Enson Market Plans Expansion into Mandarin Area with Potential Winn-Dixie Lease

Enson Market Eyes Mandarin Location for Expansion

The city of Jacksonville is buzzing with news as Enson Market, an Asian and international foods grocer, appears to be considering leasing the space currently occupied by a Winn-Dixie supermarket in the Mandarin area. This potential move could signal a growing interest in diverse grocery options for local residents.

What’s Happening

According to documents filed with the Florida Division of Corporations, the business name Enson Market Jax Inc. was registered on October 8 at 11101 Old St. Augustine Road—the same address as the Winn-Dixie store. This marks a significant step for Enson Market, which operates various locations across the United States, primarily supplied by the Enson Group based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Current Status of Winn-Dixie

As it stands, Winn-Dixie remains operational in Jacksonville. The parent company, Southeastern Grocers, has refrained from confirming the closure of this store. “As our business and stores continue to evolve, we’re constantly evaluating business opportunities and our locations to best serve the needs of our communities,” stated Meredith Hurley, the senior director of communications at Southeastern Grocers, on December 6. She assured that their employees would be the first to be informed of any major decisions regarding the store’s future.

Strategic Acquisition

The supermarket space currently spans approximately 45,000 square feet and is located on nearly 5 acres at the intersection of Interstate 295 and Old St. Augustine Road. The property, bordered by Losco Road, was built in 1994 and had a significant renovation in 2008 at a cost of around $937,400. Recently, Gator Investments listed the property for lease but has not commented publicly.

Background on Enson Market

Enson Market operates a total of seven stores in five states, with existing locations in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia. Notably, the closest current store is in Gainesville, Florida. The market is known for providing a variety of products spanning Asian and international foods, making it a key player for immigrants seeking familiar products from their homes.

As Enson Market continues to grow, they have expressed intentions to establish themselves as one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in America, emphasizing their commitment to high-quality vendors and diverse product offerings.

Growing Presence of Asian Markets in Jacksonville

Should Enson Market move into the Winn-Dixie space, this will mark their presence as the third large Asian and international grocery store setting up shop in Jacksonville. Lotte Plaza Market, specializing in Korean and other Asian foods, has received approval to renovate a former Best Buy electronics store in the city. Additionally, RD International Market opened in February 2024 in a renovated Winn-Dixie along Beach Boulevard, further contributing to a diverse grocery landscape.

Conclusion

With the potential lease by Enson Market and other Asian grocery establishments making waves in Jacksonville, residents may soon have increased access to a variety of international foods and products. As this situation unfolds, the local community watches closely, awaiting further developments in the battle for grocery market share in the area.