Publix (Knoxville, Farragut, Halls: school, college, living)

[JMT]

Originally Posted by jibanez

Didn't know that. Being from Miami, you'll have to forgive my mistake.

Oh no it's all good! The Cuban restaurant here in Knoxville is run by a Cuban from Miami, so his Cuban sandwiches don't have salami, either, and they do have lettuce and tomato. And they're still good.

[hiknapster]

You mean I'll be able to eat my chocolate chunk ice cream, again? I'm not sure that is a good thing.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

You mean I'll be able to eat my chocolate chunk ice cream, again? I'm not sure that is a good thing.

Oh yeah I forgot about Publix ice cream! Their plain, ordinary chocolate is my dad's all-time favorite ice cream.

I have friends here in Fountain City who moved up here from Florida (New Port Richey) several years ago. They don't miss Florida at all except for Publix. So for the wife's birthday, her husband drove all the way to Chattanooga to get a Publix chocolate cake and didn't tell his wife. She burst into tears when he brought it home!

I don't think Kroger will suffer when Publix finally comes to Knoxville, but I think Food City had better watch out. At least that's what happened in Atlanta. Kroger stood firm, but when Publix came to town (and they have something like 150 stores in Atlanta) it pretty much drove everyone else out of business except Kroger.

[NJDevil]

Didja know the Krogers are all creating sub stations now, even the tiny Seymour one! Custom made subs, that'll be nice.

I emailed Publix and they told me
"I can tell you that we have no sites planned for Halls at this time. We monitor the eastern half of the state in hopes that the Real Estate Committee will approve our entrance into this great metro area and community."

[NJDevil]

The News Sentinel article says
"Local attorney Joshua Bishop represents the owner of a former Bi-Lo store on Maynardville Pike in Halls. In an interview this week, Bishop confirmed that multiple developers have approached them about trying to put a Publix grocery store in the building.

Bishop emphasized that there has been no commitment from Publix. He speculated that the chain is interested but said his gut feeling is the end of 2010 or 2011, based on the way people are trying to structure contracts. Most of the interest, he said, has been speculative in nature."

So that doesn't sound to me like Publix is coming. When I told Publix the source, she said
We have seen these reports from the paper... I'm not sure where they are getting their information from but it isn't Publix. We wouldn't release this information even if there were in the works. And, we haven't spoken to anyone regarding any BiLo locations in Halls.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by NJDevil

The News Sentinel article says
"Local attorney Joshua Bishop represents the owner of a former Bi-Lo store on Maynardville Pike in Halls. In an interview this week, Bishop confirmed that multiple developers have approached them about trying to put a Publix grocery store in the building.

Bishop emphasized that there has been no commitment from Publix. He speculated that the chain is interested but said his gut feeling is the end of 2010 or 2011, based on the way people are trying to structure contracts. Most of the interest, he said, has been speculative in nature."

So that doesn't sound to me like Publix is coming. When I told Publix the source, she said
We have seen these reports from the paper... I'm not sure where they are getting their information from but it isn't Publix. We wouldn't release this information even if there were in the works. And, we haven't spoken to anyone regarding any BiLo locations in Halls.

If Publix won't release the information even if it were in the works, then that means it's still anyone's guess, and the Publix spokesperson would've given the same answer no matter what. It's not uncommon for these types of stores to have 3rd parties do their negotiations and not release any official statements until all the t's have been crossed and i's dotted. Note that the paper never said it was "Publix" trying to negotiate with the building owners, it was "multiple developers" who are trying to bring Publix to Halls.

So it's entirely possible for the paper to be right and for the Publix spokesperson to also, technically, be right. Publix may not have spoken to anyone about a Bi-Lo location in Halls, but others working on behalf of Publix might have.

[jabogitlu]

I like Publix and stuff and will be glad (I think) to see them enter the NETN markets, but so many of the posts in this thread have me shaking my head. Crying etc over a grocery store? Lord have mercy.

It's kinda like a cult.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I like Publix and stuff and will be glad (I think) to see them enter the NETN markets, but so many of the posts in this thread have me shaking my head. Crying etc over a grocery store? Lord have mercy.

It's kinda like a cult.

haha You're right, it does sound kind of like a cult! For me, part of it is nostalgic. My grandfather provided all the marble for the original Publix stores way back in the 1920s and 30s. (Yes, Publix used real marble on their floors back then.) So for me Publix is in my blood. But I promise I don't cry whenever I eat a Publix key lime pie or tangerine cream pie; I just get very, very happy (and take extra insulin). And I will be absolutely ecstatic if Publix comes to Knoxville.

[jabogitlu]

But I promise I don't cry whenever I eat a Publix key lime pie or tangerine cream pie; I just get very, very happy (and take extra insulin).

You just made my night. Hahahaha.

[galactic_hombre]

Originally Posted by JMT

Today's Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting that negotiations are supposedly under way to put a Publix in the old Bi-Lo location in Halls within the next year.

Given Kroger's stupid decision to abandon their Halls store in favor of their new store in Fountain City, I think Publix would gain an instant fan base and would do really well. I, for one, would gladly drive by Kroger's awesome Fountain City store just to shop at the Publix bakery in Halls...

I lived in Halls/Gibbs. I don't think Publix would work there. Even the name is too "Public" for that individualistic area. Publix works here in FL because of the on-the-go demographic. There are lots of transplants who need Publix's top-notch deli because they don't want to cook for just one person. Halls is loaded with families. Publix might have worked in Farragut had Kroger not built a superstore there. Foodcity is perfect for Halls.