Food Lion - Manassas, VA: Hard Hat Area (Part 5)

Welcome back! Today for you, I present to you the next chapter of the Food Lion saga. Two months removed from my last visit, an extra deal of changes has brought this store into a new era of retail. This comes at a time when the 2019 20 coronavirus pandemic has impacted operations, requiring face masks and social distancing guidelines to be maintained. Those do bring up questions, what else is new for the store? Let's see down here.

Photos taken on May 9, 2020 by The Battery Mill

We revisit Food Lion's new facade. Once again, not too many changes made except the shuffling around of things as construction progresses towards the finish line.

Unlike what I've done before, I'll start off with the post's big surprise - a walk-in produce cooler! These are more recent additions to Food Lion stores, having been tested since at least 2013. These however have not been implemented in every store remodeled to the EFA concept, being reserved for higher-volume stores such as this one.

Once completed, the metal sheet securing the walls will be painted green (to match the interior dry walls). Overall I will say, I feel it is a bit too luxurious for Food Lion. Then again, it certainly helps keep their business invigorated and their produce fresh!

We continue the mystique with another side of the produce cooler wall. Still in an unpainted state (that is, if you don't count what's covering up the nails and whatnot), this corner is awaiting new arrangements from the store.

In likelihood, this may also mean the tile floor original to the store's opening has remained sealed by the new system. Whether one prefers this change is their decision, however I admit they could have put the old ones to good use and add a pinch more open space to the salesfloor.

Sliding on over to the back end of the store, we see a few changes as shelving and coolers slowly make the leap into Food Lion's new era. The water fountain has now been restored, with a new display of purified gallon bottles fittingly placed right beside. Also in this pic, remaining Bloom decor elements have been curtailed as the wooden slatted walls are now returning to a drywall state.

Turning left, we head down the meat corridor - a place that shows the ongoing transition between Bloom and modern Food Lion fixtures. The walls have yet to receive any lettering or decor pieces.

Also to note, the meat section is rather sparse - at this time, the meat industry was temporarily closing plants and therefore struggling to supply product to stores under the effects of the pandemic. Despite these measures, some   companies have insisted on staying open - effects that have

While it had been two months removed from the onset of a pandemic and the ensuing stockup frenzy, sanitation care items continues to remain coveted goods. Combined with this and the store's reorganization, looking for paper towels and air fresheners may be even less of an easy task at this Food Lion.

Next, we make a return towards the front end of the store. This area is a vast change compared to before. Previously, an array of fixtures and overhead decor elements were designed to zone in on the deli/bakery (to the left, not yet pictured). In contrast, Food Lion's new setup opens baked goods/to-go deli selections up to the aisles previously fended off by prepared foods coolers.

Now, here is what's left to the previous photo. Interestingly, Food Lion has made the decision to shut down service bakery/deli offerings, installing new appliances and making decor touchups to Bloom designs.

With the pandemic and its implications on store operations, less essential departments of any store can be vulnerable to going on hold. Some may be obvious in order to protect patron and employee safety, such as seating areas and buffet bars. This kind of department, however may be a surprise to those not familiar with the chain.

While the alcove was handily stocked with deli meats and other warm sides, actual service was more relaxed - there would only be a handful of customers (I'll guess <30) each day. That aside, I hope this department will return, better than ever. I wish the best for the employees as they return to work there!

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Thanks for joining me in this store tour. Next time, we will travel back across town to the Bull Run Plaza Shoppers store. I have some significant photos to share over the next two installments. See you guys then!

Sources

• https://www.theshelbyreport.com/2013/12/05/food-lion-debuts-new-format-as-it-reopens-concord-n-c-store/
• https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/26/business/meat-processing-plants-coronavirus/index.html