Local butcher opens shop in LaBelle after Winn-Dixie exit

LABELLE, Fla. — In LaBelle, a familiar face is bringing fresh options back to the community after the only Winn-Dixie in town closed its doors.

Todd Collins, a longtime employee of the now-shuttered grocery store, has opened his own business, Todd’s Butcher Block, to fill the void left behind.

"My husband’s been a butcher for over 36 years," said Amy Collins, co-owner of Todd's Butcher Block.

"With the Winn-Dixie closing, where he was the market manager, this was kind of an opportunity for us to take advantage of that and finally open up our own shop," she said.

Todd Collins spent more than two decades at the LaBelle Winn-Dixie.

"I really liked it. I liked serving the community," said Collins.

He decided to remain in LaBelle and continue serving his neighbors. He has hired former Winn-Dixie employees to work at his new shop.

"We were able to bring two guys that he's worked with," said Amy Collins.

For local shoppers, the timing of Todd's Butcher Block opening could not have been better.

"It was the closest to home for us and when we moved to LaBelle. So once that closed down, we didn't really have a lot of options," said Cindy Dunaway, a shopper.

"When we heard about opening, we were really excited," she said.

The shop offers more than just fresh meat. Everything is cut in-house, and customers can also find fresh vegetables, seafood, and sides. In a small town like LaBelle, this new business represents more than just a place to shop.

"I love to support a small business, small, especially family owned. Love that," said Dunaway.

After losing a grocery store, the Collins family is focused on giving LaBelle something back, one cut at a time.