As another Winn-Dixie closed its doors in Marion County, multiple readers shared opinions about the matter. Here are a couple of those letters to the editor:
“When I first heard about this takeover, I was upset. I hoped that our great Winn Dixie, in the Forest Center, on Highway 40 East, Ocala National Forest, would not be affected. It is the only major grocery in the Forest. I know there’s Ft. McCoy, but it is not as big. It is also a 30-mi. to 40-mi. round trip to Ocala or the Shores, to go to Walmart or Publix or even a Save-A-Lot. Many people who live in the Ocala National Forest are seniors and having Winn-Dixie, with its fresh deli, seafood, and bakery for options is a plus. ALDI has none of these. They also do not accept coupons, nor do they give incentives, like the points we can earn to spend on our bill. Then there is the cart situation. It costs a quarter to get one, and then having to return for the quarter? Disabled people do not have an issue. Not to mention, taking your own bag and bag your own groceries! This is one store they should have brought back and kept. It has been a staple in the Ocala National Forest for nearly 50 years. Corporate made a very bad decision on this one. The closure date, tentative is JULY 12, 2026, which means all of us out here will be without a store for months, while they convert! Just sad!” – Cheryl Marcum, Silver Springs
“I’m really sorry to hear about Winn Dixie got closed and replaced sometimes with another Aldi store. I really liked the WD store, great people and products were standard. I’ll miss my Winn Dixie store.” – Tom Silvas, Silver Springs…