Delhaize to buy BI-LO for $425 million (Greenville, Laurens: 2009, home, unemployment rate)

[NoodlesKnowles]

Originally Posted by myrc60

I am quickly losing respect for you noodles! Unemployment in this area is a serious problem which affects about 20 people that I know right now right here in the Upstate...if the BI-LO office closes it will be about 50 people that I know. I'm sorry you don't see it since you are now employed but Greenville has not hit bottom yet and it could end up affecting you in the end.

I don't know why, I just pointed out the obvious, is it not true that you are having trouble finding work in Greenville and have posted about it numerous times? Thats all I said. As for your respect for me, I post what I see and how I feel, it makes no difference to me who has respect for me and who doesn't.

[roadpony]

I've never been a big fan of Food Lion, though I do like Bloom. I pretty much split my grocery shopping among Publix, Bi-Lo, and Bloom. I'd hate to see the Bi-Lo brand name go away.

[UpstateBooster]

I used to like Bloom, but as time has passed, the things that really set them apart have either been done away with (quarterly "rebates") or have deteriorated (the self-scanning seems to always have problems - sometimes it seems more items aren't in the system than are).

I think maybe the OP is referring to corp jobs at the Bi Lo HQ in Mauldin. The loss of those jobs wouldn't be good. Otherwise, I would see this as just a name change basically.

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by UpstateBooster

I think maybe the OP is referring to corp jobs at the Bi Lo HQ in Mauldin. The loss of those jobs wouldn't be good. Otherwise, I would see this as just a name change basically.

At least someone on here is thinking even though I stated just that a bit earlier in this thread. And it doesn't stop at the Mauldin office, it affects vendors as well. If you've ever been in the business you would realize just how far this is going to reach and it will hurt the Upstate the most and will affect people in other parts of the country as well.

[USNRET04]

I agree with others about Bloom, cool concept, but overpriced.

There actually is one Food Line Store on Augusta Rd near I-185. I've been there once, and it is actually a nice store, nice decor, prices were pretty good.

I may have been a little drastic with the less competition statement.

Still sorry to see the Bi-Lo brand go away if it does.

[Sonrise]

Yeah Bloom is nice, but waaaaay overpriced. A lot of Bi-Lo's have become really dumpy. There's a fairly new Food Lion (about 1 year old) on Wade Hampton (Hwy.29) in Lyman. it looks really nice from the outside, although I've never been inside.

[firefighter77]

Bloom is owned by Food Lion is it not?

[NoodlesKnowles]

Originally Posted by myrc60

At least someone on here is thinking even though I stated just that a bit earlier in this thread.

really? I don't know if you noticed but nowhere in this thread did anyone say it was a good thing that this was happening.

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by firefighter77

Bloom is owned by Food Lion is it not?

Right. Bloom is the upscale division of Food Lion. Most of the stores in the Greenville area are Bloom. There are a few Food Lions in the more rural areas of the county.

Blooms have sushi, a larger deli area, better brands, an organic section, higher end beers and wines, etc, etc.

[Skyliner]

Bloom's deals are actually quite competitive if you pay attention regularly.

I occasionally shop at the Verdae Village Super BI-LO and have been pleased overall. Depending on the needs, most of my grocery shopping lately is now done at Whole Foods Market, but they are obviously in a different class altogether. I generally prefer Publix over the other brands in the region, specifically because of their great customer service and quality products. With that said, they do not provide 24-hour service in the Upstate and for that reason I have spent a fair amount of money at Bloom, Super BI-LO, Ingles, and even Wal-Mart Supercenter. Food Lion has yet to make a worthy appeal to me, but then again their locations are not convenient to many of us in the Greenville area.

I do find it a bit disappointing that after so many years, the BI-LO name may finally disappear, much like the Winn-Dixie name a few years ago. I recall being very upset after BI-LO bought out the Welcome supermarket on Laurens Road. Now the table seems to have turned.