A Florida Publix Has Closed For Sixteen Months. It Will Be Demolished, Refurbished, & Enlarged

Photo byAlexf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Those who have lived in Florida for a decent length of time will probably not be surprised when their local Publix closes down to undergo renovations because it is not an uncommon occurrence. Over the past year alone, I've written about Publix stores in Fort Myers, Coral Gables, Spring Hill, and St. Petersburg either being refurbished or demolished and rebuilt. And now, a highly-rated store in Lakeland will be undergoing the same process, and, as a result, shoppers will have to find a shopping alternative for sixteen months.

About The Lakeland Store In Question: The Lake Miriam shopping center is anchored by Publix but also has tenants such as a chiropractic clinic, a hair salon, a ramen restaurant, and a spa.

The Publix in question was 59,533 square feet and was built in 1978 but closed on July 6, 2024, for demolition and refurbishment. Upon reopening, it is expected to be larger - at 63,830 square feet.

The newly refurbished Publix will include an Apron's cooking school and a mezzanine with a seating area for patrons. There will also be a liquor store and pharmacy. Reopening is expected in November of 2025.

Patrons and visitors rate this Publix location highly, as it earns 4.7 stars on Google reviews. Many complimented the customer service and selection, although some said they wished the pricing was a bit lower.

A reviewer named Robert wrote:

"Nice clean store, (with) helpful employees. And easy to get into and out. (I) just wish the pricing was a little bit lower on some products."

Floridians who patronized the Lake Miriam store and still want to shop at Publix can shop at a nearby Greenwise Market that was recently converted to a traditional store or the Oakbridge or Southgate Publix stores, which are about ten minutes away.