Harris Teeter closing store at Golden Gate Shopping Center in Greensboro

Greensboro's Golden Gate Shopping Center is one unique development. It is one of the few shopping centers in the state (if not the country) to be anchored by two full-service grocery stores. One of those stores, Harris Teeter, announced today that they are closing before the end of the month. That store opened as an A&P in 1960, later becoming a Bestway and eventually a Harris Teeter store in 1988. This is their oldest store that is still in operation in town, and has been for well over 20 years.

Harris Teeter's store prior to its current remodel (Bargerconstruction.com)

Harris Teeter's closure of this location will leave virtually no Harris Teeter on the east side of Greensboro. In the past few years they have shuttered other nearby locations such as their store at Executive Square, which originally began as a Kroger, and their store on Summit Avenue at Bessemer, which is now a Compare Foods Market. The Golden Gate store's square footage, approximately 30,000 square feet, and its inability to expand (typical Harris Teeter stores run on average about 48,000 square feet these days) is cited as a reason for this store's closure.

The other grocery store in the shopping center is a Food Lion that opened as a Kroger in 1960. This store is roughly the same size as the Harris Teeter, just over 30,000 square feet, and it will become the sole grocery anchor of the center.
Golden Gate shopping center is one of the closest shopping centers to downtown, and the two stores have been able to compete because its location straddles a line between a middle class area and a very high income area.

Bloom withers in the Carolinas

Food Lion's upscale counterpart Bloom will no longer be a fixture of the grocerying scene in the Charlotte region and in the Upstate of South Carolina. Delhaize America, parent company of Bloom and Food Lion, has announced that the Bloom stores in these two regions will convert to Food Lion stores over the course of the spring. There are currently 16 Bloom stores in the Carolinas: nine in the Charlotte region and eight in the Upstate. 15 of these stores will be converted to Food Lion, and one store in Mauldin, S.C. will close. Bloom currently has 65 stores in total, most of which are in the Washington, D.C. metro area and Hampton Roads area.

It doesn't come as a surprise that Delhaize has decided to convert its Bloom stores in the Carolinas to Food Lion, as Food Lion is a more established brand in this region. Additionally, last year we reported that Bloom's proposed expansion to the Triangle wouldn't happen after all and those stores opened as Food Lion. It will be interesting to watch the impact that the branding change has on the local grocery market. Bloom opened its first store in Charlotte in 2004. In addition to Food Lion and Bloom, grocery stores operated by Delhaize Group in the United States include Hannaford, Harvey's, Bottom Dollar, Reid's and Sweetbay.

Image courtesy Core/Centdev

Could Kroger and/or Publix be headed to Charlotte?

Reuters is reporting that Mauldin, S.C.-based Bi-Lo is up for sale again. If you recall, last year Food Lion was announced as a potential bidder for Bi-Lo until Lone Star Funds, Bi-Lo's parent company, announced that Bi-Lo was no longer for sale. The chain has been teetering on highs and lows, while expanding their stores in some markets such as Columbia they have completely pulled out of other markets like the Triad after selling their stores to the failed Southern Family Markets. Reuters reports that Bi-Lo emerged from bankruptcy in March of this year.

Kroger and Publix are reportedly the top contenders for Bi-Lo. If this is the case, it brings the potential for Publix to enter the Charlotte market and for Kroger to reenter the market. However, we're not sure if this exactly will happen as it might be more likely and logical for grocery stores that are currently in the market to take over stores, most notably stores that already have: Food Lion/Bloom, Super G Mart, Compare Foods. Bi-Lo has closed a number of stores in the Charlotte region in recent times, two on Independence Boulevard, one in Dilworth and one on Little Rock Road to name a few. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see what continues to unfold in the Bi-Lo saga.

Reuters Article

No Bloom for the Triangle; Charlotte store moves forward

Last year we reported that Food Lion's upscale and high-tech spin off, Bloom, would be expanding to North Carolina's Research Triangle area with stores planned in Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville and Clayton. These stores will now open under the Food Lion banner, as Delhaize Group, parent company of Food Lion and Bloom, say they would like to focus on markets that they are currently in like Washington, D.C., Greenville-Spartanburg and Charlotte, before expanding into new markets.

In other Bloom news, their Charlotte store which replaces the former Bi-Lo in Dilworth Crossing is set to open this Wednesday, March 17. What's In Store blog has photos from inside the store.

