Lidl store on hold
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on October 15, 2017 1:45 AM
Plans to build a new Lidl grocery store along Wayne Memorial Drive in Goldsboro are now on hold.
James Rowe, Goldsboro planning director, recently received notice that the plan to construct a 36,170-square-foot building is delayed, indefinitely.
"We just got a phone call that the project has been put on hold, no reasons or anything," Rowe said. "That doesn't mean they won't do the project, but I'm not 100 percent sure. There's a possibility the project might still be done, but I don't know what time frame."
Will Harwood, Lidl USA spokesman, declined to offer information about the company's plans for Goldsboro.
The German-based discount grocer has so far opened 38 stores this year in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina as part of the company's launch in the United States, Harwood said.
"We are not addressing each individual site at this time," Harwood said.
Company officials will release details about specific stores as they prepare to open, he said.
Site and building plans for the Goldsboro store have been approved by the city, which allows construction to begin at the near 5.5-acre site at 2115 Wayne Memorial Drive. The vacant property is located across the street from Harris Teeter and alongside the Circle K gas station.
Company officials have been planning to submit a revised building plan to the city inspections department. The plans were never delivered, said Allen Anderson Jr. Goldsboro chief building inspector.
"They never gave us the plans," Anderson said. "To me, it just came to a halt."
The company continues to open stores, with several planned this month, including an Oct. 19 opening in Lexington. Area stores are now open in Kinston, Greenville and Wilson.
The company, a rival to fellow German discount grocer Aldi, operates 10,000 stores in 27 countries throughout Europe. Lidl stores offer fresh meats, produce and bakery items, as well as a wide selection of household goods, at discount prices.