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Publix opening in Tampa's Channel District on Aug. 29

 
A new Publix is under construction located in the Channelside district located on the corner of E Twiggs Street and N Meridian Avenue in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.   OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times
A new Publix is under construction located in the Channelside district located on the corner of E Twiggs Street and N Meridian Avenue in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. OCTAVIO JONES | Times
Published July 31, 2019

TAMPA — The long-awaited Channel District Publix will open late next month.

Tenants across the street at Bell Channelside have watched the Publix and its attached high-rise apartment and condo tower, Channel Club, rise over the last year. Amid construction delays, Publix has continued to push back the store's opening. At one point it was slated to open at the start of 2019. It had been most recently pushed to Aug. 15.

Publix spokesman Brian West confirmed this week the new store will open at 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

UPDATE: Publix in Channel District could open after August

The Channel Club has been moving in new tenants over recent months, leaving even more residents eager for the grocery store. The nearest downtown supermarket is the Publix on Bayshore Boulevard, which can be easily choked up by heavy traffic during events and games at Amalie Arena.

Meanwhile, the early stages of construction for the Westshore and Kennedy Boulevard Publix are underway. The new store is taking the place of a former Sports Authority. Publix began tearing down the old building in March to make way for the 36,000-square-foot store. Now a fresh "Publix coming soon" sign has been erected on the property.

The store will have outdoor seating, new sidewalks for pedestrians and 175 parking spots, according to construction records.

It's been a big month for the Lakeland-based chain, which also announced the downtown Water Street development will be home to Tampa's first proper GreenWise Market. The market is a new concept the store debuted in Tallahassee last year. The stores are a smaller footprint than a standard grocery store and focus on natural foods and even have craft beer on tap.

RELATED STORY: Tampa Bay's first GreenWise Market is heading to Water Street

Publix is also planning a remodel of its Publix Greenwise store on W Azeele Street in Hyde Park. Construction begins in August. That store's branding will be switched to a traditional Publix location.

Construction records filed with the city for the Hyde Park store show it will maintain its large wine selection and popular hot bar and cafe. The plans show expanded outdoor seating, a new sandwich prep area, grab-n-go counters, and a self-service dessert bar and coffee area.

Publix has not given a timeline of those renovations or of the Westshore store. The new GreenWise Market is expected to open in late 2021.

Contact Sara DiNatale at sdinatale@tampabay.com. Follow @sara_dinatale.