Aldi To Convert Two Temple Terrace Winn-Dixie Locations in Grocery Store Transformation

Two Winn-Dixie stores in Temple Terrace will transform into Aldi locations. The German discount chain bought Southeastern Grocers back in 2023 and has been switching stores ever since. Both the 56th Street shop in Temple Terrace and another in Thonotosassa will make the change by 2027.

According to the Tampa Beacon, the 56th Street store sits at 8837 N. 56th St., smack in the middle of the city's Community Redevelopment Area. It's just south of the Waverly Apartments. Loopnet, a commercial real estate website, lists "Aldi Excess Space" at this spot — 18,958 square feet of retail space up for sublease through The Shopping Center Group.

Aldi will occupy about 20,000 square feet. Temple Terrace Permitting Services hasn't received any permits yet, and the store manager wouldn't talk about it.

When Aldi purchased Southeastern Grocers in 2023, they grabbed roughly 400 stores. Over half were slated to become Aldi locations. The rest? Sold back to investors who kept Southeastern Grocers going, though it rebranded as Winn-Dixie Co. this year.

Stores that made the cut got fresh renovations and kept their Winn-Dixie signs. The Temple Terrace Highway location held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month after its makeover and looks like it'll stick around.

Here's where things get interesting with the space. Winn-Dixie stores like the 56th Street one measure around 45,000 square feet, but Aldi runs lean with just a 20,000-square-foot setup. That leaves a lot of room to rent out.

The Thonotosassa store at U.S. 301 and East Fowler Avenue faces the same split. Plans filed with Hillsborough County reveal the 43,750-square-foot store in University East Shopping Center will divide into a 21,973-square-foot Aldi. The other 21,777 square feet? Still looking for a tenant.

The 56th Street store has been the anchor of the old Terrace Plaza for years — back when it was Kash-n-Karry, then Sweetbay. Now people just call it the Winn-Dixie Plaza. It's home to Crumbl Cookies, the Zen Noodle Bar, and a post office.

This location got renovations in 2022, before Aldi even entered the picture. They upgraded the liquor store and tucked a Dollar Store inside.