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LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix is moving ahead with its planned expansion into Kentucky, the company’s eighth state. On Thursday the supermarket broke ground on its first Kentucky store, which is expected to open in the fourth quarter of next year, and announced plans for a third store in the state.
“It’s an exciting day for Publix Super Markets as we break ground in our eighth state,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said. “When our founder, George Jenkins, opened the first Publix store, he wanted to create a better grocery store — one that kept associates and customers top of mind. More than 90 years later, we’ve kept true to our values, including supporting the communities in which we live and work. We look forward to sharing the Publix difference with Kentuckians.”
Publix announced its plans to expand into Kentucky last September, when it said it planned to build 55,702-square-foot supermarket in Louisville, which will be located at the northwest corner of Terra Crossing Boulevard and Old Henry Road in Jefferson County. The project also includes an adjacent Publix Liquors store, the first located outside the state of Florida, that will offer beer, wine and spirits.
In December the company announced plans for a second Louisville store, which will be located at the northeast corner of Ballardsville Road and Brownsboro Road. The 55,701-square-foot store, expected to open in the first quarter of 2024, will feature a drive-thru Publix Pharmacy and an adjacent 3,200-square-foot Publix Liquors.
The third Kentucky store announced on Thursday will be located in Lexington, at the northwest corner of Man O’ War Boulevard and Harrodsburg Road, and is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2024. The location will feature a 55,701-square-foot store with a drive-thru Publix Pharmacy and an adjacent 3,200-square-foot Publix Liquors. The store will be the company’s first in the city of Lexington.
Immediately following the groundbreaking in Louisville, Publix leaders and associates held a “Publix Serves” event at Dare to Care, a Feeding America member food bank in Louisville, to unload and sort 40,000 pounds of produce donated by the retailer. Launched in 2015, Publix Serves is one of Publix’s community programs uniting the company’s more than 230,000 associates in community service efforts.
Since fall 2021, Publix has provided biweekly produce donations to Dare to Care. The nonprofit organization partners with local social service agencies, food pantries, shelters and emergency kitchens to provide food to the surrounding community. Publix’s contributions provided Dare to Care with more than 775,000 pounds of produce for its neighbors in need.
“We’re grateful for the support Publix has provided to the residents of Louisville, and we appreciate the company’s passion for helping its neighbors facing hunger,” said Dare to Care CEO and President Vincent James. “We look forward to continuing to build this great relationship to help alleviate hunger in our communities, and we’re excited to welcome Publix to the Bluegrass State.”
