COVINGTON, La. — Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: WINN) celebrates the completion of its brand-new store here tomorrow. The 55,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art supermarket, located at 70431 Highway 21 north of New Orleans, features a 24-foot tall open entranceway highlighted by an outdoor farmers market featuring fresh produce from local growers. This is the Jacksonville, Fla.-based grocers first newly-constructed location since 2004.
We invite all of our Covington neighbors to see their new Winn-Dixie.We are very proud to be able to offer this beautiful store to the neighbors and communities of Covington, said Winn-Dixie Chairman, CEO and President Peter Lynch. Not only does it provide a best-in-class shopping experience, but it brings 200 new jobs to the area as well.
GreenChill Certification
The Covington location also is the first grocery store in Louisiana to receive the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) GreenChill certification. GreenChill is an EPA Partnership with food retailers designed to help reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease the industry’s impact on the ozone layer and climate change. Supermarkets that reduce their refrigerant emissions by at least 65% versus the average may receive GreenChill’s store certification award. Currently, only 26 supermarkets in the entire nation have been able to qualify.
“Winn-Dixie can be very proud of this accomplishment,” said Keilly Witman, manager of EPA’s GreenChill Partnership. “People want to do business with stores that share their environmental values. By having the first GreenChill-certified store in Louisiana, Winn-Dixie has demonstrated to its customers and communities that it is serious about helping to save our Earth’s ozone layer and fighting climate change.”
New Look
The store showcases Winn-Dixies latest design concepts, including 21,000 square feet of polished wood flooring, 34,000 square feet of stained concrete flooring, and an exposed beam ceiling. At the entrance, a sleek, modern glass-front exterior overarches a covered walkway.
Features
Customers will experience the following enhanced features:
large produce department featuring a outdoor farmers market and a wide variety of organic and natural products
large, well-stocked wine department
wine steward
custom sandwich and sub shop
wood-burning rotisserie
wing bar and hot foods station
barbecue station
panini grill
salad bar
yogurt bar
peanut butter machine
olive cart
bakery department with freshly-baked muffins and bread and specialty desserts
16 iced seafood case, lobster tank and freshly-prepared sushi
large meat department with full-service meat case
Naturewell Natural Beef and Prairie Grove Farms natural pork selections
carving station
large frozen food and dairy departments
full pharmacy, featuring a wellness center
floral department
seasonal merchandise and gift section
ready-to-cook meal solutions
We invite all of our Covington neighbors to see their new Winn-Dixie, said Joey Medina, Winn-Dixie regional vice president, New Orleans. We are very excited to bring them a premium shopping experience every time they visit us.
We are proud to have Winn-Dixie as a community partner, said St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis. This neighborhood store is not only convenient for Covington residents, but also brings a positive economic impact to the Parish. I also appreciate Winn-Dixies planning efforts with the Parishs Department of Homeland Security. Winn-Dixie is an essential partner in our emergency recovery plan.
Grand Opening Events
Each day during the grand-opening week, customers will be welcomed with a slice of king cake and the first 250 customers will receive a free grocery item. Activities throughout the month of grand-opening celebrations include live entertainment from Joe Simons Jazz, an autograph session with local Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy, a crawfish boil, local flavor food sampling, and a Mardi Gras-themed Family Fun Day. Additionally, a drawing will be held for a Mardi Gras package that includes hotel accommodations in New Orleans and passes to ride on a Mardi Gras parade float, compliments of Coca-Cola.
Source: Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.