Lovett’s Groceteria

The Winn & Lovett warehouse at 710 Barnett Street (West Beaver Street at Barnett Street). Courtesy of State Archives of Florida

The Jacksonville chain that would become Winn-Dixie was founded by William Lovett in 1928. In 1939, Lovett convinced Table Supply to acquire 51% ownership in Winn & Lovett. Winn & Lovett’s Jacksonville stores continued to operate under the Lovett’s Groceteria moniker until being rebranded as Winn-Dixie in 1955. Early Lovett stores ranged between 5,000 and 15,000 square feet and were located in pedestrian friendly sections of the city. Although some of these early locations no longer exist, many still stand.

Now home to Load King Manufacturing, this large century-old brick warehouse at 1357 Beaver Street West was the early headquarters and distribution hub of Winn & Lovett.

The Lovett’s store at 1059 Park Street in Five Points transitioned into a Winn-Dixie in 1955. This 5,910 store operated in a retail space that was built in 1920.

Now Barrique Kitchen and Wine Bar, this 5,450 square foot building at 3563 St. Johns Avenue in Avondale was a Lovett’s. The building the store operated in was completed in 1927.

In 1945, Winn & Lovett opened a 10,319 square foot store at 105 East Monroe Street in Downtown Jacksonville. This store eventually relocated to 777 Market Street. The more central downtown location is now the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office.

*The Downtown Jacksonville store in 1951. Courtesy of State Archives of Florida*

This 9,784 square foot building at 2025 Blanding Boulevard in Lake Shore opened as a Lovett’s in 1946.

*The Blanding Boulevard Lovett’s store location. Courtesy of State Archives of Florida.*

By the 1940s, newer Lovett’s supermarkets were designed in the Art Deco style. The average store size had also increased above 10,000 square feet. This former 15,847 square foot Springfield store opened in 1947 at 2500 Charlevoix Street.

Now an industrial facility, 614 North McDuff Avenue opened in Lackawanna in 1947. Similar in design to the Springfield location, this location covered 13,543 square feet.

614 North McDuff Avenue. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida.

By the 1950s, Lem Turner Road had become one of the city’s first booming commercial corridors designed for the automobile. In 1951, Winn & Lovett opened a 12,052 square foot Lovett’s at 8110 Lem Turner Road.

Taking advantage of growth around NAS Jax, a new Lovett’s store opened at 5525 Roosevelt Boulevard in Venetia Village in 1951.