Publix (Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga: house, centers, metro)

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by RobertAlton

rted clearing?

Just to update those interested, I have been asking a lot of people what's the plan with the Knoxville area. Most responses have indicated that the five year plan is to have 20+ stores in the greater Knoxville area and surrounding communities. These will not all be new stores, but will include existing stores purchased from an unamed chain.

That "unnamed" chain would almost have to be Food City. There has been speculation in the past about such a purchase, but FC officials have always denied they would sell. But, if "megabucks" were offered for FC, megabucks as in paying much more than fair valuation, by a chain that wanted into the market quickly, the purchase could probably be pulled off.

[chinadog]

Originally Posted by RobertAlton

Wondering if anyone has been by the Northshore site. Have they broken ground or started clearing?

I'm not far from Northshore and went past there the other day not he way to my kids baseball game. If the site is right there next to 140, then there is a lot of clearing going on there. I had heard a Target was also going in there, but there is PLENTY of room for both based on the area that they're clearing.

Bud

[chinadog]

Originally Posted by weisgarber1

That "unnamed" chain would almost have to be Food City.

It's definitely not Kroger, they're building a new one there at Cedar Bluff and Kingston Pike.

What about Ingles? Not sure how prevalent they are in Knox (I'm new to the area), but they don't seem to be a power player at all with the minimum ones I've seen in the area.

Bud

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by chinadog

It's definitely not Kroger, they're building a new one there at Cedar Bluff and Kingston Pike.

What about Ingles? Not sure how prevalent they are in Knox (I'm new to the area), but they don't seem to be a power player at all with the minimum ones I've seen in the area.

Bud

My guess is that it is not Ingles because FC seems to have a greater number of stores that might make for quicker and greater market penetration, which Publix would seem to want. And it is possible that neither would sell to Publix as well. Time will tell.

[tntim]

Has anyone heard what is going into the old Kroger building in fountain City now that it has been sold?

[RobertAlton]

Originally Posted by chinadog

I'm not far from Northshore and went past there the other day not he way to my kids baseball game. If the site is right there next to 140, then there is a lot of clearing going on there. I had heard a Target was also going in there, but there is PLENTY of room for both based on the area that they're clearing.

Bud

Thanks Bud,

Yes Northshore and 140 is where the site is.

When a Publix is built, there are usually two free standing parcels on the same property as well as 10 or so attached units for smaller businesses (pizza, dry cleaner, liquor store, etc) creating a strip center, so this would indeed be a rather large tract of land being cleared.

If you can keep me posted on progress I would really appreciate it.

[Badbird2000]

I will actually drive past there Monday morning on my way to the airport. I'll check it out myself too. I was by there maybe 2 months ago, they were still clearing land. Can't wait! I miss Publix.. grew up in Florida, about 40 minutes from Publix headquarters..

[Mom Bun Cathy]

RobertAlton, have you heard anything about Publix expanding into the Memphis area?

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by tntim

Has anyone heard what is going into the old Kroger building in fountain City now that it has been sold?

No. It's still empty.

[RobertAlton]

Thanks BadBird, I look forward to your update.

MBC, I have not heard of any plans for the Memphis area. As far as I can tell focus is going to be on establishing a presence in the Knoxville area and developing a market between Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville. Publix has always been cautious in expansion and will not overextend themselves. If anything were to happen in W Tennessee my guess would be it would be at least a few years down the road.