Publix Opening 2 stores in Charlotte, N.C., region

Publix Super Markets Inc. plans to open two stores in the Charlotte, N.C., area during 2012, according to a published report. The stores -- one each at shopping centers in South Carolina’s York and Lancaster counties -- mark the Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer’s first foray into the market. Both stores are scheduled to debut late this year.

Construction on the 50,000-square-foot York County location, dubbed Publix at Cross Creek, was expected to get underway next month, Doug Baumgartner of local real estate company York Development Group, told the Charlotte Observer.

Publix spokeswoman Brenda Reid declined to tell the newspaper how many stores Publix plans to build in the area, or whether the chain would open stores in North Carolina, although she did say, “We never say never at Publix.” At the present time, the nearest Publix locations to Charlotte are in the Spartanburg and Columbia, S.C., markets.

Once the stores open, they’ll have to do battle with the likes of Walmart, ALDI, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Bi-Lo, Lowes Foods, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market (coming to the region this year) and Earth Fare.