CENTRAL FLORIDA,None — Central Florida is about to lose nine more grocery stores. Seven Winn-Dixie stores are closing in Orlando, Lake County, Deltona, Poinciana and Titusville, and two Save-Rite stores are also shutting down.
LOCAL CLOSURES: See The List Of Central Florida Winn-Dixie Closures
In many cases, the closed stores sit vacant for years. Seven Central Florida Winn-Dixie stores will close by September 22 as part of a restructuring plan that will save the company between $12 million and $17 million a year.
Shoppers who live near the store on Americana Boulevard aren't happy their closet grocery store will soon be another five miles away.
"I think it's really sad. This is a great neighborhood store. It's convenient, the prices are great and the food is really good so I'm sad to see it go," shopper Jessica Essboui said.
Winn-Dixie has been trying to remake its image since emerging from bankruptcy in 2006. But business owners who share the shopping plaza are worried the closed store will end up with graffiti and broken glass, just like the Albertson's on Michigan Street and Orange Avenue. Albertson's shut down in January and has become an eyesore.
"This is bad for business," local business owner Sayeede Kasu said.
"Its really sad for the neighborhood, I'm actually in real estate and I have empty buildings and I know how tough it is to fill them," shopper Pete Madison said.
But some store closings have actually led to improvements. When the Winn-Dixie on Wekiva Springs closed its doors, an L.A. Fitness moved in and revitalized the plaza.
"I know there area a lot of new grocery chains around. Maybe they can rent it to one of them and help keep Publix in line with their prices across the street," shopper Pete Madison said.
Frustrated he will have to find a new place to shop Pete Madison is more concerned about the workers who are losing their jobs.
"As hard as it is on us it's just as hard on the employees who will be looking for a job right now. That is hard to find," he said.
Each of the stores that are closing employs about 65 people. Those employees are being encouraged to apply for other positions within the company.
Winn-Dixie is based out of Jacksonville and also plans to eliminate another 120 corporate positions.
WFTV
