Kroger remains the top grocery store for Columbus-area residents, per the latest data from the sales-tracking firm Chain Store Guide.

Why it matters: The area's 10 leading grocery chains are competing for loyal shoppers who are increasingly likely to spend their money on dining out instead.

• People spent 21% more on dining out than they did on groceries last year, Axios' Nathan Bomey reports.

State of play: Cincinnati-based Kroger, with dozens of stores throughout the region, dominated with 38.9% of our local market share in 2022.

• That's almost double No. 2 Walmart, which grew slightly from an 18.8% market share in 2021 to 20.7% last year.
• Meijer, Giant Eagle and Costco once again round out the top five.

Zoom out: Walmart is the nation's No. 1 chain, with 25.2% of the national market share, and is the top grocer in Cleveland.

Yes, but: In many cities, local and regional favorites can give the big box stores a run for their money, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Erin Davis report.

• Regional chain Kroger is also the leading grocer in fellow Axios Local cities Atlanta, Detroit and Nashville.

The intrigue: Kroger isn't just for grocery shopping anymore. Three area stores — in Clintonville, Dublin and Gahanna — now offer food halls with to-go dining. That's in addition to the clothing, furniture and home decor that Kroger Marketplace stores have started offering in recent years.

What we're watching: Three local Whole Foods Market stores combine for a small slice of our area's market share, but that may change soon.

• Amazon, which acquired Whole Foods in 2017, wants to dramatically expand the grocery wing of its commerce empire, Richard Collings and Kimberly Chin write for Axios Pro Retail Deals (🔒).

📬 Flashback: We learned that Kroger was also our readers' preference in a 2021 survey.

• But if you're a newer subscriber, we want to know: Is Kroger your favorite too? Why? Or do you shop somewhere else? Hit reply.

🚂 Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw gave Ohio lawmakers his "personal commitment" Tuesday that the railroad will assist with the East Palestine derailment cleanup and investigation. (Ohio Capital Journal)

📖 Columbus artist David Butler's new children's book, "Where Love Lives," captures a close bond between father and son. (Matter News)

🍺 The Short North patio space between Oddfellows and Mikey's Late Night Slice will be transformed into a biergarten that's expected to open by summer. (614 Magazine)

🧑‍🏫 The latest state budget proposal calls for raising the minimum annual teacher salary to $40,000, up from $30,000. (Dispatch)

Yesterday, we invited you to guess the location of this colorful mural.

• Lots of you correctly answered that it's in the Old Hilliard neighborhood near Station Park.

Flashback: Artist Sarah Hout spray painted balloons lifting houses into the sky in homage to the Pixar movie "Up," ThisWeek news reported last June.

• It's a fitting theme since the mural is on the side wall of Ross Realtors.

👏 Congratulations to reader Tony F., winner of today's photo quiz and free Axios swag!

Did you happen to notice the rain barrel next to the Hilliard mural?

Driving the news: It's one of 21 such barrels designed by fifth grade students at Brown Elementary.

• The barrels are scattered around downtown Hilliard as part of an Earth Month scavenger hunt through the end of April.
• You can follow hints to help find them, or cheat with this Google Map.

🚶‍♂️ Tyler's take: Pick a warm day to find them all, then reward yourself with some coffee or custard.

Be smart: The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District encourages use of rain barrels to help reduce stormwater runoff.

• Rebates are even available to buy one for your backyard — you can use what you collect to water your garden or indoor plants.

💼 Check out who's hiring now.

1. Director, Treasury Advisory at Chatham Financial.
2. Director, Commercial Excellence (ATS Business Model) at ATS.
3. Sr. Director, MSAT and Operations at Mix Talent.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Ahead of Earth Day on Saturday, here are some events where you can care for and celebrate our planet (free unless noted):

🌳 Browse volunteer opportunities through Green Columbus and local nonprofit Besa, including litter cleanups, park beautification and tree planting.

• Today to April 29.

🎣 Fish for your dinner and plant trees and pollinator plants at Linden Park.

• Saturday, 9am-noon, 1350 Briarwood Ave.

🥕 Learn how to live green at EcoFest, featuring a farmers market, bike ride and other eco-friendly offerings.

• Saturday, 9am-1pm, in the Town Center, 3359 Park St., Grove City.

🦁 Enjoy kid-friendly activities at the Columbus Zoo and learn how your actions impact animals worldwide.

• Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm. $17-30. Kids under 3 free!

♻️ Visit transformed terrain at Schneider Park, a former landfill that's hosting an Earth and Arbor Days Celebration.

• Saturday, 10am-1pm, 2130 Astor Ave., Bexley.

Three more events

We may be feeling the squeeze of "stampflation," but some of you say it's well worth the cost because a piece of thoughtful snail mail is priceless.

What you're saying:

Toni S.: "There's no substitute for sending a handwritten thank-you note or sympathy/thinking of you card. So I will pay whatever a stamp costs and cut back somewhere else in the budget."

Ann A.: "I LOVE handwritten thank-you notes. I mean, if Princess Diana could find the time to send them, why can't we? A few more pennies to brighten someone's day is worth it."

💭 Alissa's thought bubble: This is why I've started to include handwritten thank-you notes when I mail readers their photo quiz prizes.

• It may be old-fashioned, but we want you to know we appreciate your subscription!