Publix held the grand opening this morning of its GreenWise Market in Hyde Park, and hundreds of people descended on the upscale, 39,000-square-foot store to shop, sightsee or both.
A Publix official said there was no official count yet of the number of shoppers, but visitors crammed aisles to look for items and enjoy myriad free samples, from garlic mushrooms served in tiny cups to cloth GreenWise shopping bags.
"It's overwhelming," said Bill Dickman, a Tampa resident and Allegiant Air flight attendant. "There are just so many different things you don't find in a normal Publix."
The market is at 2403 Azelle St. After today's opening, store hours will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
The GreenWise concept targets affluent shoppers. There are also stores in Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens, and two are planned for the Orlando and Tallahassee areas.
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