A Major Grocery Store Has Closed and Laid Off 48 Employees in Florida

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If you’ve been keeping an eye on the local grocery scene in Florida, you might have heard the buzz: some Winn-Dixie stores are making the switch to Aldi. This transition is happening as Aldi snaps up 400 Winn-Dixie locations, including several in Florida cities like Panama City and Lakeland.

One such store, the Winn-Dixie at Imperial Christina Plaza in Lakeland, has officially confirmed the changeover. The closure of this location was first hinted at through a Facebook post by LALToday, where the store’s signage hinted at its imminent closure. Then, a post on Lakeland Retro by a user named Shannon spilled the beans about an Aldi conversion, saying an employee had mentioned the switch was set to happen.

Sure enough, the store closed its doors on July 28, 2024. A WARN letter dated July 29, 2024, provided the official word on the closure and its impact. Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, announced that all 48 employees at the Lakeland location would be laid off as a result of the transition. These employees, who include meat cutters, deli associates, customer service reps, bakery staff, and cashiers, were not represented by a union and did not have bumping rights.

The letter also noted that while the store is shutting down now, it’s set to reopen as an Aldi in about four to six months. The good news for the displaced workers? They are eligible to apply for positions at the new Aldi once it opens.

So, if you’re used to shopping at the Winn-Dixie in Lakeland, expect a new look and feel when the store reopens. And for those affected employees, there’s a chance to start fresh with Aldi in the near future.