I love love LOVE shopping at Bloom across town due to one person Russell Washington! He is a spirited man that makes everyday a smile, brings light to a dark day with his humor and personality!! Best keep this man on for a LONG LONG while because as you can SEE from this blog he brings in lots of your customers including me from ASHBURN!

Russell for Mayor

Now since there closing one of them, maybe they can fire that sick looking Transvesdite named “Casey” (curley headed mexican) working there that got fired from Kohls for messing around with 2 other female workers in the bathroom at Kohls.

For those that made use of Bloom’s super double coupon days, this is a blow. Food Lion does not double coupons. And no, before anyone jumps on my case, I am not an “extreme couponer.” I buy reasonable amounts of what my family needs, and when I acquire items for free with coupons, I always donate some to food banks and overseas soldiers. So this is a big disappointment, even if some Loudoun County people think it’s shameful to admit to using coupons.

Only Sleestaks shop at Bloom!

It is called over saturation and “Bloom” ended up on the bottom of the barrel.

Wegmans is not “high class”.  It is just a clean grocery store with a nice selection.  Plenty of average Joes making a fraction of the average Loudoun resident also choose Wegmans over other stores in Upstate NY where they started off.  Where I grew up, one large chain went bankrupt a few years back, they just couldn’t compete with what Wegmans offered.  These were working class people, it wasn’t because of the caviar and dry aged beef.

“It’s the free market.”

It is a over built commercial real estate market.  The problem is when the “free market” starts shutting down stores in response, the entire commercial base implodes and Loudoun taxpayers pay for it.  Our government needs to put some breaks on new commercial retail development until new businesses can be brought in to fill our empty spaces.

Don’t expect that sort of fore thought from this BOS.  BUILD BABY BUILD!!

Heaven forbid the Jones’ next door see you bringing in groceries in Bloom bags.

We all know that paying less money means you are poor. A Ford Fusion doesn’t scream money like an Infiniti G35 does. Someone who shops at Bloom must have less income than someone who shops at Harris Teeter. If you have an iPhone3, you’re poorer than someone who has an iPhone 4S.

You can’t look like you’re poor in Loudoun County.

It’s the free market.  They couldn’t provide the public with an offering that the residents of Loudoun and other parts of the country valued.  Anyone slamming other successful chains is stupid.  If you don’t like them, don’t shop there.  Losing a job sucks, but if its going to happen, NoVa is the best place for it to happen in.  We’ve got one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.  If you can’t find work here, you don’t really want to work.

Only in Loudoun County are people such snobs that they will only shop at “high class” grocery stores like Harris Teeter and Wegmans instead of “bottom of the barrel” grocery stores like Bloom and Shoppers.

I find it amazing that a grocery store with affordable prices can go out of business. You would think that grocery stores are recession-proof like funeral homes.

Just the start.  Retail/commercial closure are going to increase in Loudoun.  We already have too much vacant space and this will only add to the problem.

BOS should ensure that they have NEW businesses to fill new space before they approve any more new retail/commercial developments.  Otherwise, the commercial tax base (such that it is) will implode and we taxpayers will be on the hook yet again.

Russell is the best… Although I’m not a regular at this store, I do shop there from time to time and on occaision have shopped there just because of his great spirit.  I would love to hear where he ends up going/doing.

Hot 4 Teacher - “When you lose, something, you no longer have it.”  The grammatical lesson for today is unnecessary comma splices: each one used to cost 10 points in college English courses!

saturation, wring or dry yourself out:  I personally have no power to “approve” anything other than by opinion, and never have.

Back to topic, I’m glad we have a variety of stores—when I first moved in we had to go to Fairfax to shop, and Shoppers in Chantilly was great.  Not fancy, but wonderful prices, and a surprising mix of products.

I saw people from Arcola and farther west in that store weekly, who for whatever reason chose the drive to Chantilly for Shoppers over the (for some of them, closer) Middleburg Safeway.

When Food Lion opened in South Riding (with many of the same comments that what was REALLY needed was a Fresh Fields or Sutton Place—some of us were glad to get a store with a pahramacy and I still am), I saw many of those same folks from farther out on 50 at the South Riding Food Lion—it was more than five miles closer than Shoppers on the highway.

We need the variety in the mix, and I’m glad to see Food Lion stay, whatever they choose to have as their logo.

Actually, one should wonder why Tom Dunn lied on his economic disclosure form with the County of Loudoun when he got the planning commission slot.  He did not list of his jobs.  I wonder when the press will be calling Tom Dunn to explain why he lied.

If Barbara Munsey didn’t approve all those extra grocery store locations we wouldn’t have this problem.

I’ll have to stock up on some things that the other markets don’t carry, e.g., Streit’s matzohs.  They also are the only store to carry non-fat buttermilk.

