Publix Coming to Channel District

Channel District residents will soon have a Publix of their very own.

The city of Tampa has announced the grocery giant has plans to open up a 37,600-square-foot store at the corner of East Twiggs Street and North Meridian Avenue in the fall of 2017. The store’s arrival is “great news for Ybor, downtown, Channelside, Encore, Riverside and Tampa Heights,” Mayor Bob Buckhorn posted on Facebook following the announcement.

Publix isn’t releasing much information about the new store as of yet, but it has issued a statement.

“Publix is excited about the opportunity to serve the Channel District community,” spokesman Brian West said in the statement sent to Patch. “We are diligently working with our developer, Mercury Advisors, the city and the Mayor to make this project a reality. While there is still work to be done, including final contracts and the permitting process, we are confident that all parties want to see the successful completion of this project. We are thankful to the Mayor for his continued commitment and focus on the culture and diversity of Tampa and the Channel District area. As additional details become available, we will provide updates.”

The store is “the last missing piece of a downtown that is about ready to explode,” Buckhorn was quoted by The Tampa Bay Times as saying.

The store will reportedly be built along with a 21-story tower that will boast 323 apartments at 1105 E. Twiggs St. The complex is expected to have its own parking garage.

Patch file photo