Customers are welcome to purchase! A newly renovated Publix supermarket in Florida will reopen on March 5, the Lakeland-based company announced on its website.
The existing store in Clearwater was originally a renovated Albertson’s store in 2009 that was later demolished and rebuilt in the popular grocery chain’s new shopper-friendly style. On opening day, keep an eye out for the giant electric Publix shopping carts zipping around the area.
The new 46,791-square-foot store, which houses a pharmacy and adjacent liquor store, will feature many of the new design features Publix has introduced at other renovated locations, including wider driveways, indoor seating areas, self-checkout lanes, expanded deli selections and larger displays in the bakery, meat and seafood departments.
The opening ceremony will be held at 7 a.m., minutes after the ribbon cutting, spokesperson Lindsey Willis said in an email.
Publix Supermarkets will open or reopen dozens of stores in 2025, many of them in Florida. Two more Publix stores are opening in Florida, including one in St. Petersburg in a few weeks and another in Spring Hill on April 2.
Construction at the Clearwater site was delayed last summer after a scissor lift accident injured two construction workers, FOX13 reported. One man died from his injuries.
Where are new Publix stores opening in Florida?
The new Publix is located at 1295 S Missouri Ave., Clearwater Plaza.
When will Publix open next?
Clearwater Publix will reopen on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 7 a.m. After that, it will be:
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saint petersburg: March 12, 6605 North 38th Avenue
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spring mountain: April 2, 160 Mariner Avenue
Will giant Publix shopping carts appear at the grand opening?
A giant Publix shopping cart can be seen outside during the grand opening of the Publix Riverland Town Center located at 12407 Southwest Community Drive on July 19, 2025.
“On opening day, customers may see large electric Publix shopping carts driving around the community,” Willis said.
Whenever a Publix opens, it’s common to see the giant Publix shopping cart, which is 11 feet 9 inches tall, 14 feet long and over 7.5 feet wide, cruising the area.
The car is built on top of a Volkswagen Sand Rail, with the driver sitting underneath, and can reach a top speed of 45 mph.
More grocery chains expand in Florida
Publix isn’t the only chain making big changes.
Sales at discount grocery chain Aldi are still soaring in Florida, with six stores opening this year and at least four more opening in the coming weeks. Aldi opened about 60 stores in the Sunshine State last year, many of which were remodeled after Aldi briefly acquired Winn-Dixie in 2024-2025.
The newly renamed The Winn-Dixie Company is refocusing its efforts on its home state and plans a community-friendly redesign.
Sprouts Farmers Market opened a new store in Daytona Beach last week, will open one in Clermont this week, and is expected to open another in New Smyrna Beach this summer.
Meanwhile, more upscale grocer Trader Joe’s opened a store in Daytona Beach in November and another in Melbourne on Dec. 3.
Where can I find a Publix near me in Florida?
As of Dec. 15, there were 908 Publix locations in Florida, more than four times the number in other states, according to data website ScrapeHero. You can find one near you at publix.com/locations.
CA Bridges is a reporter on the USA TODAY Network Florida Service News Connect team. Get all of Florida’s best content straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up for the free Florida Today newsletter.
This article originally appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida public libraries reopen Thursday. What to look forward to in the new store