Lynchburg, VA - Food Lions in Lynchburg and Appomattox are officially closed. The parent company announced it was closing 113 under performing stores by February 13.
Laid off employees will get severance pay and are encouraged to apply at other area Food Lions. Between 30 and 40 people lost their jobs when Lynchburg's Bedford Avenue store closed its doors, and people living downtown now have fewer affordable food options.
Windows at the Appomattox store have been boarded up as well and all signs have been taken down.
The director of Economic Development says Food Lion still has three years left on its lease, but he hopes another grocery chain will purchase the building soon.
"The community is really concerned about jobs," said Jeff Taylor. "We lost Thomasville, there were some there, we've lost Food Lion now. They're asking 'what's next?'"
About 4,900 people nationwide will lose their jobs when all stores close by mid-February.
