Publix closing will mean longer lines, fewer choices and disruptions at Island Walk Shopping Center

A new Publix is set to open in late September 2026

As one of the major holidays nears, the owner of the Peterbrooke Chocolatier store at Island Walk Shopping Mall is concerned.

The worry isn't about chocolate sales with Easter Sunday coming up, but the closure of the nearby Publix supermarket just six days later on April 26.

Publix, one of only three supermarkets on Amelia Island serving 38,000 residents and numerous tourists, will be demolished and rebuilt, with reopening planned for September 2026.

Peterbrooke Chocolatier is located just one storefront away from Publix on the east side of the mall.

Chocolate store owner Katrina David

"It's a bit of a shock. I'm really afraid of what it's (Publix closing) going to do to my business," said Peterbrooke Chocolatier owner Katrina David. "We'll see. I get a lot of tourist foot traffic from Publix. We'll see how it goes."

David has run Peterbrooke Chocolatier for the past eight years and only found out about the plans to demolish and rebuild Publix a few weeks ago.

"When I was renegotiating my lease a couple of years ago, they (Publix) were uncertain if they would be taking over this area or not. But at that time, I thought it was just going to be a remodel, not a complete teardown and rebuild," she said. "I've known about a remodel, but the complete teardown was news to me a few weeks ago."

The ripple effect of Publix closing extends beyond just shoppers needing to visit either Winn Dixie or Harris Teeter on the island.

There's the economic impact on other retailers in the Island Walk Shopping Center, affected not only by the loss of Publix customer traffic but also by disruptions to the mall parking lot, which will be partially fenced off during the demolition and rebuild. Publix anchors the center of the shopping mall, and the fencing will divide the parking lot into two sections, reducing access to either side.

"Even people who parked on the other side of Publix didn't know we were here," David said about foot traffic patterns of the shopping center.

To counter the impact of reduced foot traffic, David mentioned she might carry less inventory and produce more products onsite, relying less on the Peterbrooke factory.

There's also the obvious impact on customers, putting more pressure on the other two supermarkets.

Winn Dixie and Harris Teeter will see an increase in customers, taxing their inventory supply, staffing, and parking.

"It's going to be a madhouse when Publix closes," said a Harris Teeter clerk at the self-checkout area. "I hope the plan is for us to hire more cashiers."

Current Publix employees, along with the store's inventory, are being relocated to other Publix stores in Yulee and Wildlight.

There's also the likelihood of increased vehicle traffic to the mid-island Harris Teeter location.

"It's going to cause a lot more south end traffic going to Harris Teeter!!! Pulling out on Buccaneer Trail will be crazy!" Mike Sloper wrote on Facebook in response to The Observer's query on how customers would be impacted by Publix closing.

Devoted Publix customers are already feeling the angst of losing their store.

"I am there (Publix) 3-to-5 times a week. It will be a total pain, but I am excited for the remodel when it reopens!" wrote Jill Cline Wright. "And I guess I’ll check out Harris Teeter, although it’s a long way compared to Publix."

Actually, it's just two more miles away, but with only two two-lane roads to get there.

Devoted Publix customers will need to drive the six miles over the bridge to the Publix in Yulee.

Melissa Matthews Hall wrote, "Publix is super close to my house and laid out very well. Harris Teeter is pricier, and I don't like the layout but will test out Winn Dixie and if that doesn't work out, I will go off the island."

Publix customers who relied on the store's pharmacy for their medications will most likely switch to CVS or Walgreens, again causing more customer delays.

"It's sad for those who use their pharmacy. Looking forward to their grand opening in a year - hope it is like the one in Wildlight," said Terri Ferraro.

According to the construction documents, the demolition of the existing Publix built in 1987 will take two months, with construction starting in early July. The construction is expected to take 330 days.

City building department records state the existing 57,086-square-foot store will be replaced with a 58,834-square-foot version, matching in design to a store that opened in the West Palm Beach area last November. The new store will include a Publix Pours, which features food like pizza, burritos, and drinks including beer, wine, and coffee.

"I’m not sure why all the big grocery stores feel a need to put wine bars and lunch areas in their stores now. Do they really generate that much more money and traffic?" said Lisa Marenghi. "Whatever upgrades/expansion Publix decides to do, I hope it’s worth losing quite a bit of their current customer base. With traffic off/on to the island, the majority won’t be going to the Publix in Yulee."

Others said home delivery services will solve the problem.

"I have been using Kroger delivery for several years, saving money," wrote Marylynn Hibdon.

And Chess Morgan said there are plenty of alternatives available to fill the void.

"Y'all don't forget the health food store, produce stand, Saturday's farmers market, Waas Drug, local seafood markets on island and Yulee, the meat market in Yulee. I plan on using our local stores and markets," he said.