Winn-Dixie unveils remodeled store in Neptune Beach

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A new farm-fresh produce department, café, bakery and deli are among the newest features of Winn-Dixie’s renovated location in Neptune Beach that were unveiled to the community last week.

Approximately 350 people waited in line the day of the grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 23 to see the enhancements, which also include an expanded selection of natural, organic foods and local craft beer, as well as a new pizza and sandwich station and smokehouse. In celebration of the remodeled location, Winn-Dixie held a ribbon cutting ceremony with Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown and Southeastern Grocers (parent company) President & CEO Anthony Hucker.

“We really listened loudly to our customers,” Hucker, who lives in Marsh Landing, told the Recorder after the ribbon-cutting. “They said we want you to invest back into the community, so we put a huge investment into the store.”

The remodeling efforts took about eight to ten weeks. Hucker explained that each store is tailored to the local community, and in the case of the Neptune Beach location, he said customers asked for more natural, organic inventory, so the company delivered with 1,500 natural and organic products.

Other improvements to the store include a full-service, locally-sourced meat department, updated seafood department, new, imported and artisan cheese selections, new health and beauty section, new floral department and more. Located at 1209 Atlantic Blvd., the store is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

“There’s not a single retailer here that can beat us on quality, our prices and most importantly our associates,” Hucker said. “We have the friendliest associates in the entire Duval County.”

Also at the grand opening last Thursday, the company hosted local band, The Party Cartel, and the Fletcher High School Drum Line to entertain customers. To show its commitment to the community, Winn-Dixie presented check donations to Mayport Middle School, Fletcher Middle School and Fletcher High School.

The following day on Friday, Aug. 24, Winn-Dixie hosted a free parking lot party at the Neptune Beach location to continue the celebration. Activities included a charity Giant Jenga Tournament where members of the community played for a chance to receive $2,500 to donate to a local charity of their choice; free food sampling from popular food trucks; “mocktail” sampling; corn hole games; live entertainment and the chance to register to win a new YETI cooler. At both the grand opening and parking lot party, several of the first customers/guests received gift cards valued between $5 and $500.

The Girvin Plaza Winn-Dixie also celebrated the refresh of its store last week. Similar remodeling efforts, Hucker said, will take place at all Winn-Dixie stores over the next three years, including the location in Ponte Vedra Beach.