Grocerying News Updates

Danville's Harris Teeter Closing in March

Last summer, Grocerying had the chance to visit Danville, Virginia and a Harris Teeter that we dubbed "the store that time forgot." As the news of its closing comes as little surprise, it is a blow to the already economically depressed Danville. Danville's grocerying scene now consists of Food Lion, Piggly Wiggly, Aldi, Wal-Mart Supercenter and a few small independents. In recent years Danville has also lost a Kroger, although Kroger still has a presence in nearby Martinsville. The closest Harris Teeter stores will now be in Greensboro, where some employees are transferring to and some customers say they will make the drive. It is worth noting that when we wrote the piece last year we predicted that the Danville store would not last much longer. Read more from the Danville Register & Bee

Wal-Mart now leads the Charlotte market

Wal-Mart has dethroned Harris Teeter as grocery market leader, according to an article published in today's Charlotte Observer. This comes as no surprise either as the Charlotte area's grocerying scene has changed immensely. We've seen stores leave (Winn-Dixie), new stores arrive (Lowes Foods) and a rise in specialty chains (Trader Joe's, Aldi, Compare Foods, Earth Fare) and of course supercenters (Wal-Mart, Target). Aside from Wal-Mart, in terms of number of stores Harris Teeter still dominates the northern and southern end of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, while Food Lion dominates the eastern and western portions. Get the full story from The Charlotte Observer and check out their graphic.

Bi-Lo's Woes & New Strategies

On the heels of Bi-Lo's Chapter 11 Bankruptcy reorganization and almost buyout by Food Lion, the South Carolina based grocery chain is trying a new strategy. The company has struggled to make a niche for itself as a mid-market grocer, so now they are banking on customer loyalty. Bi-Lo has partnered with area BP gas stations to promote usage of Bi-Lo's BonusCard for a program called Fuelperks. Read more about Fuelperks from The Charlotte Business Journal.

In other Bi-Lo news, two Charlotte area stores are slated for closing. Bi-Lo's store on Little Rock Road, which was a former Winn-Dixie, will close in March as will their store in Indian Trail off Independence Boulevard. WCCB-TV Fox Charlotte did a story on how anchor tenant Bi-Lo's closing causes a ripple effect throughout the shopping center hurting the smaller businesses.

Breaking News Update on Bi-Lo and Food Lion

Seems that Bi-Lo has rejected Food Lion's takeover offer. Read more from the Charlotte Observer.

BREAKING NEWS: Food Lion's parent company in talks to acquire Bi-Lo assets

(Associated Press 10/5/2009)

Belgian international food retailer Delhaize Group is in talks to buy shops and inventory worth $425 million from South Carolina-based BI-LO, a grocery chain that entered bankruptcy proceedings earlier this year.

In a statement Monday, Delhaize Group said it was in non-binding talks to acquire “a substantial majority” of BI-LO LLC's assets. It said the assets to be acquired had revenue of over $2 billion last year.

Delhaize said it intends to integrate BI-LO's shops into its Food Lion chain of shops. Food Lion has more than 1,300 stores in 11 states with 74,000 employees.

Mauldin, S.C.-based BI-LO LLC is a privately held company that operates 214 supermarkets in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee and employs around 15,500 people. It filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in March.

Delhaize said the offer was subject to bankruptcy court approvals and that it hoped to complete a transaction after obtaining a non-appealable sale order from the court.

A representative for BI-LO could not be immediately reached for comment.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.

(Stores photographed are in Statesville, NC)

Innovative way to compare prices at the grocery store

Grocerying has found a terrific new tool to use while trying to save money at the grocery store! WRAL-TV, Channel 5 in Raleigh, has compiled data and put it on their website. The items compared consist of everyday items that many people would purchase on an average trip to the grocery store. The list is comprised of apples, bacon, bananas, bread, butter, cheddar cheese, chicken breast, cola, eggs, ground beef, lettuce, milk, steak and sugar. WRAL-TV takes these items and compares them not only at five Raleigh grocery stores (Wal-Mart SuperCenter, Lowes Foods, Kroger, Harris Teeter and Food Lion); but they additionally compare it to the prices provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not surprisingly, Wal-Mart has the lowest overall price on these items ringing in at $27.74, well below the next cheapest (which may surprise some of you) which is Harris Teeter coming in at $32.32. Right behind Harris Teeter is Kroger, at only pennies more with a total of $32.38. Then we have Food Lion at $34.54 followed by Lowes Foods’ comparable $34.76 and finally the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics with a grand total of $35.77. Their methodology provides that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is based on the south region. In addition, you can click “Show Trends” and see a line graph of all the stores prices over the past year - which shows a trend of falling prices between September 2008 and September 2009. A very neat tool to use indeed.

