Lucky’s closing all but one state store
Orlando distribution center expected to go after opening last year
Lucky’s Market is closing most of its Florida grocery stores in February after entering the Orlando market less than four years ago, according to a report in the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The West Melbourne store is the only Lucky’s in Florida expected to remain open after Feb. 12. A company spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.
Lucky’s opened in Orlando in June 2016 at 11750 E. Colonial Drive. The grocery store chain expanded from there, opening locations in Colonial Landing, SoDo and on Regency Village Drive last year. The Colonial Landing Lucky’s, across from Orlando Fashion Square mall, opened just in June.
There are also Lucky’s stores in Hunter’s Creek, Clermont, Winter Park and Ormond Beach.
Lucky’s 120,000-square-foot distribution center on Emperor Drive in Orlando is also expected to close after opening last year, according to the Sun Sentinel.
The chain had 21 stores in Florida out of a total of 39 when that distribution center’s open
ing was announced.
A Lucky’s was also planned for the Wekiva Riverwalk center in Apopka, GrowthSpotter reported. One was also planned to open in Lake Mary this year.
Jessica Jett was a regular shopper at the Colonial Landing Lucky’s. The 24-year-old Orlando resident was a fan of the store’s customer service, granola, and deals on milk and eggs.
“It feels like you’re at like your farmers’ market without actually having to be outside,” she said Tuesday after shopping at the store. “I’m not a fan of the other options that are here in the Orlando area to get groceries. So, I’ll have to venture out, probably go to different places for different things.”
The grocery stores let customers drink beer and wine while shopping and feature sushi, ramen, salad and olive bars. Lucky’s website states natural and organic food shouldn’t be priced out of people’s reach and that the company believes “good food shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be a right.”
“So we created a store that will hook an entire generation on eating a little bit healthier,” its website states.
Lucky’s started in 2003 when chefs Trish and Bo Sharon bought a convenience store in Boulder, Colorado.
Supermarket chain Kroger divested its interest in Lucky’s after a portfolio review, according to a December earnings release.
Kroger and online grocery company Ocado are building a fulfillment center in Groveland that would allow customers to order Kroger groceries online and have them delivered to their homes.