Publix opened its first Kentucky store on Wednesday, bringing its operations to eight states. Located in Louisville, the 55,701-square-foot location includes a drive-through Publix Pharmacy and an adjacent 3,200-square-foot Publix Liquors offering beer, wine, and spirits.
This is also the retailer’s first Publix Liquors outside Florida.
“We look forward to introducing Kentucky customers to our premier service and delivering on our promise to be a place ‘where shopping is a pleasure,’” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy, in a statement.
Kentucky stores will also feature a mix of private-label items and national brand offerings in addition to statewide exclusives and a curated selection of bourbons at Publix Liquors, according to the retailer.
“As our Kentucky customers will come to know, they can count on us to deliver high-quality products that can only be found at Publix,” said Murphy. “Whether it is our famous Pub subs, Publix ice creams, bakery cakes, delicious ready-to-enjoy meals, or anything in between, we offer some of the best food around.”
The store features a fresh pizza kitchen and a Pours area, offering coffee, wine, beer, kombucha, acai bowls, and smoothies. There is also a location to order custom subs, a food and soup bar, a scratch bakery, and on-site meat cutters.
To commemorate the opening, Publix donated 40,000 pounds of produce to Dare to Care, a Feeding America partner food bank in Louisville. This donation brings the total produce provided to Dare to Care to more than 2 million pounds since 2021, when the company announced its expansion into Kentucky.
“We are focused on giving back to our communities,” said Murphy. “Working to alleviate hunger is at the heart of our charitable efforts, and that is why we are proud of our partnership with Dare to Care Food Bank.”
The retailer intends to add five additional Kentucky stores which are slated to open in Louisville, Lexington, and Walton. Publix’s arrival will create over 900 new jobs across the six Kentucky stores.
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Image: Publix