A supermarket that anchored Port St. John for decades has closed, leaving room for Aldi’s expansion into Brevard County. Winn-Dixie operated in the plaza until 2024, when it shut down as part of Aldi’s statewide takeover of Southeastern Grocers locations. Leasing records now list Aldi as “coming soon,” while the rest of the 89,772 square foot property continues to function with tenants like Planet Fitness, Burger King, Subway, and KFC.
Construction
The retail center was built in 1986, according to leasing records. Historic aerial imagery shows the parcel’s transformation clearly. In 1958, the land was wooded and undeveloped. By 1984, nearby subdivisions were in place, but the property itself was still covered in trees. Between 1984 and 1999, the plaza was constructed, and Winn-Dixie became its anchor tenant. The supermarket remained in operation until 2024, when it closed for good. Aldi is now preparing to open in its place, continuing use of the same building while repositioning the anchor space.
Location
The plaza fronts U.S. Route 1 in Port St. John, directly across from the Cape Canaveral power facilities. With traffic counts over 32,000 vehicles per day, the location has long been a visible stop along the corridor. Outparcels host Burger King, Subway, and KFC, while the main building stretches across the back of the site. Surrounding homes on Bowman Boulevard, Vineland Street, and Aron Street make the center a local shopping hub. Its placement between neighborhoods and the power plant has kept it a recognizable landmark for decades.
Company Background
Aldi operates more than 2,000 stores nationwide and has aggressively expanded in Florida since opening its first store in the state in 2008. The company’s 2023 acquisition of Southeastern Grocers added Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s supermarkets to its portfolio. As part of the deal, many older Winn-Dixie stores are being converted to Aldi. The Port St. John location is one of them, representing Aldi’s continued push into Florida’s grocery market.