Link to Grocery Cart Tracker: http://www.wral.com/news/local/flash/2603702/

New updates to come & in the news...

Grocerying will be featuring a slew of new updates, with full photo features of grocery store exterior and interiors and information. For new, here are some headlines making news concerning local grocery stores.

Quick Rundown:
Harris Teeter bidding on Ukrop's?
Food Lion converting stores to 'Sabor Latino'
Going Green at Harris Teeter and Food Lion
What's the big deal over deli meats?

Is Harris Teeter headed to the Richmond, Virginia market? It looks entirely possible... Ukrop's stores may become Harris Teeter stores. Ukrop's is around the same price point as Harris Teeter, and Richmond residents know Ukrop's as their "hometown grocery store," as most of their locations are in Richmond, 26 of them, and then 3 others -- in Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, and Roanoke. (We have a feeling though that if Harris Teeter does in fact buy Ukrop's, the Roanoke store probably will be sold to Kroger or someone else). Some have argued that because Ukrop's doesn't sell alcohol, and because they aren't open on Sunday, that this has hurt business... it was recently announced that Food Lion has become the market leader in Richmond. Other prominent grocery stores in Richmond are Kroger, Wal-Mart Super Center, and a few stores with one or two locations, or specialty stores, such as Farm Fresh Supervalu (another potential buyer for Ukrop's), Whole Foods, Fresh Market and Trader Joe's. Read more about this story in the Business Journal and voice your opinion below.

Moving on, you may see changes at some area Food Lion stores. Food Lion is targeting the Latino population for their new concept store "Sabor Latino," which means "Latin Flavor." The Raleigh News & Observer is reporting that by the time the conversion is complete, roughly 59 stores or 10% of Food Lion's 503 stores in North Carolina will be converted to the new brand. It's a very interesting change coming for Food Lion, and it looks like they want to better compete with other Hispanic-targeted grocery stores such as Compare Foods. The initial five test stores performed well enough to warrant this expansion. Read more about it here.

In other Grocerying news, Food Lion is building its first LEED certified store in Columbia, S.C. According to The Progressive Grocer, the Salisbury, N.C.-based grocery store chain will be going green and opening this environmentally responsible grocery store in the fourth quarter of 2009. The store will include:

--High-efficiency lighting that dims lights based on natural sunlight in the
store or when areas such as offices or restrooms are not in use
--LED lighting in
the frozen food cases
--Low-flow and sensor-activated water fixtures in
restrooms
--Native plant species that minimize irrigation requirements
--Enhanced air quality for associates and customers by using low-toxicity materials and implementing proactive management plans throughout construction to ensure
optimal indoor air quality
--Purchasing a significant amount of building
materials manufactured within 500 miles of each location to boost local
economies and reduce energy expended on transportation
--Waste management plans
to divert construction waste from landfills through recycling

Read more about this in The Progressive Grocer

Speaking of LEED certification, which if you're curious stands for leadership in energy and environmental design, Harris Teeter has opened its first LEED certified store outside Charlottesville, V.A. in the town of Crozet in May. At first glace, it may look like a typical Harris Teeter store, but at a closer look you will notice what makes this Harris Teeter green are features such as indoor skylights which bring in enough natural lights to reduce the energy consumption by 25% over a typical grocery store. More information plus photos of the 'green' Harris Teeter in the Crozet Gazette.

Lastly, there seems to be a big debate over deli meats...

Grocerying in east Lincoln and Gaston counties, NC

Food Lion - Stanley, NC

Bi-Lo, Stanley, NC

Harris Teeter, Lincolnton (Boger City), NC

[Former] Winn-Dixie, Lincolnton (Boger City), NC

Harris Teeter, Denver (Westport), NC

Food Lion, Denver (Westport), NC

Before & After: Food Lion, Plaza-Midwood

This store is one of Charlotte's older grocery stores, however it hasn't always been a Food Lion. According to the tax site and Groceteria, the store opened in 1960 originally as a Winn-Dixie. Winn Dixie closed in 1987, and in 1991 Food Lion moved in. The store, still with its narrow parking lot, serves customers in Charlotte's Plaza-Midwood, Country Club and NoDa neighborhoods. It is also the closest Food Lion store to Uptown Charlotte. There is approximately 36,000 square feet of shopping space inside and the before and after reflects the upgrades that were made to the store over the past couple of years.

