Say goodbye to Bloom - the upscale grocer's Charlotte-area stores will convert to Food Lion locations in the next few months, the company said Monday.
Both Bloom and Food Lion are banners of Delhaize, a Belgian conglomerate that operates supermarkets in the United States, Europe and Asia.
"We appreciate the loyalty of our Bloom guests; however, we are confident our Food Lion banner will best meet the needs of our customers at these locations," said Bloom's vice president Tammy DeBoer in a statement. "Our stores will remain open as we transition into Food Lion stores as quickly as possible."
Bloom said the decision to convert its seven stores in the Charlotte-area market was made after "thorough analysis and careful consideration for the customers in these markets." The company will also convert its eight Bloom stores in the Greenville, S.C., area to Food Lions and close a location in Mauldin, S.C.
There are currently some 65 Bloom stores, mostly in the Southeast. The company said that it will focus its energy on developing Bloom in southeast Virginia and Washington, D.C.