A European grocer with big plans on crashing the American market has chosen Fayetteville for its first local location.
German-based Lidl heads to the Fayetteville City Council Thursday night to get a .96 acre site zoned and annexed into the city. If that request is successful, Lidl will combine that parcel with the site at 1307 Ga. Highway 85 North where J&R Clothing now sits to build its 35,962 sq. ft. store. J&R plans to relocate to a new building on Ga. Highway 54 west of downtown Fayetteville.
According to Supermarket News, Lidl plans to open 100 stores in the U.S. this year and has established its U.S. headquarters in Arlington, Va. The grocer has more than 10,000 stores in 26 countries, and is expected to shake up the local grocery market with deep discounts and items not often found in other stores.
Since the Fayetteville store is over 35,000 sq. ft, store officials want it rezoned from C2 to C3 to allow for the bigger store.
The Planning Commission recommended approval with three recommendations:
- Applicant provide combination plat with required signature lines (using Final Plat data from Code of Ordinance) signed by one entity.
- Obtain GDOT permit for site re-development.
- Provide written narrative of stormwater management.
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.
