Grocery store to take over lease at former Earth Fare site

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The former Earth Fare space at The Green at Lakewood Ranch will be occupied by a Winn-Dixie store.

Jeff Preston, managing partner for The Green’s owner, West Palm Beach-based North American Development Group, confirmed the lease is being assumed by Southeastern Grocers’ Winn-Dixie chain, according to an article in the East County Observer, a sister publication of the Business Observer.  

Preston says North American Development Group has been advised by its legal counsel the deal was finalized, however the company has not yet received the final documents.

“We are excited about the bankruptcy process being complete and finalized,” says Preston. “It was a very competitive process. Southeastern, at the end of the day, did win the auction.”

Preston says he doesn't have information on opening dates yet.

Earth Fare filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in February. The Earth Fare in Lakewood Ranch, off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 70, closed Feb. 24.