[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

I am in shock. I was looking at a local newspaper online and saw that a lot of the Harris Teeters in my area are closing in July and Lowe's Foods is taking their place.

It seems that the larger area cities in North Carolina will keep Harris Teeter, but they will be too far for me. This is indeed a shocking and sad day.

Here's a link to the story:

So long, Harris Teeter; Hello Lowes | lowes, harris, teeter - Gaston Gazette

[momnguitarman]

So sorry to hear that! The Lowes food stores near me changed over to "Just Save" which is comparable to a large dollar store with food. Not that great. They don't double qs and they don't seem to have as many name brand products as they did when they were Lowes. Harris Teeter is the only store for about 50 miles that doubles qs in my area now.

[princesspsu57]

Wow, that's so weird! I can't believe they would switch stores like that?

[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

Thanks, I'm still in shock. We have Lowe's Foods and Bi-Lo that double still, but who knows when that will end? I'm trying not to complain since I know others don't have any double coupon stores at all, but I'm really bummed.

[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

Originally Posted by princesspsu57

Wow, that's so weird! I can't believe they would switch stores like that?

I know, it's crazy! It's not like they are struggling for business as there are always people in there and it's not just couponers, LOL.

[maryccc]

I just found out and am sooooo upset. I loved my ht triples and super doubles. I don't understand why they need 3 lowes stores less than 5 miles from each other. I hope they keep the lincolnton ht and denver one. I'm going to miss the hickory ht. I did my best to stay away from lowes because their meat was always so high and they catered to the rich neighborhoods. This stinks

[utvridernc]

maryccc, i hope they keep the one in denver, (that is the closest and my favorite). Couponinginnc i have been in the one on cox rd. gastonia and when i have been in that specific store they were always busy. I have never shopped at lowes food , the closest lowes food to me is gastonia to far....i hate hear that.....

[everprincess]

I'm seriously depressed. No more early morning triple runs for me. I just hate it!!!

[pariss3]

This doesn't make a bit of sense to me. I kept expecting to see Lowe's Foods close, as the one near me is never busy !!

Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. Announces Agreement With Lowe’s Food Stores, Inc. To Purchase And Sell Certain Assets - TheStreet

[maryccc]

I'm still holding out that this is some major Joke!!!

[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

Originally Posted by maryccc

I just found out and am sooooo upset. I loved my ht triples and super doubles. I don't understand why they need 3 lowes stores less than 5 miles from each other. I hope they keep the lincolnton ht and denver one. I'm going to miss the hickory ht. I did my best to stay away from lowes because their meat was always so high and they catered to the rich neighborhoods. This stinks

I don't know why they are closing the ones in Gastonia, which to me, are larger than the one in Lincolnton. It just doesn't make sense. Of course I hope your store stays open there.

I could half-way see them closing one of the HT's in Gastonia, but both and the one in Shelby too?

There is currently only one Lowe's Food stores in Gastonia and it's near the Harris Teeter, so I'm not sure if they are going to have two Lowe's stores so close together? Doesn't make sense at all to me.

[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

Originally Posted by utvridernc

maryccc, i hope they keep the one in denver, (that is the closest and my favorite). Couponinginnc i have been in the one on cox rd. gastonia and when i have been in that specific store they were always busy. I have never shopped at lowes food , the closest lowes food to me is gastonia to far....i hate hear that.....

Yeah, they are always busy. It's right off the interstate and there are lots of neighborhoods near it. This is turning into a very sad summer for me and others.

[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

Originally Posted by maryccc

I'm still holding out that this is some major Joke!!!

I know me too, but I also heard it on the local news as well so I know it's not. It's just crazy since the headquarters for Harris Teeter is in North Carolina.

[thecouponvirgin]

I feel your pain.

[Moggy]

Well that really stinks. Sorry.

[christine2008]

I live less than a mile away from a Lowe's Foods and a HT. The Lowe's is undergoing major renovations which seem to have prompted the HT to do the same. The HT is less than 10 years old, but the two stores seem to compete pretty fiercely (lucky for me!).

[everprincess]

Mary it is no joke. Hickory store will close on June 11th. The last truck came in last night and that is it. Once stock is gone it is gone. Everyone is seriously depressed-the employees and shoppers I saw this morning. I'm going to get what I can before June 11th and then take a break. I will only travel to Lincolnton once a week and that is if Sat e-vics are good and other items. This is just this PITS!

