News Summary
The closure of Harvey’s Supermarket in Downtown Jacksonville has raised concerns among residents about food accessibility, especially for low-income families and seniors. Southeastern Grocers announced plans to replace the supermarket with an Aldi, though the timeline remains unclear. Local advocacy groups and residents are calling for another grocery store to serve the community, which has limited options for affordable fresh food. The transition raises questions about food insecurity in the area, particularly as renovation plans are set for the new Aldi store.
Jacksonville – The closure of Harvey’s Supermarket on North Market Street has left Downtown Jacksonville without a major source of affordable groceries. This change is particularly concerning for low-income families, seniors, and residents without transportation options, who relied on the supermarket for access to fresh food.
The decision to close Harvey’s was confirmed by Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of the supermarket, which announced plans to convert the location into an Aldi store. However, details regarding the timeline for the opening of the new Aldi remain uncertain. Many residents are worried about how the closure will impact their access to essential food items, especially the elderly population.
Local residents, including Sharon Livingston, have expressed concern about the repercussions of the closure for vulnerable community members, including Livingston’s elderly mother who depended on Harvey’s for her grocery shopping needs. Moreover, Council Member Jimmy Peluso, who represents the district, was reportedly unaware of the closure, underscoring a lack of communication about this significant change affecting constituents.
The site has been a convenient shopping location, benefiting from a Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) bus stop directly outside, making it easily accessible for local residents, especially those without vehicles. With a significant residential population in the area, residents are calling for the establishment of another grocery store to meet their needs.
Southeastern Grocers reported that the closure took place in late June, with all employees notified in advance about the transition plans. To support the staff, the company is offering opportunities for them to apply for positions at newly opened Aldi locations or transfer to other Winn-Dixie stores in the region. The transition to Aldi will involve a major renovation estimated to cost around $810,000.
The new Aldi store will cover approximately 25,000 square feet, which includes about 6,500 square feet available for lease. Aldi’s expansion plans extend beyond Downtown Jacksonville, as the company is planning to convert multiple Southeastern Grocers locations into Aldi stores in Northeast Florida. This initiative aligns with Aldi’s wider strategy of increasing its footprint across the United States, with a goal of opening 800 stores nationwide by 2028.
Aldi’s approach typically involves downsizing from the larger Southeastern Grocers supermarkets to a more compact store format. The first completed conversion opened on March 20 at 2261 Edgewood Ave W in Jacksonville, marking a shift toward Aldi’s brand in the area. Over the next few years, a total of 50 former Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s stores are expected to transition into the Aldi brand by 2025.
This restructuring raises critical questions about food access for many Jacksonville residents, prompting concerns among advocacy groups and community members about the availability of affordable and nutritious options in the city’s urban core. Without a clear date for the new Aldi’s opening and the existing lack of alternative grocery options, local residents are left anxiously awaiting further developments regarding their food resources.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News
- Jax Daily Record
- Jacksonville.com
- Action News Jax
- Jacksonville.com
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Google Search: Harvey’s Supermarket Jacksonville
- Google Scholar: Food Access Jacksonville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville
- Google News: Closing of Harveys Supermarket Jacksonville
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
JACKSONVILLE STAFF 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.
