Bi-Lo is Closing Two Stores in Savannah, Georgia

[GaPlanner]

Actually the Piggly Wiggly was where Kmart/Food World/Food Lion/Harveys was on Fair Road. The corner of Fair and Zetterower was a Roses back in the day.

Food Max --> Piggly Wiggly --> Food Lion --> Still vacant??
Food Lion --> Big Lots
M&M --> Kroger --> Bilo
Publix
K-Mart --> Piggly Wiggly --> Food Lion --> Harveys --> Food World
Winn Dixie --> Winn Dixie Marketplace
Walmart --> Goodys --> Bealls Outlet
Ghetto Food Lion --> Ghetto Harveys --> Not sure??
Bilo --> Save-A-Lot

The Bread Store on North Main and East Parrish --> Not sure??
Piggly Wiggly on South Main in downtown --> AgSouth??
What was the store originally on North Main that is now a Maxway?


When the GSU Library was remodeling were they housed in the old Winn Dixie or the old Publix? Cant remember - I know I am forgetting some places.


Bilo - referred to as "Bihi" by locals and college students... is one of the best grocery stores in Statesboro as sad as that is to say. Most of the ethnic restaurants shop there too because they are one of the few places to buy certain rare ingredients. I know they are the only store to carry tahini and Israeli couscous.

[DanielAvery]

That Fair Road/Zetterower shopping center had a Roses and a Piggly Wiggly (at the same time). One of my first jobs was working at Roses in the hardware/automotive section. The Pig was almost directly behind Wendy's at that end, and of course Roses was almost directly behind the First Bulloch Bank that became BB&T. Odd bit of trivia: after Roses closed they operated a skating rink in that space for a while. I recall coming home from skating there for the first time to turn on the news and see that Princess Diana had been in her fatal car crash.

I recall the Piggly Wiggly on South Main, but never had the chance to go in it before it was closed and remodeled into more diverse office space.

And before Wal-Mart operated in the sMall, that space was a Woolworth's! Man, I'm old.

So all these grocery stores have basically disappeared over the decades, with only a few hearty souls still surviving. Is this an indication that Wal-Mart is THAT popular? WM and BI-LO are basically the only major players who came and stayed.

[ajc100890]

It looks like that Bi-Lo in Norwood Plaza may not sit vacant too long.

Sounds like the owner pushed Bi-Lo out with promises of higher rents. Couple that with tough competition nearby, and Bi-Lo chose to close the store, citing is as under performing. It's hard to justify higher rent if the store already doesn't do great.

My guess is we will see a new anchor announced soon after Bi-Lo leaves. Maybe another Publix or a Trader Joe's. Earth Fare also doesn't have a presence in Savannah. My bet is that it will be something that caters to the higher income of those island communities.

https://savannahbusinessjournal.com/...g-centers.html

[Carolina Knight]

Bi-Lo #5761 was not a successful store from its start. Bi-Lo Holdings expanded quickly into Chatham County through the acquisition of low performing Piggly Wiggly stores. Five of its six stores recently announced for closure were acquired from Delhaize America (Sweetbay, Harvey's) and Piggly Wiggly.

The article mentioned CVS #7228 having a desire to renew its lease. Is there speculation of it relocating to a freestanding location?

[GaPlanner]

Originally Posted by DanielAvery

That Fair Road/Zetterower shopping center had a Roses and a Piggly Wiggly (at the same time). One of my first jobs was working at Roses in the hardware/automotive section. The Pig was almost directly behind Wendy's at that end, and of course Roses was almost directly behind the First Bulloch Bank that became BB&T. Odd bit of trivia: after Roses closed they operated a skating rink in that space for a while. I recall coming home from skating there for the first time to turn on the news and see that Princess Diana had been in her fatal car crash.

I recall the Piggly Wiggly on South Main, but never had the chance to go in it before it was closed and remodeled into more diverse office space.

And before Wal-Mart operated in the sMall, that space was a Woolworth's! Man, I'm old.

So all these grocery stores have basically disappeared over the decades, with only a few hearty souls still surviving. Is this an indication that Wal-Mart is THAT popular? WM and BI-LO are basically the only major players who came and stayed.

Hahaha!! Awesome stories man! I remember when Winners Circle opened, they had a "Titanic" themed party and had the "my heart will go on and on" lyrics on their handout ads. Haha. I dont remember Piggly Wiggly being over there, but I do remember some Pizza joint on the corner of the building (Holidays?). I feel like I vaguely remember going into Woolworth's with Grandma when I was itty bitty lol. Was it in a 3-story building?

[ajc100890]

Originally Posted by Carolina Knight

Bi-Lo #5761 was not a successful store from its start. Bi-Lo Holdings expanded quickly into Chatham County through the acquisition of low performing Piggly Wiggly stores. Five of its six stores recently announced for closure were acquired from Delhaize America (Sweetbay, Harvey's) and Piggly Wiggly.

The article mentioned CVS #7228 having a desire to renew its lease. Is there speculation of it relocating to a freestanding location?

I think more so CVS would expand or build a new store in the center. The writer alludes to there not being a lot of available land to build retail space in the area. The MPC made set a precedent by denying to rezone a neighboring property from residential to commercial. It sends a warning to other developers that it won't be allowed. Therefore, the owner of Norwood Plaza probably realized he has prime real estate now, and thus can increase the rent.

The closing of Bi-Lo was merely a by-product of a more competitive and expensive market to operate it. There is no doubt the store was unprofitable. But, when they raised rent, it was the straw that broke the camel's back for Bi-Lo. It just so happened, that it aligned with a larger list of store closures.

This is just my opinion, but Bi-Lo is an inferior chain that absorbs other floundering chains. In most cases Bi-Lo operates in small towns where it has no other competition (or if it does, it's a Wal-Mart that everyone despises). So, those stores are profitable because there are no other choices. In Savannah, we have Kroger and Publix, so Bi-Lo couldn't compete and I'd say the remaining Bi-Lo stores are probably on the cusp of expiration.

[pink caddy]

I was looking at the Bi Lo across the road at BOA on Victory while waiting for the light to change to exist the lot. That BL is a very large chunk of that strip. If they go what could fill that large of space? This could get ugly.

[Carolina Knight]

Bi-Lo #5763's nearest supermarket competition is Kroger, McAlpin Square, 1900 East Victory Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31404-3711; and Food Lion #2150, 2208 East Derenne Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31406-2274.

If Bi-Lo #5763 closes, the only other logical supermarket options that could locate on site would be Publix and Walmart Neighborhood Market. New construction could be necessary to accommodate larger stores.

[Carolina Knight]

Bi-Lo stores #5752 (Garden City) and #5761 (Norwood Market, Savannah) are officially closed.