VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (WVEC)-- It’s lights out at dozens of shuttered Farm Fresh stores across the region, and the store's neighbors are feeling the effects.
In March, Supervalu announced they were selling Farm Fresh grocery stores in Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina.
Most of the stores were sold to Harris Teeter, Kroger, and Food Lion, and two stores were purchased by a man in Hampton Roads.
Business owners surrounding the empty stores are feeling their absence.
"You get more parking spaces open," said Giuseppe Luisi, the manager of Salvatore's Italian restaurant in Norfolk. "The fact that no one is there, and we're still doing well, thank goodness for us.”
The restaurant’s manager said their business sustained a brief dip in business since the grocery store left.
"It depends on the business. You know, if you're strong enough to withstand you will, and if not you won't. It's unfortunate. It's very savage,” said Luisi.
The struggle is similar in Norfolk, according to Rajput Indian Cuisine's manager, Nipun Chhabra.
"Yes, it has affected business just because it's less customers coming to the area, but it's not a significant difference," Chhabra said
With a sustainable business, Chhabra said they certainly found the grocery store's location convenient.
"As a restaurant, we depend a lot on groceries and a lot on the local neighborhood because we're a local restaurant too," Chhabra said.
Across the street from Rajput’s, Tessa Coan is the owner of Tessa's creations. Her business is based online, so she thinks her bottom line is safe.
It remains a mystery to Coan and other business owners about when someone will take over the vacant grocery store buildings.
"We're hoping that something moves in there pretty quick,” said Coan.
"Definitely miss the foot traffic, and very interested to see who comes back in. Help support them and hopefully they support us as well,” said Luisi.
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