Publix is opening two large supermarkets in Northeast Florida: one at SilverLeaf in St. Johns County and a rebuilt store at Island Walk in Fernandina Beach. Both locations will include in-store Publix Pours wine and beer bars, smoothies, and expanded deli menus. Building permits reviewed by local reporters indicate each store will be approximately 55,701 square feet and follow the grocer’s new prototype layout.
Where And When They Open
Hannah Herring, a Publix media relations manager, told Jax Daily Record that the SilverLeaf store is scheduled to open in spring 2026, while the Fernandina Beach location is planned for the third quarter of 2026. The Fernandina project will replace the Publix that closed and was demolished last year, and the SilverLeaf store is being built along SilverLeaf Parkway, west of St. Johns Parkway, according to local filings.
What Shoppers Will Find Inside
Both stores are expected to include Publix’s Pours concept, a counter and small bar offering draft beer, a curated wine selection, coffee, smoothies, and açaí bowls, along with expanded hot-food counters featuring pizza and burrito bowls. Publix has been introducing the Pours concept and enhanced deli offerings at its new prototype stores, according to Publix.
Who Is Building It And How Big It Gets
Municipal building permits and site plans for both projects list each grocery store at approximately 55,701 square feet and identify engineers and contractors, including Bohler Engineering, Bowman Consulting, Benning Construction Co., and White-Spunner Construction. The SilverLeaf site plan also shows a 2,100-square-foot liquor store, two smaller retail buildings totaling about 13,700 square feet, and an outparcel designated for a Fifth Third Bank.
Why Fernandina Shoppers Care
Fernandina Beach residents lost a nearby full-service grocery when the former Island Walk Publix closed and was demolished in April 2025, leading the city and local groups to launch a free shuttle to nearby stores, the outlet reported. News4JAX and other local outlets noted the permit filings and demolition work last year and reported that the rebuilt store will follow Publix’s larger prototype design, including Pours and expanded prepared-food counters.
What To Watch Next
Publix has not announced specific grand-opening dates beyond the seasonal timelines shared with local reporters and typically provides store-level opening details closer to completion. Construction traffic is expected around both sites while work continues, and official opening dates and store-specific menus will be released by Publix when available.
