By Randy Tucker
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kroger Co. has agreed to buy six stores in Illinois from bankrupt Eagle Food Centers for an undisclosed price.

Kroger said the deal is expected to close this month, when the Cincinnati-based supermarket chain - the nation's largest - would take over Eagle stores in Decatur, Lincoln, Ottawa, Sterling and Rockford (two).

Eagle, which filed for bankruptcy in April and is auctioning off stores in Illinois and Iowa, Thursday said it has sold 19 of its Illinois stores to seven grocers.

The stores that Kroger has agreed to buy average 41,000 square feet and will become part of the company's central division, which operates 142 stores in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Michigan.

"These markets offer important growth opportunities for Kroger and added convenience for our customers, who can expect to see great prices, wider variety and many improved services," said Lisa Holsclaw, president of Kroger's central division. "Kroger plans to interview Eagle employees and looks forward to their help in serving our new customers."

Albertson's, the nation's second-biggest grocery chain, has agreed to buy five of Eagle's Illinois stores.

Eight others have been sold to local and regional companies, including Butera Finer Foods, SVT Co., J.B. Sullivan and Supermercado El Guero De Aurora.

E-mail rtucker@enquirer.com