The 76,000-square-foot store is the second in South Hall and the third in the county for the Cincinnatti-based company.

With a color guard dressed in 1950s attire, the Flowery Branch High School band performed an opening fanfare as Oakwood and Hall County officials cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the opening of the store.

Kroger becomes the second supermarket chain to open at the intersection of Winder Highway and Martin Road. Ingles, an Asheville, N.C., grocer, opened earlier in the summer in the growing area.

"Hall County continues to be a rapidly growing county ... and Kroger is always looking to meet rising consumer demands," said Glynn Jenkins, spokesman for the chain’s Atlanta division. "The (new) store will bring a new level of convenience and service to (area) residents."

The complex features an in-store branch of Community Bank & Trust, which also opened for business Thursday.

The Kroger store is a full-service facility that includes amenities such as a fuel center, a drive-through pharmacy, a floral shop and expanded deli, bakery and natural foods.

Kroger is the largest business in the shopping center, which is divided into four buildings with nearly 40 stores total. Also slated to open soon are RL Salon, Royal Nails & Spa, Great Clips salon, Silver Pear Gift Shop and Gabrielle’s Hair and Tanning Salon.

The company projects the supermarket will serve 15,000 to 17,000 customers each week.

Kroger’s other two Hall County stores are located off Thompson Bridge Road in North Hall and off Spout Springs Road in Braselton.

The Oakwood shopping center is located in the midst of a commercial boom.

Retail and business developments are in the works between Perry and Martin roads and at Perry Road and Winder Highway.