Monday, October 28, 2019

[EXCLUSIVE] Lidl, Thought to Be Dead in Sandy Springs, Moving Forward

A new Lidl grocery store is back on in Sandy Springs according to multiple real estate sources and a permit on file with the city.  The store, one of two proposed in 2017 along Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, will open in City Center Crossing, formerly known as Marshalls Plaza.  Lidl plans to take just under 29,000 of the overall 39,254 square foot former Marshalls store, according to sources familiar with the lease.    The former Marshalls box has sat largely vacant since the discount retailer relocated to nearby Hammond Exchange in 2013.   The remaining roughly 10,000 square foot space will be made available to a junior anchor or potentially subdivided further.   
Updated exterior of the soon-to-be Lidl 
Whereas prior plans were for Lidl to open a new 36,000 square foot freestanding store in the parking lot of City Center Crossing, the new plans for converting the former Marshalls mean less red tape and fewer hurdles.  A land disturbance permit is listed as "under review" with the City of Sandy Springs but sources tell ToNeTo Atlanta that the permit has been issued and that a lease on the space is signed.

The new Lidl store, likely to open sometime in the first half of next year, will be situated across the street from Cornerstone Square, where an 18,400 square foot, recently renovated Aldi anchors the center.  It's also worth noting that an approximately 12,500 square foot Trader Joe's-anchored Sandy Springs Plaza, is just south of the planned Lidl.  

Two significant differences ToNeTo Atlanta has noted in visits to Lidl stores in Austell and Snellville compared to Aldi are that no quarter deposit is required to "rent" a shopping cart and both Lidl stores featured several self checkout lanes.  Although not major differences, these two components, teamed with a larger sized store with more products, could help Lidl siphon customers from Aldi and other grocers.   

ToNeTo Atlanta has reported on several other Lidl stores in the works in the Atlanta area.  

The German grocer, which entered the U.S. market in 2017, had originally planned to have 50 stores open in Georgia by 2018.  That plan fell 49 stores short.  Today, the company operates a total of four stores in Georgia: Augusta, Austell (Marietta), Mableton and Snellville.  

Recently, however, after what industry observers speculate was a "come to Jesus" moment for the top brass at Lidl, the company has relaxed its stipulations and land requirements for its new stores.  This willingness to be more flexible has allowed the grocer to enter markets and get deals done in areas they had not previously.  
Inside the former Marshalls, future Lidl 
ToNeTo Atlanta has this year reported on several upcoming Lidl stores in metro Atlanta including those planned for Marietta, Roswell, Lawrenceville and Suwanee.  

Another freestanding Lidl planned for North River shopping center, a few miles north of City Center Crossing on Roswell Road, is reportedly not coming back to life.  The store, which would have been built at the north end of the center, was reportedly deemed to be too close to the City Center store, with the company opting to open fewer stores, further apart.  

ToNeTo Atlanta reported October 16 that Lidl plans to open new stores in Brookhaven, Dunwoody, East Cobb and Peachtree Corners.  In each of the stores, Lidl is replacing former grocers.  In East Cobb, The Fresh Market plans to close November 18 to make way for the new Lidl.  

Most recently, we reported October 19 that Lidl plans to enter the intown Atlanta market with a store planned along Memorial Drive in Kirkwood.  

Are you excited for the planned opening of Lidl in Sandy Springs?  Have you been to a Lidl before?  Where do you do the majority of your grocery shopping?

Please share your thoughts below.  

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes!!! So excited! Went to Lidl in snellville and I absolutely love it! I'm extremely excited to see it grow and become more accessible to my friends and family!

Anonymous said...

Super excited! Wish one was still going in the North River area, many homes over there need an option besides Publix and Dollar General.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait!! No more 35 minute drive to Mableton!!

dal787 said...

The chocolate chip cookies are addictive!

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