Some of America’s favourite chains are affected by a new court ruling. This ruling has aimed to force a massive policy change. There is a full official list of which grocery chains now allow or ban open carry, where Publix is set as one of the biggest outliers. The question now remains, since Publix is allowing open carry in its Florida Stores, what about stores like Aldi, Winn-Dixie, and others?
Details behind the new policy change
The grocery chain Publix recently made headlines when it announced that the company would allow open carry in its stores. However, what about other grocery stores in Jacksonville? These would include chains such as Winn-Dixie, Rowe’s, Fresh Market, Aldi, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.
On September 10, 2025, a state appeals court made a court ruling that Florida’s open carry ban is unconstitutional. In response to this situation, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on social media, stating, “Open carry is the law of the state.” This court ruling applies only to those individuals who are legally allowed to possess firearms and does not affect other existing gun law restrictions in Florida.
The court ruling on open carry
When it comes to open carry, it simply means that anyone can publicly carry a legally owned firearm in plain sight or partially concealed. In September 2025, the First District Court of Appeal ruled Florida’s Open Carry Ban (Statute 790.053) unconstitutional. It was found that prohibiting the open carry of firearms violates the Second Amendment. After this decision was made, JSO leadership directed officers not to detain or arrest individuals solely based on openly carrying a firearm.
The grocery chain that allows this new policy
The public is encouraged to take note of the following list. It contains the names of the grocery stores that allows or does not allow the open carry of firearms as stated by the court ruling.
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Aldi: The company stated that, “We are asking that our customers refrain from openly displaying firearms in any of our stores, except for authorized law enforcement personnel.” However, the retailer does authorize concealed carrying.
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BJ’s Wholesale Club: The club does not have a straightforward firearms policy indicated on the company’s main website. However, the company stated that it reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone at any time.
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Costco: Costco does not allow open or concealed carry of firearms. Therefore, the retailer prohibits all firearms in its warehouses.
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Fresh Market: Requests have been made that consumers should not openly carry firearms inside its stores. The company’s stance follows a campaign by gun safety advocates in 2016, although it has recently been re-emphasized in light of new open-carry laws in Florida.
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Sam’s Club: Sam’s Club does not allow open carry of firearms, and the retailer also prohibits all firearms in its warehouses.
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Sprouts: Sprouts Farmers Market prohibits all firearms and dangerous weapons on its premises. Also, the retailer posts signage at store entrances to indicate this policy.
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Target: Since July 2014, Target has requested that firearms not be brought into its stores. The company made a stated where it said, “We … respectfully request that guests not bring firearms to Target – even in communities where it is permitted by law,”
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Trader Joe’s: A statement was made in 2019 by officials that they “do not welcome weapons of any kind in our stores and never have.”
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Rowe’s: As of October 2025, Rowe’s IGA did not release a public statement about this court ruling policy on open carry in response to the Florida appeals court ruling.
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Walmart: Walmart does not allow open carry of weapons in any of its stores. However, it does allow the concealed carry of weapons in accordance with state laws.
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Whole Foods: Regardless of local laws, this retailer has a longstanding policy that prohibits firearms from its stores,
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Winn-Dixie: One of the company’s spokespersons told the Orlando Sentinel that, “Our priority is creating a safe and welcoming shopping experience for all customers and associates,”