Winn-Dixie Transforms Again

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. isn’t done transforming by a long shot. This week, the grocer bowed the first of what it calls its  “transformational” stores in north Florida, and the fifth such store overall, in the St. Johns Commons between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Fla., in the north of the Sunshine State. Nearly identical to the revamped Winn-Dixie location that reopened last week in Apopka, Fla., near Orlando, the St. Johns store now offers such features as a new store entrance with an outdoor market, a greatly expanded produce department, a huge new deli/prepared foods section, a remodeled and enlarged pharmacy including a wellness center, an upgraded floral department, highly polished concrete floors that resemble granite, a Wi-Fi Internet café sitting area with complimentary coffee, and a gourmet coffee and candy shop.

“This store exemplifies our commitment to the fast-growing northwest St. Johns County area and serves as a one-stop grocery destination catering to the needs, tastes and preferences of the surrounding community,” noted Dan Lafever, regional VP at Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie, which operates 484 supermarkets in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi.

“With an enhanced product selection and expanded departments, guests will enjoy a fresh and local shopping experience every time they visit our store,” added store director Greg Stanford.

To mark the grand reopening, Winn-Dixie is hosting a series of celebrations throughout August that will include cooking demonstrations, food tastings, live entertainment, raffles and giveaways.

The company plans to open a total of  17 "transformational" stores in the coming year at a cost of about $5.5 million per store.