The LIDL Grocery store chain seems to be moving forward with a location on the White Horse Pike in Somerdale, based on real estate purchase documents filed with Camden County just weeks ago.
The $2.85 million dollar purchase price transfers ownership of the corner property from Urgent Care RE LLC to LIDL US Operations LLC.
The proposed Somerdale location is at the corner of the White Horse Pike and Evergreen Ave, in a location which previously was the location of local watering hole, 2z’s Tavern, which served it’s last call in September 2015.
As a side note, the 2z’s Facebook Page is still very lively, and the also have an awesome photo gallery of “last call!”. But I digress.
LIDL Somerdale
Back in August 2019, area news website South Jersey Observer had the story of LIDL appearing before the Somerdale Planning Board seeking approval to develop the grocery store. A few months later they did receive approval but things have been quiet for the site.
Adding to the mystery, in September 2020 LIDL received approval to build another store in Blackwood NJ. At the same time they put a press release saying “50 Stores we plan on opening in by the end of 2021” and while the just approved Blackwood store was listed… the Somerdale location was not!
This lead many to believe that the Somerdale location had already been put on permanent hold, but….
…the December 2020 purchase of the property at $2.85 million sure puts a positive spin on things for the Somerdale location!
The Courier-Post reported a year ago that the Somerdale approval was facing legal action, as a resident filed suit over a redevelopment change which was targeted at allowing the LIDL store to be developed.
At this time, we are not clear on plans or timing of the Somerdale store.
Other Area LIDL Stores
Earlier this year LIDL opened a location in Cherry Hill.
42Freeway has been following the progress of the Glassboro location very closely, which we anticipate opening very early in 2021.
The Blackwood location, as mentioned it was approved just a few months ago and so far there has been little progress there. We suspect that after approvals were given, the construction permit process then has to take place.
A planned Voorhees location was facing a lawsuit.
This all looks very promising for the Somerdale location… but a property in Mantua was previously purchased as part of the first wave of LIDL stores, and despite a $3+ million dollar real estate investment, that property seems to be abandoned by LIDL.
The Philadelphia Business Journal also has a report on this land purchase
