By Times-Mail
JASPER - Buehler Foods, which owns two Buy-Low stores in Bedford, recently announced it plans to purchase a chain of Winn-Dixie stores.
The deal includes a total of 16 stores, 15 of which are located in and around Louisville, Ky., Saint Matthews, Ky., Valley Station, Ky., Shelbyville, Ky., and Mount Washington, Ky., and one store in Jeffersonville.
Dave Buehler, chief executive officer of Buehler Foods, said, he was "thrilled to have the opportunity to bring our format to Louisville and surrounding areas.
"Geographically, as well as strategically, we view this move as a natural progression of growth for our company and all of our associates."
According to a news release, Buehler said the company will hire back Winn-Dixie employees, as well as new hires as their needs are examined.
In addition, the corporate office in Jasper plans to add administrative staff in support of the company's new growth.
Buehler Foods started 64 years ago in Jasper and is Indiana's largest privately owned independent retail food company. The expected closing date of the sale, between Winn-Dixie and Buehler's, is expected to be Monday.
Winn-Dixie is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The company, which is one of the largest food retailers in the nation, employing about 100,000 people, got its beginnings in 1913 in Burley, Idaho, by Carl and W.M. Davis.
However, it wasn't until 1955, when the Winn & Lovett company purchased 117 Dixie Homes Stores, that the business was consolidated under the Winn-Dixie banner.
Beuhler Foods operates several grocery locations in the Midwest, including Buy-Low and Save-A-Lot food stores.