Shoppers has not announced a closing date for the Franconia grocery store, but there are plans to split it in three, the Washington Business Journal first reported.
United Natural Foods, Inc. acquired Shoppers in 2018 primarily for the chain's wholesale operations. UNFI started closing retail stores shortly after its acquisition.
In early December, UNFI announced it was closing four grocery stores — in Potomac Yard, in Manassas and two in Maryland — and selling more than a dozen others to other grocery store companies. (Potomac Yard is closing permanently in part because of coming Potomac Yard redevelopment — read more here.)
The Kingstowne store was not mentioned in the list of Shoppers locations that are closing or being sold.
However, the Washington Business Journal reports that construction permits have been filed in Fairfax County for the Manchester Lakes Shoppers grocery store.
Those permits for 7005 Manchester Blvd. indicate the Shoppers will be split into three spaces, with one reserved for a smaller grocery store and the two spaces for retail.
Reports indicate those retailers will be a HomeSense store, which sells home decor and furniture, and Sierra, an outdoor retailer owned by the parent company of TJ Maxx.