I confess I am an communist

I need to tell you a great Russell story.  This was a few years when they were opened all night and they had him work the register one evening.  I was standing in line and it was the longest one because he talked to the customers while ringing them out.  There was a woman in front of me who was clearly agitated because it was taking so long.  When she finally got to the register, he opened her egg carton to make sure they were all intact.  Well, one was cracked and he pleasantly let her know that she had a cracked egg.  She stated that she didn’t care if the egg was cracked and to hurry up because she had been standing in line long enough.  He looked at her and said “Well, you don’t have to worry about that cuz we are opened 24 hours”....just smiling away.  I absolutely love Russell!  That is the only time I saw him work the register but whenever I go in there, I make sure I go to the line where he’s bagging the groceries.  He always makes my day!

I too, enjoy Russell.  If more people were like him, we’d be a happier country!

Today’s spelling lesson word, is LOSE.  Not to be confused with LOOSE.  When you lose, something, you no longer have it.  When you are loose, well, your mama didn’t raise you well.  That is all; class dismissed.

Russell def deserves recognition. He is always so nice, in a great mood, and is great to my kids!!

How about we get something BESIDES a grocery store?? Seriously, how many places do we need to buy crap at?

Wegmans has long been recognized as one of the best companies in America to work for.  They pay fair wages, promote largely from within, and help pay for education. 

I grew up with Wegmans and a lot of people I graduated HS with had part time jobs at Wegmans and also employee scholarships from Wegmans.  Some of them still work for Wegmans today as managers after getting their degrees.  Not many companies will do that for you these days, especially not in retail.

Where will I get my bleached meat now?

I agree, Russell is the man!  I hope the realize how great he is.

We have a lot of choices in Leesburg, but I choose Bloom for the sole reason that Russell puts a smile on my face every time I’m there.  He’s a gem and I hope they look out for him.

There answer here would be a medium-sized supermarket that supports local growers and hires local citizens at fair wages.

Russell Washington is the best customer service person I have ever been around.

It appears from the company site that South Riding will convert back to Food Lion.

Fine by me—I’ve noticed for some time that a lot of the organics offered when it changed to Bloom have been on closeout price.  I understood the switch to Bloom when the grocery store wars began a few years ago—they had to compete with the Harris Teeters marching out from Fairfax every few miles, and so on, but now with the closure of the Shoppers in Chantilly, it may be time to stop chasing the higher end bucks and serve what they do best:  value neighborhood food shopping.

Which is why I shopped there when it opened as Food Lion, stayed there when it switched to Bloom, and have no plans to move as they go back to Food Lion.

They are closest to my home, and have the best prices.  If I need something special that they don’t have, there is Giant on the other side of town, a Harris Teeter to the east and one to the west.

We’ve an embarrassment of riches in the food shopping arena.

What about the South Riding Bloom?

“stay at home moms who have nothing better to do”?  Wow.  Fireman needs to spend more time with SAHMs to see how much they do to make a difference in their families and in their communities.

Russell rocks!!

I am glad that the South King store remains. I appreciate an individual there by the name of “Russell”. He is always happy to provide genuine service to the shoppers and offers weary shoppers a warm smile and encouraging words.

You’ll never catch me flying on a ValueJet..

I am glad the King St store is staying.  As mentioned below, great for popping in and getting what you need quickly, and they have the best beer prices in town.  Not so glad about the name change back to Food Lion.  Here is a company that has lost it’s way.  They changed the names to Bloom several years ago to distance themselves from the Food Lion name and horrible reputation.  We haven’t forgotten.  This is on par with Value Jet changing their name back to AirTran.  You remember them, they landed their jets in the Everglades….

Sorry for the employees of Food Lion/Bloom/Bottom Dollar stores loosing their jobs.  I use the Bloom store near me as sort of a “neighborhood” grocery store to run in for one or two items once in a while.  I never do weekly shopping there.  Harris Teeter is a large store with some nice sales on seafood/meats, but I haven’t been to a Harris Teeter in over a year.  Wegmans is the best for big shopping, especially when entertaining and for the holidays.  The quality and high standards cannot be beaten by any other grocery store chain in this area.  Giant is my second best for weekly sales and deli - especially Boar’s Head luncheon meats.  Giant, at least, is finding it’s own nitch instead of trying to compete with Wegmans or Whole Foods.  Loudoun County does need a Whole Foods.  There is no easy way in & out of the parking lot at the Reston Whole Foods.  Can do without a Trader Joe’s.  However, each of these supermarkets has something for someone but, unfortunately, Food Lion/Bloom didn’t offer a lot for everyone.

