Publix is reopening its renovated Clearwater supermarket on March 5, 2026, after demolishing the 2009 Albertson's conversion. The 46,791-square-foot store features the chain's latest shopper-friendly design with wider lanes, expanded deli options, and self-checkout lanes. A giant motorized shopping cart will cruise the area during the grand opening at 7 a.m., just minutes after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

This renovation is part of Publix's aggressive expansion in Florida, where the chain operates 908 locations - more than four times as many as in any other state. The Clearwater store includes a pharmacy and adjacent liquor store, continuing the retailer's one-stop shopping model. Construction was delayed last summer after a scissor-lift accident injured two workers, with one fatality reported by FOX13.

The reopening follows a wave of store openings in 2025, with two more Florida locations coming soon: St. Petersburg on March 12 and Spring Hill on April 2. These renovations reflect Publix's strategy to modernize its footprint while competitors like Aldi and Winn-Dixie also expand aggressively in the Sunshine State.