LiDL looks to Lake Ridge as part of U.S. expansion

LiDL (pronounced “lie dal”) is looking to expand in Lake Ridge.

The German grocer want to build a new store — one of the first in the U.S. — next to a commuter lot at the corner of Minnieville and Old Bridge roads. Shoppers familiar with the discount grocer liken LiDL to its competitor, German-based Aldi which has several locations throughout the region. 

 LiDL is set to speak with Prince William County officials. and has already met with the Lake Ridge – Occoquan – Coles Civic Association. The compamy would acquire some of the 830 acres of the land at the “Parkway Employment Center” which was rezoned about 18 years ago with the hoeps office and modest retail would be built there.

The grocer would be built near longtime Tacketts Mil anchor grocery store Safeway. Residents want to make sure traffic safety isn’t overlooked if LiDL is built.

“There are a lot of people coming in and out of the commuter lot, and the intersection of Old Bridge Road and Minnieville Road is very busy,” said civic association president Dr. Jack Kooyoomjian. 

LOCA is set to meet again with representatives of LiDL late next month. The grocer has promised to pay for the extension of left turn lanes from Old Bridge Road to Minnieville Road to address LOCA’s traffic concerns, added Kooyoomjian. 

LiDL and would contruct a building that would look nothing like what’s already in the neighborhood. It’s architecture was described by Kooyoomjian as looking like Dulles Airport.

Some said the new grocer would provide more options for shoppers in the area. 

“Clearly our Lake Ridge demographic supports more grocery stores, or LiDL would not be so serious.  That’s good news for all of us. More choice,” said Taketts Mill spokeswoman Nancy Kyme.

Longtime Tacketts Mill tenant grocer Safeway renewed their lease  five years, and the shopping center has as also signed a lease with Pet Valu and Layla’s Mediterrean.  Both of these tenants are actively working on their build-outs while the Center is finishing a $1 million facade renovation.  

“Tackett’s Mill Center sees all of these developments as positives for Lake Ridge residents and businesses as it will ultimately draw more folks to the Tackett’s Mill area,” added Nancy Kyme.

Based in Arlington, LiDL is making its way into the U.S. market. The discount grocer’s main competitor is Aldi, which already boasts two locations in Woodbridge, one in Manassas, and two in Stafford County.

LiDL is recruiting heavily at colleges around the country for store employees and corporate workers. The company announced it’s launch into the U.S. market back in July.

Woodbridge residents have long sought a Trader Joes. In 2013, Occoquan District Supervisor Mike May sent urged the grocer to consider opening a store in Lake Ridge.

Earlier this year, Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi took a petition to Trader Joes headquarters when he went to visit California.