Publix targets November opening in St. Augustine Beach, mayor says

Mayor Dylan Rumrill said a new Publix supermarket in St. Augustine Beach is expected to open “sometime in November,” and the city’s building official gave a status update on site work and interior systems.

The store’s exterior work is the current focus, Brian, the city’s building official, said, with trees being planted, permeable pavers installed around the perimeter and final striping in the parking lot. Inside, Brian said contractors are finishing refrigeration brazing and electricians are completing circuits while Publix’s IT staff installs software and computer systems. “Part of the building has been energized to support that mission,” Brian added.

The timeline matters to residents because the project converts a vacant site into an operational grocery store and involves public-right-of-way impacts such as parking and landscaping; city officials provided the update during the mayor’s weekly Monday briefing.

City officials gave specific status details: outdoor landscaping and permeable paving are being installed, a pile of mulch is on site, and parking stripes are largely in place. Brian said interior trade work includes refrigeration line brazing and electrical circuit completion, and that Publix’s IT teams are on site to install software. The mayor characterized the interior as close to completion, saying those who have seen the inside “are gonna be ready to see that when it opens.”

No firm opening date was provided; both speakers referred only to a November target. No permits, inspections, contract awards, funding sources, or formal city actions were discussed in the update.

City officials said they will provide further updates; Rumrill closed the briefing by saying, “That’s your Publix update for September. We will see you in October.”