PALM BAY, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 8, 2012-- Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: WINN) today is celebrating the completion of a newly remodeled 57,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art store in Palm Bay, Fla., located at 190 Malabar Road Southwest. One-stop shopping has never looked better.

“The fantastic team at the new Palm Bay Winn-Dixie is committed to providing our guests phenomenal service and quality at a great value,” said Dan Lafever, regional vice president. “We are making shopping fun again through innovative solutions, distinctive product offerings and unmatched convenience.”

In addition to an enhanced produce department featuring a wide assortment of the season’s freshest fruits and vegetables, the Palm Bay store also has a vast new freshly prepared foods section serving chef-inspired entrees and side dishes for guests who value the ease of on-the-go meals.

Experienced chefs direct the preparation of a wide variety of foods, from a carving station with fresh fish, poultry and prime rib, to made-to-order pizza, seven flavors of chicken wings, barbecue bar and a salad bar featuring 12 compound salads.

Other culinary experts include a neighborhood butcher, an experienced baker and cake decorator, all of whom are available to help guests with selections and cooking tips from family meals and dinner parties to barbecues and weddings. Guests will also find expanded meat and seafood departments and a robust inventory of wines from around the world. A full-service florist and an upgraded pharmacy round out the store’s new amenities.

More options to help shoppers manage family budgets are also a part of the new shopping experience. Through the Winn-Dixie Reward Card, a guest never has to pay full price for gas again. Through the innovative fuelperks! program Winn-Dixie guests will earn 5 cents off per-gallon of gas for every $50 in qualified purchases made in-store. Hundreds of additional bonus fuelperks! items worth 5 cents to 50 cents off per-gallon are offered each week.

"Winn-Dixie is at the heart of the Palm Bay community, and our team members will continue the tradition of serving our guests and neighbors both inside and outside of the store," said Joe Petticrew, Palm Bay store director. "From building partnerships with schools to supporting local nonprofits, we are dedicated to actively investing in this thriving community."

To celebrate the store’s grand opening, Winn-Dixie will host a series of celebrations throughout March and April, including, food tastings, live entertainment, raffles, giveaways and more.

The Palm Bay Winn-Dixie is the fourth transformational store in Central Florida and the ninth for the company.

Features of the newly remodeled Palm Bay Winn-Dixie store include:

• New store entrance with outdoor market
• Expanded deli department with wood-burning rotisserie, carving station serving freshly roasted meats, and custom sandwich and sub shop

• Hot food selections, including fresh, made-to-order pastas, barbecue, fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and wing bar serving seven flavors of chicken wings

• Expanded selection of specialty desserts, pastries and made-to-order cakes in the bakery, along with loaves of warm, freshly baked bread

• Specialty salad bar including 12 different freshly-made compound salads, including spinach antipasti, curried cous cous, and green apple rocky road

• Expanded new seafood department with fresh sushi created by an on-site sushi chef
• Expanded selection of domestic and imported wines and beers with an experienced wine steward
• Remodeled and expanded pharmacy with wellness center
• Upgraded floral department, featuring an assortment of seasonal merchandise and specialty gifts
• New guest services counter
• New café sitting area with complimentary Wi-Fi Internet and coffee

About Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates approximately 480 retail grocery locations and approximately 380 in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.

Schedule of Events

All events will take place at the Winn-Dixie at 190 Malabar Road Southwest in Palm Bay, Fla.

2 – 4 p.m.

There’s something for every palate as Winn-Dixie invites the community to taste a fabulous array of freshly prepared foods. Children will enjoy face painting, balloon art, music and much more.

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Area residents and families are invited to discover a new fresh shopping experience at our Open House Celebration. We are thrilled to welcome you to your completely transformed Winn-Dixie in Palm Bay. Enjoy the store’s new features and taste delicious cuisine with your family, friends and neighbors.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Area residents and families are invited to celebrate Easter at Winn-Dixie. Get your picture with the Easter bunny and enjoy face painting, balloon art, music, food sampling and an egg coloring station.

2 – 4 p.m.

In partnership with local Boy Scouts Councils, area residents and families are invited to learn more about the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training as local scouts demonstrate their skills. Sign up for Boy Scouts on site and support the troops. Enjoy face painting, balloon art, music and much more.

Source: Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
Eric Barnes, 904-370-7715
EricBarnes@winn-dixie.com
904-571-6052 (cell)
or
Joy Jones, 407-235-4915 (cell)
joyjones@winn-dixie.com