The Villages’ first grocery store has bagged up final its sale.
The Winn-Dixie at La Plaza Grande has closed in anticipation of its conversion to an ALDI grocery story.
That particular Winn-Dixie holds a special place in the history of The Villages. It was the first supermarket to open in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. Many of the original residents of the Orange Blossom Gardens area remember the days when they had to drive to Leesburg to purchase groceries. Publix arrived in La Plaza Grande after Winn-Dixie. According to lore, Publix brass wanted to see the golf cart bridge built over U.S. Hwy. 27/441 before opening a grocery store. Publix wanted to ensure it had a sufficient customer base to support its first-ever store in The Villages.
What’s next for that retail space?
Last month, a building permit was approved by the Town of Lady Lake for the new ALDI.
Drawings seem to indicate that the exterior facade will remain in keeping with the Spanish-theme that dates back many years in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. Of course, an ALDI sign will replace the Winn-Dixie lettering.
However, the interior of the store will be completely revamped in keeping with the style established by ALDI, a grocer synonymous with low prices.
The building is 46,400 square feet. The ALDI store will be using 22,544 square feet and a “future tenant” will be taking over 23,856 square feet. The identity of the “future tenant” has not been revealed.
A start date for the ALDI conversion has not been announced.
In July, the new ALDI opened its doors at Lake Sumter Landing, after the closure and conversion of that Winn-Dixie store.
There has been no announcement about the conversion of the Winn-Dixie store at Pinellas Plaza, which is also destined to be converted to an ALDI supermarket.