Franconia Shoppers Grocery Store To Close In February

FRANCONIA, VA — After news broke in December about several Shoppers stores being closed or sold, one more store is joining the list. Employees at the Franconia Shoppers were told Tuesday the store will close by Feb. 16, according to the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 union.

The store is located at 7005 Manchester Boulevard in Franconia. Washington Business Journal reported that the store will be divided into three spaces: a HomeSense store, Sierra store and future grocery tenant. United Natural Foods Inc., the parent company of Shoppers, did not immediately comment on the Shoppers closure to the Business Journal.

In a statement, the UFCW Local 400 said United Natural Foods Inc. did not tell workers about the upcoming closure when news broke of future plans for the space. "Employees who have dedicated their careers to Shoppers should not be left to wonder where their next paycheck will come from," said Mark Federici, president of the UFCW Local 400. "But UNFI seems determined to leave them in the dark for as long as possible."

The Franconia Shoppers closure in February will follow the closures of the Potomac Yard Shopping Center location in Alexandria and Bull Run Plaza location in Manassas by the end of January. The other locations shutting down are Baltimore, Severn and Kensington in Maryland.

United Natural Foods Inc. also announced the sale of 13 stores. This includes the Rolling Valley location in Burke, which is being sold to German discount grocer Lidl. The other 12 locations being sold are in Maryland; the buyers are Lidl, Compare Foods and McKay’s.

The parent company intends to sell other Shoppers locations. Plans have not yet been announced for 7660 Richmond Highway in Hybla Valley; 9409 Lorton Market Street in Lorton; 9622 Main Street in Fairfax; 4174 Fortuna Center Plaza in Dumfries and 1505 Stafford Market Place in Stafford.

The union representing Shoppers employees is working on negotiations for severance and other benefits due to the store closures. It is also planning a resource fair to help with job training and placement for Shoppers workers on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UFCW Local 400 Headquarters, 8400 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Landover, Maryland.