EDMONTON, Ky. — The future of Edmonton’s proposed grocery store is uncertain after regional officials said they were told Houchens Food Group had backed out of the project, while Metcalfe County Judge/Executive Larry Wilson said there has been no formal or verbal withdrawal from the company.
Houchens was selected Sept. 17 to receive a public grant aimed at helping bring a full-service grocery store back to Edmonton.
The $1.25 million grant program was created jointly by the City of Edmonton and Metcalfe County, with the Barren River Area Development District overseeing the application and selection process. The selected grocer would be required to operate at the location for at least five years.
According to BRADD, Houchens was the only eligible applicant for the project. The company submitted renderings of the proposed store and a business plan that officials found satisfactory for long-term success.
BRADD said it contacted Houchens after the Sept. 17 selection to finalize plans for announcing the company’s selection. After one phone call and a brief email exchange, Houchens said it would provide information for a media release, but BRADD said it had been unable to make contact since.
Brennan Crain
BRADD said it has now been told by the City of Edmonton that Houchens had backed out of the project because of negative comments on Facebook.
The city has been waiting for either a letter accepting the grant or a letter withdrawing from the project, according to BRADD.
Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith also told BRADD that he had contacted a local newspaper to provide a statement about the situation.
But Wilson said the situation is not settled.
In a Facebook post, Wilson said he had traveled Tuesday to meet with people involved with the project and had not received confirmation that Houchens was withdrawing.
“I HAVE NOT been satisfied with what has been told,” Wilson said. “As far as that, there has been no verbal message that says they are not coming.”
Wilson also said he received confirmation that Houchens had signed a five-year lease for the former IGA property in Edmonton. Work was underway Tuesday on the parking lot at the former IGA location, Wilson said.
“Don't give up yet,” he said.
Wilson said he remains committed to bringing a grocery store to Metcalfe County and plans to continue meeting with people face to face to determine what is happening with the project.
“I know we can support a grocery and I am not going to stop until we have one,” he said.
Wilson also said he is exploring another option for bringing a grocery store to the county but declined to provide details.
“This old dog has another pot on the back burner,” Wilson wrote. “I will not discuss that pot so please don’t ask.”
Edmonton has been without a full-service grocery store for months, and city officials have made finding a grocer a priority.
Houchens representatives previously attended an Edmonton City Council meeting in November 2025 to discuss the community’s needs, and the company later completed a feasibility study related to the community.
For now, it remains unclear whether Houchens intends to move forward with the project.
BRADD said it is committed to helping Edmonton and Metcalfe County however local officials choose to proceed, but said additional information will likely need to come from Houchens or Mayor Smith.
Wilson said he will provide an update when he has more information.
“As I said, I am not done shaking the bushes, but it won't be by phone,” Wilson wrote. “I will go face to face.”
Houchens Food Group did not respond to a request for comment.
