Another Aldi store headed to New Tampa as Winn-Dixie prepares its exit

NEW TAMPA — After decades with at least one Winn-Dixie, New Tampa will soon be without what was once the state's leading grocery store chain.

An Aldi spokesperson confirmed to the Tampa Beacon that the Winn-Dixie grocery store at 6425 County Line Road will be closing in December. The store shares a plaza with LA Fitness and is on the south side of County Line Road across the street from Wesley Chapel's Super Target.

When it opens a few months later, it will be the area's third Aldi store, joining other locations on Highwood Preserve Parkway and Bruce B. Downs in New Tampa, and on State Road 56 in front of the Costco Wholesale.

"While this store is temporarily closed, we continue to proudly serve the residents of Tampa at our other area stores. We thank our customers for their years of loyalty at this location and look forward to seeing them soon as a new ALDI."

All employees will lose their Winn-Dixie jobs, although Aldi did say that "associates at this location have the opportunity to be the first to apply to newly converted ALDI stores. In addition, ALDI is committed to doing its best to minimize the impact and provide support and opportunities to associates at converting stores, including the option to remain with Winn-Dixie and transfer to a neighboring store."

New Tampa used to have a Winn-Dixie that opened in 1995 at Cross Creek Boulevard and Bruce B. Downs, which at the time was a big deal. But it couldn't withstand competition from nearby Publix, Walmart and Kash n' Karry, and in 2005 did not survive its parent company's bankruptcy filing. It was one of 44 Winn-Dixie stores to close that year.

The County Line Road location is one of roughly 50 Winn-Dixie stores that will be converted to smaller Aldi stores later this year and early next year as part of the Germany-based discount grocer's purchase of the Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers' Winn-Dixie and Harvey's Supermarket stores.

The purchase of all 400 locations — 75% are in Florida, the rest are in other southeastern states — was announced in August 2023 and finalized earlier this year.

While Aldi does not offer the same variety of groceries as Winn-Dixie, nor have a deli, bakery or pharmacy, it has a large following of fans who swear by the lower prices and like the simpler shopping experience and some of the other quirky characteristics of the Aldi experience.

"Customers can expect a quick, easy shopping experience with great products at the lowest possible prices," said Aldi. "Our smaller stores are stocked with only the items customers need so they can get in and out, and our award-winning exclusive brands help shoppers save up to 40% on their groceries without sacrificing quality."