TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Rolling In The Aisles

Tribune photo by GREG FIGHT

Assistant meat manager Brad Edwards readies his department at the remodeled Publix supermarket at Walden Woods shopping center. Publix will reopen July 31.

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEORGE WILKENS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

PLANT CITY - The town's newest grocery store is actually an old friend with a new face, back after a six-month hiatus.

The Publix at Walden Woods Shopping Center reopens Thursday morning - bigger, more energy efficient and redesigned with the company's latest color scheme and decor, a spokeswoman for the Lakeland-based grocery chain said.

The Publix that closed Jan. 5 was demolished and this one built in its place, with construction fast-tracked to reduce downtime, spokeswoman Shannon Patten said.

The original store opened in 1985, and it is not uncommon for Publix to replace an older store at the original site, Patten said.

At 45,600 square feet, "it's a lot more spacious" than its predecessor of 38,520 square feet, Patten said. Additionally, the store benefits from the newest corporate design, intended to make everything more customer friendly, she said during a recent tour as 75 workers finished decorating, stocking and otherwise prepping the grocery.

An interior design emphasizing openness is intended to enhance customer interaction with Publix employees in the various departments, including the full-service bakery, where the large commercial ovens are visible to shoppers.

"Customers can actually see what's baking," Patten said. They'll smell it, too.

On some aisles, radial shelving juts slightly from straight-line shelves to highlight Publix GreenWise Market products.

"It allows the customer to quickly identify the natural and organic products," Patten said.

GreenWise products traditionally clustered in one area of a store are now integrated throughout on the radial shelving. Organic juices, for example, are stocked next to the many other juices.

The meat department's "Custom Cuts" case stocks everything from kebabs to stuffed chickens, plus lamb, veal and, of course, beef. Special GreenWise offerings include beef, chicken and pork.

The full-service seafood department includes a lobster tank and fresh sushi, both lacking at the old store.

The dozen checkout lanes include two express ones positioned right near the exit. The customer service counter has been enlarged and moved to just inside the entrance.

Likewise, the staffed floral department is nearby.

Shoppers can observe operations in the full-service expanded deli department, which has a hot-foods case 50 percent longer than in older stores and more room for refrigerated ready-to-eat items.

The pharmacy, too, features a more open design, "instead of being a little tiny box with a drop-off and pickup area," Patten said. Cold remedies and other over-the-counter medications are close by, displayed on short, low shelves to help pharmacy employees spot customers needing assistance, Patten said.

Operating from a storefront in the same plaza, the pharmacy has remained open during construction. That temporary location will close at 3 p.m. today so medications and records can be moved and will reopen with the store at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Storewide, family-friendly additions include a fleet of space-themed grocery carts with room for Junior and multilevel baskets to accommodate a large payload. Restrooms, conveniently located at the front of the store - include a family restroom.

In keeping with the Publix "Get Into a Green Routine" program established in 2001, "This store has all the latest and greatest technology," Patten said.

Milk and eggs are displayed not in traditional open-front coolers, but in energy-saving glass-enclosed cases. The latest in fluorescent technology reduces store lighting costs 50 percent, compared with older stores, Patten said.

Like the grocery chain's other 937 stores, this one recycles not only cardboard and plastic - including used grocery bags customers bring in - but also damaged produce and byproducts from the meat department, including fat and bone.

Companywide, last year Publix recycled 7,500 tons of plastic and 216,000 tons of cardboard, which, combined, saved approximately 2.5 million barrels of oil, its figures show.

The store will employ about 165 workers. Some who worked at the Walden Woods grocery prior to it being razed were temporarily assigned to nearby stores, including the other Plant City Publix on Thonotosassa Road south of Interstate 4.

"Some of them came back; some of them ended up liking their new home," Patten said.

Chris Gordon, formerly of the FishHawk Publix, is the new manager.

Mayor Rick Lott complimented the design of the grocery and the remodeling of Walden Woods Shopping Center, which is owned by Publix and underwent a facelift during construction of the new store. Updates include remodeling of the shopping center façade, resurfacing the parking lot and new landscaping.

"I think they've done a beautiful job with it. It's a major upgrade to the south side of our city," Lott said. The refurbished shopping center will serve nicely as a gateway into the city, he added.

Thursday's 8 a.m. opening will be preceded by a ribbon cutting. Activities include music by the Plant City High School marching band, appearances by food-related characters such as Tony the Tiger, coupons and specials exclusive to the new store and "tons of samples to eat," Patten said.

The city building permit issued in November listed construction costs for the entire project at $3.5 million.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Publix grand opening

WHEN: 8 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: Walden Woods Shopping Center, 2202 James L. Redman Parkway, Plant City

STORE HOURS: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week

PHARMACY: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

TELEPHONE: (813) 752-3185

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT