Amidst a budget deficit ... a bright spot emerges.

Morton might finally have that grocery store that was so heavily desired during 2008’s liquor ordinance debates.

And, Morton Mayor Norm Durflinger is “thrilled to death.”

Floats and decor swayed early Thursday morning over Morton Kroger as the grocery store celebrated its grand re-opening — a project that came at a cost that nearly equaled the village’s $4.5 million fire station.

Durflinger, unable to attend the event, could not believe the news.

“Wait, how much?” he asked.

Morton’s Kroger was on the receiving end of what the The Kroger Co. calls “an ambitious capital investment plan” throughout Illinois and Indiana. Kroger invested $4.1 million toward the renovation and remodeling of the grocery store.

Morton Kroger was targeted in 2008 by the mayor and village trustees during the production of a beer-and-wine-in-grocery-stores ordinance.

In November 2008, Kroger Central Division spokesman John Elliot attended a meeting as the village continued to discuss the creation of the ordinance. Facing tight restrictions regarding the addition of a beer and wine aisle — going as deep as limiting purchases to designated aisles — Elliot was cooperative. Answering a slew of questions from village board trustee Ginger Hermann, Elliot only once asked for breathing room.

“We’re asking for a little flexibility there,” Elliot said during the meeting regarding a half-aisle limitation. “We’re a retailer with experience.”

It was evident that Elliot was on the receiving end of two battles — one with Durflinger to bring back a stronger grocery store, the other with village trustee Ginger Hermann to compromise in the liquor ordinance.

“I was not real kind in my conversations with (Elliot),” said Durflinger.

Durflinger made a push for an improved grocery store during his state-of-the-village speech two years ago. He was not shy in his demands for a better grocery store, Kroger was the target.

Durflinger eventually took Elliot for a car ride through Morton. During the tour, he explained the community’s wants and expectations. Elliot had previously mentioned to Durflinger the company had plans to renovate the local grocery store.

“He told me they were planning on doing renovations,” Durflinger said. He just was not aware of the extent.

“I can’t believe that they spent $4 million on Morton’s store,” he said. “I think it’s extremely big.”

In a push for additional revenue sources, retail income is at the top of Durflinger’s list. Residents’ spending habits have been elusive to the community. Durflinger previously said the village was “bleeding retail.”

Durflinger is interested in capturing additional sales tax revenue for the village.

“I really don’t want (residents) to leave town to do their shopping,” he said.