Publix coming to Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island (Florence, North Myrtle Beach: 2013, pharmacies)
Myrtle Beach - Conway areaHorry County
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Publix announced today it will expand into Horry and Georgetown counties and the Pee Dee region with two new stores each in North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island.
Over the past year and recently, the grocery scene in North Carolina and South Carolina has been changing. Publix announced its expansion into North Carolina and establishment of its Charlotte Division. Harris Teeter announced it is being acquired by Kroger. Piggly Wiggly Carolina is selling 22 stores to Bi-Lo and 7 stores to Harris Teeter. Bi-Lo announced seven of its Charlotte region stores were being sold to Publix.
With Kroger and Harris Teeter having presence along South Carolina's coastal counties, Publix must have thought it was time to enter the last major region of the state. With stores announced for North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, one wonders if Florence is in the plans.
I think one in Florence is a foregone conclusion. I do think they want to get established in MYB first. I see only one store being built in Florence though.
Although I'm not convinced PI really needs another grocery store, Publix is a huge victory because it is scheduled to be in the location where strong, organized citizen activism prevented Walmart from building. I think Publix will be well received, but the developer they are working with represents all that is wrong with SC coastal development, trying everything possible to avoid complying with existing zoning and building design guidelines. Amazingly, in some instances, local authorities actually stood up to his tactics, but he still managed to find ways to avoid being a good commercial citizen. Whatever ends up there, and Publix seems to be a done deal, is going to arrive to many bad attitudes and negative opinions. More than a few have said they won't shop there, regardless of what goes in. The impact is particularly visible because Lowe's Food is in the process of building a store just a few miles away, and they have gone out of their way to ensure they are in compliance and to establish themselves as a good corporate member of the community.
Although I'm not convinced PI really needs another grocery store, Publix is a huge victory because it is scheduled to be in the location where strong, organized citizen activism prevented Walmart from building. I think Publix will be well received, but the developer they are working with represents all that is wrong with SC coastal development, trying everything possible to avoid complying with existing zoning and building design guidelines. Amazingly, in some instances, local authorities actually stood up to his tactics, but he still managed to find ways to avoid being a good commercial citizen. Whatever ends up there, and Publix seems to be a done deal, is going to arrive to many bad attitudes and negative opinions. More than a few have said they won't shop there, regardless of what goes in. The impact is particularly visible because Lowe's Food is in the process of building a store just a few miles away, and they have gone out of their way to ensure they are in compliance and to establish themselves as a good corporate member of the community.
A Publix is always better than a Walmart. It may not be smart growth planning, but I hope any effects are minimized to a reasonable extent.
As you mentioned Lowe's Foods, I wonder how long they will keep their doors open. They are closing stores in North Carolina where Publix announced new stores. I guess lacking necessities like pharmacies and stronger competition against Harris Teeter and Publix for quality, service and value can be too much for Lowe's Foods to handle.
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