Rome businessman Randolph Oswalt, longtime owner of Warehouse Beverage, 2558 Shorter Ave., has closed on his acquisition of the Kroger west shopping center, 2448 Shorter Ave.

The new name of the shopping center will be Ozzie’s Plaza, a tribute to Oswalt’s father, who owned Ozzie’s Steak House on Martha Berry Boulevard for more than two decades half a century ago. Oswalt’s friend Howard Alexander, who owns Howard Realty, will handle the leasing and management of the shopping center.

“We want to turn this center back into a neighborhood center that will serve the people of West Rome and become an asset to the largest residential area of Rome,” Alexander said.

Rome’s R.L. Ledbetter Properties developed the complex more than 20 years ago. The West Rome Kroger closed five years ago when the company consolidated its Rome business in the new Riverbend Center. Since that time, the Shorter Avenue center has struggled to keep its smaller parcels occupied.

At this time, Sunny Nails, K Cleaners and Great China Restaurant occupy three of the stores.

When Oswalt confirmed that he planned to purchase the shopping center two weeks ago, he said he had no specific plans for the 49,314-square-foot Kroger store but added that there had been some interest expressed in the property.

Oswalt has a long history in the grocery business himself, operating a half dozen Red Diamond convenience-type stores for nearly 20 years.

“I’ve been working on this deal for months and am excited to finally get this project under local control,” Oswalt said. “I feel strongly that I can take this center over and offer a real local flavor to its development and management.”