The building that housed the south metro’s last remaining Kowalski’s grocery store, which closed earlier this year, is poised to become a place of worship despite concerns from some Eagan residents.

River Valley Church intends to move its operations to 1646 Diffley Road, where it will provide worship services, Sunday School programs and weekly Bible studies after a conditional use permit was approved by the Eagan City Council earlier this month.

The nearly 39,000-square-foot building is to be owned and managed by commercial real estate firm Hempel Real Estate, with River Valley Church acting as the tenant.

According to the proposal, the building will have a maximum occupancy of 400 people and will include a 1,000-square-foot café to be open to the public and a 6,000-square-foot commissary kitchen that will be used to prepare food “for off-site distribution primarily to local schools and operated by the same restaurateur as the café.”

The area, located at the corner of Diffley Road and Johnny Cake Ridge Road, is zoned for “neighborhood business” and includes a gas station, drug store, gym, nail salon and banks.

Community concerns

Prior to the approval, Eagan residents wrote to city council members with concerns that ranged from traffic and noise pollution to objections over a religious institution where they would prefer additional retail.

A petition organized by nearby residents said, “We believe that maintaining the former Kowalski’s storefront as a retail space aligns with the best interests of our community and ensures the continued economic growth and cultural richness of our neighborhood.” The petition included over 140 signatures.

Some residents who wrote in emphasized the potential strain on traffic and how it could affect other businesses in the area.

“This proposal will lead to potentially 400 people attempting to enter and exit this location all at the same time and will create unsafe traffic conditions on Diffley Road and major congestion on Johnny Cake Ridge Road,” wrote Margaret Jacot. “This will also prevent people from patronizing the other businesses at this site.”

Other community members wrote in with concerns about River Valley Church, which is a part of the Assemblies of God denomination, due to their beliefs.

“My family and our neighbors appreciate the quiet and inclusive community we have created and do not want outside organizations known for their non-inclusive opinions and policies,” wrote Beth Bishop.

“Churches can definitely be a positive part of a neighborhood. But this church is not shy about their very negative stance on LGBTQ+ people,” wrote Eagan resident Rebecca Ruddy.

According to the position papers of the Assemblies of God, “Sexual acts outside of marriage are prohibited as sinful.” The statement goes on to define sexual acts outside of marriage to include “adultery, fornication, incest, bestiality, pornography, prostitution, voyeurism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, sodomy, polygamy, polyamory or same-sex sexual acts.”

River Valley Church did not respond to a request for comment.

Founded in 1995, River Valley has 11 church locations near the Twin Cities including Apple Valley, Lakeville, Minneapolis and Woodbury.

“I think a lot of people would prefer to see a grocery store or restaurant,” said Councilmember Gary Hansen at the July 2 city council meeting.

“Philosophically, I have some concerns,” Hansen said. “To give voice to the concerns that have been expressed, I am going to vote no.”

The other four members of the council voted in favor of the permit.

Shifting addresses

With approval for the new location, the church plans to leave its current Eagan building at 875 Blue Gentian Road, where it was operating under an Interim Use Permit which expired this month, according to the proposal.

The Kowalski’s store, which opened in 2008, closed Feb. 24 of this year “after seeing disappointing sales after numerous grocery stores opened in Eagan,” according to a letter submitted to Eagan city officials from Hempel Real Estate.

“We do not take this decision lightly,” said Kris Kowalski-Christiansen, CEO of the grocer, about the closure in February. “We have done business in and partnered with the wonderful Eagan community for 16 years.”

Now the nearest Kowalski’s for south metro residents is 11 miles away on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue.

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