Publix project reps reveal details

Publix Super Markets Inc. opened its Longboat Key store in June 1980, but until 2008, the supermarket was a tenant in the Avenue of the Flowers. The Lakeland-based Publix purchased the shopping center three years ago in hopes of improving shopping on the island — improvements that Publix project representatives hope will begin after Easter of next year, when the existing store is torn down to make room for a new and improved store.

“It’s going to be a unique store,” said Publix Project Manager Michael Leeds, one of five representatives affiliated with the project who spoke at the Nov. 19 Federation of Longboat Key Condominium Association meeting. “It’s going to be a combination of a typical Publix but with an upscale feel.”

The representatives revealed new details about the construction process and goals for the finished product. The shops within the plaza, along with CVS, will remain open during construction, and Publix representatives are currently in discussion with tenants about whether they want to remain open during that period.

Publix will present its plans to the Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board at its Tuesday, Dec. 13 meeting and likely go before the Longboat Key Town Commission in January and February. Before the hearings, residents will have the chance to see detailed renderings of the plans and ask questions to Publix representatives at a three-hour workshop scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8, at Temple Beth Israel. (Time has yet to be determined.) But, until then, read the answers from Publix representatives provided to Condo Fed members’ questions at Saturday’s meeting:

What will be different about the inside of the store?
The new store will be larger and more upscale with features like a larger meat counter that will look more like a butcher shop and a larger bakery area. There will be more prepared foods and pre-made meals that you can either take home or eat in the store. There will be both indoor and outdoor seating.

Will Publix do anything to help Longboat Key residents during the eight months that the island will be without a grocery store?
Publix is not taking any specific effort, although CVS will probably offer enhanced food service during the eight-month period.

Was there any consideration of using available space at Whitney Beach Plaza during the period?
Representatives said that using space at the plaza didn’t seem to be a possibility from the operations side of the business, although they declined to get into specifics.

Is there a plan to attract merchants to the empty shops in the plaza?
The current configuration isn’t well thought out, but the new design is convenient and accessible to retailers. Although there isn’t a current marketing effort under way, engineer Matthew Campo said he felt comfortable telling residents the spaces would be filled.

Will the new store have a pharmacy?
The store won’t open with a pharmacy, but Publix has plans to open a pharmacy in the store in the near future.

Will the new store have wider isles?
New Publix stores are designed with wider grocery isles. The idea is to make shopping a more desirable experience.

How big will the new CVS be?
The current store is approximately 10,000 square feet; the new one will have approximately 13,000 square feet.

Will the Longboat Key store look similar to the new Publix on U.S. 41?
It will have some similar features and some different features. The store in Sarasota is multi-level and it doesn’t have the new, finished floor that the Longboat Key store will have. The Longboat Key store will be more upscale.

What was the U.S. 41 store timeline?
That was a different kind of store. It had a 12-month timeline. It took longer, but the primary reason was that it was elevated, so there was a different structure system.