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Winn-Dixie unveils upgraded Florida Keys stores

Marathon location destroyed by Hurricane Irma reopens after rebuild

Russell Redman

April 4, 2019

2 Min Read
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Winn-Dixie said it has updated all of its stores in the Florida Keys with the reopening of its supermarket in Marathon Key (pictured above), which was battered by Hurricane Irma.

The Southeastern Grocers chain last week held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand reopening at the rebuilt Marathon store and local celebrations at its other four Florida Keys locations in Tavernier Key, Big Pine Key, Key Largo and Key West. The events included live entertainment, DJs, giveaways, food samplings and community donations.

Winn-Dixie’s Marathon store had served the community for 37 years, but when Irma hit the area in September 2017, its 130 mph winds damaged the supermarket structurally beyond operation, requiring reconstruction, the retailer said. During the storm, the Winn-Dixie team had opened the store to people in need of shelter and safety.

“Winn-Dixie is at the heart of the Keys and has been for nearly 50 years. We are committed to providing our customers and community with the absolute best shopping experience,” Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said in a statement. “After the incredible damage caused by Hurricane Irma devastated our store and community, we took the opportunity to rebuild our Marathon Winn-Dixie with brand new concepts and local products.”

Related:Winn-Dixie debuts latest store remodels

The Marathon Winn-Dixie features a new Naturally Better section offering an assortment of healthy, everyday products that are organic, gluten-free or dairy-free, each clearly marked and easy for customers with food sensitivities or dietary preferences to find, the retailer said. Other new offerings include a pizza station serving pies or by the slice, a fresh sushi bar and a walk-in cold “beer cave.”

“Additionally, we refreshed all of our Florida Keys Winn-Dixie stores to provide for the unique needs of the communities we proudly serve,” Hucker added. “Our customers and associates have been through a long journey of rebuilding together, and we are honored to celebrate and support this vibrant community.”

Winn-Dixie said it will continue to highlight the refreshed Florida Keys locations throughout April with a special in-store event each Saturday. The retailer also said a remodel of the Key Largo store is coming soon.

Besides in Florida, Winn-Dixie operates supermarkets stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Parent Southeastern Grocers has more than 500 stores overall in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Carolinas.

Related:Southeastern Grocers to shut 22 stores

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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