Publix's new store in Sarasota, Florida, now open

Employee-owned grocery chain Publix Super Markets this week opened its 15th store in Sarasota, Florida.

The 48,000-square-foot grocery store, which officially opened on Thursday, is located at The Shoppes at Palmer Ranch at 8405 Honore Ave. Unit 1 and features an adjacent liquor store. The Lakeland, Florida-based grocery retailer now operates 846 stores in the state, Publix told WGB.

“We are excited to welcome our customers to the new store at The Shoppes at Palmer Ranch and look forward to providing them with the premier service and quality Publix is known for,” said Lindsey Willis, Publix media relations manager, in a statement. 

The new store offers departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and produce, as well as an updated bakery department that offers a wider selection of self-service options. The store will also include a pharmacy.

Contactless pay options, grocery delivery via Instacart and pharmacy delivery are all available, as well as centralized pick-up at the front of the store for grocery pick up via online ordering.

Looking to continue its home state brick-and-mortar expansion, Publix last month opened a 51,000-square-foot grocery store in Sarasota at The Landings at 4840 S. Tamiami Trail that also features an adjacent liquor.

The grocery retailer is hosting a hiring event at the new Sarasota location through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Publix, which employs more than 240,000 workers, recently recognized six associates with the Mr. George Community Service Award for outstanding commitment to their communities during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

Publix established the award in 1995 in honor of the grocery retailer’s founder George Jenkins. Since its inception, 147 associates have received the award.

“Mr. George believed that for a company to be successful, it must be involved in the communities it serves,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones in a statement. “Almost 93 years later, our associates still take these words to heart and remain committed to improving their communities and the people we serve." 

Each year, one employee from each retail division and one support worker are recognized with the award. “These associates are actively involved in their communities, display personal integrity and represent the generous spirit of Publix’s founder,” Publix said in a statement. 

The 2023 recipients are

Publix operates 1,335 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.