Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 2402754)

That's interesting, because back when we were spending winters in Key West, the Publix was absolutely filthy, and Albertson's was very clean. It had the most amazing homemade rosemary olive bread, too.
But then it got sold, so I don't know what happened to it. We were there from 2004 to 2009.

Originally Posted by kansasr (Post 2402352)

Oh the horror of living in a third world community....having to go 4 miles further for more "upscale" grocery shopping. And my Publix was also out of 1% milk this week the one day I was there. I actually had to make a separate trip the following day to get milk. Such a tough life.

Originally Posted by bagboy (Post 2402750)

We went to Albertsons in Key West (now closed) a few years ago. It was absolutely the filthiest business of any kind I had ever been in. It was so bad in fact, we walked back out without shopping and I've not been in another one since. Apparently some are better than others

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2402730)

I would be for an Albertsons instead of seeing more Publix stores.

Originally Posted by jmaccallum (Post 2402772)

The fall of Winn-Dixie had absolutely nothing to do with The Villages nor any lease agreement with the Developer.

Winn-Dixie has been struggling since 2004 when it announced losses of $79.5 million in just one quarter. Since then Winn-Dixie has gone into Bankruptcy THREE times - in 2005, 2009 and again in 2018.

Bottom line, Winn-Dixie got beat by its competition - mainly Walmart - as Winn-Dixie positioned itself as a like-kind low priced grocer. Publix, on the other hand, went up-scale - differentiating itself by offering products and services not available at the lower priced grocers, albeit at a price, yet thus avoiding direct competition.

Also, Aldi did not buy Winn-Dixie. Aldi Sud bought Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie parent company. And for those of you clamoring for a TRADER JOE’S in The Villages, BOTH Aldi and Trader Joe’s are owned by the same folks - the Albrecht family. Aldi is actually an abbreviation for Albrecht Discounts.

[Note: And for those who want to get technical - yes, there are two Aldi companies - Aldi Nord & Aldi Sud - created when the Albrecht brothers couldn’t agree on whether or not to sell cigarettes in the stores. Aldi Nord owns Trader Joe’s. However, both are private companies (and I do mean very private, here) and both are owned by Foundations of the Albrecht family and heirs - one of the richest, secluded and non-public families in Germany.]

Originally Posted by asianthree (Post 2402332)

I agree with OP the loss of a true grocery to Aldi wouldn’t fit our grocery needs, even for a quick necessity.

Then again anyone remember Sweetbay in LSL, until it was bought by WD? I loved that store staff was knowledgeable, great deli, well stocked.

Now LSL gets to shop out of a cardboard box. My guess is Kroger trucks will be far more prominent around LSL.
I am confused why would anyone buy salmon from Aldi, when Fresh Market has better quality in the same price range.

Originally Posted by swooner (Post 2402347)

Perhaps Winn Dixie's decision could have had to do with the rent charged by The Villages. Wouldn't be the first time that happened.

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2402769)

Maybe it was key west? With 5 o’clock somewhere attitude? :ho:

Originally Posted by mtdjed (Post 2402320)

I miss the Supermarket at Lake Sumter. One of the advantages of Living in the Lake Sumter area of the Villages has been the Supermarket. Most of the Village food markets are located on the major roads. Lake Sumter was fortunate to have a real market since 2006.

The ALDI procurement and decision to close Winn Dixie in favor of an Aldi store a year later leaves us with a gap. It also leaves us with something less than a true supermarket. No Deli, no butchers, no produce manager, bakery. It is likely that ALDI has determined that their decision will be economically correct.

Whenever ALDI opens, we will have lower prices, but a limited choice of brands. Meats and cheeses all prepackaged. The ALDI model has no specialty careers but rather a crew of multi tasked employees they can bounce around to operate cash registers, shelf stocking, floor washing, toilet cleaning, trash removal etc. It basically a box store.

They can't even get types of potato chips in the right box. Went to an ALDI on 441 today for a container of No Fat milk. None available. No 1%. Had to settle for 2%. I don't think anyone there cares. They just said they get what they get.

I go to ALDI for some items such as milk, oranges , bananas etc. Certainly not for no name cold cuts or cut cheese in a plastic sealed pack.

I personally think that stores like ALDI are great for a major hi-way but I will miss the supermarket at Lake Sumter.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2402680)

I agree. There are about 10 Publix stores in The Villages area, and each one has gross sales of about $40 million per year. I would be very surprised if they are sharing any of this revenue with the landlord. It would make a lot more sense for them to buy land and build their own stores. In the north, Giant builds their own stores and even owns their own construction company. These large stores may have a landlord, but they certainly don't need one.

Originally Posted by kkingston57 (Post 2402817)

Only person(s) who can answer that ? is the person(s) who have seen and read the lease.