FLEMING ISLAND — German-based Aldi plans to convert the Winn-Dixie store on Fleming Island into one of its discount grocery stores, Clay Today has learned.

According to information obtained at the Clay County Building Division, Aldi applied on July 30 for a commercial building permit to alter, remodel and expand the store at 1545 County Road 220.

The permit request is “in review.”

The Aldi corporation completed its buyout of Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., which owns Winn-Dixie and Harvey's stores across several states: Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana. After the buyout, Aldi said it would convert 50 of its 400 stores into Aldi stores in late 2024 and reopen them in 2025. The Fleming Island location is the first of Clay County’s seven Winn-Dixie stores selected.

The Davis family started the grocery store chain in the 1920s and slowly expanded. Jacksonville became its headquarters in 1944, and the company changed its store name to Winn-Dixie in 1955.

The Davis family sold Winn-Dixie to Bi-Lo of Greenville, South Carolina, in 2011 after Winn-Dixie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2005.

Bi-Lo changed its name to Southeastern Grocers in 2015. Now, following the Aldi buyout, the grocery chain is under new management once again. 

Stay tuned to Clay Today for updates on this developing story.