[Scarecrow2012]

I live in the Charlotte area and our Lowe's Foods will become HTs. Don't get me wrong...I love HT, but I think the competition is healthy. Sorry to those who are losing HT altogether. Just stinks all the way around.

[Scrapbookgirl933]

I think Lowe's is struggling and with the constant rumors that Publix is heading for the Charlotte, NC market....my guess is Lowe's wanted out now to not have to deal with that. OR Harris Teeter knows that Publix would be stronger competition than Lowe's and knowing Lowe's is struggling a bit, was worried that Publix might jump in and buy the Lowe's stores in Charlotte and HT wanted to prevent that from happening. Either way it sucks. I was just about to start being down in the Concord area more and was looking foward to being about to hit both Lowe's and HT easily, but now it will just be HT. I'll still have to take my days up here in Welcome and head for any Lowe's Foods runs I need.

I hate it cause I agree the competition makes prices better, our local Food Lion has become much more competitive in prices since the Walmart Express opened up just up the road last November. Competition drives down prices and we need that with the insane prices that food is creeping up too. Hopefully good things will come of this, but I really don't know. Hate it for all of you losing your Harris Teeter's, I feel your pain. I have to travel about 20 minutes now to get to one so most of the time during events I only get there 1 or 2 times during the week, I just can't go everyday like many could with them so close.

Christy

[madtazzy]

maryccc that just crazy to close the hickory ht they just built that new lowes basically right across the street from it

[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

I went to one of the HT's that are closing soon yesterday. They still were accepting my e-Vics and electronic coupons and doubled my coupons thank goodness. I noticed that I got 25% off my frozen and dairy products. I was curious so went on FB and saw that someone on there went to the HT I normally go to and said there was a sign on the door that said it was closing June 14th.

I am still so upset about this and so are LOTS of people in the area. From what I can get from reading there, hearing people talk, etc. HT is afraid of Publix and that is the reason for the change.

I still don't understand why they don't keep at least 1 HT store open in Gastonia (they have 2). If Lowe's Foods opens where the current HT I go to is located, there is already a Lowe's Food store just a few miles down the road that is in a very affluent area.

I can't imagine them having 2 Lowe's Foods stores so close together. My guess (and it's only a guess on my part) is that the funky Food Lion (which is as old as the hills there) will move over to the current HT store as it is in the corner of two roads and is not hidden like the current Food Lion is right beside it.

My shopping strategy will definitely change and suffer as I will have to focus on Bi-Lo, Aldi's and occasionally Trader Joe's when I get a chance to drive to Charlotte.

I refuse to shop at Food Lion or Ingle's. This whole thing is still very upsetting and most of the people in my area feel abandoned as Harris Teeter is a North Carolina based company. They are only focussing on the "affluent" Charlotte area now in my particular area, which stinks as we have supported this company for years. There are plenty of people who shop there that don't use coupons. I've seen them buy from the expensive seafood market section, etc. over the years (something I could never do).

[CouponingInNorthCarolina]

Forgot to mention that Publix is only coming to the Charlotte region, not my region, which is why they (Harris Teeter) are abandoning us. We are according to the statement that they released in a press conference recently, "rural", and they want to focus on more "urban" areas in North Carolina.

[maryccc]

I know that's what I'm saying!!! I kinda understand it now though. I went today and talked to some of the employees. It was early and slow so I was able to chat a while with them and I almost cried for them. Most of them work other jobs so relocating to charlotte isn't an option for them. They said ht wants them to come to charlotte and the ones that can't will be offered a job from lowes which I'm sure they dont' want. They were so sad and so was I when I was talking to them. The asst manager said he has had to pack up quite a few stores in his life but never ever thought this ht would be one of them. They were making so much money he said. He mentioned he believes they are going to make the ht a lowes economical grocery store like save alot or something like that and that is crazy because that ht is right in the heart of the rich people. I saw a sign that said that all produce and dairy is 25% off til they close and they told me they wouldn't be doing the weekly vic deas next week and won't be giving rainchecks after monday. I did see a cart of plants and got a calla lillie for .50 and a hanging basket flowers for $1.

I'll keep them in memory of my HT. This is the second HT I've suffered a loss of. So sad.

Originally Posted by madtazzy

maryccc that just crazy to close the hickory ht they just built that new lowes basically right across the street from it

[maryccc]

it makes me feel better if a publix opens around the charlotte area I would go there.

[maryccc]

I just did my survey and let me say I was very honest!!!!