We’ve come a long way since the 1st Publix Food Store opened in Winter Haven, Florida, on Sept. 6, 1930. We’re now operating across 8 states and have become the largest employee-owned company in the U.S.

Leading up to our 95th anniversary, we’re looking back at our history through the decades.

In the early 2000s, Destiny’s Child dominated with hits like “Survivor.” Shrek and Donkey took over the big screen and reminded us to be all-stars. Michael Scott and his crew at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company made us laugh in “The Office.” New ways to connect with others were introduced when Facebook launched in 2004, and YouTube went live in 2005. Technology was advancing, and Apple released the first iPhone in 2007.

Publix was also growing in the 2000s. We entered Tennessee, launched the 1st GreenWise products and opened our 1,000th store.

2001: Charlie Jenkins Jr. was named CEO.

In 2001, Charlie Jenkins Jr. was named CEO of Publix, and Ed Crenshaw served as president.

2002: Publix entered Tennessee.

In June 2002, Publix announced plans to enter the Tennessee market after acquiring several of our competitors’ locations in the Nashville area. On Oct. 2, 2002, the 1st stores in Tennessee opened at #176, Franklin, and #182, Hermitage.

2003: Publix Liquors opened at #223, Miami.

Publix Wine and Spirits opened at #223, Miami, in 2003. After another store was opened, the name officially changed to Publix Liquors.

2003: The GreenWise product line launched.

In 2003, we also introduced a line of natural, organic and environmentally friendly products under a new brand, Publix GreenWise. Soymilk in regular and vanilla flavors were the 1st GreenWise items available.

2004: Our weekly ad was posted for the 1st time on Publix.com.

To offer our customers a new, convenient way to access the weekly ad, we published it online at Publix.com for the 1st time on Feb. 19, 2004.

2005: Publix celebrated its 75th anniversary.

In 2005, we celebrated our 75th anniversary. On March 3, associates and customers enjoyed recipes created to honor Mr. George’s Southern upbringing, such as country-fried steak, peppered mashed potatoes and Southern green beans. We also released a new Publix ice cream flavor to celebrate the accomplishment — Chantilly Jubilee — a flavor swirled with raspberry sauce and crowned with ladyfingers. Commemorative items like Coca-Cola bottles and Hot Wheels cars were sold in stores. The 75th anniversary logo was also on all Publix tractor-trailers.

2008: Ed Crenshaw was named CEO.

In 2008, Ed Crenshaw was named CEO, and Todd Jones served as president.

2009: Publix opened its 1,000th store.

On Feb. 5, 2009, we opened our 1,000th store at #1239, St. Augustine, Florida. This was a historic milestone. At the time, only 5 other grocery chains had over 1,000 stores.

Our logos — past and present

Check out our logos throughout the decades.

Our uniforms — past and present

See what our uniforms looked like over the years.

Lessons from our founder: Respect the dignity of the individual

Before Mr. George founded Publix, he worked at a company where he felt his ideas weren’t being heard. At Publix, he vowed that every associate would have a voice and that his door would always be open. With honest, effective communication, Mr. George knew his associates would perpetuate the culture he wanted to build. Today, we continue this culture, and respecting the dignity of the individual is one of the lessons that guide our company. In the 2000s, it helped us grow into new states like Tennessee and celebrate our 75th anniversary.

Learn more about our history through the decades

Explore previous anniversary articles and celebrate Publix’s 95th anniversary by reflecting on past milestones and creating new memories.

Next month, we’ll revisit the 2010s, when we opened the Charlotte Division, started Publix Serves and launched grocery delivery.