I agree with the rest on the Wegman’s comments.  Went there the other day and was reminded of why I don’t shop there, too large and too many people with way too much time on their hands who don’t want to get out of your way.  Nice for specialty shopping but not for every day. 

As for their produce being so great, it is all about lighting and merchandising folks.  I work at one of the other big grocers around here. And I can tell you from unloading trucks and seeing pallets labeled for other stores that Wegmans, Safeway, Giant and Shoppers all get their produce from the same warehouse.

I’d love a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s too. I think it would do really well in Ashburn…. The space is probably too big for normal Trader Joe’s size, but Whole Foods would fit in there.

PLEASE…not another Harris Teeter.  There are too many of them already in Ashburn.  They have a BIG selection but are too overpriced.  Trader Joe’s is lame and the variety stinks and like Harris Teeter, over-priced.

I vote Trader Joes.  Bloom on King Street does blow.  They are always out of stuff, but I still go there all the time if I just need a few items because I can get in and out in no time.

Loudoun needs a Whole Foods. Driving all the way to Reston blows.

I agree, Wegmans is not designed to just run in and grab something. Their stores are designed for a Shopping Experience. Stay at home moms with nothing better to do hang out at Wegmans.

Hairy Teeter’s prices are not that bad & some pretty good sales.  Also, they will take your groceries to your car and put them in your car if you are a senior or disabled.  They also have some brands not available elsewhere.  I don’t like the service at Giant.

This article really is lacking considering only one of the stores is closing in Leesburg.  But I agree that a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods would do gangbusters either in Leesburg or Ashburn.  Wegmans is a PIA to shop at.  I’d pop into Bloom on King Street if I only needed a couple things (easy in and out).

May be whole foods at farmwell plz. Would love it.

I don’t generally shop there, but it is disheartening nonetheless, especially for those who will be losing their jobs.

I’ll deal with the crowds at Wegmans, its worth it for the cheaper prices and good quality produce and meats.  Plus their wine dept. is terrific and cheaper than anyone else.  Harris Teeter has a lot to choose from but the prices are too high.  Food Lion/Bloom always was a cruddy store.

Wegman’s gives me a headache I don’t want to have to do a marathon just to buy some bread and milk and TP. With another new grocery announced coming to Pville the Bloom/Food Lion probably won’t last long. Big stores fight it out and Leesburg town council just like Pville (and probably the new BOS) allows more retail and residential instead of office. Guess they like to encourage traffic and minimum wage jobs.

I only really only shop at grocery stores to stock up on sale items.  Harris Teeter’s sales are not bad, and their seafood / meat quality is on par with Wegmans.  $6.99 a lb for top tier snow crab is a great price.  I stopped going to Bloom after they told me I could no longer use their courtesy card due to their financial state.  For those that don’t know, if you don’t want to fill out a store’s paperwork to get a “card” you can ask for a courtesy card.

BLOOM ON FT EVANS TO CLOSE DUE TO UNDER PERFORMANCE. NO SURPRISE THERE! SOLD MORE BEER & WINE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.  BLOOM ON KING ST TO GO BACK TO FOOD LION.  BEST WISHES TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES. JOBS ARE HARD TO FIND!

The Ashburn store location would be great for a Trader Joes.

I agree with the comment below, I’ve never understood why people like Harris Teeter.  The produce is never that great and everything is overpriced.  Bloom was OK, but nothing special.

Unfortunately people around here show the same class and concern for others in grocery stores as they do on the road, so when Wegmans gets packed, I usually just settle for Giant (at least they have Boar’s Head).  It is too frustrating to navigate through the people too important to move their cart to the side when they are looking for something on the shelf.  Not to mention the fact people around here feel the need to bring the whole freaking family grocery shopping.  Make a list, have one adult go, and save me the hassle of your kids running around the aisles around me while I try and shop.

@I.resident - only the Bloom located at 240 Fort Evans Rd (next to Home Depot) will be closed according to the press release from Delhaize America.
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@Wow, bye , bye business! are you really that stupid? Making a statement like “a huge failure in just the first week of their term” doesn’t even make sense unless of course you are a wide left liberal.  Then it makes perfect sense.

@Wow, bye , bye business!.......THEIR…not there!! Pronoun…possessive case! It’s just basic english people!!

It looks like the new Board of Supervisors has another failure to add to their record.  This is huge and will leave a lot of vacant retail around Loudoun County.  There efforts to grow local commercial business is already a huge failure in just the first week of their term!  It just looks so bad for the Scott York broken nine.

Who cares, Wegmans is better. Produce needs to be used quickly after purchase and I prefer local farmers markets.

I am shocked that Teeter is still in business. Prices are higher than everyone else.

Bloom Sucks. Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Giant, and Safeway already dominate the market in this region.

Is Leesburg loosing BOTH Bloom’s, or not?