This article was written with AI assistance.
Publix is rapidly expanding its presence in Kentucky, with confirmed locations across the state. The company opened its first Kentucky store in Louisville in January 2024, featuring a 55,701-square-foot store with a drive-thru Publix Pharmacy and an adjacent Publix Liquors.
Additional stores are planned for Louisville, Lexington, northern Kentucky, and Owensboro. Notable locations include a 48,387-square-foot store in Independence and a 50,325-square-foot store in Owensboro, which is expected to employ about 150 associates1. Publix’s expansion in Kentucky is projected to create approximately 900 new jobs across its initial stores.
Wawa is also entering the Kentucky market with ambitious plans. The company broke ground on its first two stores in Louisville and Nicholasville in early June, with projected openings by mid-2025. Wawa plans to open a total of nine stores in Kentucky in 2025. Over the next five to eight years, Wawa aims to establish five to eight new stores annually in the Louisville and Lexington areas, with a goal of opening up to 40 stores in the state. The company expects to create almost 1,500 long-term new jobs as a result of its Kentucky expansion. Both Publix and Wawa’s expansions signify a growing retail market in Kentucky, offering consumers more diverse shopping options and potentially stimulating local economies through job creation and increased competition.