Food desert concerns grow as former Winn-Dixie in west Montgomery transitions to new grocery store

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – A longtime grocery option on Montgomery’s west side is now closed to customers, and neighbors in District 4 say the closure has made everyday essentials harder to reach.

The store behind the construction fencing — once a Winn-Dixie — is closed for renovations and is expected to reopen as Piggly Wiggly Food for Less. In the meantime, residents say the shutdown has forced many families to travel farther for groceries.

District 4 resident Kela Wright said a simple grocery run now takes multiple bus transfers.

“If I do want to go to the store I got to get on the bus to go to Walmart. And then you got to get on two to three buses to get to Walmart. When we were in walking distance we could just walk here,” Wright said.

District 4 Councilwoman Franetta Riley says the area is considered a food desert, and that city leaders are working on long-term redevelopment to help attract more businesses and resources.

Riley says one of the first steps is clearing out vacant structures to make way for new development. She pointed to planned demolition work beginning with the Candlelight property on West South Boulevard.

“To make green space and as well as commercial space for people to come back and purchase property and build back up,” Riley said.

City leaders say bids are already out, but Riley expects it could take at least a month before a company is selected. She added that more vacant buildings are expected to be demolished across the district as those plans move forward.

For now, a reopening date for the former Winn-Dixie location has not been announced.

Riley is also inviting residents to a community event aimed at bringing neighbors together:

Event: Neighbors and Flavors MontgomeryDate: February 6, 2026Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Location: 4724 Mobile Hwy, Montgomery, AL (in the new Food for Less parking lot)Cost: Free to attendDetails: Food trucks • Fellowship • Fun (family-friendly event)Sponsor: Councilwoman Franetta Riley, District 4

For more updates on the store transition and redevelopment efforts in District 4, stay with WSFA 12 News.

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