GTB Area Retail Blog

Florida Choice/Winn-Dixie #676 179 E. Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL - Bloomingdale Plaza Opened in 1987 as a Florida Choice supermarket, originally proposed as a Family Mart before A&P sold this store to Kroger. Florida Choice had a rather short run here, closing a year later. In 1992, this store was sold to Winn-Dixie and reopened as Winn-Dixie #676, replacing an older 1975-built store at the Kings Row Shopping Center (843 W. Bloomingdale Ave). That store is currently Big Lots #560. This store received an inexpensive remodel to the transformational interior in 2014. Winn-Dixie closed this store  on March 25, 2019 after 27 years in operation. The outside is from the 2014 remodel, but the original entryway remains! UPDATE: After being vacant for 3 years, the former Winn-Dixie space is now an Urban Air Adventure Park, which opened on September 24, 2022. Not in use during this time, was the  left side entry door. The sign says "Please Use Other Door" wi...

At Westshore Mall, Sears, Payless, and Starbucks have closed or are closing. Let's start with Sears! (Feb. 4, 2019) (Mar. 7, 2019) Former Sears Department Store 347 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL Opened in 2002 after Sears relocated from the former Tampa Bay Center, and closed on March 11, 2019 after 17 years. Last 3 days! The above store closing signs are common at any retailer. No items and empty salesfloor are common for closing stores. Empty checkout space. Due to store closing, and store fixtures/equipment sale signs. (Mar. 18, 2019) (Mar. 25, 2019) (Apr. 5, 2019) (May 3, 2019) Sears is now walled off, so no one can access the store or take pictures through the closed gates. Now moving on to Payless Shoes... Former Payless Shoes #6641 346 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL Opened in the late 1990's, and closed on June 30, 2019. (Above photo taken April 2019) (June 7,...