Weis Markets Begins 38 Food Lion Conversions

Weis Markets Inc. is embarking on the planned conversions of 38 Food Lion locations in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware, which it expects to complete by the end of October. The Sunbury, Pa.-based regional retailer's addition of the former Food Lion stores, made in tandem with the FTC-mandated divesture of 86 stores prior to the merger of Delhaize and Ahold, will enable it to grow its 167-store, five-state footprint to more than 200 sites in seven states.

“Once the conversions are completed over the next two months, we will have nearly doubled our Maryland store count and expanded into Virginia and Delaware,” said Kurt Schertle, Weis Markets’ COO. “Our goal is to build on our advantages as a locally focused retailer that offers a strong combination of quality, value and service. As part of this commitment, we plan to expand variety in every department.”

Weis Markets plans to hire more than 2,000 current Food Lion employees. “We are reaching out to the Food Lion associates who work in these stores and look forward to hiring and ultimately welcoming them to our company,” continued Schertle. “It’s an exciting time for our company as we grow and expand into new territories, and we’re grateful to our associates and loyal customers for their continued support.”

This week, Weis Markets will convert Food Lion units in Cumberland, Frostburg, Owings Mill, Eldersburg and Reisterstown, Md., and will reopen them on Friday, Sept. 16. In the following week, it will convert additional Maryland Food Lions in Columbia, Elkridge, Gaithersburg (2) and Mitchellville, with plans to reopen them on Friday, Sept. 23.

The newly converted stores will offer a variety of local products, along with more than 3,000 Weis brand products. The grocer will also expand its long-standing history of partnering with local farmers and growers to provide fresh. affordable food, including a wide selection of organic produce, baked goods, quality meats and fresh dairy items.

The 38 former Food Lion stores represent Weis Markets' second major acquisition in 2016. In August, it completed the conversion of five Mars Super Markets in Baltimore County, Md. Once all store conversions are complete, Weis will have increased the number of its operating stores by more than 25 percent and will operate 204 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia.

Weis Markets plans to close and reopen each location quickly and efficiently to ensure that customers experience minimal inconvenience during a process that's expected to take less than one week per location.

The following is a complete list of former Food Lion stores that Weis Markets intends to convert this fall: