End of an era. Why the last Winn-Dixie supermarket in Columbus is closing
The last two Columbus area Winn-Dixie stores are closing after their parent company, Southeastern Grocers (SEG), failed to find a buyer.
The Winn-Dixie supermarkets in Columbus, 6770 Veterans Parkway, and the Winn-Dixie in Opelika, 1441 Fox Run Parkway, are the closing locations.
Meredith Huxley, senior director of communications and community at Southeastern Grocers, confirmed the closure via an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. The stores will close at the beginning of next year.
Huxley said more than 80 employees will be impacted by these closures.
“We are committed to treating every associate with the care, respect and support they deserve as we navigate this transition,” she said.
The Winn-Dixie at 1055 S. Eufaula Ave., Eufaula, Alabama, will transition to a Renfroe’s Market, according to Southeastern Grocer’s update website.
As recently as 11 years ago, Winn-Dixie had six stores in the Columbus-Phenix City market.
Why are the Winn-Dixies closing?
SEG, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, announced Oct. 21 several Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi will close in a new effort to prioritize its Florida market as part of a strategic shift.
Thirty-two Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys stores are impacted by this transition, according to the news release. Store closings are expected to be completed by the end of this year, with banner transitions being completed by early 2026.
SEG will rebrand its name to The Winn-Dixie Company and will operate approximately 130 grocery stores and 140 liquor stores across Florida and southern Georgia, Supermarket News reported.
“For a century, Winn-Dixie has proudly called Florida home,” Anthony Hucker, chairman and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said in the news release. “Our story is built on the resilience and spirit of its people, and that foundation will guide our future.”
Winn-Dixie stores will continue to operate in south Georgia, with locations in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island and Valdosta, according to the news release.
For more updates about the store closings by city and state, visit segrocers.com/updates.
This story was originally published December 9, 2025 at 12:37 PM.