Publix Coming to North Carolina

Publix Super Markets Inc. has signed a lease for a store in the greater Charlotte, N.C., area at Providence Road West and Johnston Road in Ballantyne. The location will be part of a new division based in Charlotte.

In addition to this inaugural North Carolina store, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix has plans to expand within both the Tar Heel State and the grocer’s current operating areas of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.

“Our customers and associates have long asked us to come to North Carolina,” said Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw, adding that the company would provide “the Charlotte community with the high-quality service and products that our customers have come to expect and that have earned us recognition throughout the industry.”

The North Carolina store is expected to open in early 2014, although Publix cautioned that the grand-opening date would depend on such factors as permitting and the completion of site construction.

Privately owned and operated by its 152,500 employees, Publix operates 1,061 stores in the southeastern United States.