As part of Winn-Dixie’s continued commitment to rebuild after Hurricane Michael’s destruction, the grocer officially reopened the final two previously closed stores to the 23rd Street and Lynn Haven communities on Wednesday, Oct. 16 to support customers as they continue to recover from the effects of the storm. After being closed for a year, the stores came together for a community-wide ribbon cutting ceremony at the new 23rd Street Winn-Dixie, located at 3157 West 23rd Street, in Panama City. These two store reopenings will complete Winn-Dixie’s recent store remodels and reopenings during the past three months in the Parker, Transmitter Road, Panama City Beach, Wye and West End communities.
Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said, “One year ago, we experienced first-hand the devastating effects Hurricane Michael had on the Panama City community. In the wake of the storm, we made a commitment to our customers and associates that they can always count on us, especially during their time of greatest need. We are thrilled to officially reintroduce our new 23rd Street and Lynn Haven locations, which will complete our strong network of seven stores to serve the Panama City community. Each of our renewed stores are designed with the unique needs of these communities in mind and we are eager to support our neighbors as they continue to rebuild and recover.”
The grand opening ceremony at the new 23rd Street Winn-Dixie store and was scheduled to include a ribbon cutting, remarks by Southeastern Grocers’ President and CEO Anthony Hucker and Bay County Commissioner William Dozier and live entertainment by the Janelle Frost Band and food sampling, along with donations to Lynn Haven Elementary School and the Bay High School “Million Dollar Band” to support the store’s local schools and community partnerships.
The new Lynn Haven Winn-Dixie store hosted a simultaneous ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 16 was scheduled to have live entertainment by the Tony Vegas Band and the Lynn Haven Elementary School Choir, along with a $1,000 donation to Lynn Haven Elementary School support the store’s local school and community partnership. The first 500 customers to arrive by 8 a.m. at the 23rd Street and Lynn Haven stores during the grand reopenings were to receive a free mystery gift card valued between $5 and $250.
A number of enhancements were made throughout the newly reopened stores, including:
- A new facade signage and a new, contemporary color palette and modern store signage inside.
- A newly updated farm-fresh produce department including an expanded selection of fruits and vegetables, including organic varieties.
- A new Dollar Shop section with hundreds of items.
- A new deli with expanded grab-and-go meal options, including sub sandwich assortments, fresh wraps and specialty cheeses.
- A wide assortment of lunch and dinner options, including a hot bar with rotisserie chicken, wing bar and ready-made salads in store.
- A new bakery department with self-service doughnuts and rolls, along with new pastry, bread and dessert selections made fresh daily.
- A full-service meat department with a butcher on-site to make fresh cuts of meat by request and fresh, delicious ready-to-grill options.
- A new seafood department and “Seafood Made Easy” meal solutions to cut down on cooking time at home.
- Expanded beer and wine selections, featuring nearly 30 new beers, including local and craft brews, and more than 140 new fine wines to pair with any meal.
- A new Natural & Organic section offering a large selection of gluten-free and allergen-free products and more than 1,500 new natural and organic products across the store.
- A new floral department with a fresh look, new displays and products arriving daily.
- An in-store pharmacy with expert pharmacists available to answer any questions regarding health and prescriptions.
- Shipt delivery.
- A new liquor store with price-match guarantee on a wide selection of wine, beer and spirits. (Store #436 Lynn Haven only)
To further show appreciation for the continued support from the 23rd Street and Lynn Haven communities, each store has planned community celebrations on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with live entertainment, DJs, giveaways, interactive children’s activities, cooking demonstrations and delicious food sampling. One hundred dollar gift card giveaways will be held every 30 minutes on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at each store. Customers must be present to win.
Additionally, the 23rd Street Winn-Dixie will host activities in the store parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 19 including a Family Safety Day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and a community Giant Jenga Tournament at noon. To applaud the men and women who serve the Panama City community each and every day, the store will host first responders and police officers during a Family Safety Day celebration ahead of National First Responders Day. There will be live entertainment and safety giveaways. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and thank their Panama City heroes. Plus, no-cost flu shots will be available during the event (with most insurance plans).
Invited local organizations also will have a chance to compete in a Giant Jenga Tournament during a head-to-head competition for a chance to receive a $2,500 donation for their cause. Free and open to the community, the events are set to feature live entertainment, Polynesian Fire Dancers, interactive children’s activities and more.Winn-Dixie will continue to invest both inside and outside their stores to support community efforts to be “850 Strong.” Last month, Winn-Dixie donated 850 trees to ReTree PC to help repopulate the area’s canopy and 350 trees from the donation will be distributed to customers and associates at the 23rd Street store’s community celebration to encourage them to plant in their communities.
The 23rd Street and Lynn Haven Winn-Dixie stores are open seven days a week:
- 23rd Street (3157 West 23rd Street, Panama City, Florida 32405) – Open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Lynn Haven (1812 Highway 77 South, Suite 19, Lynn Haven, Florida 32444) – Open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Founded in 1925, Jacksonville, Florida-based Winn-Dixie grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers.
