Publix reopens store in Tampa after ground-up rebuild

Publix Super Markets on Thursday reopened at the Gandy Shopping Center in Tampa, Florida. The 59,409-square-foot store is located at 3617 W. Gandy Blvd. and is a ground-up replacement for the existing store that closed due to its age, Publix told WGB.

“We are excited to reopen this much-anticipated store,” said Hannah Herring, Publix media relations manager, in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers to their Gandy Publix, introducing them to an array of new offerings and providing them with the service and quality products they know and love.”

The new store offers departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and produce, pharmacy, as well as contactless pay options, grocery delivery via Instacart and pharmacy delivery.

Additional features include burrito, pizza and pasta bars, as well as Publix’s signature beverage Pours area, featuring locally roasted coffee; wine, beer and kombucha on tap; acai bowls and smoothies. An upstairs and outside seating area is also located at the store as well as an adjacent Publix Liquors.

Closing out fiscal 2022, Publix Super Markets experienced steady sales growth as the employee-owned grocer continues to increase its footprint with new store openings. Last Thursday, the employee-owned grocery retailer opened a new store in Auburnbale, Florida. Located in Polk County, the 48,387-square-foot store’s official address is 775 Highway 559.

With new store expansion mainly in the southern region, Publix is taking a closer look at its home state of Florida’s fight to end hunger.

Last month, Publix held its first hunger summit, which brought together executives from 35 Feeding America member food banks in the company’s operating area as well as state and federal officials to tackle issues related to food insecurity.

“Our summit provided an opportunity to build stronger connections and, together, find better ways to accomplish a united purpose—feeding even more people in need in the communities we serve,” said Jones.

During the summit, representatives from Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) announced a special $4 million grant opportunity available to select food banks in Publix’s operating area to fund non-recurring, capacity-building projects.

As one of the largest employee-owned grocers in the U.S., Publix employs more than 225,000 associates at its nearly 1,300 locations and is continuing its expansion in the Carolinas and Kentucky.