Publix Grand Opening Draws Crowds In Williamsburg

Greeted by friendly employees, numerous excited customers eagerly enter the newly opened Publix in the Monticello Marketplace Shopping Center on October 17, 2018 at 7:00AM. After Martin’s closed in July of 2017, over a year passed in which renovations were being done in order for a new grocery store to take its place.  Since this was be the first Publix opened on the Peninsula, many people have waited a long time for this new store and were very excited when it finally opened this past week. While people may think Publix is just another old grocery store, there are actually many new products and services that will attract a large number of customers.

First of all, since the new Publix took over the same building that used to belong to Martin’s and earlier, Ukrop’s, they have access to the bakery in order to make and sell anything from cakes to breads. Next, a program that hardly any stores have available is their new cooking classes. People of all ages are welcomed to come and either receive hands on teaching from talented chefs to help with their cooking skills, or even just sit back and enjoy the spectacle. Afterwards, they are invited to enjoy the dish prepared and socialize with other customers. Publix Aprons  is a wonderful way to learn new things or techniques in the kitchen and enjoy cooking. Finally, because of the new grand opening where new products were advertised through sales and hundreds of customers came, Publix is offering tons of different opportunities for coupons, and ways to try the new products for low prices. They have many offers for cheap items at the store available on their new website. They also have an abundance of made-to-order food ranging from subs and sandwiches to an Asian style option or a bar made specifically for fried chicken. Many people have posted wonderful reviews on the website and in interviews raving about the fried chicken, claiming it’s the best they’ve had and praising Publix for being so successful and precise.

Along with the numerous and amazing options for food, coffee lovers are also extremely excited about the café at the front of the store. Customers can buy anything from breakfast snacks and sandwiches to a cup of coffee or even a Starbuck’s-inspired Frappuccino.

As people flock to this new grocery store, numerous other grocery stores in our town are becoming nervous about losing valuable customers to this new store. Because of the extravagant services and products that Publix is offering, stores like Trader Joe’s and Aldi will likely begin to suffer more than others. Trader Joe’s, a grocery store that has been in Williamsburg  for many years, has relied on the wonderful customers all over town in order to keep their business remain successful. Aldi, a grocery store that opened more recently, has been the source of very affordable, quality foods which is what has attracted its customers.

The competition of the new Publix will likely negatively affect the older grocery stores. People can now make a quick trip to Publix for all the groceries they need including their daily coffee and even lunch. This is a much easier trip than stopping at numerous different stores around town in order to get everything that they need. However, bigger stores like Harris Teeter will be a main source of competition for Publix due to the fact that it has many of the same qualities, complete with a full-service Starbuck’s and bakery.

Another new store that could be impacted by Publix is EarthFare. Having opened very recently, it has attracted many customers to the unusual new and hrad-to-find-elsewhere products. The prices, however, are considerably higher than Publix.

Tara Hurt, Williamsburg resident and customer of both EarthFare and Trader Joe’s, is most concerned about the prices. “I love EarthFare, but it’s simply not affordable,” she says. “I’m super excited about Publix because it makes my shopping easier and cheaper.”

While Publix may encounter some competition, it may also run some stores out of business.  We have so many options to meet our shopping needs in Williamsburg, and people all over town are very excited about the new Publix and eager to see what it has to offer.