Publix has closed a handful of stores this year, but the supermarket chain still appears to be expanding its broader footprint. The latest confirmed shutdown was in Florida’s Palm Bay Center, where the company permanently closed a store that had been operating for nearly 50 years. According to Florida Today, the closure is tied to a redevelopment plan that will tear down the current building and replace it with a new Publix.
The Palm Bay store, located at 4711 Babcock St NE, ended operations at the close of business on Saturday, July 11. Other 2026 closures reported by local media and reflected on Google Maps include locations at 5577 Park St N in St. Petersburg, 8250 Mills Dr. in Miami, and 208 Saint James Ave. in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Two Georgia stores also closed near the end of 2025: one at 1380 Atlantic Dr NW in Atlanta and another at 2562 Shallowford Rd. NE in Chamblee.
Publix operates more than 1,400 stores across eight states, with nearly 900 in Florida. At the same time it has been closing select locations, the company has also opened 18 stores this year, according to its public announcements. In May, Publix reported first-quarter revenue of $16.1 billion, up 2% from a year earlier, while net earnings fell 21.5% year over year to $794 million.
Fast Company said it has asked Publix to confirm the store openings and closings and will update its reporting if the company responds.
Source: fastcompany.com
