Wednesday, January 25, 2023

[EXCLUSIVE] Lidl Leaving Another Atlanta Area Location

For the second time in less than a year, Lidl is closing a metro Atlanta store.  Store employees were informed Monday that Lidl in Dunwoody will close as of February 6 19.  The roughly 33,000 square foot store, located at 2480 Mount Vernon Highway, opened August 26, 2020 in place of what had most recently been a Sprouts Farmers Market.  

The Dunwoody Sprouts was one of the Arizona-based chain's first five stores in metro Atlanta when it opened in July 2014, but less than five years later, it closed in December 2018. 

A Hollywood Feed pet store which had subleased space from Sprouts and later Lidl, recently closed, too.  O'Brian's Tavern, part of Dunwoody Restaurant Group, closed in the center in 2021.  CVS Pharmacy will soon serve as the center's primary anchor.  

The closure of the Dunwoody Lidl follows the July 2022 closure of the Lidl in Sandy Springs which had just opened in January 2021.  

Despite the closures, the German grocer is committed to competing in metro Atlanta and the US market and has several stores in its pipeline for the greater metro Atlanta area in the coming months and years.  

This past August Lidl opened its latest Atlanta area store at 1855 Memorial Drive in Kirkwood.  The store has by all accounts opened exceptionally well, and following the imminent Dunwoody closure, leaves the grocer with 17 stores in Georgia.    

Lidl is planning to open several new locations in the greater metro Atlanta area in the years to come including those planned for Cumming, Woodstock, Marietta, 270 Ponce de Leon Avenue near Ponce City Market, Lawrenceville Highway near Decatur, and Norcross, among others.    

The company in 2022 "went vertical" on their 925,000 square foot, $100 million distribution center in Covington.  The project, first announced in 2017, was originally to be constructed in Cartersville, but was switched to Covington in early 2020.  No doubt delayed by supply chain issues, the project is now on track to open in late 2023 or early 2024, according to a source familiar with the grocer's plans.  When fully operational, the distribution center will significantly cut down on the time and costs currently associated with supplying the chain's metro Atlanta stores from facilities outside the state.  

Are you surprised to see Lidl close in Dunwoody?  Where do you do the majority of your grocery shopping?  What would you most like to see open in place of Lidl in Dunwoody?  

Please share your thoughts below. 

46 comments:

Steve Barton said...

I'm a little surprised as the store seemed to be gaining some momentum in recent months. The holidays, duh. We do most of our shopping at Georgetown Kroger, Dunwoody Hall Publix, at this Lidl, and at whatever Aldi we pass while doing other things. We would love to see an Aldi open here.

Anonymous said...

Ugh, bummer. We go there at least weekly, in addition to Kroger and Publix. I don't really understand why nothing seems to be able to stay open in that spot. They all open to much excitement and fairly long lines, then the hype dies down and they languish.

Anonymous said...

kind of sad, I shopped there some--but I probably didn't spend enough to help them very much. This location is basically a very 'sleepy' (low traffic) area in the midst of Dunwoody/SS/Ptree Corners. Anyone that thinks TJs would do great here is delusional and should not be in the real estate business.

I haven't gone quite as much lately b/c inflation has been such that even lidl can't give really great deals like they used to give.

The best use would be if the entire strip (at least up to CVS) was leveled and some nice townhouses were built there. People would walk to Crema, CFA, Kroger, etc.

Anonymous said...

Considering the one in Cumming has been built for a year and is still sitting vacant, I'm not convinced it will ever open.

Anonymous said...

Not surprised to see Lidl close especially in that center. I shop mainly at Publix, then Kroger & Aldi occasionally.

Anonymous said...

The only grocery concept that would have a prayer across the street from that Kroger is Trader Joe’s.

Anonymous said...

Unhappy to see it close as it had great prices, and very close to my residence. While it wasn’t overly busy, they said they were a training store so I had hoped it would last.

Anonymous said...

Like food service…these grocers need to hire right! I have been in that location and……..

Anonymous said...

I am really disappointed. I do most of my grocery shopping there, being so close to home and having great prices. They had a hard time keeping staff and may have burned some customers by not having standard and advertised items sometimes.

Anonymous said...

That Lidl is much smaller than others , so not quite as good. I go there a lot. Why can’t they take over the Hollywood Feed spot?

