VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Independent grocers have come to the rescue of three Farm Fresh stores, including two in Hampton Roads.
Oh, and the brand’s fried chicken, too.
Virginia Beach resident Chris Lee will acquire those two spots from SUPERVALU, Inc. — one at the Chimney Hill Shopping Center in Virginia Beach and another at 353 Chatman Drive in Newport News.
The stores will continue to operate under the Farm Fresh name and Lee hopes to keep as many current employees as possible.
Another Farm Fresh location at 2320 East Main Street in Richmond will also be bought by Neighborhood Grocery Holdings LLC of Charlottesville.
Lee, a longtime Hampton Roads resident, was thrilled to be able to carry on the Farm Fresh legacy and bring a few new additions.
“Having lived here my entire life and currently operating stores in the Hampton Roads area, I’m pleased to have this great opportunity to continue the Farm Fresh brand,” said Lee. “As with our other stores, we’ll have a strong focus on the fresh departments and offer the products and solutions today’s shoppers require from their local grocer.”
Lee also owns the Grand Mart in Virginia Beach and the J&J International Market in Woodbridge — both independent grocery stores.
21 of 38 Farm Fresh stores were sold by SUPERVALU back in March to Kroger, Harris Teeter and Food Lion.
11 of the stores not purchased in March have closed for good, and three other local stores are still currently operating under the Farm Fresh name in Hampton Roads, according to SUPERVALU:
- 928 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach
- 460 Wythe Creek Road, Poquoson
- 113 Norge Lane, Williamsburg
SUPERVALU says it’s still exploring options for selling these locations, and has extended contracts with employees at the stores through June.