JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Publix is officially coming to Downtown Jacksonville.
The addition of the Florida-based grocery store will anchor Pearl Square, a mixed-use neighborhood currently under development.
The address of the 31,000-square-foot store will be 119 W. Beaver St.
“For 95 years, Publix has provided premier service and quality products in a welcoming store environment,” Hannah Herring, Publix media relations manager, said in a news release. “We are excited to continue that legacy as part of the Pearl Square neighborhood.”
Residents in the area said this will benefit them, especially those without transportation.
Cheryl Teresa Shanks takes the bus to go get groceries when her daughter can’t take her to the store.
She used to walk about 15 minutes each way to the Harveys Supermarket before it closed to be converted to an Aldi.
She said now her commute to Walmart, the nearest grocery store on Merrill Road, is about an hour each way.
“It’s been a little hard, you know for us,” Shanks said.
It’s been time-consuming if she’s taking the bus, but it only takes 13 minutes for her by car. It’s just a short walk from her apartment, something her and her friends appreciate.
“Very nice, very good,” Shanks said. “I wish they were moving over here across the street,” her friend Jackie said. “It’s good for the public, especially for the elderly people.”
Pearl Square, which will feature housing, restaurants and retail across nine blocks, including Church, Julia and Ashley streets, broke ground on the second building on Beaver Street in May.
Gateway Jax, the commercial real estate development firm behind the project, broke ground on the first phase in October 2024.
The Publix store will be accompanied by a 15-story residential tower with about 250 apartments and integrated parking with 400 spaces.
“The addition of Publix, already well-known and loved, is a game-changer for Downtown and an incredible step forward for Pearl Square. It brings everyday convenience and reinforces our commitment to building a complete, connected community that reflects the energy of Jacksonville,” Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll said.
Moll said this is a game-changer for surrounding communities who will no longer have to drive long distances from their homes to get what they need.
Shanks and Jackie said they can’t wait for it to open.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026 with people tentatively shopping in their by 2028.