ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A larger-than-normal Publix store is set to open in a burgeoning community near Jacksonville, according to company officials.
A spokeswoman for the Florida-native grocery chain told News 6 that the store is planned for the SilverLeaf master-planned community.
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“But it’s too soon to be able to share any additional details,” she added.
However, county records reveal that permits for a 55,701-square-foot Publix store were approved last month at 1975 SilverLeaf Parkway.
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According to these records, the store is set to feature outdoor seating and serve as the anchor for the Silverleaf Market shopping center.
The permits value the upcoming property at over $13 million, with an adjacent Publix liquor store also in the works.
Information about other stores in the shopping center has not yet been provided, with SilverLeaf’s website stating that the town center is “coming soon.”
While not much has been revealed about what specific features this supermarket will offer, its size puts in on the larger end of the spectrum for Publix stores.
While many of the chain’s locations range from 45,000-50,000 square feet, the much larger area of the SilverLeaf location is on par with other prototype stores that Publix has opened, including one in Wesley Chapel that opened last year.
In fact, another prototype Publix store is being planned for Central Florida.
Publix spokeswoman Hannah Herring told News 6 that the store will be based on the prototype format introduced in Tampa and Wesley Chapel.
“In this particular format, customers enjoy expanded offerings in the deli, like burrito bowls and a pizza oven,” she explained. “There is also a Pours area where customers can order smoothies and acai bowls or grab a drink and sip while they shop.”
According to Herring, the majority of these store formats are being built in the chain’s new Kentucky market, though the company has plans to introduce one of these stores to Polk County.
“We do have a Lakeland, Florida store under construction that will have the expanded offerings in the deli, as well as the Pours area,” she continued.
That store is located at 4730 S. Florida Ave., though the company has yet to release details about when exactly it will reopen.
