Winn-Dixie cooks up new concepts in latest Florida stores

Southeastern Grocers last week opened the first four locations of eight acquired Earth Fare and Lucky’s Market stores in Florida under the Winn-Dixie banner.

Three former Earth Fare stores in Boynton Beach, Jacksonville and Lakewood Ranch and one former Lucky’s Market in Gainesville opened their doors to customers on Nov. 11. 

At the four new Winn-Dixies, customers will find new signature categories plus a wider product selection and more specialty items in each department, according to Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers. The Gainesville store also houses Winn-Dixie’s fifth Taproom, expanding the banner’s “sip and shop” offering. 

The extended varieties of signature items include fresh and dried peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms, and an assortment of tropical fruits and berries across new “farm fresh” produce departments, along with specialty cheeses, take-and-bake pizzas, fresh sushi and other grab-and-go meal options in the deli departments.

Full-service meat departments feature natural organic chicken available in bulk, 12 flavors of fresh-made specialty sausages — ranging from sweet Italian to habanero mango — and cuts of Certified Angus Beef, which Southeastern Grocers said are inspected for marbling, maturity, sizing, quality and tenderness to meet 10 standards more selective than USDA choice and prime beef. 

Related:Southeastern Grocers unveils new Winn-Dixies in Florida

New seafood departments serve up fresh, locally caught selections, such as Florida Keys lobster, stone crab and Mayport shrimp, plus seasonal favorites like mahi mahi, grouper and triggerfish. The fresh bakeries carry more than 15 varieties of artisan-baked breads, as well as pastries and signature desserts. The

The new Winn-Dixies, too, offer specialty foods for various dietary preferences, such as a broader array of organic, natural and gluten-free items, and feature “LiveWell” shelf tags to help customers make healthier food choices.

All of the new stores came from lease purchases during the bankruptcy proceedings of Lucky’s Market and Earth Fare, with Southeastern Grocers buying four Florida locations from each chain. The other Earth Fare store purchased is in Viera, while the other three Lucky’s stores acquired are in Fort Myers, Lake Mary and Melbourne. Those locations are slated to open in early 2021.

All photos courtesy of Southeastern Grocers.