By Christy - August 1, 2015

Publix hit the Atlanta ground running

Memory lane

In August 1991, Publix announced plans to enter the Atlanta market. This news — and major milestone — would eventually lead to our explosive growth into other new markets.

At the time the news was spreading, Publix was operating with only 384 stores in Florida, making up the Jacksonville, Lakeland and Miami divisions. Construction of our first store outside the state — #412, Savannah, Georgia — was currently underway. And, Publix was reaching out to metro Atlanta developers about a number of locations for new stores. On the competitor front, Kroger dominated the Atlanta market with a 39 percent share.

The news of Publix’s plans to enter this market was met with excitement and anticipation. The Ledger, our hometown newspaper in Lakeland, Florida, reported, “Company plans — which one observer calls ‘big news’ — call for an aggressive expansion campaign that could double the size of the 384-store chain by the end of the decade.”

For more than 60 years, Publix operated in only one state, but our expansion into the Atlanta market opened the gate to new territory. Here’s a glimpse at a few of our major growth milestones after entering the Atlanta market.

  • 1992 — Doors to the first Atlanta Division Publix officially open, #33, Marietta, Georgia.
  • 1993 — South Carolina welcomes Publix when our first store in the state, #449, Mt. Pleasant, opens.
  • 1996 — What was next? Publix makes an entrance into Alabama with the opening of #573, Owens Cross Roads.
  • 2002 — Not one, but two stores open in Tennessee — #176, Franklin and #182, Hermitage.
  • 2014 — Charlotte calls and Publix answers. Say hello to our first store in North Carolina — #1442, Charlotte.

“Our Atlanta announcement was huge. It signaled that Publix was truly going to grow beyond Florida, and we were not apprehensive about facing national competitors. It set the stage for the growth we still enjoy today.”
— CEO Ed Crenshaw (Atlanta Division Vice President at the time the division opened)

In August 1991, Publix announced plans to enter the Atlanta market. One year later, we welcomed our first Atlanta Division store, #33, Marietta, Georgia, to the family.

Online Exclusive

  • Aug. 1982 — ATMs were installed in more than 70 stores in southeast Florida.
  • Aug. 27, 1991 — Several promotions and new positions to take effect Dec. 30, 1991 were announced.
    • Lakeland Division Vice President Ed Crenshaw became the Atlanta Division Vice President.
    • Lakeland Division Director of Meat Operations Bennie Brown was promoted to Lakeland Division Vice President.
    • Lakeland Division Director of Retail Operations Bob Moore became the Atlanta Division Director of Retail Operations.
    • Lakeland Division Assistant Director of Retail Operations Tom McLaughlin was promoted to Lakeland Division Director of Retail Operations.
  • Aug. 14, 2003 — Publix purchased the facility for our Atlanta bakery plant. Today, the plant produces more than 40 types of pies and three varieties of deli sub rolls.