Anonymous said...

This seems to be the place grocery stores go to die. Perhaps, a Trader Joe’s would ever the perfect fit for Dunwoody.

Anonymous said...

not surprised. it's the wrong market for lidl.

Anonymous said...

this sux!!1. but anon is correct about a "sleepy" area. location sux. the former sandy springs location suffered the opposite problem with a bustling location. and the traffic to/from the briarcliff location is hardly worth it. farrrrk!

Anonymous said...

I’ve never shopped there. Never considered shopping there. Most of my grocery shopping is at Georgetown Kroger. Sometimes I go to Chamblee Publix or Neighborhood Market in Winter’s Chapel. I been to a couple Trader Joe’s. Based on those experiences I wouldn’t go back.

Anonymous said...

The problem for Lidl is that they do absolutely no advertising, which makes people forget that they exist. And their small stores have a warehouse-type ambience which many
shoppers find unappealing.

Anonymous said...

It’s not the store it’s the location! I love lidl… but it’s important to study the area in detail… type of clients, ease of travel.. etc

Steve Barton said...

My lovely and talented wife just returned from a trip to the Dunwoody Lidl. No notice of the impending closure has been posted but the news is true. Employees told her that the company is taking care of them by offering them all positions at whichever remaining Lidl is closest to their home. They said that the Dunwoody store was doing fine but that the company closed the store to apply capital to the Covington distro center construction. Okayyyy. The employees also said that the store will be open until the 26th or 27th of Feb and 30% markdown will start on Feb 1. Thank you honey for the update! Harris-Teeter > Ace Hardware > years empty > Sprouts > Lidl > ??? Was this space originally an A&P?

Anonymous said...

TWO WORDS…Trader Joes!!!

Anonymous said...

Have shopped at both the Dunwoody and the Sandy Springs ones and have popped into the E. Cobb one once. Regular Aldi shopper, so the concept not unknown to me. Things I just didn't get.

-The stores always seemed half-stocked at best. And maybe that's some efficiency thing but with half empty freezers it just doesn't inspire confidence.

-Two aisles full of random crap that doesn't seem to belong there. I know Kroger and Publix do that to a smaller extent but in these smaller stores selling electric lawn mowers in the summer for example just seemed way out of place, reminded me of Big Lots.


They did have fairly good sales on their brands and sometimes the name brands. Got crabmeat there for an amazing price a few months ago. Better selection of frozen seafood compared to Aldi.

Anonymous said...

I’ve never seen the appeal of Trader Joe’s! When I’ve gone, all I see are flowers and junk food. I prefer a grocery store where I can do all my shopping, not get finger foods and overpriced fruit…

Anonymous said...

Trader Joes will not be putting any stores into sleepy, two-lane suburbs that have no traffic after 7pm. They're already not putting any more stores in GA. I think that the 'cult' of TJs never really caught on in GA. We do some shopping at TJs but mostly we go to Dunwoody area Publix or G'town Kroger.

Anonymous said...

It was an A&P in the 1970s!

vespajet said...

Clearly the poster complaining about Lidl having "random crap" has never set foot in an Aldi. This is quite common among European based grocery store chains. Now the Lidl by me seems to never have much of the "random crap" items shown in their weekly ads, which are also sent in the mail (For some reason, I get their ads without any rhyme or reason. I got the ads for the previous two weeks yesterday, but not the one for this week.).

Clearly the poster saying that Lidl doesn't advertise doesn't watch much live TV, as I see their ads regularly, especially on local stations.

I used to shop at Lidl fairly regularly, but don't go as often because they've dropped a lot of products that were unique compared to Kroger, Publix, Walmart, etc. Less private label products and more name brand items.

Anonymous said...

it's a weird cult following.

Alex said...

Vespajet summed it up nicely. I like Aldi and Lidl, but the center aisle isn't a focus of mine. But I do occasionally find something I like. And I also agree that Lidl has been dropping many of its private label products for some reason. Now they're carrying the same low quality chicken nuggets that Food Depot carries. What is up with that? Their cheese and dairy products are still good quality though, and the cheapest around. Nice pseudo bakery too. Finally, I don't watch much OTA TV, but I do see Lidl's commercials while streaming.

Anonymous said...

I agree...no one seems to know why the Cumming store on Bethelview has not opened!

