What's Developing

            For summer 2010, Smith Mountain Lake-area shoppers will have a new alternative for picking up the provisions needed to feed their families and hungry visitors.

            A new Food Lion, being built along Virginia 122 near the intersection with Hendricks Store Road, is slated to open in late March.

            The 35,000-square-foot store will include "an expanded selection of fresh, quality produce, meats and deli/bakery products, as well as a pharmacy with a drive-through window," said Jennifer Speck, Food Lion corporate spokesperson.

            Other service features such as Western Union, Blue Rhino propane tank exchange, Rug Doctor rentals, ATM and a Coinstar machine will be available, she said. 

            An adjoining 13,000 square feet of space is being built to house a prospective restaurant and several retail stores.

            "It's just a matter of time," said Bill Berry of Westlake's Phillips Development, which owns the 33-acre Moneta Commons property that surrounds the realigned intersection of Rt. 122, Hendricks Store Road and Diamond Hill Road. "Development is slow now, but it will come back. I've seen dips like this three times before. What draws people to Smith Mountain Lake has not changed."

            Berry said Food Lion conducted an extensive market study before deciding to build a new store in Moneta.

            "As a national chain, it is a strong anchor," he said. "The neighboring sites are ideal for fast food, convenience stores, gas and other shops."

            Berry also credited Bedford County Administrator Kathleen Guzi, Chief of Planning Mary Zirkle, retired Director of Economic Development Sue Montgomery and Debbie Shinstine, the Virginia Department of Transportation's residency administrator for Bedford County, for being instrumental in the project.

            "Food Lion wanted the new store open in time for the start of the 2010 season," he said. "That team did what had to be done to make it possible."