9 things to know about Lidl
European grocery exploring U.S. expansion has plans for Wilmington store
Traffic moves along the Military Cutoff Road corridor in Wilmington. Increasing development in the area has some residents worried if local streets can handle the added volume. Mike Spencer/StarNews.
Published: Friday, January 15, 2016 at 11:47 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 15, 2016 at 11:47 a.m.
NC_Wilmington -
WILMINGTON -- Lidl, noun: A grocery store with a large presence in Europe. Currently exploring a United States expansion. Pronounced: Lee-dul.
The grocer with the unusual name may include Wilmington in its expansion plans, according to paperwork filed with the city. If Lidl opens here, it would be a new brand competing in Wilmington, which has also seen Trader Joe's and Whole Foods added to the mix in recent years.
So just who is this new grocer and where are they looking to land in the Port City?
1. LOCATION: The store would be at 1511 Eastwood Road at the corner of Cavalier Drive. The city council rezoned the land in October 2015 to approve a grocery store and separate commercial building.
2. SIZE: The grocery store is 36,170 square feet and includes a parking lot with 144 spaces, according to plans submitted to the city in December. The rezoning also allowed a 20,000-square-foot commercial building.
3. TRAFFIC: As a condition of the rezoning, the city will require the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Eastwood Road and Cavalier Drive before the supermarket opens.
4. NEIGHBORS: In public hearings, some residents were critical of increased traffic and others said the area is already served by many grocery stores.
5. SITE SELECTION: In terms of new stores, Lidl wants sites along the East Coast in an established retail location with high visibility and a dense population area within 3 miles, according to its website.
6. STORES: Lidl operates 10,000 grocery stores in Europe. Stores offer fresh meat, produce, bakery items and household goods.
7. PHILOSOPHY: Lidl is "focused on offering customers top quality products at the most competitive pricing in convenient locations," according to the company.
8. N.C. PRESENCE: Lidl is planning a $125 million regional headquarters and distribution center facility in Alamance County west of the Triangle.
9. DIVIDED LOYALTIES: More than 300 people are members of "We want ALDI in Wilmington, NC" on Facebook, referring to a Aldi, a competing grocer. Though based on comments on the page, its members are also open to a Lidl.
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