After Winn-Dixie closure, Immokalee residents seek clarity on Aldi plans

IMMOKALEE, Fla. —

Months after the only full-service grocery store in Immokalee shut down, residents say frustrations and uncertainty continue to grow.

The Winn-Dixie on Lake Trafford Road closed last year, leaving many families without a nearby option for groceries. For longtime shoppers like Kurtis Anderson, the closure was surprising.

“I heard they were changing this to Aldi, and I couldn't understand why. Because Winn-Dixie always did so much business in Immokalee, and I just cannot believe they closed,” Anderson said.

After the store closed, Collier County launched a temporary CAT bus route to Publix locations in Ave Maria to help residents access groceries. However, the county says the route was discontinued after only a few weeks due to low ridership.

“They had to piece everything together for the week. And one of my friends said, if I go out of town and I forget something from Sam's or Costco, I'm out of luck for the week until I can go again. Because no one wants to be trekking 45 minutes to an hour on 82. You know, it's such a busy road, it's dangerous,” said Maria Salinas, who lives in Immokalee.

Recently, a rumor began circulating in the community that the Aldi planned to replace the former Winn-Dixie may no longer be happening.

Collier County Commissioner Bill McDaniel addressed those concerns, saying the rumor stemmed from Aldi withdrawing a pre-application for a construction permit at the Winn-Dixie plaza. McDaniel said that, as far as he knows, Aldi is still planning to build at the site, though there is no confirmed timeline. Gulf Coast News has reached out to Aldi corporate for clarification and is awaiting a response.

For residents like Salinas, the uncertainty has only added to the strain.

“I'm glad that there's going to be a meeting, and I'm hoping they hear us and I'm glad if they hear us. But we need action. We need something,” she said.

The closest Walmart to Immokalee is in LaBelle, while the nearest Publix is in Ave Maria. Although there are smaller mom-and-pop shops and a farmers market in town, residents say those options are not always practical, especially for big families.

“I mean, I would love Publix to come. We need a deli. We need a bakery. We need a liquor store. We need every aspect of what that store brings. And if it's not at Publix or something similar to it, a big store, we definitely need that,” Salinas said.

Commissioner McDaniel is hosting a town hall meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Collier Extension, where residents are encouraged to voice concerns, ask questions, and seek updates on the Aldi timeline and long-term grocery access in Immokalee.

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