ORLANDO, Fla. – A new Publix store is coming to Central Florida next week, according to the Florida-native grocery chain.
The roughly 48,000-square-foot location is set to open in Orlando at 2435 S. Hiawassee Road on Sept. 25, replacing a previous Publix store at the site that was demolished last year.
“We are always evaluating our stores to provide our customers a pleasurable experience by having a store that meets their shopping needs for today and into the future,” Publix spokeswoman Hannah Herring told News 6. “And because of that, we replaced the older store.”
Herring said the store will offer the traditional departments found at other locations, including deli, bakery, produce, meat, seafood, grocery and pharmacy.
[BELOW: Take a look at Florida’s first-ever Publix store]
However, Herring added that the grand opening will feature a special event to help ring in Hispanic Heritage Month.
According to Herring, the grand opening will include food and drink samples, build-your-own flower bouquets, and even customized apparel.
That event is scheduled to kick off at 7 a.m. when the store first opens. Click here for more details.
But that’s not the only store to open next week. Another is set to open on Sept. 25 at Riviera Plaza in Coral Gables.
PROTOTYPE STORE?
Publix officials also told News 6 earlier this year that a “prototype” Publix store will be coming to Central Florida, based on a design format that’s already been rolled out in places like Tampa and Wesley Chapel.
“In this particular format, customers enjoy expanded offerings in the deli, like burrito bowls and a pizza oven,” Herring 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 wrote.
That store is located at 4730 S. Florida Ave., though the company has yet to release details about when exactly it will reopen.