ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County residents who were sad to see the departure of a beloved Winn-Dixie store on County Road 210 now have a new place to shop, and they’re thrilled about it.
Known for low prices and self-bagging, the newly converted ALDI store at 2220-200 County Road 210 will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To celebrate Thursday’s ribbon-cutting, the first 200 customers received a gift bag filled with a sampling of ALDI products and a gift card as part of the ALDI Golden Ticket giveaway program.
And the crowds were ready for it. News4JAX saw a long line forming well before the doors opened on Thursday morning.
News4Jax spoke with the first two people at the doors who waited in line since about 3 a.m.
“It is mostly because of the sweet-and-sour sauce that they have here, said Brian Feliciano. ”The same thing with the chicken thighs. Even meeting the staff here. They are always friendly and positive. I love saying hi to them and they always say hi to me."
“Aldi has a different concept,” Joe Smith. “They think outside of the box. A quarter for carts and things like that. They have good product and if you don’t believe it, just price out all of their chocolates. They are from Europe.”
“At our new Jacksonville ALDI store, customers will see why so many already choose ALDI for their weekly grocery shopping,” said Matt Thon, regional vice president for ALDI. “As shoppers look to stretch their dollar further, we’re excited to open this new location and bring more people a high-quality grocery selection they want and need at the lowest possible price. ”
Some members of the neighborhood expressed concern when the Winn-Dixie on CR 210 closed in August, but the conversion to a new ALDI store was completed in six months.
ALDI purchased 400 stores from Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie’s parent company, in 2023.
The latest opening brings ALDI one step closer to its goal of having 3,200 stores by the end of 2028.
Shanelle Williams lives across the street from the St. Johns Commons where the new grocer is. She never shopped at an ALDI store before Thursday, but decided to give it a try after she says she heard some good things.
“I am a mom, so with it being a one stop shop where we can get household items and groceries for a good price, I am trying to see what that is about,” Williams said while waiting in line for the store to open. “It’s really not far from my house. This is right across the street from where I live in the community in the community I live in. I am excited about the smaller commute. and what it has to offer the community.”
Joseph Dicaprio and his father-in-law, Nino Pontari, believe this can be convenient for a lot of people.
“We are in an inflationary period,” Dicaprio said. “People want deals. That is why we are here today.”
“Same deal,” Pontari said. “My wife shopped at Winn-Dixie all at the time. We live in Duval County. But we came down here for this because my son-in-law lives here and my daughter.”
ALDI’s goal is to open up 3200 stores all across the country by 2028.
In the new store, shoppers will find:
- ALDI-exclusive products: Nearly 90% of items on ALDI shelves are exclusive brands, and 1-in-3 of those products are award-winning, according to the grocery chain. Shoppers will find organic meats, fresh produce, sustainable seafood and standout cheese and wine selections.
- A curated grocery selection: By offering a carefully selected range of products, ALDI sells exactly what shoppers need at the best prices in the market.
- ALDI Finds: Each week, shoppers will discover on-trend and seasonal items with the assortment of limited-time ALDI Finds. The rotating selection ranges from unique foods and lifestyle goods to home decor and pet accessories.
Nearly all ALDI locations nationwide provide customers with convenient shopping options, including grocery delivery and Curbside Grocery Pickup. To learn more, visit shop.aldi.us.