NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Fernandina Beach residents will have a new option for buying groceries starting Monday.
The City of Fernandina Beach announced a “Grocery Getter” shuttle will be providing services for local residents twice a week, providing free rides to and from the Winn-Dixie Marketplace in Yulee.
The shuttle service addresses a pressing need for grocery options in the area, as shoppers are having to cross the bridge because of limited options in Fernandina Beach.
Currently, two out of the three grocery stores on the island are closed at the same time because of renovations, leaving just one traditional grocery store open — Harris Teeter.
The Winn-Dixie in Fernandina Beach closed in July to be converted into an Aldi store. That construction is still in progress.
The Publix on the island has been closed since the end of April for renovations, and won’t reopen until at least the fall of next year.
RELATED | Fernandina Beach Publix to close April 26 for demolition, reconstruction
News4JAX had previously spoken to residents about their initial thoughts and how they would be getting their groceries amid the temporary closures.
“Probably I’ll shop at Harris Teeter, and I may make a trip off the island occasionally, but not very often, because that’s not pleasant. But I don’t care for Aldi, so I won’t be shopping here I don’t think,” Brenda McAllister, a Fernandina Beach resident, said.
Now, the city is providing the Grocery Getter as an option for residents to shop at Winn-Dixie. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Passengers will have one hour to shop. No registration is required, and this is a free ride for all shoppers.
This service will be available every Monday and Thursday, starting Aug. 18.
Here’s a breakdown of the route and pick-up locations:
- 9:30 a.m. – Atlantic Recreation Center (2500 Atlantic Ave.)
- 9:35 a.m. – La Sureña Restaurant (22 S. 8th St.)
- 9:40 a.m. – Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center (1200 Elm St.)
- 9:45 a.m. – Bus Stop by Dollar General (1299 Lime St.)
- 1 a.m. – Winn-Dixie, Yulee (960076 Lofton Square Ct.)
If you have any questions about the service and how it works, residents can reach out to the City of Fernandina Beach Parks & Recreation Department at 904-310-3350.