Food Lion - Roxboro Rd, Durham

This plaid-like Food Lion had to be one of the coolest I'd ever seen, so i had to add it. It is located in north Durham.

More Bloom and Bottom Dollar

The Charlotte Observer ran an article today comparing the three Food Lion brands: Food Lion itself, Bloom and Bottom Dollar. We did a post comparing the three markets too, one post about Bottom Dollar and other Food Lion ventures, and one about Bloom. The photos are from the Wikipedia article for Food Lion, the Bloom store is from Accokeek, Maryland and I'm assuming the Bottom Dollar is their Hickory location, but I am not quite sure about it.

Fast facts from the Observer's article:

BLOOM

• 52 stores, four states.• Features high-tech gadgets that allow shoppers to print recipes, find their way around the store or tally their purchases while shopping.

• Features a fresh meat and seafood market; large selection of organic and international foods and store-baked pastries.

• Store rewards card gives customers a 1 percent rebate for each dollar spent.

FOOD LION

• 1,151 stores in 11 states.

• Stores are undergoing a redesign to widen aisles and lower shelves. Upgrading produce and wine departments.

• Smaller selection of international and organic foods; seafood is fresh but prepackaged.

• MVP card gives discounts on select items.

BOTTOM DOLLAR

• 18 stores in three states.

• Customers bag their own groceries. Polyester cloth bags cost $1 each, heavy plastic bags go for 5 cents each, and boxes are free.

• No on-site deli or bakery.

• At most stores, no card required to receive discounts. Hickory store is testing a free membership card.

Grocerying in Winston-Salem

Lowes Foods - [Silas Creek] Parkway Plaza

This Lowes Foods opened in 1992, but is slated to close this month and become a Compare Foods store, which will be Winston-Salem's first. The store looks older than an early 90s store though, so I'm guessing it was something previously (a Byrd's perhaps?).
UPDATE: Grocerying reader Matt said that this store was once Lowes Foods' flagship store upon re-entering the Winston-Salem market and the first to feature their current logo and was most likely a Lowes since its opening.

Former Harris Teeter? - K-mart Plaza, Peters Creek Parkway

Is this really a former Harris Teeter store on Peters Creek Parkway, next to an old-school K-mart (which I have added a picture of for reference). If it was an old HT, it must have been the really old prototype store. (K-mart pictured below)
UPDATE: Anonymous said this was indeed a former Harris Teeter, which was originally a Big Star, and it operated as a low-volume store until its closing in the late 1990s.

K-mart - Peters Creek Parkway (see related blurb above)

Harris Teeter - Thruway Center

This store is located in one of Winston's oldest shopping centers, Thruway, and I consider this a "legacy" store of Harris Teeter, one that fits in the category with the other Morocroft-like prototype stores of the chain. I think that most of the major NC cities have one of these HT stores, as seen Thruway in Winston-Salem, Morocroft in Charlotte, Cameron Village in Raleigh, Friendly Center in Greensboro and Commons at University Place in Durham.
Update: Steven said this store was built where a Winn-Dixie once stood, once very upmarket.

Harris Teeter - Cloverdale

This HT nearby to the previous one shown is an old Kroger store (I believe) and is in close proximity to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (that's a mouthful).
Update: Steven said before this was an HT & Kroger, it was a former Zayre. Additionally, old Kroger shells are found in the area at the Dollar Tree store in Cloverdale and the Goodwill nearby.

Former Bi-Lo, turned former Southern Family Markets, Peters Creek Parkway.

Food Lion - Peters Creek Parkway.

This store is directly across the street from the former Southern Family Markets and probably has gained a lot of business from the former customers of that store.

