Balls Food Stores, the employee-owned grocery company behind Hen House Market and Price Chopper, is moving its corporate headquarters to Mission after 103 years based in Kansas City, Kansas.

The company purchased a 12,927-square-foot office building at 5830 Woodson Drive, near Johnson Drive and Woodson Road, according to a press release Wednesday, Aug. 12, from Block & Company, Inc., Realtors. The building will serve as the company's new corporate home, supporting its network of 25 supermarkets across the Kansas City metro, the firm said.

The move marks the first time the grocer will be headquartered in Johnson County.

David M. Block, president and principal of Block & Company, called the transaction a privilege and said the firm was proud to support the company's growth. Block and colleague Will Sanders represented Balls Food Stores in the deal. The sale price was not disclosed.

Founded in 1923 by Sidney and Mollie Ball at 16th and Steward in Kansas City, Kansas, Balls Food Stores operates Hen House Market, Price Chopper, Sun Fresh and Payless Discount Foods locations. The company employs roughly 2,600 people across the region, according to Ingram's magazine, and became 100 percent employee-owned through a stock ownership plan.

The headquarters relocation comes during a leadership transition. In June, the company named Ryan Campbell as president, its first nonfamily leader. Third-generation owner David Ball shifted to chairman of the board. Ball said in June, when he announced the change, that he would "focus my time on identifying acquisition and merger opportunities that will strengthen our future," according to The Shelby Report.

Campbell told the trade publication he was committed to investing in employees, elevating the customer experience and pursuing what he called "smart growth." The company's five-year growth plan is called Project 2030.

Block & Company's press release described Mission as "one of Johnson County's established and well-connected communities," citing the central location as a factor in the site selection.

The former headquarters at 5300 Speaker Road in Kansas City, Kansas, is now listed for sale through Block & Company. No timeline for the physical move to Mission has been announced.