The Villages’ first grocery store has bagged up final its sale.
The Winn-Dixie at La Plaza Grande has closed in anticipation of its conversion to an ALDI grocery story.
That particular Winn-Dixie holds a special place in the history of The Villages. It was the first supermarket to open in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. Many of the original residents of the Orange Blossom Gardens area remember the days when they had to drive to Leesburg to purchase groceries. Publix arrived in La Plaza Grande after Winn-Dixie. According to lore, Publix brass wanted to see the golf cart bridge built over U.S. Hwy. 27/441 before opening a grocery store. Publix wanted to ensure it had a sufficient customer base to support its first-ever store in The Villages.
What’s next for that retail space?…