Anonymous said...

Townhouses are you me do you have a clue what that would do to traffic. The building would also be a eyesore it would be taller than a 2 story home and they would want a parking deck likely where Chase Bank is. Townhomes there would also increase crime in the area Townhomes always bring Crime with them.

Anonymous said...

I'm very surprised to see little clothes I've been in Meadow Lake of Dunwoody subdivision since 1979. I'm a regular Shopper of Lidl even more than the Kroger and rarely if ever go to the other side of town to stop at Publix. Every time I go in Lidl the flow of customers at the front door and in the side shopping seems to be pretty good. The sprouts that was there does well in Norcross and the Lidl in Duluth does great. Lidl has plans to open another location in Norcross. I will miss many things that I got at Lidl that have European Flair I will not be able to find it Kroger. Multiple items a much more competitive price also and that Bakery well I guess I'll lose some weight now

Anonymous said...

That’s disappointing. They were definitely some great deals on cheese, chicken produce and many other items. They had a few nice prepared foods and bakery items as well. I loved running in there when I just need a few things and could get in and out.

Anonymous said...

What turned me off at that store was the junked up isles when I couldn’t get my cart around the stacked boxes of beans and peas. Then the over abundance of junk such as chain saws and cheap clothing taking up too many isles.
More than once, I was in there and the lines were so long with just one person checking out shoppers and I just needed to run in and get some milk or bread. I just left! The deli had stale items just sitting in those bins for days on end.

The employees checking out customers never uttered a word…just checked, shoved the groceries along the belt. Robots could have done a better job. Good riddance!

Publix is my store…hands down.

Anonymous said...

I do like having a choice when it comes to grocery stores. But, when I bought some wine, that tasted terrible they said they wouldn't give me store credit or my money back. Do not buy alcohol there. It is truly awful, and their customer policies are terrible as well. Good riddance.

Anonymous said...

I liked it & will miss it. Once you understand what it is, it was a nice addition to the neighborhood. We were lucky to have so many options when many areas have none. Their Peachtree pkwy location across from the Forum is fairly close & they say it’s staying open

Anonymous said...

Wegman’s. Only a dream.

Anonymous said...

I only shop at Sprouts and Ingles

Anonymous said...

Yes!

Anonymous said...

Looks like the Publix lobby has just chimed in. Also, unless you're shopping in Jakarta or Great Britain, it's "aisle" :)

Anonymous said...

I am shocked and very disappointed. The Dunwoody Lidl has earned a big chunk of my Kroger and Publix food budget. I am puzzled, too, at the comments re: iffy location and odd selection. It’s perfect for me; I only moved here last fall and Lidl, Kroger, Publix and TJ’s are all within 10 minutes of me, in any direction; once I discovered Lidl, it was TJ’s that lost the greatest share of my grocery budget. The Lidl on Peachtree Parkway is good as well but I vastly prefer the Dunwoody locale. P.S. Aldi used to impress me but lost out to Lidl, practically overnight.

Anonymous said...

to anonymous February 1, 2023 at 4:53 PM, there are different rules for alcohol (or at least 'wine') and stores can't take returns on it. I bought some from TJ's didn't use all of it, but they could not take back the unopened bottles due to laws pertaining to alcohol. But I didn't hold it against TJ's.

There are some mom and pop shops that (for a big event) will allow returns or possibly not make you pay until you return the extras and they see how much you used.

Anonymous said...

It's GA state law, not the store policy. You can't return alcohol.

Anonymous said...

I'm a Dunwoody resident and I'd like to see it become a mixed use facility where I can bring my recyclables, get my vaccinations and boosters, and also get a covid test as needed.

Anonymous said...

lol

Anonymous said...

Who are they renting from? Maybe the owners are charging too much money for them to survive?

Anonymous said...

Lidl Management informed me that the Landlord, Branch Mt. Vernon Associates, LP., wanted to increase their rent too much for a five year lease. Is Kroger a partner in this Delaware company? Dunwoody needs the competition for the Kroger across the street which is a regular code and zoning violator according to the Sandy Springs Works documents, the online app used by Sandy Springs Code Enforcement. Lidl was a good neighbor.

Anonymous said...

Gross

Anonymous said...

Gross

Anonymous said...

I would not want Townhomes at that shopping ctr!! That would be an awful idea!

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