Aldi starts $35 million renovation of Florida distribution center

• Aldi is renovating a massive distribution center in Baldwin, Florida, as part of a major state expansion.
• The discount grocer plans to open over 180 new stores nationwide in 2026, with many in Florida.
• Florida is experiencing a "grocery war" with other chains like Publix and Sprouts also expanding.

The no-frills discount grocery chain Aldi is working on something big in Florida, but your shopping cart quarter won't do you any good there.

Aldi has started a $35 million renovation of a 1.12 million-square-foot distribution facility on 200 acres in Baldwin in Duval County, with plans to open the doors in 2027. It's one of three new regional distribution centers planned in the next few years in Florida, Arizona, and Colorado. The renovation was confirmed to the Jacksonville Daily Record in February by Aldi regional vice president J.R. Perry.

“As part of this expansion, we have begun transitioning the Baldwin distribution center to better support our mission of offering high-quality products at the lowest prices of any national grocery store,” Perry said. 

The discount chain also plans to expand an existing distribution center in Haines City near Orlando to add refrigeration for perishable foods.

The moves are part of a concentrated push for expansion throughout Florida. Aldi opened more than 60 new and converted stores in the Sunshine State last year and plans to open more than 180 new stores nationwide in 2026 with a goal of 3,200 stores by the end of 2028.

Here's what to know.

Where is the new Aldi distribution center going in Florida?

The new distribution center is located at 15500 W. Beaver Street in the small town of Baldwin, west of Jacksonville.

The center was formerly owned by C&S Wholesale Grocers and previously serviced Winn-Dixie stores, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported. Aldi bought Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harvey's Supermarket, in 2024, converted dozens of the acquired stores into their smaller format, and later sold some of the stores back to a new company, later rebranded The Winn-Dixie Company.

The discount chain famous for low prices and a lack of grocery store standards, such as a deli, a bakery, a pharmacy, or even overhead music, has already this year opened stores in Cape Coral, Deerfield Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Port Orange, Pensacola, and two in Jacksonville. Stores in Fort Myers, Neptune Beach, and Tampa opened on Thursday, March 12, and another is scheduled for March 19 in Vero Beach.

The company said it plans to continue converting the nearly 80 Winn-Dixie and Harvey's Supermarket locations it retained, with nearly 20 more in progress around the state, according to local media and filings.

What is Aldi planning for its new Florida distribution center?

According to applications submitted to the City of Jacksonville by A M Construction Co. LLC, the projects include:

Interior alterations to the existing 729,000-square-foot dry storage and distribution warehouse, including demolition of non-load-bearing partitions, modifications to the lighting and electrical systems and reconfiguration of the office spaces. Estimated cost: $13.31 million.

Similar interior alterations of the existing 391,600-square-foot perishable storage warehouse. Estimated cost: $21.8 million.

More grocery chains expanding in Florida

There's something of a grocery war going on right now in Florida, with chains fighting to expand.

Lakeland-based Publix has been opening new stores and renovating old ones with a new, shopper-friendly design with wider lanes, self-checkout lanes, expanded deli options, and larger displays in the bakery, meat and seafood departments. One new store opened in St. Petersburg on Thursday, March 12, and another is scheduled to open in Spring Hill on April 2.

The newly renamed the Winn-Dixie Co. is refocusing its efforts on its home state with plans for community-friendly redesigns.

Sprouts Farmers Market opened several Florida stores last year, opened two in Daytona Beach and Clermont this year, and has more coming.

Meanwhile, Trader Joe's, a more upscale grocery destination, opened a location in Daytona Beach, Florida, in November and another in Melbourne, Florida, on Dec. 3.

Where can I find an Aldi near me in Florida?

There are nearly 300 Aldi locations in Florida. You can find the list at stores.aldi.us/fl.

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.