Southeastern Grocers received 26 sign permits Friday for the six stores it intends to convert from its Winn-Dixie banner to Harveys.
However, “Harveys” is not on any of the permits issued to date, although the Jacksonville-based company applied last week for certificates-of-use that state it will convert the six locations to that banner.
The city issued sign permits for what Southeastern Grocers put up on its first Harvey’s store in Jacksonville — “Great prices!” and “Great Service!” — along with “That’s a promise!” and the word “Supermarket.”
That first Jacksonville Harveys store, at 1012 Edgewood Ave. N. in the city’s Northwest area, was converted overnight in May.
Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers operates three banners –– Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo and Harveys, which is its budget concept focused on low prices.
In July, it converted a Bi-Lo in Charlotte, N.C., to the Harveys format. Charlotteobserver.com reported that Bi-Lo had scaled back its market presence in recent years, although it still has more than 20 stores within 25 miles of the city.
The news site also reported that Harveys Supermarkets was the latest chain to enter that competitive market, where Florida-based Publix has been building a presence and German discount grocer Lidl plans to open its first store in the market in 2018.
Lidl is a discount chain coming to the U.S. and appears to be similar to Aldi, which has been expanding in Northeast Florida.
The six additional Harveys will boost its presence in Northeast Florida, which now has 42 Winn-Dixie stores. Other than the first Harveys in Jacksonville, the nearest to Duval County are in Lake City, Melrose and Folkston, Ga.
The Harbinger commercial-sign fabrication company is the contractor for the $139,500 project approved Friday.
There are four signs each for five of the locations and six for the Downtown Winn-Dixie at 777 N. Market St.
The others are at 3000 Dunn Ave., No. 52; 5250 Moncrief Road W.; 203 W. 48th St.; 2261 Edgewood Ave W; and 5839 University Blvd. W.
That University Boulevard address is for the shopping center that leases to Winn-Dixie, which is specifically at 5909 University Blvd. W. within the center.
Southeastern Grocers spokesman Zack Bingham issued a statement Friday, but did not confirm the switch to Harveys for the six Winn-Dixie stores. The company had no further comment this morning.
Bingham said Friday the company is constantly working to improve its stores, service and prices in response to the needs of the markets it serves.
When Southeastern Grocers turned the Northwest Jacksonville store into the Harveys concept, company CEO and President Ian McLeod said the concept might be rolled out to more Winn-Dixie locations.
McLeod said Harveys stores are designed for customers on a budget. The first converted Harveys in Jacksonville was rearranged to focus on price deals and to add more fresh produce and meats.
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