From bold beginnings to a new future: A century-old grocery chain is scaling back to survive

It started with a bold move, a briefcase full of cash, and a handshake in a corner grocery store nearly a century ago. What followed became a beloved institution woven into the everyday routines of families, neighbors, and entire communities. But now, that same legacy is undergoing a dramatic transformation. With a major restructuring underway, longtime shoppers may soon notice some familiar storefronts disappearing or changing hands.

It was November 15, 1925, when a determined businessman named William Davis walked into Rockmoor Grocery at the corner of Dixie Highway and 59th Street in Miami.

The legend tells that Davis confidently approached store owner C. A. Rhodes with an unsolicited offer to buy the store, opened his briefcase, and spread $10,000 in cold, hard cash across the cashier's counter. Rhodes looked down at the money, looked up at the veteran grocer, extended his hand and exclaimed: "SOLD!"

That bold purchase launched what would become one of America's most recognizable grocery chains.

Now, exactly 100 years later, Winn-Dixie is dramatically scaling back its footprint, selling or shutting more than 30 stores across the Southeast as the company returns to its Florida origins.

The great consolidation begins

Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie's parent company, is selling approximately 170 grocery stores in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida as part of a major restructuring.

The company plans to exit Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi entirely by early 2026, keeping only select stores in southern Georgia and focusing primarily on Florida—the state where William Davis first spread that cash on the counter nearly a century ago.

For longtime customers, this represents the end of an era. Many of the stores being sold have served their communities for decades, becoming neighborhood fixtures where families have shopped for generations.

Also read: Your next grocery trip could feel very different—here’s what one of the state’s biggest chains just confirmed

The ownership roller coaster

The recent closures cap off a wild ownership ride that would make anyone dizzy.

In August 2023, Southeastern Grocers entered into an agreement to sell 400 Winn-Dixie and Harvey's Supermarkets stores to German supermarket chain ALDI. The deal was completed in March 2024.

But then came an unexpected twist. In February 2025, less than a year after ALDI's purchase, a consortium of private investors, spearheaded by the current CEO Anthony Hucker and C&S Wholesale Grocers, announced they had acquired Southeastern Grocers and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners back from ALDI.

This corporate ping-pong game reflects the challenging reality of modern grocery retail, where chains constantly struggle to find the right formula for profitability in an increasingly competitive market.

Also read: This discount supermarket is taking over with 225 new stores—is your favorite grocer in danger?

What's happening to your local store

The consolidation affects stores across four states, with many longtime locations changing hands or closing permanently.

Some will become Piggly Wiggly stores, others will convert to Food City or Super 1 Foods, while many transitions are still pending final arrangements.

The company is keeping stores in southern Georgia—including locations in Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Valdosta—but the vast majority of out-of-state operations are being sold off.

In Florida, the story is different. The company is actually expanding, having recently acquired three Hitchcock's Markets in Alachua, Keystone Heights, and Williston, which will be converted to Winn-Dixie stores.

A look back at a Winn-Dixie from years gone by—once a familiar stop for families across the region. Image Source: YouTube / Recollection Road.

Also read: America’s fastest-growing grocer is opening 35 new stores this fall—is one coming near you?

What this means for longtime customers

For shoppers who have spent decades filling their carts at Winn-Dixie, these changes represent more than just a corporate restructuring.

They're losing a piece of their community's fabric—stores where they've shopped for family gatherings, where they know the staff by name, and where they've watched neighborhoods grow and change.

The new operators taking over various stores will likely maintain grocery service, but the Winn-Dixie culture—built over nearly a century—will be different. Store layouts may change, product selections might vary, and those familiar Winn-Dixie branded items will eventually disappear from shelves.

For Florida residents, particularly in areas where Winn-Dixie is expanding or renovating, the news is more positive. The company promises to create "community-centered grocery stores that reflect local needs" with dozens of remodels and new store projects already in the works.

Also read: A beloved grocery chain is quietly closing locations—here’s what’s behind the trend

Looking ahead: a Florida-focused future

The new ownership group, led by CEO Anthony Hucker, seems genuinely committed to the Winn-Dixie legacy while being realistic about modern market realities.

By concentrating on Florida—where the company has the strongest brand recognition and deepest community ties—they're betting that focused excellence will triumph over geographic spread.

The company is also embracing modern conveniences, partnering with Amazon to offer grocery delivery in Jacksonville and Orlando, expanding their liquor store portfolio, and testing new customer conveniences that today's shoppers expect.

For a company that started with one man, $10,000 in cash, and an audacious dream, returning to its roots might be the right step toward a more focused future.

After all, William Davis didn't build an empire by playing it safe—he built it by knowing his market, serving his community, and never being afraid to make bold moves when the situation demanded it.

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Key Takeaways

• Winn-Dixie is undergoing a major restructuring, with more than 30 stores being sold or shut down across four states.
• Parent company Southeastern Grocers will focus on Florida and parts of southern Georgia beginning in early 2026.
• Store conversions are planned, with some locations becoming Piggly Wiggly, Food City, or Super 1 Foods.
• The company is also expanding its delivery services, liquor stores, and remodeling efforts across Florida.

What stories does your local Winn-Dixie hold? Have you been shopping there for decades, or did your family discover it more recently? Share your Winn-Dixie memories in the comments below.