With the closure of the Food Lion on Hwy. 280 (coming, not surprisingly, after the creation of the super large Ingles grocery store complex just down the road from it in April 2013) there is a large vacancy in the former grocery store commercial site. The loss of the business leaves only a lonely CVS next to the now-vacant space, along with nearby First Citizens bank branch and Subway/Citgo convenience store and a health care office. Here is a PDF of the property from the realty group representing it’s lease or sale:
Click above to access flyer for information on the availability of this real estate.April 17, 2017: Empty shelves when Food Lion in Mills River was clearing out their remaining stock for 75% off.April 17, 2011: Shoppers just outside the Mills River Food Lion in happier times.April 9, 2005: Food Lion was the only grocery store/supermarket chain in the then-unincorporated area of Mills River. That all changed when rival chain, Ingles, purchased a former farm on Hwy. 280 to construct a super-complex consisting of large footprint supermarket with Starbucks located inside and walk-in beer fridge, bakery, deli and free wi-fi; adjacent Ingles gas station; a surrounding strip mall that has since seen occupants like ACE Hardware, Pardee Urgent Care, Mills River Dentistry, and Papa John’s Pizza.
The now-humble Food Lion could not compete with “The Mills River Mall” less than a mile down Highway 280, and sadly, closed for good in 2017.August 13, 2014: The Ingles mega-store in Mills River off Hwy. 280, seen from the North Mills River Road side.August 13, 2014: Parts of the agricultural land still intact abut the parts of the farm sold off to Ingles corporation to build a giant grocery store complex on the frontage of N. Mills River Rd. and Highway 280 in Mills River.