Grocerying in Asheville

Sav-Mor Foods

I don't have a lot of info on this store, but it is located off Merrimon in north Asheville. Some say it was former a Best Foods? Leave comments if you've got any information on this store. I've seen a couple others throughout the mountains.
Update: Anonymous said "Regarding Sav-Mor, it was a Best Foods prior to being Sav-Mor. The name has just changed on the front but the store itself (with the exception of some sundry items) and the staff are all the same as when it was Best Foods. It's owned by the Ingles chain and carries their LaraLynn store brand products. Before Best Foods opened there, it was a Winn-Dixie store and then stayed vacant for quite a while when that closed. Harris Teeter wanted to open a store there but, as I recall, there was some neighborhood resistance to it (problem with right of ways and loading docks) and during that time Ingles bought the property and installed their Best Foods store shortly thereafter."

Bi-Lo, Hendersonville Road

This Bi-Lo store serves communities along Hendersonville Road between Asheville and Arden. Bi-Lo's presence in Asheville is natural due to the fact that they are based just down the highway near Greenville, SC. This one is located at the corner of Overlook Drive at the base of a hill, across K-mart.

Ingles / Long Shoals Road (near Biltmore Park & Arden)

Ingles - Merrimon Road / North Asheville

Ingles is Asheville's omnipresent food retailer and is a homegrown chain too. Their stores range from new prototypes to smaller stores which still have a charm of yesteryear, and they carry a wide range of products to serve Asheville's eclectic population. The store above is on Merrimon Road, near Asheville Country Club and UNCA. The store at the top is the new Ingles prototype, akin to that of newer Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Bloom and Super Bi-Lo stores.

Food Lion - Weaverville Road (Newbridge Shopping Center)

This Food Lion store is located between Asheville and Weaverville, and serves north Asheville. Additionally, it is the closest Food Lion store to UNC Asheville.

Earth Fare - Westgate, Asheville.

This store is Earth Fare's flagship location and first store which began in 1975 and helped enable them to be the fine natural and organic foods retailer that they've become today. Read more about this store here: http://www.earthfare.com/storeinfo/details/3079

See Also: Harris Teeter - Asheville

Also: Greenlife Grocery
Unfortunately, I never did get a chance to get a pic of Greenlife Grocery, as anonymous #2 was asking about (who also mentioned that they were rated best grocer by the Mountain Xpress). However, I must say that they are definately worth mentioning and supporting. Personally I like them because they carry LOCAL organic produce (which seems to be a rarity nowadays) and it is my wish that there were more stores like theirs. Here's more info from their Myspace:
[yes, a grocer with a myspace!]

"The Asheville store opened on July, 17th 2004. The original Greenlife Grocery was opened by Chuck Pruett in July 1999, located in an charming old corner grocery on Hixson Pike in the Riverside area of Chattanooga. Greenlife Grocery is a full service natural foods store dedicated to bringing you and your family the freshest and healthiest foods and products available. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils. We are committed to supporting local foods and local economy. We believe a healthy environment starts with a healthy community. We strive to support organic local produce, local meats, local cheeses, local breads, local supplements & body care, and other local goods whenever possible. We pride ourselves in offering as many organic options to our customers as are available. We believe that supporting organic is one of the best ways to make positive changes in people's health and the environments of local communities, and the earth itself. Greenlife operates two full-service natural foods grocery stores dedicated to bringing you and your family the freshest and healthiest foods and products available. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives. The freshest and finest in Chattanooga, TN, and Asheville, NC. Greenlife Grocery is proud to support local suppliers of food and other natural products, as well as serve the Chattanooga and Asheville communities through education, events, promotions, and sponsorships. The original Greenlife Grocery was opened by Chuck Pruett in July 1999, located in an charming old corner grocery on Hixson Pike in the Riverside area of Chattanooga. Originally built as a Food King grocery store, the Chattanooga Greenlife has about 8,000 sq. ft. Greenlife expanded with the opening of the Asheville store in July, 2004. Chuck Pruett and his partner John Swann transformed an old A&P grocery store with attached laundramat, built in the mid-1960's, into the new 20,000 sq. ft. store. Greenlife Grocery Asheville is located one block off I-240 just north of downtown Asheville."

Bloom - Cheshire Commons, Charlotte

(Image via Treo Systems)

Well, after talking about Bottom Dollar and Food Lion's other ventures, I figured it was time to make a post about Bloom. Bloom originated as a test-concept in north Charlotte with five area stores, and is quickly expanding now to the upstate of South Carolina and the Washington, D.C. area. They focus on convienence and their layout is atypical of a standard grocer. Visual Store has a great article on Bloom and how this concept works (Images too). A perk is being able to scan your own items before you place it in the cart, and that certainly helps make Bloom certainly is "a different kind of grocery store." The Bloom picture above is the flagship store at Sugar Creek Rd & Harris Blvd. It is about 39,000 square feet and opened brand new in 2004.

