Publix Super Markets has reopened a location at 4791 Estero Blvd. in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, following its closure after Hurricane Ian impacted the area.
The 29,425-square-foot store offers departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and fresh produce, as well as a bakery and deli.
The reopening provided the grocer an opportunity to give back to the community. Boxed lunches were provided to residents and construction crews working to rebuild homes and infrastructure on the island. The first customers received care packages filled with nonperishable essential items, such as storage bags, plastic cutlery, napkins, plates and cups.
“Last year’s storm still impacts many residents, and we know how important it is to provide them with these basic but important items,” said Lindsey Willis, media relations manager.
“Our customers and communities we serve are at the heart of all we do. As our community continues to rebuild, we are honored and privileged to serve our customers and welcome them back to their Publix store.”
Darryll Yarick will continue to serve as store manager. He has worked at Publix for 18 years and has been at the Fort Myers Beach location for five years. Yarick joins the majority of his stores’ employees returning to their store to continue serving the community.
The Publix deli features a full-service counter highlighting Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, as well as handcrafted old-world delicacies, cured sausages, soppressata and aged prosciutto. The deli also offers an international selection of olives, antipastos, hummus and more than 200 artisan cheeses from the U.S. and around the world.
The produce department carries organic and conventionally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, with locally grown produce and choices from around the world. The floral department stocks bouquets reflecting the changing seasons.
The bakery features an array of cakes, cookies and pies as well as wedding cakes and desserts made by decorators in the scratch bakery. Breads and rolls are baked fresh throughout the day. Other offerings include cheesecake, cupcakes and jumbo muffins.
The wine department offers an expanded variety of premium and specialty wines from the United States and around the world, along with a large selection of champagnes and sparkling wines. The selection also includes fine wines made with organic grapes.
The meat department features custom cuts of meats, including private label all-natural and organic GreenWise chicken. Customers seeking a home-cooked meal with minimal prep time can choose from ready-to-cook items prepared fresh daily. A seafood department carries fresh seafood delivered throughout the week, including wild and farm-raised fish, as well as a wide variety of shellfish.
The retailer provides contactless pay options and services, such as grocery delivery with Instacart and pharmacy delivery. The store will also feature a centralized pick-up option at the front of the store.
Publix is also donating $5,000 in shelf-stable food, hygiene items, paper products and a Publix gift card for purchase of additional needs to Beach Baptist Church located on Fort Myers Beach to go toward their efforts to help those still impacted by last year’s hurricane. Beach Baptist Church feeds about 2,000 people each month. The products will be delivered to the church following the store’s reopening by the Publix Good Together truck.
“At Publix, we remain committed to standing side-by-side with residents and our associates as the community rebuilds. Let’s continue to do good, together,” Willis said.
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 240,000 employees, operates 1,341 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 26 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work.
