News Summary
Aldi is planning to open a new store at the site of the former Harveys Supermarket in Downtown Jacksonville by early 2026. The city is currently reviewing permits for renovations, as Aldi expands its presence in Northeast Florida. The new store will be approximately 25,000 square feet, with part of the space available for lease. This expansion follows Aldi’s acquisition of Southeastern Grocers and aims to improve access to affordable groceries for local residents, especially seniors. The initiative is part of a larger plan to convert former grocery locations in the region.
Jacksonville, Florida – Aldi is set to open a new store in Downtown Jacksonville by early 2026, following the closure of Harveys Supermarket. The local government is currently reviewing renovation permits for the site at 777 N. Market St., where the Harveys location had operated prior to its closure in late June 2024. Aldi’s new store will be part of a broader expansion initiative, as the company plans to enhance its presence in Northeast Florida.
The city has received three sign permits from Prime Sign Installation LLC of Jacksonville, submitted on September 19, with an estimated project cost of $6,400. In addition, a permit for demolition work at the site was issued to M.E. Construction Inc. on August 26, costing $183,245. Another permit for landscape and site work was granted on August 18, with a project cost of $160,000. M.E. Construction has also submitted a pending application to build out approximately 25,000 square feet for the new Aldi store while leaving about 6,500 square feet for lease to another tenant.
Aldi’s Expansion into the Market
Aldi acquired Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers earlier in March 2024. Following this acquisition, the supermarket chain has initiated conversions of certain stores to its own brand, including locations in Northeast Florida. The conversion of the former Harveys store marks a continuation of this strategy. The new Aldi format will typically be about half the size of what was once the Winn-Dixie supermarket that opened in 1981 and was later rebranded to Harveys.
Aldi is also in the midst of a larger expansion plan in the region, aiming to convert a total of 13 former Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores in Northeast Florida. Currently, Aldi operates 17 stores across Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties and has intentions to double its presence to 25 locations.
Impact on the Local Community
The closure of Harveys has raised concerns among local residents about access to fresh and affordable food, particularly impacting seniors living in Downtown Jacksonville. The former supermarket was conveniently located near a Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) bus stop, making it easier for residents to access grocery options. Residents have expressed a need for such accessible grocery stores in their area.
As for the workforce, Southeastern Grocers confirmed that all associates from Harveys received notice regarding the transition to Aldi. The company also stated that support would be provided to assist these employees in transitioning to new roles at Aldi or at other Southeastern Grocers locations.
Background on the Location
The site at 777 N. Market St. originally opened as a Winn-Dixie in 1981. Over the years, it was adapted to the Harveys brand, which eventually closed in June 2024. The acquisition of Southeastern Grocers by Aldi and subsequent conversions of its stores indicate a significant shift in the local grocery landscape, seeking to address the needs of the community while expanding Aldi’s market share in the area.
Aldi’s U.S. corporate headquarters is based in Batavia, Illinois, and the company is recognized for its unique business model, which often requires less space than traditional supermarkets. This allows Aldi to be flexible in leasing parts of its properties to other tenants, demonstrating a practical approach in adapting to local market demands while providing quality service through its low-cost grocery options.
As preparations for the new Aldi store progress, the future of grocery shopping in Downtown Jacksonville looks to adapt to changing community needs, with the potential for both economic growth and improved access to essential food options for local residents.
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Additional Resources
- Jax Daily Record: Signs of Aldi Coming to Downtown Jacksonville
- First Coast News: Impact of Harveys’ Closure Soon Will Be Replaced by Aldi
- Jacksonville.com: Aldi to Replace Downtown Jacksonville Harveys
- Herald Tribune: Aldi Postpones Florida Grand Openings Schedule
- The Destin Log: Aldi Opening 3 New Florida Stores in August
- Wikipedia: Aldi
- Google Search: Aldi expansion Florida
- Google Scholar: Aldi supermarket business model
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aldi
- Google News: Aldi Jacksonville
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