Tabletop Circle - Essential items centered around this section.

Links
ShopBloom.com
Bloom at Greensboring.com
Info about iPal at Treo Systems
Cheshire Commons

Stock 'N Save - W Arrowood Rd, Charlotte; Bottom Dollar and other Food Lion ventures.

If it looks like a Food Lion and smells like a Food Lion, is it a Food Lion? Well not quite. This is a $tock 'N $ave store in southwest Charlotte, and according to Funding Universe, the store is actually a concept that is like Aldi, a no-frills market that carries only a fourth of what a normal grocery store would, keeping pricing and overhead low. This is akin to the concept of Food Lion's new Bottom Dollar stores (and this Stock 'N Save may become a Bottom Dollar, if it already hasn't). Bottom Dollar's reception has been cold, to say the least. Most patrons who've had their former Food Lion turned into a Bottom Dollar are thoroughly disappointed.

Interestingly enough, Food Lion also owns two other discount grocers in the south, Reid's in South Carolina (which to our knowledge, has no web presence except for an online ad on a local newspaper's website.) and Harvey's throughout Georgia. Grocerying reader Elizabeth expressed her displeasure about Harvey's saying their grocerying needs are "retro" and "they don't even have a loyalty card." She also went on to comment about the store's condition, stating "the dust is caked on the expiration date and the shelf life has really outsone itself."

Links:
Funding Universe
About Bottom Dollar

Food Lions Galore

To mark our return from the two-month hiatus on Grocerying, I've decided to share a collection of Loopnet images of regional Food Lion stores. Enjoy.
Food Lion - Cramer Marketplace - Cramerton, NC

This store is located west of Charlotte, in the Gaston County town of Cramerton. It serves people from adjacent communities of Lowell, Belmont and McAdenville (a.k.a. Christmastown, USA). It s at the intersection of Market and 74.

Food Lion - Clover Plaza - Clover, SC
This store is located off of Highway 55, just east of Clover in northern York County. It is one of two primary grocery stores serving the town (the other is Piggly Wiggly, incedentally the closest Piggly Wiggly store to Charlotte). This store encompasses 29,000 square feet.

Food Lion - South Square - Lancaster, SC
This Food Lion, like the Clover store, is also 29,000 square feet. It is located in southwest Lancaster, serving the Crocketts' Crossroads community, off of Airport Road.

Food Lion - Union Town Square - Monroe, NC
This Food Lion which was recently renovated has changed it's look dramatically. Notice the K-mart next to it still has the old K-mart prototype look and the stores don't really match. However this store gets excellent visibility because of its location off of the busy Roosevelt Blvd.

Food Lion - Sunset Dr - Monroe, NC
This is an older store which was also recently renovated. The shopping center serves the southern community of Monroe, Union County's seat; and for a lot of people in rural southern Union County south of the city, this Food Lion is the closest full-service grocery to them.

Food Lion - Anson Station Shopping Center - Wadesboro, NC
This store located in the center of Anson County is a vital grocer for many of the county's residents. As one of the only full-service grocery stores in the county, the store does see a lot of traffic. The store complements a Wal-Mart department store who also anchors the center.

Food Lion - High Rock Landing - Davidson County, NC
This store is located near I-85, just south of Lexington on Hwy 8. The store was built in 1987.

Winn Dixie - Forest Oaks, Greensboro

After sitting vacant for over a year, it was recently announced that this former Winn Dixie in the Forest Oaks Community will become a Food Lion. A major boon to the residents who have been trying to get a grocer in the area for a long time, and a debacle going on with the city over the sewer system and the not so fickle developer. The photo was taken last year in the final days before the store shut down. To put it into perspective, the closest grocery store is approx. 8 miles away for the Forest Oaks Community.

12.8.06 Edit: http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=91973&SecID=2
The Winn Dixie caught ablaze on 10/5; no new word on the Food Lion either.

Food Lion - Huntersville Square

According to the tax website, this Food Lion near downtown Huntersville, north of Charlotte, opened in 1979. It has since been remodeled to include 53k square feet. It serves a fast growing area of the Charlotte region, and in recent years a Harris Teeter and Bi-Lo (right next to each other) have moved in across the interstate. The store was remodeled not too long ago.