Publix Super Markets Inc. is expanding its presence in Polk County with plans for a new store in Winter Haven. According to a report in the Tampa Business Journal (TBJ), the Lakeland-based grocery chain recently purchased a 10-acre property at the intersection of Thompson Nursery Drive and Lake Ruby Drive West for $4 million. According to Polk County property records, the transaction was finalized in April. The average Publix store occupies between 2 – 5 acres.
Located approximately 10 minutes south of Legoland Florida, the site will be home to Publix’s sixth location in Winter Haven. A company spokesperson confirmed the project to the TBJ and said the store is scheduled to open in 2026. The expansion comes as Winter Haven continues to see downtown revitalization and regional growth.
Site plans from Crossman & Co., which is leasing nearby retail space, indicate the Publix store will span 50,325 square feet — placing it on the larger end of the company’s typical store size, which ranges from 32,000 to 62,000 square feet. Several neighboring storefronts, each around 1,200 square feet, are also available for lease…