“It feels good to know we’re not forgotten” Winn Dixie to open Feb. 12 at Gateway Town Center

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In five weeks, neighbors in Brentwood will again have a place to shop for groceries.

Today, Winn-Dixie announced plans to open in the Gateway Town Center, replacing the Publix — that closed on Dec. 28.

RELATED STORY: City leaders fighting to keep Publix at Gateway Town Center

RELATED STORY: Winn-Dixie coming to Gateway Town Center, councilman says

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole went to that neighborhood to show us exactly what this means for local families.

"I was coming to get some fruit. Now I've got to go way across town,” said Tyree Davis.

Davis, like many other Brentwood community residents, normally stops by the Gateway Town Center for his groceries.

But he hasn't been able to do that for the last 11 days.

The Publix closing meant the closest grocery store is a 20 to 25 minute walk away.

"This would have really been a tragedy,” said Councilman Reggie Gaffney of District 7.

The Gateway Town Center actually falls in his district.

“About a month ago we had a crisis in our community when Publix first announced they were leaving," Gaffney told Cole. “I was lost for words.”

Now Winn-Dixie plans to open its doors on February 12.

“While other companies are leaving the community, because perhaps it’s not the affluence they like, we actually want to go the opposite way," said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, the company that owns Winn-Dixie. “We want to invest in the community and we’re humbled and honored to be a part of that providing.”

"We know that 1 in 6 of Jacksonville’s population don’t know where their next meal is going to come from, and investing in the Brentwood community is a hugely important issue for us,” Hucker told Action News Jax.

“It feels good to know we’re not forgotten, you know? Because sometimes in situations like this, that’s how you start to feel ... like what about us?” Davis told Cole.

Here’s what the store will look like:

Renovations of the 28,120 square-foot space are already underway.

Hucker says neighbors will have thousands of affordable options.

“We will have the best value in town. And we will have way lower prices than the customers that have shopped here before, have had in the past,” Hucker told Action News Jax.

Gaffney believes access to fresh food has widespread implications for the area.

“I’ve met several times with the leadership in Gateway, talking about creating ideas for how we can grow the footprint out here,” said Gaffney.

“Just like we invest in other neighborhoods, we need investments here, and I think together we can do it,” said Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman of District 8, a neighboring district.

And Davis agrees.

"I think that's a great step. It shows a promise to the future."

While renovations are underway, Winn-Dixie wants to make sure neighbors have access to food.

Here’s what you need to know about the free food giveaway:

• A mobile pantry will be in the parking lot of the Winn-Dixie at Gateway Town Center on 5210 Norwood Avenue
• Each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on January 11, 18 and 25, and February 1.
• The store is also holding on-site job interviews Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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