DUNN, N.C. — A Food Lion warehouse here that was damaged in a tornado in April probably won't be fully back up and running until 2012, a spokeswoman for the chain told SN.
The Salisbury N.C.-based chain has continued operating the grocery portion of the 1.3 million-square-foot facility, but it has shifted perishables supply — along with about 100 personnel — to other warehouses in Salisbury; Elloree, S.C.; and Disputanta, Va., said Christy Phillps-Brown, the Food Lion spokeswoman,
Some 139 workers, however, have been placed on "inactive status," she said, meaning they have been laid off until further notice.
"We have restored our grocery portion of the distribution center and more than 500 associates have returned to work," she said. "Although we have made significant progress in our restoration efforts, the perishable portion of the distribution facility is expected to be complete in early 2012. We remain strongly committed to rebuilding this facility and restoring operations so that associates can return to work as quickly as possible."
