Construction on the Harris Teeter grocery store is expected to begin in spring 2026.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A newcomer is soon to be on the scene for Jacksonville’s grocery landscape.
Harris Teeter, a North-Carolina based supermarket chain, is planning a new store in the city, marking its return to Duval County after nearly two decades.
The Kroger-owned grocer confirmed plans for a large East Arlington store that will bring hundreds of jobs and a new premium grocery option to the area. Here’s what we know:
Where is the new Harris Teeter being built in Jacksonville?
The new Harris Teeter will be built at 11901 Atlantic Blvd. in the Atlantic North shopping center, near the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Kernan Boulevard in East Arlington.
The supermarket is planned between LA Fitness and Academy Sports + Outdoors in the retail center developed by Sleiman Enterprises.
Atlantic North has become a major retail hub in the area, already home to businesses such as restaurants, entertainment venues and national retail chains. The addition of a large grocery store is expected to further anchor the center and increase daily traffic.
When will Harris Teeter open in Jacksonville?
Construction on the Jacksonville Harris Teeter is expected to begin in spring 2026, although the company has not yet announced an official opening date.
Before vertical construction begins, the city issued permits allowing contractors to clear and prepare the site for development.
Once construction begins, grocery store builds of this size typically take about a year, meaning the store could potentially open sometime in 2027, though the company has not confirmed a timeline.
How big will the Jacksonville Harris Teeter store be?
Plans call for a 61,000-square-foot grocery store, making it one of the larger supermarkets in the area.
The project also has additional retail elements, including 3,200-square-foot liquor store next to the supermarket; about 6,000 square feet of additional retail space for other tenants; and parking lot modifications and new utilities to serve the store.
The size aligns with Harris Teeter’s modern store format used in many of its newest locations.
What features will the new Harris Teeter include?
Like many of the chain’s newest stores, the Jacksonville location is expected to include several amenities beyond a traditional grocery store.
Planned features include a fuel center associated with the store; a pharmacy with a drive-through window; and a wide assortment of fresh foods and prepared meals.
These features are part of Harris Teeter’s strategy to provide a full-service shopping experience with groceries, pharmacy services and fuel rewards in one location.
How many jobs will the Harris Teeter create in Jacksonville?
The East Arlington store is expected to create between 100 and 200 jobs once it opens.For Jacksonville, the store represents a sizable new retail employer in the Arlington area.
Is this Harris Teeter the first one in Jacksonville?
Yes, it will be the first Harris Teeter in Jacksonville in nearly 20 years.
The chain previously operated stores in Mandarin and Ponte Vedra Beach, but those locations closed in 2004 and 2006, before Kroger acquired Harris Teeter in 2014.
The company currently operates one store in Northeast Florida in Fernandina Beach in Nassau County.
Why is Harris Teeter expanding into Jacksonville now?
Jacksonville’s rapid population growth and expanding retail corridors are attracting national grocery chains looking to enter or reenter the market.
Harris Teeter has said its expansion is aimed at bringing “high quality, fresh ingredients and exceptional customer service to more communities.”
The Jacksonville store is part of a broader Southeastern expansion that includes new locations in North Carolina and South Carolina, signaling the brand’s continued growth across the region.
The arrival of Harris Teeter adds a new competitor to Jacksonville’s already crowded grocery market, which includes chains like Publix, Winn-Dixie and Walmart Neighborhood Market.
For shoppers, the store could bring more competition and pricing option, expanded prepared food and specialty grocery selections, new jobs and additional retail development in Arlington.
If construction proceeds on schedule, the East Arlington Harris Teeter could soon become one of the city’s newest grocery anchors — and the first sign of the chain’s long-anticipated return to Jacksonville.
This article was originally published by our news partners at the Florida Times-Union.