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Winn-Dixie stores closing across Florida

CENTRAL FLORIDA — A least two central Florida Winn-Dixie stores will close in the middle of November, WFTV found out Monday.

The closures include several stores in Florida and across the country. The stores are spread out in six of the eight states where Winn-Dixie operates and company officials said it amounts to a little less than three percent of the total stores.

"We have made the difficult decision to close those stores due to underperformance," said a Winn-Dixie spokesperson in an emailed statement.

The closures will result in an estimated 1,500 employees losing their jobs. Winn-Dixie officials told Channel 9 the employees will be able to apply for open positions at other stores.

"I was born and raised in Orlando. We used to come here all the time," said resident Winston Flynn.

Flynn said he was a frequent shopper at the Winn-Dixie at Colonial Drive and Bumby Avenue, which is also closing after being open for roughly 30 years. The owners of the shopping plaza said there are no prospective businesses to replace the Winn Dixie at this point.

Most of the stores are expected to close by Nov. 13.

"We will just have to find some place else to go to," said Flynn.

Officials said despite the closures, 25 new and remodeled Winn-Dixie stores are expected to open during 2014.

Here's a full list of the stores and pharmacies expected to close in the coming month:

Winn Dixie Stores Closing:
         Clay, AL
         Hueytown, AL
         Montgomery, AL (2 stores)
         Tallassee, AL
         Mangonia Park, FL
         Orlando, FL (2 stores)
         Riviera Beach, FL
         West Palm Beach, FL
         Wildwood, FL
         Columbus, GA
         Elberton, GA
         Valdosta, GA (2 stores)
         Baton Rouge, LA
         Asheville, NC
         Charlotte, NC
         Kannapolis, NC
         Bennettsville, SC
         Cheraw, SC
         Greenville, SC
         Taylors, SC
 
Winn Dixie Pharmacies Closing:
         Doral, FL
         Miami, FL
         Lantana, FL
         Tamarac, FL
         Cocoa Beach, FL
         Orlando, FL
         Charlotte, NC
         Murrells Inlet, SC