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Grocer Rises To The Occasion
Tribune photo by JAY CONNER
The Treasure Island Publix will feature ground-floor parking and the store on the second floor.
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Published: May 16, 2008
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TREASURE ISLAND - The problem: providing a full-service supermarket on a postage-stamp lot.
The solution, at least for Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets: an unorthodox store design rising in the Gulf beach community of Treasure Island, where the company aims to serve the shorts-and-flip-flops crowd that would most likely have to drive off the barrier island to pick up groceries.
To meet flood codes and to take advantage of the snug 2-acre footprint on the Intracoastal Waterway, the store will sit on the second floor of a 40-foot-tall structure, above a covered, street-level parking garage. A large staircase and four oversized elevators will guide shoppers into the store.
At 28,000 square feet, it's just over half the size of the typical Publix supermarket. That doesn't mean less grocery variety, though, said spokeswoman Shannon Patten.
"We will have every single product that a 45,000 square-foot store would have. For the most part, our customers love the 28,000 square-foot stores, because it's everything you could need, but it's just packed into a smaller area."
There are some concessions. For example, the store will have fresh flowers, but not a full-service floral department. It also will not have a pharmacy.
The interior will resemble those of smaller stores that Publix has built in downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa, although those stores are not elevated. A similar elevated structure has been built in the South Florida beach town of Surfside.
An industry observer says to expect more.
"I definitely think it's a trend," said Christina Veiders, managing editor of trade publication Supermarket News. "Especially where you have either limited or expensive real estate. They have to kind of refigure the store design to go by those specifications."
She said supermarkets are turning to unusual sites such as the retail sections of high-rise condo or apartment buildings in Chicago, Toronto and Manhattan.
"Publix is an upscale operator, and you must have an upscale market there" in Treasure Island, she said. "They can tap into that and help grow market share in an area they haven't been able to before."
Publix wouldn't divulge the price of the land or construction costs. The parcel previously held a standard Topps supermarket and the Treasure Island Fun Center arcade.
A Subway sandwich shop will take over one of two retail outlets built into the store. The second is not yet leased.
Patten said Publix is in the permitting process to be able to build boat docks on the Intracoastal, and she envisions outdoor tables for deli customers to enjoy their meal along with the sea view across Gulf Boulevard.
"It's going to blend in really nice with the beach community," she said. "We'll take advantage of the environment there and cater to the residents as well as the visitors."
Reporter Jerome R. Stockfisch can be reached at (813) 259-8402 or jstockfisch@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( motorist ) on May 16, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I may shop at Walmart, but for some items the quality at Publics surpasses other stores.
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Posted by ( u_talkin_to_me ) on May 16, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Publics" - that's why you shop at Walmart........j/k.
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Posted by ( specialtimes ) on May 16, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I tried walmart but found, service, quality and just better place to shop, I liked Publix. I never have a problem with help and the check outs are always staffed with more than enough help. The people in the stores are helpfull and even management is always there when you need them. I just feel you get better experience with PUBLIX!!!
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Posted by ( inashoebox ) on May 16, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
this concept works really well, stores this size are great for this type of community, I look forward to it's opening!
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Posted by ( Unimpressed ) on May 16, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I buy the vast majority of our groceries at Wally's. Publix is less crowded with shorter lines, but I'm not willing to pay 25-50% more for it.
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Posted by ( Seminole_Sam ) on May 16, 2008 at 11:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I like Publix, but generally go to Kash & Karry, U-Save, Jewel T, or Blue Ribbon grocery stores. I do my drinkin' down at the Silver Meteor and the Blue Note. I roller skate over at The Roller Garden on South Manhattan. As for department stores, I prefer like W.T. Grant, Zayre's and Woolco Dept. Stores. My favorite places to eat are the Colonnade on Bayshore and Pat's Drive-In on South Dale Mabry.
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