May 23, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - As new stores like Trader Joe's and Publix come to Knoxville, Food Lions across the region are locking their doors.
The one on Centerline Drive in Knoxville shut down on Saturday, one of six in our area.
But the impact doesn't stop at employees and shoppers. Other neighboring businesses could be affected.
One owner we talked to said it was too soon to tell, but is worried that less customers will come around since Food Lion is closed.
This has been the case at several other strip malls that have seen one of their main anchors close down.
Ten years ago, a BI-LO was the main attraction for a shopping center in Halls. Parents would bring in their kids to get a haircut at Supercuts while they went shopping.
Once BI-LO closed, everything changed and it impacted business at Supercuts severely.
The space at the top of the shopping center marquee still blank, the big parking lot empty, and the BI-LO is deserted and locked up.
Angela O'Neil at Supercuts says it was a dark day when the lights went out.
An aggressive marketing campaign kept Supercuts doors open, but she says the big empty space is an eyesore.
"It looks bad for one, plus there could be money made here in this area where instead we need to travel to go other places," said O'Neil.
John Rabori works in commercial real estate and says empty buildings are a reality of the economy, and perception can hurt others.
"A certain area of town if there are many vacant buildings, people are gonna interpret that as the area is in decline," said Rabori.
A similar problem for businesses down the road where a Walmart once stood.
"Everybody goes there for groceries or itty bitty things or anything, so it's kind of hurt business around here, especially the small business," said a near-by Goody's assistant manager Amanda Barker.
Soon after Walmart left, Goody's reopened a few doors down, which has eased some of the pain at the registers.
Barker's story is unique. While Goody's was shut down, she worked at Food Lion. The very same one that just closed on Centerline Drive, costing dozens their jobs.
"It's sad. I mean it's just sad because I could be in their shoes again, after I was already laid off here the first time," said Barker.
