Former Kroger, Keys Golf Course sold for $4M

PERKINS TWP. — A local businessman finalized a $4 million investment on Monday, buying two noteworthy properties spread across Erie County.Duke Thorson purchased both the former Kroger building on West Perkins Avenue, across from KFC, in Perkins Township and Keys Golf Course & Driving Range on Boos Road in Huron Township.Duke Thorson, the owner of Sandusky-based businesses ThorSport Racing and ThorWorks Industries, purchased the Keys Golf Course & Driving Range property in Huron Township. On Monday, he finalized this transaction along with buying the former Kroger property in Perkins Township for $4 million. Many know Thorson for owning two prominent companies in Sandusky:• ThorSport Racing, an operation in which professional race cars are built, assembled, tested and managed for NASCAR and other reputable organizations• ThorWorks Industries, which specializes in providing eco-friendly protective coatings and equipment for asphalt and concrete pavement, roofing services, foundations, sport surfaces and moreAt the former Kroger property, Thorson wants to expand ThorWorks' fabrication footprint, debuting a new shop there. He plans to keep the company's existing building on Campbell Street, behind ThorSport Racing, open."It's great to utilize an existing property located near our ThorWorks campus to support expansion of the brand that makes up our business, most prominently the SealMaster franchise," ThorWorks spokeswoman Debbie Hufford said.The Kroger fuel center will remain at this site at least through year's end. Sometime in 2018, however, the pumps will move to Kroger's new and current location, on East Perkins Avenue near Big Lots.Plans are unknown for Keys, which shut down all golfing operations earlier this month.No matter what happens there, many people view these real estate transactions as major moves positively impacting the community."This is happening due to the company (experiencing) good business," said Henry "Mac" Lehrer, of Hoty Enterprises, who is Thorson's realtor.Duke Thorson, the owner of Sandusky-based businesses ThorSport Racing and ThorWorks Industries, purchased the Keys Golf Course & Driving Range property in Huron Township. On Monday, he finalized this transaction along with buying the former Kroger property in Perkins Township for $4 million. Making sense of the dollars and centsDuke Thorson, who owns Sandusky-based businesses ThorSport Racing and ThorWorks Industries, finalized the purchase of two area properties.The total investment equals about $4 million, broken down with him paying:• $2.4 million: purchase price for Keys Golf Course & Driving Range on Boos Road• $1.6 million: purchase price for the former Kroger property on West Perkins AvenueSource: Hoty EnterprisesDuke Thorson, the owner of Sandusky-based businesses ThorSport Racing and ThorWorks Industries, purchased the former Kroger property in Perkins Township. On Monday, he finalized this transaction along with buying the Keys Golf Course & Driving Range property in Huron Township for $4 million.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Duke Thorson, the owner of Sandusky-based businesses ThorSport Racing and ThorWorks Industries, purchased the former Kroger property in Perkins Township. On Monday, he finalized this transaction along with buying the Keys Golf Course & Driving Range property in Huron Township for $4 million.