Bi-Lo

Bi-Lo was a well-known grocery chain in the southeastern United States, particularly recognized for its value-oriented supermarket format and strong presence in the Carolinas. The company began its journey in 1961 when Frank Outlaw, a former executive at Winn-Dixie, purchased four grocery stores in Greenville, South Carolina. From these humble beginnings, Bi-Lo expanded significantly over the years, becoming a go-to destination for shoppers in search of affordable groceries and everyday essentials. By the early 2000s, Bi-Lo had established hundreds of stores across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, earning a reputation for neighborhood convenience and competitive pricing.

A pivotal moment for the company came in December 2004 when Lone Star Funds, a private equity firm, acquired Bi-Lo Holdings, which included both the Bi-Lo and Bruno’s supermarket chains. Despite facing industry challenges, including a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009, Bi-Lo emerged with renewed investment and a clearer focus on its primary markets. The merger with Winn-Dixie in 2011 was another significant development, creating a combined entity of 690 stores and 63,000 employees, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. This merger integrated Bi-Lo into Southeastern Grocers, which also managed the Harveys and Fresco y Más brands.

During the 2010s, Bi-Lo experienced fluctuations in its store count due to market dynamics, divestitures, and strategic shifts. While it continued to serve communities in the Southeast, Southeastern Grocers began to divest and rebrand Bi-Lo locations in the late 2010s and early 2020s. In 2020, the decision was made to sell and close all remaining Bi-Lo stores as part of a strategy to streamline operations and concentrate on other banners. The Bi-Lo brand was officially retired in April 2021, with most locations either closing or being converted to other grocery brands like Food Lion and Harvey’s.

As of November 2025, Bi-Lo no longer operates any stores, but its impact on the region’s retail history is undeniable. For six decades, Bi-Lo played a crucial role in shaping the grocery landscape of the Southeast. For commercial real estate professionals, the former Bi-Lo locations represent a significant portfolio of strategically placed, mid-sized retail sites, many of which continue to serve as anchors in neighborhood shopping centers across the Carolinas, Georgia, and beyond.