Idylwood Plaza has secured a new grocery store anchor.
The German chain Lidl will take over space at the shopping center previously filled by Whole Foods Market, which relocated to the Broad & Washington development in nearby Falls Church City in February.
Lidl recently signed a lease for 23,485 square feet at Idylwood Plaza, property owner Federal Realty announced yesterday (Tuesday).
“We’re excited to welcome Lidl to Idylwood Plaza as a value priced grocery option that will resonate with the Falls Church community to make their shopping dollar go further,” Deirdre Johnson, Federal Realty’s senior vice president of asset management, said in a press release. “Their reputation for fresh produce, a standout artisan-style bakery, and a well-curated mix of everyday essentials and international products brings something truly distinctive to the neighborhood.”
The new grocery store is expected to open in late 2026, Federal Realty told FFXnow.
Known for its discounted prices and unique mix of both local and imported products, Lidl has been rapidly expanding in the D.C. region since establishing its U.S. headquarters in Arlington in June 2015. It now has more than 180 stores across the East Coast.
The company already has a couple of locations in the Tysons area, including a store in Merrifield near the Mosaic District and one that opened at Pike 7 Plaza in September 2023.
It’s unclear whether the Idylwood store will be brand-new or a relocation, but Lidl doesn’t appear to have concerns about crowding the market, currently operating 10 spots and counting in Fairfax County. Its most recent launch came on Oct. 16 in Centreville, and a spokesperson confirmed to FFXnow this spring that the grocer has leased space in Herndon’s former Kohl’s building.
At Idylwood Plaza, Lidl will occupy a portion of the former Whole Foods space, and the remainder will be subdivided and leased out to other tenants — an approach that the company has taken in McLean, Herndon and other locations.
According to a site plan for the shopping center, the 29,556 square feet that had been filled by Whole Foods for over 25 years will be split into four different storefronts: the 23,485-square-foot space for Lidl and three smaller suites that will be approximately 1,800, 1,500 and 2,826 square feet.
Federal Realty didn’t comment on whether tenants for the three smaller spaces have been identified or what type of retail is being considered. In McLean, Lidl subleased space to Matchbox Pizza and Big Buns, while the vacant Kohl’s store in Herndon will also be filled by Hobby Lobby and Planet Fitness.
While it lost Whole Foods, Idylwood Plaza has seen a recent influx of new retailers, particularly dining options. So far this year, it has welcomed the Japanese noodle restaurant Kajiken, the frozen yogurt shop Happy Fro Yo and the daytime cafe chain First Watch.
Still to come are Quickway Japanese Hibachi and Mumbai Central, both on track to open this summer, Federal Realty says. Quickway is replacing Astro Doughnuts, and the Indian restaurant is moving into the end-cap space vacated in December 2022 by Jason’s Deli.
