THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160767
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Hannaford Brothers Co., a Scarborough, Maine-based supermarket chain, has entered the Hampton Roads market with its first of several grocery stores.
On Wednesday, the company's Hannaford Food and Drug Superstore opened at the intersection of Virginia Beach and Independence boulevards in Virginia Beach. A grand opening was scheduled for Saturday.
Even before the grand opening, the store's parking lot was almost packed Wednesday afternoon.
``We haven't announced it, but people must have seen the sign,'' store director Pete Bonneau said. ``It's a good crowd.''
The 46,000-square-foot store offers everything from live lobster in the seafood department to crusty Italian breads in the bakery area. Other features include a pharmacy, a video store, a ready-to-eat meals section and a produce area with more than 250 varieties of fruits and vegetables.
The Virginia Beach location is the first of three stores Hannaford has announced for Hampton Roads. The company said it is planning at least two more supermarkets: one in Wards Corner Shopping Center in Norfolk and one in York County.
Hannaford suffered a setback when another shopping-center anchor, Caldor Corp., filed for bankruptcy protection and indicated it would not be able to expand in Hampton Roads.
The September filing meant that developers had to search for replacements.
Developers had planned to pair Hannaford and Norwalk, Conn.-based Caldor in several shopping centers across the region, including those in Virginia Beach's Princess Anne area, Portsmouth's Churchland community, Hampton and York County, real estate sources said.
The grocer said it is building in York County but made no mention of the other three sites. In addition, it has been considering several other sites, including one off Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, sources said.
A spokeswoman would not comment on the proposed locations, but said ``Hannaford is still exploring a large number of sites in the area.''
Hannaford Bros., a Fortune 500 company with $2.3 billion in sales last year, owns 129 stores, most of which operate in the Northeast under the Shop 'n Save name. The company recently pushed into the Carolinas by purchasing the Wilson's supermarket chain and into the Richmond market by buying six stores and other properties from Norfolk-based Farm Fresh Inc.
Hannaford won't be the only supermarket chain moving into Hampton Roads. Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter also wants to woo shoppers with its upscale grocery stores next year, and Kmart plans to open its SuperKmart combination discount and grocery stores. All of the newcomers will be fighting for market share with leaders Farm Fresh and Food Lion. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Hannaford Bros., with $2.3 billion in sales last year, owns 129
stores, most in the Northeast.
In Virginia Beach, a supermarket opened Wednesday at Virginia
Beach and Independence boulevards.
In Norfolk, a supermarket is planned for the Wards Corner
Shopping Center.
In York County, a supermarket is planned also.
by CNB