For years, downtown Jacksonville residents have asked the same question: Why isn’t there a grocery store closer to me?
Despite the area’s rapid growth — new apartments, restaurants and office towers rising block by block — residents often have to leave downtown just to grab basic groceries. That’s about to change.
Publix confirmed plans to open its first-ever location in downtown Jacksonville as part of the Gateway Jax development project, marking a turning point for the area’s redevelopment and signaling that a true live-work-play lifestyle may finally be taking shape in Downtown. Here is what we know about the project so far:
Is Publix really opening a store in downtown Jacksonville?
Yes. Publix has announced its intent to open a store in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, filling a long-acknowledged service gap. While Publix has a strong presence across the Jacksonville metro area, this marks its first entry into the heart of the city.
Grocery stores on the way Many Aldi stores are set to open by 2026 in Florida. Where are new locations?
Where will the new downtown Publix be located?
The store is planned as part of Pearl Square, a mixed-use project that will bring retail, residences and dining to one of downtown’s most historic blocks. The new location will be at 119 W. Beaver St.
This is a big deal because downtown Jacksonville has lacked many grocery options for decades. Residents often travel to Riverside, San Marco or Springfield for groceries. A Publix within walking distance could transform daily life and further legitimize downtown as a residential district.
Where are Jacksonville’s Publix locations?
Publix stores are spread across Jacksonville’s major neighborhoods, including Riverside, San Marco, Southside, Mandarin, Arlington, North Jacksonville and the Beaches communities, including Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach. Many stores are located along major commuter corridors — like Atlantic Boulevard, Beach Boulevard, Philips Highway and Roosevelt Boulevard — and often anchored in shopping centers near residential growth.
How many Publix stores are in Florida?
Publix operates more than 880 stores across Florida, making the state its largest market by far. Florida is also home to the company’s headquarters in Lakeland and continues to be a major focus for new store projects.
How many Publix stores are in Jacksonville?
As of a 2024 count, Jacksonville is home to over 30 Publix locations, with additional stores in St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties, which are considered part of the Jacksonville metro area:
Publix at Riverside — 2033 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Publix at Gateway Shopping Center — 5210 Norwood Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32208
Publix at Arlington River — 5858 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Publix at University Square — 2875 University Blvd W, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Publix at Roosevelt Square — 4495 Roosevelt Blvd Ste E-1, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Publix at Old St. Augustine Plaza — 11250 St Augustine Rd Ste 4, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Publix at Dames Pointe — 7117 Merrill Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32277
Publix at Highland Square — 1100 Dunn Ave Bldg 100, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Publix at Deerwood Lake Commons — 4320 Deerwood Lake Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Publix Plaza — 9100 Merrill Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Publix at Normandy Crossing — 7749 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32221
Publix at Oak Hill Village — 7628 103rd St Ste 24, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Publix on San Jose Blvd — 10500 San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Publix at St. Johns Town Center — 4413 Town Center Pkwy Ste 100, Jacksonville, FL 32246
Publix at Deerwood Village — 9964 Old Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Publix at Mandarin Oaks — 11406 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Publix at Cobblestone Crossing — 2771 Monument Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Publix at Kernan Square — 12620 Beach Blvd Ste 12, Jacksonville, FL 32246
Publix at Duval Station Centre — 731 Duval Station Rd Ste 4, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Publix at Reedy Branch Commons — 10920 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Publix at Argyle Village — 6001 Argyle Forest Blvd Ste 45, Jacksonville, FL 32244
Publix at Harbour Place — 13170 Atlantic Blvd Ste 29, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Publix at Windsor Commons — 4765 Hodges Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Publix at OakLeaf Plantation Center — 9518 Argyle Forest Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32222
Publix at The Shoppes of Bartram Park — 13820 Old Saint Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258
Publix at Medical & Merchants Center at San Pablo — 14444 Beach Blvd Ste 6, Jacksonville, FL 32250
Publix at Shoppes at East San Marco — 2039 Hendricks Ave Ste 325, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Publix at Northpoint Village Shopping Center — 12541 Yellow Bluff Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Publix at eTown Exchange — 11025 eTown Pkwy Unit 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Publix at Plaza at Normandy — 11341 Normandy Blvd Ste 201, Jacksonville, FL 32221
Publix at Dames Pointe (alt listing) — 7117 Merrill Rd #1, Jacksonville, FL 32277
What Publix is closest to downtown Jacksonville?
The Publix located at 2033 Riverside Ave. in Riverside is considered the closest to downtown Jacksonville.
How big will the downtown Publix be?
The site will feature a 31,000-square-foot Publix on the ground floor, topped by a 15-story residential tower with about 250 apartments and 400 parking spaces. These stores typically include full grocery sections, grab-and-go prepared foods, a deli, bakery and often a pharmacy.
When will construction begin on the new Jacksonville Publix?
Publix has not released an official construction timeline. However, the development is moving through permitting and city approvals. Once groundwork begins, Publix stores of this type typically take 18–24 months to complete.
Big changes to grocery shopping Publix now allows open carry in Florida stores. What about Aldi, Winn-Dixie and others?
Will the new Jacksonville Publix include parking?
Yes. Plans tied to the redevelopment include structured parking, likely a shared-use parking garage that will support both the Publix and surrounding mixed-use components.
How does this fit into downtown Jacksonville’s development boom?
More than 3,000 new residential units are in various stages of planning or construction downtown. City leaders and developers have long said a grocery store is essential to sustaining that growth. The Publix announcement signals that downtown living is on the rise.
A rendering of the Publix slated to go into Gateway Jax’s Pearl Square project in Downtown Jacksonville.
Why did it take so long for downtown to get a grocery store?
For more than a decade, multiple grocery concepts have been proposed — and then stalled — in downtown Jacksonville.
City leaders repeatedly noted that grocery chains were watching population density, waiting for the residential base to hit a tipping point. With the current plans for new units and construction momentum, Publix appears to be seizing that moment.
Will Publix bring more retail interest downtown?
Publix is expected to “act as an anchor” of downtown development, especially for Gateway Jax’s plans, potentially attracting additional retail and dining interested in a downtown presence.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: New Publix store will open in downtown Jacksonville. Here’s where