Publix is closing four Florida supermarkets as the grocery giant makes changes to its store footprint across the Southeast. The closures are part of a larger group of seven stores the company plans to close in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina by the end of the year.
Four Florida stores are closing
The Florida locations set to close are in St. Petersburg, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Palm Bay. The stores are located at 5577 Park Street N. in St. Petersburg, 8250 Mills Drive in Miami, 828 Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, and 4711 Babcock Street NE in Palm Bay.
Not all four closures mean Publix is permanently leaving those communities. The West Palm Beach and Palm Bay locations are expected to be redeveloped, with new Publix stores planned to replace the existing supermarkets.
Some stores will be rebuilt
The Palm Bay location had operated for nearly 50 years before closing as part of a redevelopment project. The existing building is expected to be demolished and replaced with a newer Publix designed to better accommodate today’s shopping needs.
The West Palm Beach store is also being closed for redevelopment, meaning shoppers could eventually see a new Publix return to the same area. Publix has continued opening new stores in Florida this year, including locations in Apopka, Ruskin, Davenport, and Winter Haven.
Publix remains focused on Florida
Publix operates nearly 900 stores in Florida, making the state by far its largest market. The company currently operates 1,446 stores across eight Southeastern states.…