Winn-Dixie parent company, others acquire Lucky’s stores

Winn-Dixie’s parent company is joining Publix and Aldi in reaching deals to acquire closing Lucky’s Market stores in Florida.

Southeastern Grocers, which also operates the Hispanic grocer Fresco y Mas, has an agreement for five Florida Lucky’s Market properties, including the planned location in Lake Mary, the companies announced Tuesday.

The deal also includes the only Lucky’s in Florida that had been expected to stay open and be sold to Lucky’s founders. It is at 3170 West New Haven Ave., Melbourne.

Southeastern Grocers did not disclose its plans for the properties in an emailed response Tuesday evening.

The other stores being acquired by Southeastern Grocers are in Naples, Fort Myers and Gainesville.

“We’re humbled by the opportunity to invest in the core of our footprint, and to deepen our presence in communities we know, respect and already operate successfully within,” the company said in a statement.

Lucky’s, which is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, also announced deals with Seabra Foods for the Hunters Creek store and with Hitchcock’s Markets for a store in St. Petersburg.

In Orlando, Seabra Foods has an existing store on International Drive.

Tuesday’s acquisitions follow discount grocer Aldi acquiring six Lucky’s properties and Publix agreeing on five others.

Aldi’s stores include the Lucky’s Market locations in Orlando’s Colonial Landing shopping center and on Regency Village Drive. Publix’s deal includes the South Orange Avenue store in Orlando and locations in Clermont and Ormond Beach.

That leaves Central Florida Lucky’s stores at 11750 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando and in Winter Park to still be acquired, and it has not been announced what will happen with the planned store in Apopka. Lucky’s continues to have discussions with other potential buyers.

Lucky’s founders, Bo and Trish Sharon, are still expected to acquire six other Lucky’s outside of Florida.

The agreements are subject to court approval and an overbidding process, Lucky’s said.

More grocery store properties are also expected to be on the market as Earth Fare announced this week it was closing all its stores nationwide and then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.