Harris Teeter to open

INDIAN LAND – Seven years after Harris Teeter left Lancaster County, a new location is opening in Indian Land.

Aaron Morrison/staff photographer

Harris Teeter returns to Lancaster County with the opening next week of a store at Carolina Commons in Indian Land. Harris Teeter had a store in Lancaster for years, but it closed in 2002. The new Harris Teeter anchors the new Carolina Commons shopping ce

Buy this photo

Harris Teeter will celebrate its grand opening March 18 at the Carolina Commons shopping center off U.S. 521 at Sun City Carolina Lakes. The 48,000-square-foot store, which is larger than average, will feature a pharmacy and a Starbucks coffee shop.

Harris Teeter had a store in Lancaster for many years, but it closed in February 2002. The store, located at 409 W. Meeting St., shut its doors after almost 40 years  due to declining sales.

Catherine Reuhl, spokeswoman for Harris Teeter, said the new store will have 106 employees, 50 of whom are new to the company. She said the company chose Indian Land because it is a fast-growing area.

“(Harris Teeter) believes we can fill a need in this burgeoning market,” Reuhl said.

The store will feature a full-service meat department, fisherman’s market, salad bar, prepared foods section and bakery. There will also be a Western Union, a Coinstar machine and a Red Box DVD rental kiosk.

Next week’s grand opening will feature a speech from the store manager, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m.

“The grand opening ceremony is a chance for us to recognize our associates’ hard work and dedication preparing the store for opening,” Reuhl said.  

On March 20 to 22, there will be grand-opening demos where shoppers can try items around the store, and there will be an opportunity for shoppers to sign up for e-VIC, a free service that lets customers know when items are on sale.

Reuhl said she has already heard a positive reaction from residents in the Indian Land area. One woman, who teaches at a local high school, said she was eagerly awaiting the store’s opening.

Reuhl wants to get the word out to all local schools that they can participate in the Harris Teeter Together in Education program.

“All in all, we are proud to bring our first store to Indian Land and welcome both new and existing customers who choose to shop at this location,” she said.

Carolina Commons is being developed by RED Partners, a Charlotte-based commercial real estate development company.

Other tenants that have signed leases and have their signs up on storefronts near the Harris Teeter include Comporium, UPS Store, Quiznos, Great Clips, Salon Salon, Beautiful Nails, AAA Insurance and Gentle Care Cleaners.

CVS, BB&T and a Wendy’s are already open, and a Bank of America branch is coming soon.

Hall Johnston, a partner with RED Partners, said the majority of stores in the 22,000-square-foot shopping center adjacent to the Harris Teeter will open on or around March 18.

“Things are going great at the location,” Johnston said. “We’re working on leases now for the remaining eight spaces.”

Contact reporter Chris Sardelli  at csardelli@thelancasternews.com or at (803) 416-8416