West Villages Improvement District: Publix opening; other stores set in West Villages Marketplace

Sun Photo By Scott Lawson
https://www.yoursun.com/venice/publix-opening
Scott Lawson Venice Gondolier Editor Oct 30, 2019

It's not their style to make a big deal of openings.

"We literally like to keep it low-key; cut the ribbon and make it for the customer," said Brian West, with media and communications from Publix corporate office in Lakeland.

While they may make it low-key, the new 48,387-square-foot facility is another high mark for the West Villages community.

"We're excited about opening Thursday morning," West said.

It won't be like most Publix in the area — the closest one in size and style is in Parrish. The deli will be in the middle of the sales floor, not against a corner.
It'll also include a pharmacy, a different color scheme and a mezzanine for customers that'll offer up beverages, snacks and WiFi.

"It makes for a nice area for people to come in and sit down and relax," West said.

Publix is the first of stores for West Villages Marketplace, but more than a dozen have already staked their claim for the development.

Josh Beyer, senior vice president of development for St. Petersburg-based Sembler, said the $27 million project is exceeding their expectations.

"We are close to 80% leased," he said.

While there are opportunities for businesses to still get involved, the Marketplace is quickly filling — in terms of paperwork — with shops set to open later this winter.

So far, there are spots set for food, including China 1, Bocca Lupo's third location, and Fuji Noodles; spots set for treats, including Dunkin' and PeachWave Yogurt; spots set for care of yourself and your pets, including Great Clips, Heartland Dental, a nail salon and a salon for facials along with a veterinarian clinic along with other needs, including a Chase bank, UPS Store, Sparkle Brite Pools and 7-Eleven.

There remains more than 10 units still available, according to paperwork from Sembler.

West Villages officials are thrilled the first store is opening on time and in high form.

"I'm ecstatic for the community as a whole … the quality of the center and having Publix as part of your neighborhood is a game-changer for us," West Villages Mattamy Homes President Rick Severance said. "We're encouraged for the other synergies it'll bring to as well."

Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for West Villages, said there is going to be a positive impact from Publix and Marketplace.

"For our community, it is going to be amazing. Being able to walk, bike or drive a shorter difference than our past is going to make life much more easier and more convenient," she said.

Other merchants are likely to open near the first of the year, she said.

Those merchants and spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner are big for the community.

"The additional restaurants and services … those things are impactful when people are thinking about where they want to live," Severance said. "People refer to Publix as 'their Publix' when it comes to where they shop — they take ownership."

And the neighborhood continues to grow. Masney said West Villages is in the planning phase for its Town Center. Depending on permits, they hope to break ground in early 2020.

If things go well, they could be building vertically at Town Center in late 2020 and opening in 2021.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate