6 Clay Winn-Dixie stores uncertain if they were part of Aldi sale

CLAY COUNTY – Employees at six Winn-Dixie grocery stores in the county eagerly await word if they are working for Aldi or C&S Wholesale Grocers.

Along with an investor group led by current Southeastern Grocers CEO and President Anthony Hucker, C&S purchased 170 of the stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as the existing Winn-Dixie liquor store business, Aldi bought from SEG in August 2023. Aldi immediately announced it would convert some of SEG’s Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets into Aldi stores.

Two weeks ago, the Winn-Dixie on County Road 220 on Fleming Island was closed two weeks ago and work has started to convert it into an Aldi store.

The purchase means Aldi will keep about 220 of the stores it bought from SEG and convert them into Aldi stores. C&S will get the other 170 and operate them as Winn-Dixie stores. Aldi and C&S haven’t disclosed which stores will fall under the Aldi label and which will remain under the Winn-Dixie banner.

“This consortium continues C&S and SEG’s longstanding partnership. For 20 years, we have worked together to feed our communities,” said C&S CEO Eric Winn. “C&S has remained steadfast in our commitment to our transformation strategy, which includes being an industry-leading grocery wholesaler and retailer. C&S will leverage our best-in-class capabilities to provide value and quality to shoppers as we continue advancing our legacy of braggingly happy customers.”

C&S Grocers has 12 primary private brands, including Piggly Wiggly and IGA.

Friends of the Green Cove Springs Library to meet on Feb. 19

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Cove Book Club of the Friends of the Green Cove Springs Library will meet on Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center, 604 Walnut St.

The book of the month is “The Orphan Collector” by Ellen Marie Wiseman. The April 16 books of the month are “The Rent Collector” by Camron Wright and “James” by Percival Everett. Readers are welcome to join us. 

All board and membership meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. We will meet at The Club at Magnolia Point. Upcoming board meetings are on Feb. 25, April 29, June 24 and July 29.

Membership meetings are March 25 and May 27.

New members and potential new members are welcome.

GreenPointe developers buy 270 acres in Clay County

LAKE ASBURY – A  new community is coming to Clay County soon.

GreenPointe Developers has purchased approximately 270 acres along County Road 218 and the newly completed Cathedral Oak Parkway to develop Amberly, a new recreation-rich, single-family home community in one of the area’s fastest-growing corridors.

“We are thrilled to add Amberly to our portfolio of new home communities,” said Gregg Kern, Division Manager, North Florida Region. “Community residents will enjoy various recreational amenities, innovative floor plans and the latest home designs from Dream Finders Homes, and a convenient location near Northeast Florida.”

Dream Finders Homes is the exclusive builder at Amberly, which will consist of approximately 725 single-family homesites. Development plans include one- and two-story single-family homes on 40-, 50- or 60-foot expansive homesites. A collection of floor plans and pricing for the community will be announced soon.

Planned amenities for Amberly residents are expected to include a variety of resort-style amenities, such as a clubhouse, oasis-style pool, club-quality fitness studio, expansive play park for the younger ones and a dog park for the furry friends. Amberly is located within the highly rated Clay County School District and zoned for Clay High, Lake Asbury Junior High and Shadowlawn Elementary.

Amberly is located near employment centers, retail centers and major roadways including the First Coast Expressway and the newly completed Cathedral Oak Parkway, providing easy access to shopping and dining, outdoor activities, downtown Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville and other areas of Northeast Florida.

For more information, visit dreamfindershomes.com/new-homes/fl/jacksonville/.

Campers can learn song, dance, rehearsal skills at Spotlight Center

FLEMING ISLAND – Registration for weekly summer camps at the Spotlight Center is underway.

Campers can learn what it takes to rehearse, create and work a full show through theater classes like audition techniques, scene into song, dance and other fun theater activities. Each weekly item will be themed, so campers know what to expect for the final showcase.

Early registration will receive a 15% discount and end on March 31. All registration will end on May 1.

To register, visit spotlighteventscenter.com or call (904) 375-9547.