Businesses stock up for Publix closure

A new Longboat Key Publix is now officially in the bag.

But, before residents can check out the new store — slated to open in December — they’ll have to pay a price: eight months with no grocery store.

From the time the Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. announced plans last summer to tear down its existing store, leading up to the Longboat Key Town Commission’s approval of three outline development plans and site-plan amendments, residents have asked a lot of questions. One frequent inquiry:

Will CVS (which is also located in Avenue of the Flowers and is getting a new store, scheduled to open in September, but will remain open throughout construction) offer grocery items?

The short answer: no.

“In the current store, we don’t have the room,” Mike DeAngelis, CVS public relations director, said. “The main reason we’re moving from the existing location is to offer an enhanced product selection.”

DeAngelis said that when the new CVS opens, it won’t offer items such as meat or produce. But it will carry a wider selection of its typical product offering, including bread, dairy, canned goods and other perishable items.

But local businesses are cashing in by enhancing their grocery offerings in hopes of getting a piece of the Publix pie.

Reed Savidge’s Quik-n-Easy opened over the weekend in the former 7-Eleven location at 4032 Gulf of Mexico Drive, which Savidge owns. The store currently sells standard convenience-store offerings such as small grocery items, coffee, beer and snack foods but will temporarily increase its grocery selection during the time Publix is closed to include items such as produce and hot soups.

“We’re going to listen to people and find out what they want when they come in the store,” Savidge said. “Obviously, we’re not replacing Publix, but you’ll be able to come in here and at least make dinner for yourself.”

Harry Christensen, co-owner of Harry’s Continental Kitchens and Harry’s Cornerstore, is also hoping the closure will bring new customers his way. He plans to make the restaurant’s deli more like a Publix deli by offering pre-sliced meats and additional bakery items. At Harry’s Cornerstore, Christensen will offer more grocery items, including enhanced produce and meats, while cutting back on its souvenir selection to make room.

“People who need to fill up their carts will go into town, but people who need some toilet paper or a head of romaine and a tomato can come to me,” he said.

Nazeela Rahman-Shaw, co-owner of BP Longboat Key, said that she is exploring the idea of expanding the convenience store’s grocery selection, possibly offering an enhanced dairy selection and freshly baked goods.

“We already have a lot of dry goods but right now we are giving thought to some new things,” said Rahman-Shaw, who has gotten several suggestions from customers. “We’re making a list of things that people are suggesting, and we’ll be happy to offer those things.”

But, for now, residents still have time to stock their refrigerators at the Longboat Key Publix: The store won’t close until after Easter.