Publix is preparing to make some big changes in west St. Petersburg next month as it will be closing one store and opening another three miles away.
Publix confirmed this week it will close its Eagles Park Retail Center store at store at 5577 Park St. N. on Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m. The company’s new location at 6605 38th Ave. N. will open Wednesday, March 12, at 7 a.m.
The new store represents an $11 million investment by Publix, which owns the 38th Avenue property. Property records show the company demolished the existing building — a renovated Albertsons — in September 2024 and began construction on a new 57,658-square-foot supermarket in November 2024.
The Eagles Park location, built in 1986, operates in a shopping center owned by Miami Lakes-based Gator Eagle Partners. The center already has at least 16 vacant storefronts.
When Publix closes the store, the shopping center’s vacancy rate will jump from roughly 43% to more than 60%. The only significant remaining tenant will be Truist Bank, one of the last financial institutions operating in west St. Petersburg’s 33709 ZIP code after other banks closed in recent years.
Publix spokesperson Lindsey Willis confirmed the closure and opening dates and said more details about the new store would be available soon.
The new 38th Avenue location is approximately three miles from Eagles Park.
While the distance is manageable for customers with cars, it eliminates walking access for two 55 and older communities near the closing store and residents of nearby mobile home parks.