Southeastern Grocers Inc. announced July 20 that it will introduce its new fine wine and liquor store concept and two new Winn-Dixie stores.
The Jacksonville-based company shared more details about the stand-alone wine, beer and liquor store, called WDs, that will open in the Miramar Center shopping plaza at 4472 Hendricks Ave. before the holidays.
A news release said the WDs will be the first in the grocer’s Southeast footprint.
It said the store is designed to offer customers an interactive shopping experience.
It will feature more than 1,700 fine wines and a wine-tasting station with 10 wines on tap “for customers to sip and discover new favorites, a massive Beer Cave with international, domestic and local craft beer selections, large variety of liquor selections with a Mixology section and much more.”
The WDs store will host free events throughout the year including tastings, demonstrations, holiday celebrations and community gatherings.
“We believe this concept stands on its own to serve as a convenient destination designed with unique product selections, quality savings and customer experience in mind,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, in the release.
The city issued a permit June 16 for Southeastern Grocers to build-out the Winn-Dixie liquor store format in Miramar Center, which is between the Lakewood and historic San Marco neighborhoods.
Williams & Rowe Co. Inc. is the contractor for the $180,000 interior renovation of 8,640 square feet at the site, at the southern end of the building anchored by Players Grille.
The store is larger than traditional Winn-Dixie Wine & Spirits stores. By comparison, a liquor store that recently opened at 11380 Beach Blvd. is 2,665 square feet.
New grocery stores
Southeastern Grocers also will open two new stores in St. Johns County.
The St. Augustine Shores Winn-Dixie is at 181 Blackford Way in the Shores Village Plaza center.
Another Winn-Dixie is planned at southwest U.S. 1 and Race Track Road as part of the Grand Cypress development.
The St. Augustine Shores store will open by year-end and the Grand Cypress location will open next year.
A news release said the grocer will use a specialized approach at each location “to provide fresh concepts and extensive offerings, along with additional jobs and opportunities for local community members.”
St. Johns County issued a permit July 13 for Williams & Rowe Co. Inc. to renovate the 35,000-square-foot former Food Lion anchor at Shores Village Plaza for Winn-Dixie at a cost of $3.3 million.
Southeastern Grocers is the parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores.
The company said it is on track to have renewed 70% of its stores in the Southeast by 2021.
The release said the new openings will continue the Southeastern Grocers expansion throughout Florida, following the Viera grand opening in May and openings last year of eight Winn-Dixie stores in Boynton Beach, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Lakewood Ranch, Lake Mary, West Melbourne and two locations in Jacksonville.