By By Lisa Tindell and Lydia Grimes
The Brewton Standard
Doreen Hadley set about shopping as usual at Winn Dixie on Friday afternoon, but she did so with dismay.
For more than 40 years, the Winn Dixie name has been a part of the Brewton community. After decades of business in the community, officials with the company have announced the closing of the store located on Douglas Avenue.
Robin Miller, media representative for Winn Dixie’s home office in Florida, said the store would be closing next month due to the expiration of the lease at the Brewton location.
The business, which operated under the Kwik Chek name for many years, was previously located on St. Joseph Avenue in a location now occupied by Video Warehouse throughout the mid to late 1960s. The business was then located in a building south of the current store site for many years before moving to its current location in the mid 1980s.
Tax revenues submitted to the City of Brewton by Winn Dixie have typically been a significant portion of income for the city according to John Angel, city clerk.
Although officials believe Winn Dixie patrons will move their business to other local retailers when the store closes next month, concern has been expressed over the loss of jobs for the store’s employees.
Company officials will address the loss of jobs as a result of Winn Dixie’s closing, Miller said.
Area residents have been responding to the store closing by contacting company officials protesting the demise of the store.
Sara Hines, a patron of the local grocery retailer, said she has taken steps to voice her concern over the closing of the store.
Hines said she has shopped at the local retailer for many years and is concerned for the store and the employees.
Perri McMillan said she believes residents throughout the city are dismayed at the announced closing of the store regardless of shopping habits.
McMillan also said the closing of the store will leave “another empty building” along the streets of Brewton.
Hadley said one the things she will miss the most are the meats she has been able to choose from at the store.