A Sedano’s store recently opened on John Young Parkway in Kissimmee, filling a building left empty when the Albertsons store closed.

By Peter Covino
Entertainment Editor

Say goodbye to Albertsons and hello to Sedano’s, the newest supermarket in Osceola County.

Sedano’s, the largest Hispanic supermarket chain in South Florida, opened its first Central Florida stores Friday. The new Kissimmee store is the largest store the company has ever opened, including the company’s flagship store in the Miami area.

The new Kissimmee store (the former Albertsons store at 1100 N. John Young Parkway) should become a favorite with Hispanic and non-Hispanic shoppers alike because of its large size – 68,000 square feet – as well as options that include a cafeteria and daily hot food items.

“Everything should be done in about a month,” Herrán said, adding that there have been a lot of changes over the last three weeks since Sedano’s officially began to move in.

The store already looks a lot more like a Sedano’s than an Albertsons. From produce to frozen foods, there is a heavier emphasis to reflect the Hispanic market and tastes. The store has a more vibrant look than its predecessor, with freshly painted walls and trim in shades of blue, orange and tan. Sedano’s locations also have wider aisles to make shopping easier, Herrán said.

But because the former Albertsons was a large retail store, there is plenty of room for all of the traditional grocery items as well, he said.

Locals should like the cafeteria area, when it opens later this month, Herrán said, as a lunch or quick-meal-on-the-run option. The cafeteria also will have hot foods to go, such as rice and beans and other Hispanic favorites, priced by the pound. There also will be daily specialty plates.

Also coming soon is a bakery, with many Hispanic as well as traditional favorites. All bakery items are made in the store.

The larger sized store means the Kissimmee Sedano’s will have a larger selection of traditional foods, as well as more room for items such as electric rice makers and other appliances, and even lawn chairs and more for outdoor dining or tailgating.

Herrán said shoppers should find prices cheaper at Sedano’s than other Hispanic and traditional stores in the area. The chain also has weekly advertised specials.

The store also will try and get an item if you cannot find it on their shelves.

“If you can’t find something, just ask for it,” Herrán said.

The other new Central Florida locations for Sedano’s, also former Albertsons locations, are 12981 S. Orange Blossom Trail and 5660 Curry Ford Road, both in Orlando.

Sedano’s Supermarkets was founded in Hialeah in 1962 by the Herrán and Guerra families. Founder, Armando Guerra, was a thriving businessman in Cuba and moved to South Florida where, in 1971, he brought Manuel Herrán on board to help out with the growing company. Herrán, who was born in Spain in 1937, also has Cuban connections. His family moved to the island nation in 1951, moving to Miami in 1967. After Guerra died, Herrán took over the reins of the company. Agustin Herrán, Manuel’s son, is the current president and CEO, and Manuel is now chairman of the board.

This year, Sedano’s celebrates its 47th year of operation. From a single store in 1962, the Sedano’s chain has grown to more than 30 supermarkets across South Florida. Sedano’s also has become the largest member of the Associated Grocers of Florida.

The chain has more than 3,000 employees and 34 locations in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange and Osceola counties.