JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A longtime staple in Downtown Jacksonville has shut its doors — and many residents are feeling the impact, however soon the space will be replaced by an Aldi. 

The Harveys Supermarket on North Market Street recently closed, leaving Downtown without a major affordable grocery store. For people like Sharon Livingston, who lives Downtown, the closure hits close to home.

“Well, my mother stays in this neighborhood also, so she stayed right here in the tower, so it was helpful for her to be able to just ease up here safely and ease back home safely,” Livingston told First Coast News.

She says her 70-year-old mother, who lives alone nearby, depended on the Harvey’s for her weekly grocery shopping. Now, she’s forced to travel outside of downtown to find food.

Southeastern Grocers, which owns Harvey’s, confirmed the location is being replaced with an ALDI — but it’s still unclear when that store will open.

The closure has raised concerns about access to fresh, affordable food in Jacksonville’s urban core, especially for seniors and residents without transportation. A JTA bus stop sits directly in front of the former Harvey’s, making it one of the most accessible shopping options for the community.

“Around here is a lot of residents. We have lots of residents so we most definitely need a grocery store,” said Livingston. “That’s what I want to see, another grocery store.”

Senior Director of Communications and Community for Southeastern Grocers Meredith Hurley shared this statement with First Coast News:

“We can confirm that the Harveys Supermarket located at 777 Market Street in Jacksonville closed in late June and will reopen as a new ALDI store. All associates who worked at this location received official advance notice that their store would convert to an ALDI location. To ensure a smooth transition for our associates, SEG worked diligently with ALDI to provide support and opportunities to each associate at converting stores, including having the first opportunity to apply to roles at newly converted ALDI stores or remain with Winn-Dixie and transfer to another store.”