SweetBay leaving the Villages???
 

Someone mentioned yesterday that Winn Dixie has purchased the Sweat Bay stores in The Villages. Is that fact or just a rumor?

Please say it is not so! We do not need another large chain store which stocks 70% private label!:mornincoffee:

Its true....Winn Dixie it is!!!

Wasn't there something put out lately that even though Winn Dixie bought Sweet Bay, that they were going to maintain it as a separate entity - i.e., keep the Sweet Bay name.

NJblue, I seem to recall it being mentioned thah the name change will take place in March...

Too bad. Ownership and merchandise aside, I always liked the name "Sweet Bay" and found myself attracted to these stores based on name alone. "Winn Dixie" has a negative connotation for me.

Sweet Bay
 

It's better for Winn Dixie to change the name now and get a good customer base before Publix opens their new store on 44 & Powell Rd. I saw the new Publix plans to totv last night.

It is true.

It's always a rumor until it happens; then it's a fact and all the ones spreading the rumor will say: "I told you so!"

Skip

Winn Dixie @ Pinellas Plaza to take place sometime in March according toan employee

Actually, SweetBay left The Villages in May 2013 when it was sold to BI LO LLC.
Winn Dixie also is owned by BI LO, a super market chain located in South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. 54% of the BI LO LLCompany is in hand of a Dutch-Belgium owner.
In May 2013, Sweetbay and its sister supermarket chains Harveys and Reid's were sold to BI-LO LLC for $265 million. Also included in the transaction were leases to 10 Sweetbay locations that closed in January 2013.
On October 8, 2013, BI-LO announced it would retire the Sweetbay brand, and rename all Sweetbay locations to Winn-Dixie.

Whether it be called Sweet Bay or Winn Dixie, it's just a supermarket. Not really worth getting all twisted over.

I hate private labels..so will shop elsewhere

Private labels are often alongside the name brand goods and are usually equal to or better than for a lot less. We all look at things differently.

I agree. Winn Dixie to me means from prior experience having to go thru can goods to find ones that are not expired.
I hate their ads that apply only those carrying their card. If i go into Publix their sale prices are for everyone but Winn Dixie will charge me more than the person behind me because I don't carry their card.