- July 27, 2026
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Have you ever seen a nearly 12-foot tall grocery cart?
If you do, follow it. That big, beautiful cart will lead to a feast of samples and a gift bag of snacks at the nearest, newly opened Publix.
Residents near the corner of State Road 64 and Uihlein Road might have seen the giant cart rolling through the aisles of their neighborhoods June 11 because Publix at Northchase Center opened at 16642 State Road 64 E.
The doors promptly slid open at 7 a.m. Residents were lined up early to be among the first shoppers to see the new 15,701-square-foot grocery store.
Saddlehorn Estates resident Valerie Moore is happy to now have a Publix just five minutes away from home.
"No traffic," she said.
Outside, Store Manager Josh Jordan greeted nearly every guest with a handshake. Once inside, customers walked through a manmade aisle of clapping and cheering Publix employees.
The samples started with a palate cleanser of watermelon to prepare for the impending smorgasbord of breakfast sandwiches, blueberry maple sausages, dried peaches, two types of popcorn, chocolate donuts, and limited edition Chocolate Cookie Quarry ice cream.
The carts were filling up quickly.
Publix at Northchase is the 19th Publix to open in Manatee County and the chain has 894 stores in Florida and an overall 1,437 stores across eight Southeastern states.
The Northchase store features the usual deli, produce, bakery, meat and seafood departments, but adds to its prepared selections with made-to-order burritos, nachos, bowls, pizzas and pastas.
The store also offers a pharmacy, a liquor store, and a bar. Pours serves beer, wine, coffee, tea, smoothies and acai bowls.
Media Relations Manager Lindsey Willis said every new Publix opens with its own celebration, but the big shopping cart is always the big draw.
It adds some “fanfare,” especially when the lights are on and the music is playing.
Publix is the anchor store at the Northchase Shopping Center and the first business to open, but more businesses are coming.
The site is about 15 acres and was divided into five commercial lots with three outparcels fronting State Road 64.
The three outparcels will be occupied by McDonald’s, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Chase Bank. The sign is already up on the future McDonald’s, and construction has begun on the Chipotle.
The Chipotle will feature a “Chipotlane,” which is akin to a drive-thru but requires customers to order ahead of time using the Chipotle app.
A Heartland Dental office is being built behind Publix, fronting Uihlein Road. There’s also another 3,200-square-foot retail space directly to the east of Publix.
Northchase sits in the southwest corner of the intersection of State Road 64 and Uihlein Road. An open field sits across State Road 64 for now, but Manatee County commissioners approved 195,000 square feet of additional commercial uses in April.
The project, presented by Casto Net Lease Properties, LLC, was originally denied in December after some East County residents expressed concerns over flooding in the area.
When the denial went before commissioners again in February, Commission George Kruse gave the project a second chance. He said given the amount of residential development surrounding the area, commercial development is needed.
Esplanade at Azario residents Chris and Glyris Renehan agree. They were among the residents lined up to get into the new Publix at 7 a.m.
“I just didn’t want anything super tall,” Glyris Renehan said. “It’s convenient, and I’m good with more restaurants.”
Which restaurant remains unknown, but there will be a restaurant.
Casto made some adjustments, including an upgraded stormwater plan, and the project was approved for a small grocery store, restaurant, daycare center and possibly a self-storage facility.
The only named occupant so far is Discovery Point Child Development Center.
If Casto decides on self-storage, the facility will be 130,000 square feet and located on the interior of the property so it won’t front State Road 64.
If Casto decides against self-storage, only 90,000 square feet will replace it. A gas station is a possibility because of the demand in the area, but that would be the most intensive use. Other possible uses fall under the category of "medium neighborhood commercial," which includes uses, such as a bank, dry cleaners or medical offices.
