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C&S Wholesale Grocers to Close Baldwin Distribution Center

Exterior view of the Baldwin distribution center at sunset

News Summary

C&S Wholesale Grocers will close its 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center in Baldwin, Florida, leading to 490 job losses. The closure will begin in July. This facility, developed by Winn-Dixie Properties, has seen various ownerships and transitions over the years. Southeastern Grocers reassures that the closure will not affect supply chains or store operations as they manage restructuring amidst industry changes.

Baldwin, Florida – C&S Wholesale Grocers has announced its decision to close its 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center located on a 200-acre campus in Baldwin, which will result in 490 job losses. The center, situated at 15500 W. Beaver St, will begin operations for closure in July, with the affected employees informed of the impending layoffs.

The distribution center was originally developed by Winn-Dixie Properties LLC between 2000 and 2001. In 2013, the facility was sold for nearly $100 million to American Realty Capital as part of a sale-leaseback transaction. This property operates under the publicly recognized brand of Winn-Dixie and is located just north of Interstate 10.

The current owner of the distribution center is documented in Duval County records as ARC WDJKVFL001 LLC, with management attributed to Southeastern Grocers, located in South Jacksonville’s Prominence Parkway. Following the sale, American Realty Capital underwent a transition into VEREIT Inc. in 2015 and later merged into Realty Income Corp in 2021, based in San Diego.

C&S Wholesale Grocers has been managing warehouse, transportation, and procurement services for both Winn-Dixie and Bi-Lo stores since its acquisition of operational responsibilities as part of the 2013 agreement. However, the specifics regarding the number of employees who will transfer to C&S operations remains undisclosed.

A recent acquisition in February 2024 saw a group of private investors, including Southeastern Grocers CEO Anthony Hucker, buy Southeastern Grocers and its remaining 170 stores from Aldi. Prior to this, Southeastern Grocers had sold around 400 stores to Aldi in March 2024 as it restructured its operational plans.

C&S Wholesale Services communicated the decision regarding layoffs and the closure to state officials and the Town of Baldwin on April 30. Although C&S Wholesale Grocers does not typically comment on its organizational structure, Southeastern Grocers has reassured that the distribution center’s shutdown will not hinder its stores or supply chain capabilities, ensuring continued service and stock levels at Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie locations.

In addition, C&S Wholesale Grocers maintains another distribution facility on Edgewood Court, which is another former property of Winn-Dixie located in West Jacksonville. The Edgewood Court property, which was once the headquarters of Winn-Dixie, has a complex ownership history. It was acquired for $36.4 million by Cannon Commercial Inc. in December 2024.

C&S Wholesale Grocers, established in 1918, provides support to more than 7,500 supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and institutions. The company operates from 31 locations across various states, including Florida.

This closure reflects ongoing shifts in the grocery and distribution sector, driven in part by changes in ownership and structural realignments. Stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation as the company transitions its operations and employees in the coming months.