Publix Opens in Charlotte Suburbs

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets is slated to open its first two locations in the greater Charlotte, N.C., market Wednesday, with stores in Tega Cay and Indian Land, S.C.

The stores, each measuring about 49,000 square feet, are opening two months ahead of schedule, according to local reports, and come about a year ahead of the first planned North Carolina Publix location, expected in late 2013 or early 2014 in Ballantyne.

READ MORE: Local Observers Weigh in on Publix in N.C.

As previously reported, Publix is creating a new division in Charlotte, where it said it hopes to expand with additional openings in the coming years.

Harris Teeter was the No. 1 supermarket in the Charlotte market, according to Metro market Studies, with a share of about 22.7% at the beginning of the year — before its recent acquisition of several Lowes stores in the market — followed by Food Lion, with 21.6%, and Wal-Mart, with 19.1%.