Winn-Dixie sells Georgia stores. What that means for Florida locations

A new Winn-Dixie grocery store opened in Alachua, Florida, on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

Provided by The Winn-Dixie Compa

USA TODAY Network, Reuters

Winn-Dixie is selling its last remaining locations outside Florida, five stores in southern Georgia, to focus all of its attention on shoppers and neighborhoods in its home state, the company said.

The Winn-Dixie Co. has agreed to sell locations in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island, and Valdosta to Food Lion LLC. For now, the stores will remain open as Winn-Dixies, pending closing requirements. Food Lion expects to convert and reopen them in mid-December, the company said in a Nov. 6 release.

The move comes at the end of a big comeback year for Winn-Dixie, a century-old, Miami-born, Jacksonville-based grocery chain. After reforming and buying back stores from Aldi’s brief acquisition of its parent company in 2024-2025 and sporting a new name and store design, The Winn-Dixie Co. has converted eight Harvey’s Supermarkets and bought and converted three Hitchcock’s Markets into Winn-Dixie stores, with plans to roll the momentum into 2027.

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“We’ve made tremendous progress this year, from opening new stores and investing in our neighborhoods to bringing our operations together under one iconic brand,” said Raymond Rhee, President and CEO of The Winn-Dixie Co, in a release. This strategic decision allows us to build on that momentum and direct more resources toward expanding and strengthening our presence across Florida.”

Winn-Dixie also expanded its delivery options through Amazon in April to reach households in most Florida metro areas.

Two new Winn-Dixie stores are expected to open in 2027 in Eustis and Zephyrhills.

“Looking ahead, we remain committed to building on our legacy, serving more Florida communities and delivering on our promise to be Florida’s hometown grocer,” Rhee said.

New Winn-Dixie stores planned for 2027

The Winn-Dixie Company plans to open two new locations in Florida next year, “while further exploring opportunities to expand its footprint statewide,” the company said.

Zephyrhills: 4840 Allen Road, most recently a Big Lots, formerly a Winn-Dixie that closed in 1997Eustis: 405 Plaza Drive, off U.S. 441, formerly a Big Lots

The chain recently opened converted Hitchcock’s Markets as Winn-Dixie stores in Keystone Heights and Alachua.

Which Georgia Winn-Dixie stores are becoming Food Lion stores?

The last five Winn-Dixie stores in Georgia are:

5420 Jesup Hwy. Brunswick3606 Second Street, Folkston1060 Lakes Blvd. Lake Park220 Retreat Village Street, Simons Island3200 North Ashley Street, Valdosta

Winn-Dixie stores get a new look

As part of the 100-year-old grocery chain’s new emphasis on Florida, Winn-Dixie has been revamping its stores with a fresh new design and shopping experience and a new logo. The changes include:

An extensive produce department with organic optionsA full-service deli with freshly sliced meats and cheeses, self-serve hot foods, prepared sandwiches and saladsThe return of Winn-Dixie’s Lip Lickin’ Chicken offerings, including rotisserie chicken, popcorn chicken and wingsA dedicated seafood department with fresh seafood on ice and ready-to-cook meal offeringsA full bakery with fresh breads, pastries, cakes and dessertsA complete meat departmentAn emphasis on its signature Own Brand itemsNew delivery options, self-checkout lanes, and more

Winn-Dixie is also leaning into serving its local Hispanic market, with Cuban and Puerto Rican rolls and tres leches cakes in the bakery, Hispanic favorites in the produce department, and culturally relevant grocery staples, fresh foods, and prepared favorites across the rest of the store.

It seems to be working. The Winn-Dixie Co. has received 68 awards so far in 2026, the company said, including Store Brands Editors’ Picks, USA Wine, Beer & Spirits Ratings, the FMI Community Uplift Awards and Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces by State in Florida.

Why did so many Winn-Dixie stores become Aldi stores?

In 2024, the discount grocery chain Aldi acquired Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket, with plans to convert them to its much smaller format. Aldi hoped to open 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 and has already opened around 120 stores in Florida since 2025..

Within a year, a consortium of private investors, led by former SG CEO Anthony Hucker and C&S Wholesale Grocers, reacquired about 170 of the former SG grocery stores, although Aldi kept the locations they had already converted or were in the process of converting. They also got back the existing Winn-Dixie liquor store business that Aldi had left alone.

The consortium formed a new company, The Winn-Dixie Company, closed locations in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, converted the Harveys stores into Winn-Dixie stores, and bought and converted three stores from the regional Hitchcock Markets chain. The company also closed 14 underperforming Florida locations.

In August, C&S proposed a plan to become the majority owner of the new company, with Rhee serving as the new CEO until the transaction closes in early 2027.

Where can I find a Winn-Dixie store near me?

After the Georgia sale, Winn-Dixie will operate more than 120 grocery stores and move than 100 liquor stores in Florida, according to Progressive Grocer.

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Winn-Dixie sells Georgia stores. What that means for Florida locations

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Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union

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This story was originally published November 9, 2026 at 10:43 AM.