The wait is almost over!
The popular Florida-based supermarket is going to be opening in Williamsburg on October 17, 2018, at 7 a.m. Publix supermarket will be opening in the former Martin's Foods grocery store located at 4660 Monticello Avenue.
The old Martin's grocery store closed back in July of 2017, and the store is approximately 69,000 square feet in size.
According to Publix, when it opens the store will employ about 140 workers.
“Further expanding into southeastern Virginia aligns with Publix’s aggressive growth plan for the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Publix media and community relations manager Kim Reynolds in a statement.
People who live in Williamsburg, like Jean Hayword, are anxious for it to open.
"I’ve known about Publix for a long time and I like the store and [I'm] excited about it being open," said Hayword.
Another shopper, Sarah Ortego, said the area is in need of more options when it comes to grocery stores. On Tuesday, she was shopping at Food Lion. While she likes its prices, she'd also like to have a larger variety of stores.
"We’re sort of in a grocery store desert right now," said Ortego.
Chris Jennings was also shopping at Food Lion. He used to shop at Farm Fresh before it closed. Jennings said he'll check out Publix once it opens.
"Other grocery stores that provide more variety, some of them have disappeared," said Jennings. "Maybe Publix will have some variety that I'm looking for."
The first Publix opened in 1930 in Florida and the company has grown to more than 1,000 stores across the Southeast. Publix currently operates eight stores in the Richmond area and is building an additional location in North Carolina's Outer Banks.
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