Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets Inc. announced it entered into an agreement to purchase the three stores. The stores will operate as Safeway until early September, according to a news release, and will be remodeled as Publix with grand openings in the “late fourth quarter” of this year.
“Publix continues to look for ways to expand within our operating area to better serve our customers,” said president and CEO Todd Jones, in a news release. “We are excited for this opportunity to acquire existing stores within our home state.”
One of the stores, Alamonte Springs, is directly across the street from another Publix location.
A spokeswoman confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that Publix plans to keep both stores open.
The stores – the last owned by Safeway/Albertsons – were the last three remaining Albertsons stores in Florida before being converted to Safeway in 2016, according to this article in the Orlando Sentinel.
Here's a map of the store locations. Zoom in to see nearby retail.