By Ken Alltucker
Enquirer staff writer

Specialty grocer Trader Joe's and retail chain David's Bridal will open their first Greater Cincinnati locations this fall at the former Office Max store in Kenwood.

Developer Midland Atlantic recently purchased the empty storefront near the intersection of Montgomery and Kenwood roads for $4.5 million. Construction has started with plans to divide and renovate the vacant 23,000-square-foot building into two storefronts with new facades and signs.

Both retailers are expected to open this fall, said John Silverman, managing principal of Midland Atlantic. "We believe the intersection of Kenwood and Montgomery, if not the best location, is certainly one of the top three locations in Cincinnati," he said.

Representatives of Monrovia, Calif.-based Trader Joe's Co. and Conshohocken, Pa.-based David's Bridal Inc. couldn't be reached Tuesday.

Sycamore Township Zoning Administrator Greg Bickford said the stores would fit well into Kenwood.

Trader Joe's, which operates more than 215 stores nationwide, offers a choice of health and organic foods. It also carries wine - including a group of well-reviewed bottlings produced by California's Charles Shaw winery that Trader Joe's often sells for $1.99 a bottle, earning the moniker of "Two Buck Chuck."

David's Bridal, owned by the May Department Stores chain, sells wedding and special-occasion apparel.

Kenwood's stretch of strip malls, restaurants and shops has received lots of attention from deep-pocketed developers in recent months.

Los Angeles-based RPP Properties spent $61.5 million this summer to buy the Sycamore Plaza shopping center across from Kenwood Towne Centre. The center already boasts Barnes & Noble and Dick's Sporting Goods, and RPP plans a makeover that will include more green space and some new tenants, Bickford said.

General Growth Properties is investing millions in a makeover of Kenwood Towne Centre.

E-mail kalltucker@enquirer.com