A Winn-Dixie known as ‘The Big WD’ has closed. What will fill the space?

Business admin September 23, 2026 0 Comments

A Winn-Dixie known as ‘The Big WD’ has closed. What will fill the space?

A massive Winn-Dixie affectionately known as “The Big WD” on Coral Way in Miami closed for good Sunday, and customers took to their socials to bid farewell to the neighborhood store.

The 57,000-square foot Winn-Dixie opened in 1990 on grounds that had belonged to the Triple Gables movie theater where E.T. once soared and Rocky had his third bout in the hot film summer of 1982.

The Coral Way Winn-Dixie will become an Aldi sometime in 2027 after renovations.

This is the second landmark Winn-Dixie store in the Miami area to close in recent months. The Bird Ludlam Shopping Center Winn-Dixie closed on Aug. 2. That one was a strip mall anchor since 1960 when it originally opened as a Kwik Chek.

Meredith Hurley, Winn-Dixie’s senior director of communications and community, confirmed that the grocery store at 3275 SW 22nd St. in Miami closed to begin its conversion to Aldi. The adjacent Winn-Dixie Beer, Wine & Spirits store also has closed.

“All associates at this location received advance notice, and Winn-Dixie worked closely with Aldi to support a smooth transition,” Hurley said.

In August, Hurley said that the Bird closing is also part of a 2024 Aldi deal with the Jacksonville chain that has led to dozens of conversions.

Aldi hasn’t responded to a request for details about the Coral Way transformation.

The average size of an Aldi in South Florida ranges from 12,000 to 22,000 square feet. An exception: an Aldi of 27,000 square feet built by South Florida’s Oak Construction opened in May at 11290 W. State Road 84 in Davie.

Several other Winn-Dixie locations also shuttered in recent months. The Winn-Dixie on Northwest 11th Avenue and 54th Street in Liberty City, along with nearby stores at 11030 NW Seventh Ave. in Pinewood and 1155 NW 11th St. in Overtown are all awaiting 2027 conversions, the Miami Times reported.

Customers of the Coral Way store shared memories about their shopping.

“That location was remodeled and was beautiful inside, it’s a shame,” Barbara Cordero posted on the neighborhood Facebook page Solo en Calle Ocho.

“So sad to see this supermarket on Coral Way close after more than 30 years. It was open until midnight, which made it so convenient for those of us who work late. It’s been part of the neighborhood for so many years, and I’m really going to miss it,” Ana Laura Dacuna posted on Coral Gables Social’s community page on Instagram.

The former Winn-Dixie at 8710 SW 72nd St. in the Sunset West Shopping Center that closed for repairs in 2022 and reopened as remodeled in 2023 only to be flagged for conversion to an Aldi, has recently opened as a new Aldi.

This story was originally published September 23, 2026 at 8:37 AM.