs and revenue to the town.

Jewel-Osco has four stores in Indiana, including Chesterton, Crown Point, Dyer and Munster. It has 188 stores in the Chicago area, Indiana and Iowa. It is a part of Albertsons Inc., which employs more than 265,000 people nationwide.

Jewel-Osco's roots date back as far as 1899 when door-to-door salesmen sold tea and coffee from wagons. Jewel acquired Osco Drugs in the 1960s.