by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
A bigger, brighter Downtown Winn-Dixie food store will be officially unveiled to the public during a July 9 celebration.
The original grand opening was scheduled for June 1, but there will be no pushing this date back. The celebration will be from 4-7 p.m. with an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. featuring two speakers that are excited about Winn-Dixie’s future Downtown.
“Mayor John Peyton and Winn-Dixie CEO Peter Lynch will attend the ceremony on July 9,” said Patrick McSweeney, Winn-Dixie spokesperson of St. John and Partners, “so the store will be ready for the grand opening.”
The Market Street store has been expanded by 4,000 square feet and the added space will accommodate bigger selections in the produce, floral, seafood and deli departments. Upgrades have also been made with shelving, refrigeration, frozen food cases, flooring and lighting.
“The expansion is wonderful,” said Tony Melvern, manager of the Floral Department. “This going to be the best floral department in the company. The department will fill the entire entrance.”
New fencing has been installed to try to keep the fleet of new black and red shopping carts within the store and its renovated parking lot. The Market Street store, first opened in 1981, is one of 75 stores that were scheduled for renovation in August 2007.
The chain’s corporate headquarters, and 29 stores, are located in Duval County.
356-2466