Winn-Dixie Unveils Two Fresh, New Shopping Experiences in Central Florida

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: WINN) is celebrating the completion of two newly remodeled state-of-the-art stores in Central Florida.

Chef-prepared foods are among the many expanded guest offerings at the new Winn-Dixie transformational stores in Central Florida (Photo: Business Wire)

• 951 State Road 434 W. Longwood, Fla.
• 7800 U.S. 17/92 S. Fern Park, Fla., located in the Main Street Square shopping center

The Longwood Winn-Dixie celebrates its grand opening today, Feb. 15, while the Winn-Dixie in Fern Park is scheduled to celebrate its grand opening Feb. 22.

“We are proud to deliver our guests a fresh, new experience filled with solutions to make shopping fun and easy,” said Dan Lafever, Winn-Dixie regional vice president. “Both of these stores exemplify our commitment to the residents of Longwood and Fern Park and serve as one-stop grocery destinations catering to the needs, tastes and preferences of the surrounding communities.”

In addition to expansive wine and cheese sections staffed by knowledgeable specialists, both the Longwood and Fern Park stores feature a vast new prepared foods section serving restaurant-quality entrees and side dishes for guests who value convenience. Experienced chefs direct the preparation of a wide variety of foods — from made-to-order pizza, seven flavors of chicken wings, barbecue bar and a carving station with fresh fish, poultry and prime rib.

Guests will also be pleased to find an expanded bakery, a gourmet cheese counter, expanded meat and seafood departments, self-service kiosks for meal planning and an upgraded pharmacy in both stores.

Both the Longwood and Fern Park Winn-Dixie stores will carry “Winn-Dixie” and “Winn-Dixie Organic & Natural” private-label products, which offer guests national-brand quality at a phenomenal value.

“We are committed to providing our guests with the greatest value and quality possible,” said Lafever.

Features of the newly remodeled Longwood and Fern Park Winn-Dixie stores include:

• New store entrance with outdoor market
• Expanded produce department featuring a wide selection of the season’s freshest fruits and vegetables
• Expanded deli department with wood-burning rotisserie, carving station serving freshly roasted meats, and custom sandwich and sub shop
• Hot food selections, including fresh, made-to-order pastas, barbecue, fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and wing bar serving seven flavors of chicken wings
• Expanded selection of specialty desserts, pastries and made-to-order cakes in the bakery, along with loaves of warm, freshly baked bread
• 11 different freshly made compound salads, including spinach antipasti, curried cous cous, and green apple rocky road

• Wide variety of meats carved to order in the full-service meat department
• Expanded new seafood department with fresh sushi created by an on-site sushi chef
• Expanded selection of international cheeses, staffed with an experienced cheese steward
• Expanded selection of domestic and imported wines and beers with an experienced wine steward
• Remodeled and expanded pharmacy with wellness center
• Upgraded floral department, featuring an assortment of seasonal merchandise and specialty gifts
• New guest services counter
• New Wi-Fi Internet café sitting area with complimentary coffee

“With an enhanced product selection and expanded departments, guests will enjoy a fresh and local shopping experience every time they visit our store,” said Eric Dichtas, Longwood store director. “We welcome our neighbors to come in and see their new Winn-Dixie.”

The Fern Park store features an expanded assortment of kosher foods, including dry goods, pre-packaged kosher meats, dairy products and pre-packaged challah.

“We’ve fine-tuned our store to the wants and needs of our community,” said Frank Diaz, Fern Park store director. “And we have created this store as a destination store for kosher in Orlando. Many Seminole and Orange County residents come to this store for our kosher products.”

To celebrate the two stores’ grand openings, Winn-Dixie will host a series of celebrations throughout February and March, including, food tastings, live entertainment, raffles, giveaways and more.

The Longwood and Fern Park stores are the second and third “transformational” remodeled Winn-Dixie stores in Central Florida, and the seventh and eighth respectively for the company.

About Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates approximately 480 retail grocery locations and approximately 380 in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.

Schedule of Events

All events will take place at the Winn-Dixie at 951 S.R. 434 W. in Longwood, Fla.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Open House

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Discover a new fresh shopping experience at our Open House Celebration. We are thrilled to welcome you to your completely transformed Winn-Dixie in Longwood. Enjoy your store’s new features and sample delicious cuisine with your family, friends and neighbors.

Saturday, March 3

Celebrate Opening Day at Winn-Dixie

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Celebrate Opening Day at your Longwood Winn-Dixie. Families and friends of the City of Longwood’s Babe Ruth Baseball League are invited to this homerun event. Wear your jersey and get a treat. Children will enjoy face painting, balloon art, music and much more.

Saturday, March 17

Go Green at Your Longwood Winn-Dixie

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Experience a taste of Ireland. Join Winn-Dixie as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this family-fun event. Guests will enjoy Irish food samplings. Children will enjoy face painting, balloon art, music and much more.

Friday, March 23

Celebrate Your Community

3 – 5 p.m.

Area residents and guests are invited to get to know your local community. In partnership with the City of Longwood, public safety officers from the fire and police departments will have a police cruiser and fire truck on site. Additional community resources will also be available.

Live entertainment will be provided by "The Parker Sisters". Children will enjoy face painting, balloon art, music and much more.

Schedule of Events

All events will take place at the Winn-Dixie at 7800 U.S. 17/92 in Fern Park, Fla.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Open House Celebration

5:30 -7 p.m.

Discover a new fresh shopping experience at our Open House Celebration. Come and tour your completely transformed Winn-Dixie in Fern Park. Enjoy the store’s new features and sample delicious cuisine with your family, friends and neighbors.

Sunday, March 4

Discover Your New Winn-Dixie

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

For guests who are looking for a healthy way to shop, area residents and families are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt for kosher items throughout your Fern Park Winn-Dixie. Enjoy delicious food sampling and musical entertainment. Children will enjoy face painting, balloon art and more.

Saturday, March 17

Go “Green” at Fern Park

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Experience a taste of Ireland. Join Winn-Dixie as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this family fun event. Guests will enjoy Irish food samplings. Children will enjoy face painting, balloon art, music and much more.

Saturday, March 31

Hop to Your Winn-Dixie

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hop on over to Winn-Dixie. Get your picture with the Easter bunny and enjoy face painting, balloon art, music, food sampling and an egg coloring station.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50169557&lang=en