Article in today's paper.
Publix breaks ground
South Walton to get third location
By THOMAS J. MONIGAN and WENDY VICTORA
Daily News Staff Writers
SANTA ROSA BEACH ? A new Publix is under construction in South Walton County, with crews working to clear a 10-acre parcel on the north side of U.S. Highway 98.
The new location will bring the number of Publix stores in South Walton to three, including the one at Grand Boulevard and the one at WaterColor.
?They have apparently done their numbers,? said Jason Bryant, senior planner with Walton County. ?They feel safe about putting this in. They?re kind of planning for the future.?
Bryant said the plans call for 56,000 square feet of commercial space, with two outparcels.
The target date for the store opening is August. It will be located about 3/4 of a mile east of State Road 393.
?They?re putting full press on because they?re really working on it,? Bryant said.
Dawn Moliterno, executive director for the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, said she was enthused.
?We do know Publix is very astute about where they put their locations,? she said. ?And even in light of a challenged economy, they decided to proceed with this one.?
She said new businesses create jobs. The Publix that just opened in Fort Walton Beach in a former Albertsons location has about 120 employees.
?In a time when everybody?s stepping back to examine their plans, it?s good to see they?re pushing dirt and going ahead,? Moliterno said.
Sonny Mares with the Beaches of South Walton agreed.
?We have more condominiums and cottages than hotel rooms in Walton County,? Mares said. ?And this time of year we have a lot of snowbirds. For them cooking is very important.
?Even in the high season ? people are not always going out to g