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2-Story Treasure Island Publix Also Has Boat Slips

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

The new Treasure Island Publix store has two levels and but is only 28,000 square feet — the smallest model used for the chain's supermarkets.

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By STEVEN GIRARDI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

TREASURE ISLAND - You might call it the latest in multilevel marketing.

Publix Treasure Island, the supermarket chain's newest store on Gulf Boulevard, features a second-floor grocery store perched atop a ground-level parking lot.

Customers seemed eager to get a glimpse of the two-story market when it opened Thursday, Publix spokeswoman Shannon Patten said.

"We had hundreds of customers who came through the door in just the first hour," Patten said. "A lot of them were local and have been watching the building go up for over a year now."

Customers park below and reach the market by stairs or one of four elevators. Once there, they are greeted not only by the usual assortment of Publix fare but also views of the Gulf of Mexico or the Intracoastal Waterway from almost every window, Patten said.

The elevators are big enough for two customers with grocery carts and a couple of store attendants to help them. "A lot of people took the stairs up and then took the elevators down," she said

Publix has several multilevel stores, including some in the Miami and Atlanta areas.

A new two-story Publix Greenwise Market at 2403 W. Azeele St. in South Tampa is expected to open by the end of October. That store will have parking on top and shopping on the ground floor to cater to the many people who walk in the neighborhood, Patten said.

Construction recently began on a store in the Tyrone area of St. Petersburg, which should be ready in about a year, Patten said.

The Treasure Island store, at 28,000 square feet, is among the chain's smallest but has a full range of food, not to mention a special beach goods area, Patten said.

Customers next will be able to visit by boat, using the six-slip dock just behind the store. Patten said the store has the necessary permits, but she did not know when the slips would be ready.

Reporter Steven Girardi may be reached at (727) 451-2333.

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