If you’ve lived in the South for more than a week, you know the drill. You see a green construction fence go up, a slab of concrete gets poured, and the neighborhood rumor mill immediately starts churning: "It’s a Publix." Usually, people are right. Honestly, Publix is expanding so fast right now it feels like they’re trying to put a deli counter on every corner from Kentucky down to the Florida Keys.
But where exactly is the new Publix being built? It isn't just one spot. As of early 2026, the company is juggling dozens of active construction sites across eight states. Some are massive 55,000-square-foot flagship stores with second-story seating, while others are "tiny" 30,000-square-foot urban footprints designed for downtown dwellers who just want a quick sub and some sushi.
The Florida Expansion: No Sign of Stopping
Florida is the mothership. Even with nearly 900 stores in the Sunshine State, they keep finding dirt to dig up. Right now, one of the biggest talking points is the Elevation Pointe location in Saint Augustine. It literally just opened its doors on January 15, 2026, at 2875 State Road 16. If you're in Saint Johns County, that’s a big deal because that I-95 corridor is exploding with new housing.
🔗 Read more: Why Match Match Match Match is the Strategy Most Brands Are Missing
Further south, the dirt is moving at The Shoppes at Orange Blossom in Naples (Oil Well Rd). And keep an eye on Jacksonville. While they just finished a big reopen at Deerwood Village, the real news is the Pearl Square project downtown. Construction is slated to kick off in the summer of 2026 at 119 W. Beaver Street. This is a game-changer because downtown Jax hasn't had a full-service grocery store built from the ground up in over a decade. It's going to be part of a 15-story tower. Yeah, a grocery store under an apartment building. Welcome to the future.
Kentucky and the Northern Push
If you’re in the Bluegrass State, things are getting interesting. For the longest time, Kentucky was Kroger territory. Not anymore. Publix is aggressively moving into Louisville and Northern Kentucky.
- Louisville: New spots are coming to Blankenbaker Parkway (taking over an old Walmart, ironically) and another near Ballardsville Road. There’s even talk about the Mid City Mall in the Highlands being redeveloped by a firm that builds for Publix.
- Kentucky "Tri-State" area: Keep your eyes on Independence (Madison Pike and Harris Pike) and Cold Spring (AA Highway and Alexandria Pike). These are confirmed sites where the concrete is either being poured or the permits are finalized.
- Virginia: There's a new lease signed in Manassas, which will eventually become the northernmost Publix in the entire chain.
The Carolinas and Georgia: Filling the Gaps
South Carolina is seeing a massive influx of "master-planned communities." Take Summers Corner in Dorchester County. A 50,800-square-foot Publix is being built right now near Beach Hill Road, with an expected opening date in the summer of 2026. It’s basically the anchor for 7,500 new homes.
In Durham, North Carolina, a project called Latta Park is underway. This one is pretty cool—it’s not just a store; it’s a 30-acre "experience" with food truck terraces and a community park. They expect to hand over the keys to tenants for upfits in early 2026, meaning you'll be buying Pub Subs there by late spring.
Georgia isn't being left out either. The Shops at Indian Creek in Locust Grove is scheduled to open on January 28, 2026. If you live in Henry County, your commute for fried chicken just got shorter.
How to Tell if a Publix is Coming to Your Town
You don't need to be a real estate mogul to figure this out. Publix usually follows a very specific "recipe" for where they build:
- The 3-Mile Radius: They look for areas where the population is booming but the "quality" grocery options are slim. If 500 new townhomes just went up near you, start looking for the green signs.
- The "Anchor" Strategy: Publix rarely builds a standalone box. They prefer to be the "anchor" of a shopping center, bringing in nail salons, Starbucks, and local pizza joints to fill the side units.
- Permit Hunting: Most people don't realize that city council meetings are public record. Look for "zoning approvals" for "retail grocery" at specific intersections. In Florence, Kentucky, that’s exactly how locals confirmed a new store on U.S. 42 before the company even made an announcement.
Why Does the Location Matter So Much?
It’s about property value. Honestly, having a Publix within two miles of your house is a legitimate selling point for real estate agents. They call it the "Publix Effect." It signals that a neighborhood has "arrived."
But there’s a downside. Traffic. A new 50,000-square-foot store brings hundreds of cars a day. In Winchester, Virginia, the new store at Ward Plaza (expected late 2026) is part of a massive "Cedar Valley Initiative" meant to fix an underutilized area, but neighbors are already talking about the congestion on Valley Avenue. It's always a trade-off.
What's Next for the Construction Pipeline?
If you're wondering where the next one will pop up, keep an eye on the Publix Newsroom. They officially update their "New Store Openings" list every couple of weeks, but they only list stores about 30 days before they actually open. To find the ones currently "under construction," you have to look at developer sites like Branch Properties or Crosland Southeast.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you suspect a Publix is being built near you, check your county’s online GIS (Geographic Information System) map or building permit portal. Search for "Publix Super Markets, Inc." in the owner or applicant field. This will often show you blueprints and site plans months or even years before the official "Coming Soon" sign hits the dirt. If you’re a local business owner, this is also your cue to look into leasing the adjacent retail space—Publix-anchored centers have some of the highest foot traffic in the retail world.