Publix Super Markets has expanded into Kentucky with the grand opening of its first store in Louisville, featuring a 55,701-square-foot space, a drive-thru Publix Pharmacy and unique offerings like a fresh pizza kitchen and a Pours area for various beverages.
“Today is a great day for Publix as we open our first store in the Bluegrass State,” Publix CEO Kevin Murphy said in a news release. “We look forward to introducing Kentucky customers to our premier service and delivering on our promise to be a place ‘where shopping is a pleasure.’”
The first Louisville store features a fresh pizza kitchen and a Pours area, offering coffee, wine, beer, kombucha, acai bowls and smoothies that customers can enjoy while shopping in-store or relaxing in the venue, according to the release. These items — along with custom subs, a food and soup bar, scratch bakery and on-site meat cutters — enhance the shopping experience, Publix said.
“As our Kentucky customers will come to know, they can count on us to deliver high-quality products that can only be found at Publix,” Murphy said. “Whether it is our famous Pub subs, Publix ice creams, bakery cakes, delicious ready-to-enjoy meals or anything in between, we offer some of the best food around.”
In celebration of the grand opening, Publix said it donated 40,000 pounds of produce to Dare to Care, a Feeding America partner food bank in Louisville. This donation brings the total produce provided to Dare to Care to more than 2 million pounds since 2021, when the company announced its planned expansion into Kentucky, the release said.
“We are focused on giving back to our communities,” Murphy said. “Working to alleviate hunger is at the heart of our charitable efforts, and that is why we are proud of our partnership with Dare to Care Food Bank.”
“Publix’s support has been invaluable,” Dare to Care CEO Vincent James said in the release. “We happily celebrate with them as their first Kentucky store opens in Louisville. We are excited to continue our partnership with the hope of eradicating food insecurity in our community.”
The next five Kentucky stores are expected to open in Louisville, Lexington and Walton, according to the release. Publix said its arrival will create over 900 new jobs across the six Kentucky stores.
Publix said the venture into the state underscores its dedication to providing an enhanced shopping experience and giving back to the community. With a diverse range of offerings, from fresh and customizable food options to a commitment to alleviating hunger through substantial donations, Publix's presence in Kentucky reflects its values of quality, community engagement and job creation, the release said.