We need your help to save our beloved community Winn-Dixie from closing and becoming just another Aldi.

The downtown Winn-Dixie in Gainesville, FL, has been a staple of the community for over 25 years, but due to an uninformed decision by Aldi Corporate, is set to close on December 8th, 2024, putting nearly 80 hard-working people out of work, and taking away an important food and cultural hub for our city.  Almost everyone in town is upset at this decision, and we are gathering signatures to let Aldi Corporate know we won't stand for this unjust decision, and demand its immediate reversal to keep this store (#197) a Winn-Dixie for years to come.

By shutting down the most popular and diverse Winn-Dixie in our city, while leaving the other two as is, Aldi is breaking its own core principle to help Communities.  On its website, Aldi promises "to build strong communities . . . based on the needs of each individual community" -- but how is this accomplished when you are stressing the mental health and hopes of our community, taking away something cherished to them, and breaking all the local ties and goodwill built up over decades?

This Winn-Dixie moved to its current location from across the street around 1997 (taking over a Pick 'n Save), and since then has time and time again been there for the community, supporting local children's fundraisers, providing healthy hot meals, and truly caring about its neighbors with excellent customer service.  The employees regularly know customers on a first name basis, asking them how they are doing, and finding exactly what they need.  A new Aldi (which would employ fewer than 20 people) simply cannot provide this same level of service, especially by laying off so many of these caring community leaders.

And as a central location in town, removing this Winn-Dixie will create a local shortage of healthy food and basic supplies, as Aldi simply has no bakery, deli, or other fresh items like Winn-Dixie does.  This location even renovated its kitchens about five years ago, making this potential destruction a clear violation of Aldi's commitment to Sustainability because it will be so wasteful.  Winn-Dixie also provides for basic toiletries and household goods that Aldi does not carry; and even provides a safe place to buy lottery and liquor for people who choose to do so.  Taking away these critical options harms and frankly endangers our whole community.

This Winn-Dixie is also prospering financially, making a significant profit every year, meaning there is no reason economically to close it.  Many of the customers who regularly shop here have already said they will refuse to shop at the new Aldi for the pain they are causing closing down their favorite store, so it seems to be in Aldi's best interest to leave it alone.  There are several other Aldi stores in town if people want to shop there, but only one unique Winn-Dixie that captures the heart of our downtown community.

So overall, we are calling on Aldi Corporate to:

1. REVERSE the decision to close the Winn-Dixie at 300 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL (Store #197), and NOT to turn it into an Aldi;
2. REHIRE all employees who were let go or forced to quit as part of the closing decision; and
3. COMMIT to the local community by listening to our voices before making such impactful decisions in the future.

Thank you for your support!