Food Lion plans new, larger store in Lexington

Food Lion will build a new 37,000-square-foot store on Talbert Boulevard in Lexington, replacing a renovation plan and aiming to open in early 2027. The company says the store will feature expanded ready-to-eat and prepared food options, self-checkout lanes, and pickup and delivery services.

Food Lion is building a new store on a cleared lot next to its existing Lexington location on Talbert Boulevard. Company leaders say they chose a new build instead of renovating the current store to deliver a larger space and a modern layout from opening day. The new store will measure 37,000 square feet, up from the current 34,000 square feet. Officials say the store is expected to open in early 2027, though exact dates for the current store's closure were not provided. Known details: - The new site is the lot adjacent to the current Food Lion on Talbert Boulevard, where trees have recently been cleared and earthmoving is underway. - The store will be 37,000 square feet versus the current 34,000 square feet. - Planned features include ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook and ready-to-heat meals with quality meats, organic, gluten-free and plant-based items, in-store prepared cut fruit, freshly made sushi, a self-service wing, and a hot favorites bar. - Customers will have Food Lion To Go Pickup and home delivery options, plus self-checkout lanes alongside traditional cashier-assisted checkouts. - Food Lion said it will partner with local food banks to donate unsold edible food, and noted its Food Lion Feeds program has donated more than 1.5 billion meals since 2014 with a goal announced in 2025 to reach 3 billion meals by 2032. - The company also reported a $484 million capital investment to remodel 153 stores across the greater Charlotte market area, including additional updates in Lexington. Summary: The planned new store is presented as a community investment intended to provide a larger, more modern shopping environment and expanded prepared-food options. The project is underway with site clearing visible now, and while the company notes an expected opening in early 2027, the exact timeline for when the current store will close and the new one will open is undetermined at this time.