It’s no secret that Publix has been on a real estate shopping spree in Florida lately, snapping up shopping centers left and right. But could this mean that the beloved grocery chain is planning to open some next-level “mega” stores? Some Floridians sure think so, and the buzz is growing louder.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on Publix, you’ve probably noticed that the chain has listed 21 new Florida stores as “coming soon” on its website. On top of that, the company has been busy buying out landlords at several key locations. For instance, they dropped $59 million to acquire The Ramblewood Square Shopping Center in Coral Springs and shelled out a cool $83 million for the Davie Shopping Center and Regency Square at Broward. These big moves are fueling speculation that Publix might be planning something big — like “mega” stores.
The Miami New Times recently speculated that these mega stores could be headed to Broward County, thanks to Publix’s major purchases in the area. According to the publication, “These purchases could mean that the chain is planning on renovating or expanding said existing stores, further confirming rumors of mega stores slowly opening across the state…”