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Work Set To Begin Soon On Cantonment Winn-Dixie Conversion To New Aldi Store
March 13, 2026
Work will soon begin to convert the Winn Dixie in Cantonment into an Aldi store as the German company continues to open stores in Escambia County.
The county’s newest, and fourth, Aldi opened last week on Ninth Avenue, also from a converted Winn Dixie. A fifth store will open in the coming month at South Blue Angel Parkway, followed by Winn Dixie conversions in Cantonment and on Bayou Boulevard later this year.
A banner proclaims “This store is closing soon” outside the Cantonment Winn Dixie, while black and yellow “Store Closing Sale” signs dot the windows of the building. Inside, remaining items were clearanced, up to 98% off. (If you are curious, the greeting cards were marked down to 98% off, while most items were around 40% when we visited on Wednesday.) Most of the store was already cordoned off and empty.
An exact timetable for the Cantonment Aldi’s opening is not yet known.
Another Aldi is under five miles away in 20,000 square feet of a converted Winn Dixie on Nine Mile Road at Chemstrand Road. It opened a year ago on March 3, 2025. The new Nine Mile Aldi employed 15 people at opening, four of whom were employees at the former Winn Dixie.
Don’t Forget A Quarter. And A Bag.
Then there’s the quarter thing.
Shoppers must insert a quarter, much like a rental, for a shopping cart. When the cart is returned, the quarter is returned, eliminating the need for employees to round up buggies in the parking lot.
If you want to bag your purchases, you’ll need to bring your own reusable bags or purchase one of Aldi’s. A large reusable shopping bag is under a buck.
Why shop Aldi?
“So, I think what we say a lot of times is the price brings them in the door, and the quality brings them back,” Heather Moore, vice president of Aldi’s Loxley Division told NorthEscambia.com during the Nine Mile Road store grand opening. ”So, the first thing that customers are going to notice we’ve never been in Aldi is how inexpensive the products are. So, we are going to save them a ton of money on the stuff they buy every day. Whether it’s fresh produce or fresh meat. We get that stuff in every day.”
She said all of the products will meet or beat the national brand, backed by a double quality guarantee. About 90% of the products are private-label, Aldi exclusive brands with about one-in-three products are award winning.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
23 Responses to “Work Set To Begin Soon On Cantonment Winn-Dixie Conversion To New Aldi Store”
I will never shop at this Aldi’s. I visited Winn Dixie quite often and many of the employees there said that Aldi’s DID NOT offer them a job. And many of those people worked at Winn Dixie until the day they closed. That’s loyalty right there, and Aldi’s didn’t care.
I wish they would of left our Winn Dixies alone…
I’ve never saw the big deal with an Aldi’s…
designed for European market, where people go to store every day and buy small
number of articles. totally incompatible with US shoppers who shop less frequently and make larger purchases. Inconvenient, unfriendly, very limited selection, fresh produce and meats of poor quality. prices can’t beat wal mart.
With Aldi, you just have to “know before you go”. They are actually a GREAT store with GREAT prices & a LIMITED selection. It can be pretty intriguing getting some of the German foods you don’t normally see in regular grocery stores (although many list that it contains bioengineered ingredients). The “no bags, no cart collector, no stock boy, no specialty depts, sitting cashier & bag yo self” makes sense on how they keep prices low & keep the checkout lines moving. I’m gonna miss my 1-stop-shop WD. I’ll have to visit 2 stores but save $ as well. It’s all about perspective. Enjoy the experience. Don’t be the negative Nancy but be ready to meet that not so happy checkout cashier. Just pretend your in Germany
Not much on Aldi. Got a couple friends who are and went in store with them. Didn’t buy anything. Wish we had Food Lion like in North Carolina and Virginia. It’s a cross between grocery advantage and winn Dixie. Probably won’t go in Aldi but to the people who do , there isn’t nothing wrong with it. It’s just not everyones choice.
After reading all the comments from those who won’t be shopping at this Aldi’s location, I shouldn’t have any issues finding a parking spot near the entrance. I am sure that I will shop the Aldi store as much as I shopped the Winn Dixie store.
Yall do realize that Winn Dixie sold out right? Aldi is not the bad guy here.
Been in an aldi’s. Didn’t buy a thing. Had nothing I needed. I also didn’t have .25 for a buggy. I only use a card. Didn’t realize I needed my own bags as well. Personally drive by this location every day going and coming from work and stoped 2 or 3 times a week on my way home. I have NO plans to stop at this store. Grocery advantage it is. My hope is it fails and something else will come back simular to windixie
That’s to bad. Miss Winn Dixie.
Go to the dirty foot store now.
Crap. Guess I’ll have to go somewhere else. I’ve been to the Aldi stores and not impress at all. Grocery Advantage is where I usually go, guess they’ll have all my business from now on.
There goes the neighborhood….
We don’t need another Aldi. There is already one on 9 Mile. I love Winn Dixie and hate our store is closing. I’ve been to Aldi before and am not impressed with their selection of products. Did you know that Aldi is not hiring any of the current Winn Dixie employees? That alone is reason to not set foot in there.
Yeah! Love Aldi! You do have to be careful what you buy. They are private label stuff for the most part, but the quality is outstanding. Much more “clean” organic, non-GMO food than many stores. The produce is great for not being a farmers market. Some of the wines are actually quiet tasty, and the cheese selection is amazing for the price. Meats are pretty good…the cheapest grass-fed burger in town.
Try the products and you’ll see. But everyone is right — you are not going to knock off you entire grocery list.
I love Aldi’s and look forward to the new location opening. For us with limited incomes it will save at least $10 every week.
This is beyond sad. I loved this Winn Dixie and their employees. Aldi’s a waste of a grocery store. Will not be stepping foot in here.
Shopped at a Aldi’s once, will never do it again. VERY limited selection. Call me weird, but I like to have a choice of products to buy not just what they want to sell.
Don’t need Aldi up here in Cantonment! If you’re going to take our WD away, at least give us a Publix!!
Ditto!
Think this is a big mistake. Haven’t ever found anything good at Aldi’s. Winn- Dixie was just fine. My mom and older adults love Winn-Dixie hate it for them.
I have been to a few Aldis. We tried the one on Nine Mile twice and both times our milk was chunky. Some stuff from there is fine but I’ll just have to go back to Walmart (lessor of two evils) or Grocery Advantage.
Good ol’ Winn Dixie has always been a Southern icon. Aldi’s does not compare in any way whatsoever. Not one person I know goes there. What a waste of space.
I shopped at the new one on 9th Ave last week. Many people were there reading labels with so many unknown brands. The holiday items are so cute! It is nice to finally have Aldi’s in FL.
We dont want an Aldi at this location. Aldi is the absolute worst store ive ever been too