If you rely on Publix for your weekly grocery run, you may soon need to rethink where you shop. The supermarket chain is changing its store network across the Southeast, with seven locations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina affected by closures. For shoppers already looking for ways to save money on groceries, losing a convenient neighborhood supermarket could mean comparing prices at other chains, finding a new pharmacy, or driving farther to pick up everyday essentials.
But these changes don't necessarily mean Publix is pulling out of the affected communities. Three of the seven locations are part of teardown-and-rebuild projects, meaning new stores are planned to replace existing ones.
Meanwhile, the company continues to expand, with new supermarkets opening across several states and more locations on the way. Here's where the closures are happening, which new stores are opening, and what the changes mean for shoppers.
Publix is closing 7 stores across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
Here are the seven locations included in the closure announcements:
Florida
- St. Petersburg: 5577 Park St. N.
- Miami: 8250 Mills Drive
- West Palm Beach: 828 Southern Blvd.
- Palm Bay: 4711 Babcock St. NE
Georgia
- Atlanta: 1380 Atlantic Drive NW
- Chamblee: 2562 Shallowford Road NE
South Carolina
- Goose Creek: 208 Saint James Ave.
Not every Publix closure means the supermarket is leaving the neighborhood for good. Three of the seven locations are part of teardown-and-rebuild projects, in which existing stores are being closed to make way for replacement supermarkets. The West Palm Beach location at 828 Southern Boulevard has already closed, but Publix has not announced when a new store will open there.
Why Publix is rebuilding instead of renovating
Rebuilding an older supermarket can make more financial sense than renovating it when upgrading the existing building costs nearly as much as building a new one. According to Shai Wolkowicki, managing principal of retail developer W Companies, starting from scratch also lets grocers add features that can be too expensive to retrofit, including higher ceilings, modern refrigeration and energy systems, pharmacy drive-throughs, and dedicated parking and staging areas for online grocery pickup. A new building also gives retailers more flexibility to redesign loading docks, parking lots, and customer access points rather than work around the limitations of an older structure.
Where Publix has opened new stores in 2026 — and which locations are coming next?
Despite the seven closures, Publix continues to expand its supermarket network. As of October 1, 2026, the company operated roughly 1,443 stores across eight Southeastern states and had opened 18 new locations this year.
Recently opened stores:
- 70 Vance Hill Drive, Mills River, NC — August 12.
- 3050 19th Avenue NE, Ruskin, FL — August 13.
- 1311 Pear Orchard Road, Suite 100, Elizabethtown, KY — September 23.
- 2411 Ocoee Apopka Road, Apopka, FL — September 24.
- 3370 Hayden Road, Owensboro, KY — October 3.
- 14210 Mooresville Road, Athens, AL — October 7.
- 8740 U.S. 42, Florence, KY — October 7.
- 7483 Rockfish Road, Fayetteville, NC — October 21.
- 7535 Cortez Road W, Bradenton, FL — October 22.
- 5135 Jenkins Drive, Independence, KY — October 28.
- 9770 Ocean Highway W, Calabash, NC — October 28.
105 Lake Country Boulevard, Eatonton, GA — November 4.
6460 Weddington Road, Wesley Chapel, NC — November 4.
1500 Placida Road, Suite C, Englewood, FL — November 5.
Stores opening soon:
- 5015 Floyd Road SW, Mableton, GA — November 18.
- 3435 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC — November 18.
The openings show that Publix is continuing to invest in its Southeastern footprint even as it closes or replaces some existing supermarkets. For shoppers, that means the seven closures are part of a broader reshaping of the chain's store network, rather than evidence that Publix is abandoning the region.
Publix reports slower comparable-store sales growth
Publix's second-quarter 2026 results show a slight slowdown in sales at its existing locations. Net sales increased 1% compared with the same quarter last year, while comparable-store sales fell 0.5%. The figures suggest that although the supermarket chain continued to grow its overall sales, stores open for at least a year experienced a small decline in sales.
Publix said the slower growth was partly due to a Medicare maximum fair price change that took effect January 1, 2026, reducing prices for 10 prescription drugs. The company also pointed to economic conditions affecting consumer spending
Bottom line
Losing a neighborhood supermarket can be inconvenient, particularly for shoppers who rely on it for weekly groceries or prescription refills. While three of the seven Publix closures are tied to redevelopment plans, customers may still have to wait for replacement stores to open or find another location in the meantime.
If your usual Publix is closing, check the Publix store locator to find another nearby store and plan your next shopping trip. It may also be worth comparing prices at other supermarkets before settling on a new regular stop. Check pharmacy availability and opening hours, too, especially if you regularly fill prescriptions at your local store. A little planning can help you avoid wasting money on groceries, unnecessary trips, and higher prices while keeping your shopping routine manageable.
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