Winn-Dixie denies that she is pulling ‘Dixie’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Within hours of TMZ reporting that Winn-Dixie was considering changing the name it used for over 100 years, a spokesman for Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers said there are no immediate plans to do so.

TMZ reported that Winn-Dixie sources said the network is considering the name change because, “like The Chicks, it considers the term ‘Dixie’ to be problematic due to links to the old South and its mindset. “

But Southeastern Grocers spokesman Joe Caldwell emailed the Jacksonville Daily Record on Thursday night: “While we have no immediate plans to change the name of this cartel, we have always responded and will continue to respond to needs and concerns expressed by the communities we serve. “

The Dixie Chicks not only dropped “Dixie” from her name, Lady Antebellum dropped “Antebellum”, Confederate statues and monuments are falling in Jacksonville and across the country, and governments and school districts are considering changing the name of buildings amid continuous calls. for racial justice most recently brought about by the death of George Floyd while in the custody of the Minneapolis police.

Caldwell’s email went on to say, “At Southeastern Grocers we are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture and a community that promotes belonging, inclusion and diversity. As such, we oppose racism and support the Black Lives Matter movement across our country. ”

The email from the corporate communications manager continued: “Our Winn-Dixie banner has proudly served our communities for nearly 100 years, yet many things have changed during that time. While we have no immediate plans to change the name of this banner, we have always responded and will continue to respond to the needs and concerns expressed by the communities we serve. “

Winn-Dixie has been based in Jacksonville since 1939 when the Davis family bought a majority stake in Lovett’s grocery stores and renamed it Winn and Lovett. A few years later, it merged with a Dixie chain of stores. It wasn’t long until the name was mixed with Winn-Dixie.

The chain grew, extending to the southeast. It became the first Florida industrial corporation and retail chain to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Winn-Dixie was purchased by Bi-Lo in 2011 and together they became Southeastern Grocers, which continues to have its corporate headquarters in Jacksonville.

Shoppers at a Winn-Dixie store on Friday thought the name was no big deal.

“Maybe I am not familiar enough with everything that happened or why it is called Winn Dixie,” said one man. “I don’t see a problem with that. It is a grocery store. It will continue to be a grocery store. “

“I just think it’s overboard,” said Chuck Null. “Everything exploded out of proportion in my eyes.”