Winn-Dixie to close all in-store pharmacies. Here's what's still open in Volusia-Flagler
Southeastern Grocers has begun closing in-store pharmacies at its Winn-Dixie supermarkets as part of a plan to close all by year's end, a spokeswoman for the Jacksonville-based chain confirmed.
"Southeastern Grocers has entered into agreements to transfer prescription files to certain CVS Pharmacies and Walgreens," said spokeswoman Meredith Hurley. "We anticipate the transfer of these pharmacy files will be completed by the end of 2023."
Here's what we know about the closures:
Some have already closed in Volusia County
The pharmacy at the Winn-Dixie grocery store at 1050 New York Ave. in DeLand closed on Sept. 27, while the one at the Winn-Dixie on the corner of US Highway 17-92 and East Highbanks Road in DeBary closed Sept. 20, confirmed Hurley.
Phone calls to the aforementioned Winn-Dixie stores on Friday directed pharmacy customers to nearby Walgreens pharmacies.
Some locations remain open for now
The in-store Winn-Dixie pharmacies at 353 W. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach, 1838 S. Ridgewood Ave. in Edgewater and 111 Flagler Plaza in Palm Coast were open Friday.
An employee at the Ormond Beach store said the pharmacy staff were told that location would remain open through at least November. An employee at the Edgewater store said her understanding was that location would remain open until the end of the year. An employee at the Palm Coast store had no idea when the pharmacy might close.
"We do not have definitive dates at this time for other pharmacy locations in Volusia and Flagler counties. However, our pharmacy customers will be provided sufficient notice prior to the transfer," said Hurley.
Winn-Dixie has other stores in the area, including Holly Hill, Port Orange and Daytona Beach Shores, but they don't have in-store pharmacies.
The closures are not related to the pending sale to ALDI
Southeastern Grocers' decision was not tied to the pending sale of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets to fast-growing German discount grocer ALDI next year, according to Hurley.
ALDI typically operates smaller stores, none of which currently include in-store pharmacies. It also typically employs fewer workers at its stores which have floorplans designed for maximum efficiency.
ALDI stores carry a high percentage of its own private-label brands, whereas Winn-Dixie operates full-service groceries offering a large selection of name-brand goods.
"Regarding the ALDI announcement, we do not have layoffs planned as we continue normal business operations with our team of valued associates," said Hurley. "As this process unfolds, we will remain dedicated to preserving the core strengths and values that have made us successful. We will continue to put people first and work diligently to minimize disruptions for our associates, our customers and our communities. ALDI's current plan is to continue operating Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores with the same level of care and focus on quality and service as they also evaluate which locations will convert to the ALDI format to better support the neighborhoods they will now serve. ALDI will share more information as it becomes available."
MORE: ALDI is buying Winn-Dixie: Where are these stores in Volusia, Flagler counties?
MORE: Aldi deal to buy Winn-Dixie doesn't include pharmacies. What that means for customers
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Winn-Dixie pharmacies are closing. These are closed in Volusia-Flagler.
